AHA News: Sorting Folklore From Fact on the Health Benefits of Garlic

Garlic is a food of legends, supposedly capable of providing protection against everything from common colds to heart disease – not to mention vampires and werewolves.

But does it really ward off as many health ills as its reputation suggests?

"That might be a stretch," said Kristina Petersen, an assistant professor in the departme...

Epidural in Delivery Not Linked to Autism: Study

In news that should reassure many pregnant women, having an epidural during childbirth won't increase the child's risk of autism, researchers report.

The new findings refute a widely criticized 2020 study that said epidurals were associated with a 37% higher risk of autism.

Experts said that study didn't account for numerous socioe...

Are You Eating Foods That Harm Your 'Microbiome'?

MONDAY, April 19, 2021 (HealthDay News) -- People who eat plenty of vegetables, fish and fiber may have more inflammation-fighting bacteria in their guts, but fast-food lovers may be feeding inflammatory microbes.

That's the conclusion of a new study that looked at people's diet habits and the makeup of their gut "microb...

Half of American Adults Have Now Gotten at Least One COVID Vaccine Shot

Half of all Americans aged 18 or older have now gotten at least one shot in the arm of a COVID-19 vaccine, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Sunday.

The agency said that almost 130 million people -- 50.4% of the U.S. adult population -- have received at least one dose of vaccine, while almost 84 million adults, ...

Many Employees Have Mixed Feelings as Offices Reopen

Bye-bye Zoom meetings: As America begins to emerge from the pandemic, many companies are welcoming employees back into physical work spaces.

But Taylor Villanueva, an entrepreneurship specialist at the Girl Scouts of Orange County, counts herself among the millions of Americans who might be feeling just a little anxious about that transit...

Is It Allergies or COVID? Expert Shows How to Tell the Difference

Seasonal allergies are striking this year at the worst possible time, with the United States in the midst of a fourth wave of the global COVID-19 pandemic.

You've got an itchy nose and watery eyes. Or maybe you've got a fever and a sore throat. Or you've developed a cough and you have trouble breathing.

Is it COVID-19, or just your u...

In Breast Cancer Survivors, Obesity Raises Odds for Cancer's Return

MONDAY, April 19, 2021 (HealthDay News) -- Most people know obesity can lead to diabetes or heart disease, but excess weight can play a role in cancer, too, researchers say.

A new study found that breast cancer survivors who are overweight have a statistically significant increased risk of developing a second primary can...

Unexplained Drop in Resting Heart Rate in Youth 'Not a Good Thing'

Children who have a sudden lowering of their resting heart rate as they move into young adulthood may be at increased risk for heart disease later in life, researchers report.

For their new study, they assessed data from 759 Black and white participants in the Augusta Heart Study, which was designed to evaluate the development of risk fact...

Hormone Treatments May Raise Blood Pressure in Transgender People

Monitoring blood pressure is important for transgender people, according to new research, which found changes in systolic blood pressure after the start of gender-affirming hormone therapy.

Transgender men and transgender women have a higher burden of heart attack, stroke and related conditions, the study noted.

Gender-affirming horm...

Job Losses Hit Americans Hard in Pandemic, Report Confirms

American families that suffered job losses during the pandemic are struggling to pay their bills and afford food, and many have turned to government help, a new study finds.

Researchers analyzed data from nearly 7,700 adults who took part in an Urban Institute survey in December 2019 and from more than 7,700 who took part in a December 20...

Live Near a 'Superfund' Site? Your Life Span Might Be Shorter

Living near a Superfund hazardous waste site may shorten your life, new research suggests.

There are thousands of Superfund sites across the United States and they include manufacturing facilities, processing plants, landfills and mines where hazardous waste was dumped, left out in the open or poorly managed, posing a risk to the environme...

Warmer Climate, More Pollen, Worse Allergies: How to Fight Back

Climate change has made North America's pollen season longer and more severe, but there are ways to reduce your allergy misery, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI).

The best way to deal with worsening pollen seasons is to get ahead of them.

"If you know it's likely that your allergy sympto...

Strike Out Kids' Overuse Injuries This Baseball Season

Young baseball players are at risk for overuse injuries, but there are ways to play it safe and prevent such problems, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) says.

"Overhead athletes, such as baseball players, place significant repetitive stress on the shoulder and elbow joints," orthopedic sports surgeon Dr. Nima Mehran said ...

Energy Drink Habit Led to Heart Failure in a Young Man

Energy drinks provide millions with a quick, caffeinated boost, but one young man's story could be a warning about overconsumption, experts say.

In the case of the 21-year-old, daily heavy intake of these drinks may have led to life-threatening heart and kidney failure, British doctors reported April 15 in BMJ Case Reports.