health

Second American contracts bird flu tied to dairy cows as CDC says risk of infection still low

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced Wednesday that a second H5N1 bird flu case has been identified by officials. A 55-year-old Michigan dairy worker became ill after working with H5N1-infected cattle, the CDC said in a press release. While an upper respiratory tract sample tested negative, a specimen from his eye confirmed the H5N1 bird flu infection. …

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Spinal cord treatment restores function for paralyzed patients in study: ‘New hope’

Ninety percent of paralyzed patients regained strength or function in their upper limbs after receiving an experimental therapy, a new study found. After receiving spinal cord simulation from ONWARD Medical’s ARC-EX system, the participants saw “significant improvement” in their hand and arm function, according to a press release. The study, published on Monday in Nature Medicine, included 65 participants at …

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Three women — ages 41, 55 and 64 — share their secrets to better health and longevity

For an increasing number of women over 40, age really is just a number. It may not be possible to stop the passage of time — but certain healthy habits can help slow down biological age, experts say. “As we age, our abilities to perform certain physical and cognitive tasks decline, while our risks for disease and ultimately death increase,” …

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Heart attacks more likely during presidential elections and other stressful times, study shows

Your genes could put you at a higher risk of heart attack during very stressful times, including presidential election season. Research from Massachusetts General Hospital found that people who have specific genetic traits — paired with anxiety or depression — are at a “significantly higher heart attack risk” during periods of social or political stress, such as presidential elections, winter …

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Ask a doctor: 'Is it dangerous to swallow gum?'

It might be tempting to swallow chewing gum if there’s no trash can nearby to dispose of it — but is it dangerous to do so? Though it’s not necessarily a health hazard, swallowing gum is not a good habit, according to Dr. Ari Lamet, a gastroenterologist in Hollywood, Florida. “Swallowing a piece of gum occasionally should not be an …

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US pediatricians group reverses decades-old policy, allowing breastfeeding for those with HIV

People with HIV can breastfeed their babies, as long as they are taking medications that effectively suppress the virus that causes AIDS, a top U.S. pediatricians’ group said Monday in a sharp policy change. The new report from the American Academy of Pediatrics reverses recommendations it had in place since the start of the HIV epidemic in the 1980s. It …

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7 important health stories you might have missed this week: Catch up here

Every day of the week, Fox News Digital publishes a range of health pieces to keep you up-to-date on the most important wellness news. We cover cutting-edge medical research, breakthrough medications, mental health challenges, personal medical dramas and more. In case you missed them, here are a few of our biggest health stories from this week. CLICK HERE TO SIGN …

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Many families take patients off life support too soon after traumatic brain injuries: study

Many patients who died after traumatic brain injuries may have survived and recovered if their families had waited to take them off life support, a new study found. Researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School and other universities analyzed “potential clinical outcomes” for patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) who were removed from life support, according to a press …

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Could your car make you sick? Study highlights potentially cancerous toxins in vehicles

Americans may be breathing in cancer-causing chemicals while driving, recent research suggests. A study published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology has sparked discussions about the potentially harmful toxins that could be lurking in the cabins of vehicles. “Certainly the indoor air quality can cause health symptoms,” Dr. Ken Speath, M.D., the division chief and medical director for occupational …

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Feeling hungrier than usual? Your sleep schedule could be the culprit, an expert says

If you’ve been feeling hungrier than usual, it could be due to your sleeping habits. Human hunger is tied to circadian rhythm, according to experts, which means not sleeping enough can cause a greater appetite. Dr. Christopher Rhodes, a nutritional biologist in California, explained in a conversation with Fox News Digital that a body deprived of sleep “seeks out energy …

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