FDA eases blood donation ban on gay men

The FDA is easing its restrictions on gay and bisexual men who want to make a blood donation

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/fda-eases-blood-donation-ban-on-gay-men/

Study: Night shift workers more likely to doze at the wheel

More than half the night workers tested in a new study said they nodded off behind the wheel at least once a week on their way home

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/study-night-shift-workers-more-likely-to-drift-off-at-the-wheel-drowsy-driving/

Study Touts Benefits of Group Prenatal Care

Spending time with other pregnant women, sharing experiences may help young mothers-to-be

From: http://www.webmd.com/baby/news/20151221/study-touts-benefits-of-group-prenatal-care?src=RSS_PUBLIC

U.S. Task Force Backs Statins for These People

Primary focus is on people with 10 percent or greater threat of heart attack or stroke within 10 years

From: http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/news/20151221/us-task-force-backs-statins-for-those-40-to-75-at-heightened-heart-risk?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Chipotle eyed in outbreak of different E. coli strain

Shares of the restaurant chain fall to 52-week low after the CDC reported the latest development

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/chipotle-eyed-in-outbreak-of-different-e-coli-strain/

Sex After Heart Disease: When Is It Safe to Get Back in the Saddle?

You've been treated for heart disease, and now you've got a new lease on life. But does that mean it's safe to have sex? WebMD tells you how to know when you're ready.

From: http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/features/is-there-sex-after-heart-disease?src=RSS_PUBLIC

When Men Get Rheumatoid Arthritis

Men get rheumatoid arthritis, though less often than women. WebMD explains what the symptoms look like and the treatments that are available.

From: http://www.webmd.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/features/men-rheumatoid-arthritis?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Sudden cardiac arrest may have warning signs after all

"We used to think sudden death happens without warning" - but now researchers have found some red flags

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/sudden-cardiac-arrest-may-have-warning-signs-after-all/

FDA lifts official ban on gay, bisexual blood donations

After 32 years of banning blood donations from gay and bisexual men, the FDA is allowing them to donate to the blood supply, but serious restrictions remain in place

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/fda-lifts-official-ban-on-gay-bisexual-blood-donations/

FDA eases blood donation ban on gay men

Some major restrictions on who can donate blood will remain in place

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/fda-eases-blood-donation-ban-on-gay-men/

Ridiculous microwave myths you can stop believing

The real story behind some false information about microwaves making the rounds on social media

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/true-or-false-ridiculous-microwave-myths-you-can-stop-believing/

Are home births safe for low-risk pregnancies?

A new study from Canada looks at how home births compare to going the hospital route

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/are-home-births-safe-for-low-risk-pregnancies/

FDA Lifts Ban on Blood Donations by Gay Men

Studies from other countries show policy won't compromise blood supply, health officials say

From: http://www.webmd.com/men/news/20151221/fda-lifts-ban-on-blood-donations-by-gay-men?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Being 'Fat But Fit' Won't Cut Early Death Risk

Study suggests benefits of physical fitness don't overcome risk from obesity

From: http://www.webmd.com/diet/20151221/being-fat-but-fit-wont-cut-your-risk-of-premature-death?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Mayo Clinic Minute: Holiday Interval Training

From: Mayo Clinic http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=of1Za8cOi9s

Is Your Birth Control as Safe as You Think?

Since NuvaRing hit the market, more than 700 women have filed lawsuits, claiming it has caused potentially life-threatening blood clots. The battle may change the way millions of women prevent pregnancy.

From: http://www.webmd.com/sex/birth-control/features/is-your-birth-control-as-safe-as-you-think?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Natural Remedies for Heart Health: Help or Harm?

Can natural remedies help your heart stay healthier? WebMD talks to heart doctors and pharmacists who cut through the hype to tell you which ones may work.

From: http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/features/natural-remedies-for-heart-health-help-or-harm?src=RSS_PUBLIC

WHO news on Ebola

From: http://www.who.int/entity/mediacentre/news/ebola/archive/en/index.html

Dove chocolate snowflakes recalled for allergy risk

Bags of Dove chocolates sold in 35 states are being recalled

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/dove-chocolate-snowflakes-recalled-for-allergy-risk/

Home Births May Be Safe for 'Low-Risk' Pregnancies

But critic dismisses the Canadian findings as incomplete, not applicable to the U.S.

From: http://www.webmd.com/baby/news/20151221/home-births-may-be-safe-for-low-risk-pregnancies-study?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Blood Flow to Back of Brain and Risk of This

Procedure to open blocked arteries may benefit these patients, research suggests

From: http://www.webmd.com/stroke/news/20151221/reduced-blood-flow-to-back-of-brain-raises-recurrent-stroke-risk-study?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Periodontal Disease and Heart Health

Does a healthy mouth equal a healthy heart? WebMD talks to heart and dental experts who debate whether there's a connection.

From: http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/features/periodontal-disease-heart-health?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Health Plans’ Drug Coverage Can Trigger Confusion

Some medicines, particularly intravenous treatments, are not listed in plans’ pharmacy benefit section and, therefore, it’s difficult to confirm coverage specifics.

From: http://www.webmd.com/health-insurance/20151221/health-plans-coverage-of-some-drugs-can-be-a-source-of-consumer-confusion?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Link Between Gum Disease, Breast Cancer Risk?

Higher odds seen among postmenopausal women who smoke, smoked in the past

From: http://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/news/20151221/study-suggests-link-between-gum-disease-breast-cancer-risk?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Holiday travels: Keeping kids safe and healthy

Traveling with your children can be a great way to explore new places, spend time together as a family, and visit with those friends and family members who don’t live nearby. To have the safest and healthiest trip possible, keep in mind these travel tips.

Bring the important things from your medicine cabinet

• Pack any prescription medicines your child takes. Check to be sure you have enough for the whole trip.
• Bring commonly used over-the-counter medicines, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), antibiotic ointment, cold medications (as recommended by your doctor), and diphenhydramine (Benadryl).
• Carry a thermometer and a few Band-Aids on every trip; they can come in very handy. Consider a pair of tweezers, too, if your child gets splinters often.

Kids need car seats

• Make sure you have the proper seat for your child’s age and weight, and that it’s correctly installed in the vehicle you are traveling in. The website of the American Academy of Pediatrics offers tips on choosing and installing car safety seats.
• If you are traveling by plane, the Federal Aviation Administration strongly recommends bringing car seats for infants and toddlers and fastening them to an airplane seat. Remember that you will have to purchase a separate ticket for the child in order to use the seat. Check with the airline to see if discounts are available. The car seat must be less than 16 inches wide to fit; be sure to measure before you go! Booster seats are not allowed on planes.

Be aware of common travel health problems

• If your child easily gets carsick, make sure she is high enough in the car to see out the window, as this can help. Keep a window cracked open for a breeze, and have some light snacks such as pretzels available; both can help nausea go away. If your child has particularly bad carsickness (for example, she vomits every trip), talk to your doctor about medications she might take.
• Ear pain can be a problem when people fly. Having an infant nurse or take a bottle during take-off and landing is a good idea, as swallowing helps combat ear pain. For older children, try having them drink, chew gum (sugarless, of course!), or play a yawning game to prevent their ears from blocking up.
• Since schedules and what you eat when traveling are often different than when you’re home, constipation (not having a bowel movement as often as usual) may happen. Give your child plenty of fluids, and make sure there is fiber (fruits, vegetables, whole grains) in his diet.
• Germs can be anywhere when you travel. Carry hand sanitizer with you at all times, to help you bring fewer of them along with you!

Don’t forget about childproofing

• Bring along a childproofing kit with outlet covers, cabinet locks, and whatever else you use at home.
• If staying at someone’s house, you may not be able to childproof the entire place. Ask if there is one room you can completely childproof, so you can relax better while your child is there. Think about the biggest dangers, such as medications, cleaning fluids, knives, and potential choking hazards. Ask if those and any other particularly dangerous things can be moved and/or locked out of reach during your stay.
• For infants and toddlers, a portable crib can serve as both a bed and a safe place to play.
• Consider bringing safety gates with you to block stairs or to help keep your child in a safe room. Your host may appreciate it if you use the kind that open out, as opposed to ones that need to be climbed over.

Do your homework

• Write down your child’s medical information, especially medication allergies (if you forget the name of the antibiotic that gave him the rash, find out before you go!), health problems, and prescription medications. Keep it with you at all times. If your child needs to see a doctor while you are traveling, she’ll need to know these things.
• Bring the names and phone numbers of all doctors your child sees, including specialists, in case you or a doctor you see needs to contact them.
• Ask your doctor about the best hospitals in the area where you are traveling, so you’ll know where to go if necessary.
• Make sure you bring your health insurance cards, and check with your insurance company about coverage out of your area. Most companies will cover emergency care if your child needs it, but you may need to call for approval or go to a particular hospital.

If traveling outside of the country…

• For travel to certain countries, your child may need special vaccines. To find out the latest recommendations, visit the Traveler’s Health section at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website. Do this at least six to eight weeks before traveling, as many of the vaccines need to be given at least a month before travel and you may need an appointment at a special travel clinic to get certain vaccines.
• Find out about the particular health risks, such as malaria or dengue, in the country where you will be traveling so that you can talk to your doctor before you go about how to prevent them. The CDC’s website can help with this. It also has lots of useful, practical information about topics such as safe food and water and traveler’s diarrhea.

It sounds like a lot, but mostly it’s just a matter of planning. And it can make a big difference when it comes to making your trip memorable for all the right reasons.

 

Related Posts:

• Teaching gratitude this holiday season – and all year long
• Looking for Autism
• Is it ADHD—or Autism?
• Protecting your children against Enterovirus D68
• 12 ways to help a child make the transition to kindergarten

The post Holiday travels: Keeping kids safe and healthy appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.

From: Claire McCarthy, MD http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/holiday-travels-keeping-kids-safe-and-healthy-201512218881

Keytruda May Help Fight Tough-to-Treat Lung Cancer

In study, the immune-based therapy beat an older drug with fewer side effects, but it's expensive

From: http://www.webmd.com/lung-cancer/news/20151219/keytruda-may-help-fight-tough-to-treat-lung-cancer?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Drug Overdoses Hit Record High: CDC

Narcotic prescription painkillers, heroin fueling the increase, researchers say

From: http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/news/20151218/drug-overdoses-hit-record-high-cdc?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Chemicals in foam raise concerns about baby car seats

Limiting a child's exposure to toxic chemicals is a big issue for many parents, but finding eco-friendly products may cost big money

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/chemicals-in-foam-raise-concerns-about-baby-car-seats/

Popular car seats found to contain flame retardant

Orbit Baby claimed to be only one made without material linked to cancer, but test results indicate parents may not be getting what they expect

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/orbit-baby-car-seats-hazardous-flame-retardants-health-concerns/

Top health searches of 2015

WebMD and Medscape analyzed data on the health and medical terms people wanted to know about this year

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/media/top-health-news-searches-of-2015/