A Doctor's Take: Cyclospora or Salmonella? The Key Differences and How to Protect Yourself

FRIDAY, Aug. 28, 2026 (HealthDay News) — Recent outbreaks of foodborne illness, like the cyclosporiasis cases that have led to hundreds of illnesses, two deaths and produce recalls in several states, remind us that food safety is an ongoing concern. 

Pathogens like Cyclospora and Salmonella each bring their own...

Hormone Therapy Might Lower Dementia Risk Among Women

FRIDAY, Aug. 28, 2026 (HealthDay News) — Hormone therapy might reduce the risk of dementia in women after menopause, a new study says.

Women who received hormone therapy had a 16% lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, researchers reported Aug. 26 in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia.

The benefi...

Sticking To BP Meds Lowers Heart Risk, Study Finds

FRIDAY, Aug. 28, 2026 (HealthDay News) — Folks who think missing a dose of blood pressure medication here or there won’t harm their health should probably think again, a new study says.

Regularly missing doses not only blunts the effectiveness of blood pressure drugs, but also increases risk of stroke or heart attack, researche...

A Third Of Women In Their 20s Haven't Gotten This Essential Cancer Screening

FRIDAY, Aug. 28, 2026 (HealthDay News) — Nearly a third of women in their 20s have never been screened for cervical cancer, increasing their risk of disease and death, a new study says.

Women are urged to start cervical cancer screening at either 21 or 25, based on competing guidelines by the American College of Obstetrics & Gyne...

FDA Approves First Pill To Extend Survival In Advanced Pancreatic Cancer

THURSDAY, Aug. 27, 2026 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the first drug shown to substantially extend the lives of people with advanced pancreatic cancer, nearly doubling survival time in a key clinical trial.

The pill, Rasonque (daraxonrasib), was cleared Wednesday for adults whose pancreat...

Thyroid Tablets Recalled Nationwide Due To Potential Over-Potency Risk

THURSDAY, Aug. 27, 2026 (HealthDay News) — More than 3,600 bottles of a common thyroid medication are being recalled nationwide because lab testing showed the pills could be too strong.

Vitruvias Therapeutics, based in Auburn, Alabama, initiated the voluntary recall for a single batch of Thyroid Tablets, USP 30 mg. 

The me...

Heat Waves Linked To Dozens Of Health Problems, Emergencies

THURSDAY, Aug. 27, 2026 (HealthDay News) — Health problems caused by heat waves extend far beyond simple dehydration or heatstroke, a new study says.

As many as 33 diagnoses can be tied to extreme heat events, researchers reported recently in the journal Science Advances.

The medical problems include rashes, kidney fai...

Are Scented Cleaners Creating Indoor Air Pollution?

THURSDAY, Aug. 27, 2026 (HealthDay News) — The citrus, pine or floral scent of a freshly cleaned room may come with something unexpected: invisible air pollution.

A new study warns fragrances in both conventional and botanical cleaning products can react with ozone in indoor air, forming nanoparticles that can travel deep into the lu...

Implant Improves Speech After Brain Injury

THURSDAY, Aug. 27, 2026 (HealthDay News) — A brain implant might be able to improve speech and swallowing problems that can occur following a traumatic brain injury, a new study says.

The implant delivers low-frequency electrical stimulation to the motor thalamus, a deep brain region connected to the motor cortex, researchers said.&n...

This Brain Skill Doesn't Decline With Age, And Can Actually Improve Among Seniors

THURSDAY, Aug. 27, 2026 (HealthDay News) — Age doesn’t seem to degrade a person’s language skills as it does other brain functions, a new study says.

Unless a senior is affected by stroke or dementia, they are likely to retain and might even improve their ability with language, researchers reported Aug. 24 in the journal ...

Illegal Fentanyl Use Double That For Medical Purposes, With High Risk Of OD, Study Finds

THURSDAY, Aug. 27, 2026 (HealthDay News) — Illegal use of the powerful synthetic opioid fentanyl is more than double its use for medical purposes in the United States, a new study has found.

More than 7 of 10 people whose urine tested positive for fentanyl had not been prescribed the drug, but were using it illicitly, researchers rep...

Popular Sugar Substitute Linked To Higher Heart Risk

WEDNESDAY, Aug. 26, 2026 (HealthDay News) — Xylitol is a popular artificial sweetener found in everything from sugar-free foods and drinks to gum and oral care products.

But new research is raising questions about its long-term heart safety.

"In previous studies, we showed that xylitol can enhance the ability of platelets to fo...

First Measles Deaths Reported In US This Year — American Academy Of Pediatrics Responds

WEDNESDAY, Aug. 26, 2026 (HealthDay News) — Two unvaccinated Pennsylvania residents have died of measles, the first deaths linked to the virus in the state in 35 years, its Department of Health (DOH) said Tuesday.

They are the first measles-related deaths in the U.S. this year, according to NBC News.  

Both people...

'True Grit' Program Helps Prepare Kids With Spinal Cord Injuries For Adulthood

WEDNESDAY, Aug. 26, 2026 (HealthDay News) — A week-long sleepaway camp effectively helps young people who use wheelchairs prepare for adulthood, a new study says.

Rutgers University’s True Grit program is meant to teach life skills and build independence among 14- to 21-year-olds who’ve suffered spinal cord injuries, rese...

At Least 1 In 4 NFL Players Who Died Recently Had Impact-Related Brain Damage, Study Finds

WEDNESDAY, Aug. 26, 2026 (HealthDay News) — At least 1 in 4 former NFL players who died in recent years suffered from brain damage linked to repeated head impacts, a new study says.

That rate may be on the lower end, based on how many players donated their brain for research.

More than 91% of the 235 brains donated by former NF...

After A Sleepless Night, Which Better Boosts Brain Power — Exercise Or A Nap?

WEDNESDAY, Aug. 26, 2026 (HealthDay News) — A short bout of exercise appears to work quicker than a long nap to refresh a sleep-deprived mind, a new study says.

About 20 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous exercise performed as well as a 90-minute nap in protecting the memory of people who’d gone 30 hours without sleep, researchers...

Most Parents Struggle With One Back-To-School Routine

WEDNESDAY, Aug. 26, 2026 (HealthDay News) — There’s one part of the back-to-school routine that parents aren’t looking forward to, a new poll indicates.

About 3 out of 4 American parents have trouble getting their child to eat breakfast before they head off to school, a new University of Michigan poll says.

Picky ea...