Socializing: A Prescription For Healthier Brain Aging

THURSDAY, Aug. 13, 2026 (HealthDay News) — Imagine heading to a doctor’s office for memory problems and getting a prescription to hang out with friends.

Prescriptions calling for “doses” of social engagement could help seniors’ brains age more gracefully, a new study says.

Activities like bingo, church g...

Taking The Stairs May Lower Your Risk Of Dying From Heart Disease

THURSDAY, Aug. 13, 2026 (HealthDay News) — Taking the stairs instead of the elevator may do more for your health than you think.

A large study published in the American Journal of Cardiovascular Drugs found people who regularly climbed the stairs were 39% less likely to die from cardiovascular disease. And 24% less likely to...

Sweet Tooth? It Could Be Shaping Your Decisions, Study Says

THURSDAY, Aug. 13, 2026 (HealthDay News) — A taste for sweets — ice cream, candy, chocolates, pastries — might provide a window into the way you make decisions, researchers say.

People with a sweet tooth are more apt to make impulsive choices — but not necessarily because they are impatient, researchers reported rec...

Stressed Parents Turn To Screens For Help, Study Finds

THURSDAY, Aug. 13, 2026 (HealthDay News) — Parents under stress are more likely to use screens to help manage their children, a new study says.

As stress levels rise, parents tend to use screens to help calm or occupy their children, researchers reported recently in the journal Family Relations.

They also are more like...

FDA Wants More Information From Food Makers On New Food Chemicals

WEDNESDAY, Aug. 12, 2026 (HealthDay News) — For decades, food manufacturers have been able to decide what food chemicals were safe enough to add to their products based on general government guidelines. 

Now, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) wants more information first. 

A proposal announced Monday would r...

Aspirin/Omega-3 Combo Matches Antibiotics In Treating Gum Disease, Trial Finds

WEDNESDAY, Aug. 12, 2026 (HealthDay News) — People with severe gum infections might be able to forego antibiotics by taking low-dose aspirin and omega-3 fatty acid supplements instead.

Patients’ gum disease improved just as well with an aspirin and omega-3 treatment as it did with antibiotics, researchers reported recently in t...

Endometriosis Linked To Higher Type 2 Diabetes Risk

WEDNESDAY, Aug. 12, 2026 (HealthDay News) — New research is drawing a surprising link between two conditions that affect millions of women.

A major study — published Aug. 6 in the journal Diabetologia — finds women with endometriosis face a 46% higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

"Previous studies la...

Experimental Pulse Oximeter Accurate Regardless Of Skin Tone, Researchers Say

WEDNESDAY, Aug. 12, 2026 (HealthDay News) — Pulse oximeters became widely known during the COVID-19 pandemic, as doctors used the finger clip devices to tell whether a respiratory infection was robbing patients of needed oxygen. 

But skin tone impairs the effectiveness of pulse oximeters, causing them to overestimate blood oxyge...

'Normal' Can Backfire During Doctor/Patient Discussions

WEDNESDAY, Aug. 12, 2026 (HealthDay News) — A positive bedside manner might sometimes be the worst thing for doctors to provide patients, researchers say.

Patients might come away thinking they don’t need treatment — even if they really do — after a doctor reassures them by saying their symptoms are “normal,&r...

Tamiflu Helps Keep Severely Ill Kids Out Of The ICU, Study Finds

WEDNESDAY, Aug. 12, 2026 (HealthDay News) — Children with the flu who receive prompt treatment with Tamiflu are less likely to land in a hospital intensive care unit (ICU), a new study says.

Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) given as soon as possible reduced children’s risk of needing ICU care by 31%, researchers reported Aug. 10 in JA...