Health

A 4-year-old boy has been diagnosed with a rare, life-threatening illness that means he could literally be scared stiff at any moment, The Chronicle Live reported. At 8-months-old, doctors diagnosed Jacob Madgin, of North Tyneside, England, with hyperekplexia – a disease which causes him to react in an extreme way …

For many college students, back-to-school prep isn’t just about dorm decor and classroom supplies. A growing number of parents are reportedly sending their kids back to school with Narcan. Narcan is a popular brand name for naloxone, a medication that can quickly reverse an opioid overdose. Once a prescription medication, …

One in eight women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime — but despite its prevalence, there are still some common myths surrounding the disease, according to experts. Dr. Megan Kalambo, associate professor at the Department of Breast Imaging at The University of Texas MD …

Just two servings of red meat per week can increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, a new study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition revealed. Swapping the red meat for plant-based proteins, by comparison, was linked to reduced diabetes risk, the study found. Researchers from the …

Nearly a quarter of the calories U.S. adults consume comes from snacks, according to a new study published in PLOS Global Public Health. Americans consume an average of 400 to 500 calories in snacks every day, which generally are lacking in protein, vitamins and minerals, the study found. That’s more …

DAKAR, Senegal – Sierra Leone will soon see a dramatic increase in desperately needed Ebola treatment beds, but it’s still not clear who will staff them, according to the top United Nations official in the fight against the disease. Ebola has sickened more than 16,000 people of whom nearly 7,000 …

A virus long thought to be harmless may actually play a role in Parkinson’s disease, a condition that affects more than one million Americans. Northwestern Medicine scientists discovered Human Pegivirus (HPgV) in the brains and spinal fluid of people with Parkinson’s, but not in those without the disease. The results …

A major new study found that carrying a few extra pounds might not be as dangerous as being underweight, especially for those who are “fat but fit.” Researchers from Aarhus University Hospital in Denmark followed more than 85,000 adults and found that people who were underweight were nearly three times …

Experts agree that exercise is vital to longevity and helps to preserve muscle mass, bone density and joint health as we age. But it’s important to approach workouts in the right way to ensure safe, optimal results. The general guideline is for healthy adults to get 150 minutes of moderate …

Levels of iron in the brain could be a warning sign of future Alzheimer’s disease, a new study suggests. High levels of the chemical element have been shown to increase brain toxins and trigger neurodegeneration, resulting in cognitive decline — especially when they interact with theabnormal amyloid and tau proteins …