The Heat Is On: Staying Safe When Temperatures Soar

• Robert Preidt
• July 27, 2021
• Full Page

Midsummer heat and high humidity aren't just uncomfortable -- they're a combo that can cause serious illness and even death.

"Whenever you walk or do outdoor activity, take a friend with you who can help you if you run into trouble," Dr. Eleanor Dunham advised. She's...

Worry, Depression, Burnout: Survey Finds College Students Stressed as Fall Term Nears

• Alan Mozes HealthDay Reporter
• July 26, 2021
• Full Page

Like many of her peers, Ohio State University engineering student Mary Trabue spent much of the pandemic taking classes online. And she was struggling.

"I don't know what was wrong, but I just felt tired all the time because I wasn't sleeping," she said. "And I knew...

How Your Kid's Education Could Make You Healthier

• Robert Preidt
• July 20, 2021
• Full Page

If you're a parent, here's another reason to encourage your kids to get a good education: Children's educational successes or failures can impact their parent's physical and mental health, new research suggests.

For the study, researchers at the University at Buffalo in ...

Shock Therapy Safe, Effective for Tough-to-Treat Depression

• Amy Norton HealthDay Reporter
• July 19, 2021
• Full Page

MONDAY, July 19, 2021 (HealthDay News) -- "Shock" therapy often helps lift severe depression, but fear and stigma can deter patients from getting it. Now a large new study is confirming the treatment's safety.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), as it's m...

More Than a Quarter of Long COVID Patients Still Not Recovered After 6 Months

• Robert Preidt
• July 16, 2021
• Full Page

How long can some COVID symptoms linger? New research suggests that more than a quarter of adults who had COVID-19 in 2020 weren't fully recovered six to eight months later.

There's growing evidence that COVID-19 can cause long-term physical and mental health problems. T...

Autism & Drinking, Drug Abuse Can Be Dangerous Mix

• Denise Mann HealthDay Reporter
• July 8, 2021
• Full Page

Teens and adults with autism may be less likely than others to use drugs and alcohol, but new research finds those who do are nearly nine times more likely to use these substances to mask symptoms, including those related to autism.

This is known as camouflaging, and it ...

Depression Plagues Many Coal Miners With Black Lung Disease

• Robert Preidt
• July 8, 2021
• Full Page

Mental health problems and thoughts of suicide are common among U.S. coal miners with black lung disease, a new study finds.

Black lung is a progressive illness caused by inhaling toxic coal and rock dust in coal mines. There are few treatment options.

"Although c...

Urinary Incontinence Can Affect a Woman's Mental Health

• Robert Preidt
• July 8, 2021
• Full Page

Millions of women are plagued by the daily disruptions of urinary incontinence, and new research suggests it might also be harming their mental health.

For the study, researchers analyzed data from 10,000 adult women who took part in a Portuguese Health Ministry survey c...

1 in 4 People With Anxiety, Depression Couldn't Get Care During Pandemic

• Robert Preidt
• July 7, 2021
• Full Page

In the middle of a pandemic that sent many Americans into bouts of emotional distress, one-quarter of them couldn't get counseling when they needed it the most, new research shows.

"Social isolation, COVID-related anxiety, disruptions in normal routines, job loss and foo...

People With HIV Have Much Higher Risk for Suicide

• Alan Mozes HealthDay Reporter
• July 6, 2021
• Full Page

TUESDAY, July 6, 2021 (HealthDay News) -- Since the advent of AIDS, major advancements in treating HIV infection has turned what used to be a death sentence into a manageable chronic condition.

But new research warns that many people living with HIV/AI...

Body's 'Signals' May Feel Different in People With Anorexia, Depression

• Robert Preidt
• June 24, 2021
• Full Page

The brain interprets physical signals differently in people with depression, anorexia and some other mental health disorders, new research shows.

British scientists examined "interoception" -- the brain's ability to sense internal conditions in the body -- in 626 patient...

Marijuana Use Tied to Higher Odds for Thoughts of Suicide

• Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
• June 22, 2021
• Full Page

Young adults who use marijuana appear to have an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and attempted suicide, according to a new study from the U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).

In fact, the risk that someone between 18 and 34 will think about, plan for or atte...

Could Fish Oil Supplements Help Fight Depression?

• Robert Preidt HealthDay Reporter
• June 18, 2021
• Full Page

Fish oil supplements are often touted as good for your heart health, but a new study finds they may also help fight depression.

"Using a combination of laboratory and patient research, our study has provided exciting new insight into how omega-3 fatty acids bring about a...

Dads of 'Preemie' Babies Can Be Hit by Depression

• Robert Preidt
• June 18, 2021
• Full Page

Postpartum depression strikes fathers of premature babies more often than previously thought, and it can linger longer in fathers than in mothers, a new study finds.

The researchers screened for depression in 431 parents of premature infants in a neonatal intensive car...

Treating Teachers' Depression Could Boost Young Students' Grades: Study

• Cara Murez
• June 16, 2021
• Full Page

When depression strikes teachers, they can suffer mightily, but a new study suggests their students' ability to learn might also be harmed.

Researchers found a correlation between teachers' depressive symptoms and math skills in early learners enrolled in Head Start prog...

'Laughing Gas' Shows Promise Against Tough-to-Treat Depression

• Alan Mozes HealthDay Reporter
• June 10, 2021
• Full Page

When antidepressants fail to rein in hard-to-treat depression, the common anesthetic most know as "laughing gas" might be a safe and effective alternative, new research suggests.

The finding follows work with 28 patients struggling with "treatment-resistant major depress...

'Early Birds' May Have Extra Buffer Against Depression

• Alan Mozes HealthDay Reporter
• June 3, 2021
• Full Page

Could getting out of bed just one hour earlier every day lower your risk for depression?

Yes, claims new research that found an earlier start to the day was tied to a 23% lower risk of developing the mood disorder.

The study of more than 840,000 people found a link...

Tennis Star Naomi Osaka's 'Time Out' Highlights Common, Crippling Mental Health Issue

• Alan Mozes HealthDay Reporter
• June 2, 2021
• Full Page

On Tuesday, tennis star Naomi Osaka announced her withdrawal from the French Open. The reason: An ongoing battle with depression and anxiety.

As the world's No. 2 woman's tennis player and a four-time Grand Slam tournament winner at the age of just 23, many fans may...

Massive Gene Study Probes Origins of Depression

• Robert Preidt
• May 28, 2021
• Full Page

Researchers who pinpointed 178 gene variants linked to major depression say their findings could improve diagnosis and treatment of a disorder that affects 1 in 5 people.

The study draws on a huge database, analyzing the genetic and health records of 1.2 million people f...

In One U.S. School District, Nearly 10% of Students Identify as 'Gender-Diverse'

• Amy Norton HealthDay Reporter
• May 18, 2021
• Full Page

Teens may be much more diverse in their gender identities than widely thought, a new study suggests.

In a survey of nearly 3,200 high school students in one U.S. school district, researchers found that almost 10% were "gender-diverse." That meant they identified as a gen...

Major Gene Study Looks at Origins of Bipolar Disorder

• Steven Reinberg
• May 18, 2021
• Full Page

Scientists report they have pinpointed 64 regions in the DNA of humans that increase a person's risk of bipolar disorder, more than twice the number previously identified.

The researchers, who called this the largest investigation of bipolar disorder to date, also discov...

Depression Even More Common With Heart Failure Than Cancer

• Steven Reinberg
• May 14, 2021
• Full Page

People with heart failure are 20% more likely than those with cancer to develop depression within five years of their diagnosis, a new study finds.

Nearly 1 in 4 patients with heart failure are depressed or anxious, according to the German researchers.

"The treatme...

Feeling Down? Support Via Social Media May Not Be Enough

• Alan Mozes HealthDay Reporter
• May 10, 2021
• Full Page

Looking for a morale boost or some solid encouragement? If so, socializing the old-fashioned way -- live and in-person -- will likely do more to lift your spirits than online interactions, new research suggests.

It's the key takeaway from a survey of more than 400 colleg...

Lockdown Loneliness Making Things Even Tougher for Cancer Patients

• Robert Preidt
• May 10, 2021
• Full Page

Fighting cancer can be a lonely battle, and new research shows that the coronavirus pandemic has made the experience even more isolating.

Studies conducted before the pandemic found that 32% to 47% of cancer patients were lonely, but in late May of 2020 roughly 53% of 60...

State of Mind Matters for Survival After Heart Attack

• Robert Preidt
• May 7, 2021
• Full Page

Poor mental health after a heart attack may increase young and middle-aged adults' risk of another heart attack or death a few years later, a new study suggests.

The study included 283 heart attack survivors, aged 18 to 61 with an average age of 51, who completed questio...

Time Spent in ICU Linked to Higher Odds for Suicide Later

• Robert Preidt
• May 7, 2021
• Full Page

Survivors of the intensive care unit (ICU) have a higher risk of self-harm and suicide after discharge than other hospital patients, a Canadian study shows.

Researchers compared the health records of 423,000 ICU survivors in the province of Ontario with those of with 3 m...

Stressed, Burned-Out Nurses Make More Medical Errors: Study

• Robert Preidt
• May 3, 2021
• Full Page

Critical care nurses with poor mental and physical health are more likely to make mistakes, but a more supportive work environment could improve the situation, a new study suggests.

"It's critically important that we understand some of the root causes that lead to those ...

Good Stroke Recovery May Depend on Your ZIP Code: Study

• Robert Preidt
• April 29, 2021
• Full Page

Stroke recovery tends to be worse among Americans in poorer neighborhoods than those in wealthier neighborhoods, a new study finds.

"People in less advantaged neighborhoods were more likely to have more disability, lower quality of life and more symptoms of depression th...

Nothing to Sniff at: Depression Common for People With COVID-Linked Smell Loss

• Sarah D. Collins HealthDay Reporter
• April 27, 2021
• Full Page

Loss of the sense of smell and taste is often an early and enduring symptom of COVID-19. Now, research suggests that for many COVID survivors with long-term sensory loss, it's also depressing.

In a web-based survey completed by 322 adults with COVID and a sudden change ...

Worry, Depression Can Plague Folks Who Get Implanted Defibrillators

• Robert Preidt
• April 26, 2021
• Full Page

An implanted heart defibrillator is a life changer in more ways than one. More than one in 10 patients who receive the device also developed anxiety or depression, a new study reveals.

The findings highlight the need for regular screening of patients who receive an impla...

Pandemic Is Leading to More Depression for Pregnant Women Worldwide: Study

• Robert Preidt
• April 23, 2021
• Full Page

Depression and other mental health problems have become much more common among pregnant women and new mothers during the COVID-19 pandemic, an international study finds.

Researchers noted that mental health issues can harm not only a woman's own health but also affect mo...

Could Chronic Sinusitis Affect Brain Health?

• Alan Mozes HealthDay Reporter
• April 21, 2021
• Full Page

As if the headaches and stuffy nose aren't bad enough, chronic sinus trouble often leaves patients foggy-headed and depressed. Now, new research suggests one possible reason why: Sinusitis may trigger changes in brain activity.

"Chronic sinusitis is incredibly common," ...

Pandemic Stress Keeps Many From Exercising

• Robert Preidt
• April 19, 2021
• Full Page

Exercise can provide a much-needed mental health boost during the COVID-19 pandemic. But stress and anxiety may hold you back, new research suggests.

According to a survey by researchers at McMaster University in Canada, some people may need mental health support to exe...

Americans Still Avoiding ERs in Pandemic, But Uptick Seen in Mental Health Crises

• Steven Reinberg HealthDay Reporter
• April 16, 2021
• Full Page

While ER visits have stayed below normal levels as the coronavirus pandemic continues, the number of people showing up in the emergency department with mental woes is increasing, new federal government data shows.

Between March 29 and April 25, 2020, visits to emergency ...

'Magic Mushroom' Hallucinogen as Good as Antidepressants: Study

• Amy Norton HealthDay Reporter
• April 15, 2021
• Full Page

The magic ingredient in "magic mushrooms" may be at least as effective as standard medication for depression, an early clinical trial suggests.

The study of 59 patients with major depression tested the antidepressant escitalopram (Lexapro) against psilocybin, which is th...

Nurses Are Dying From Suicide at Higher Rates

• Alan Mozes HealthDay Reporter
• April 14, 2021
• Full Page

Before the pandemic began, suicide risk was twice as high among female nurses compared with American women as a whole, a new study warns.

Even within the health care community itself, female nurses were found to be roughly 70% more likely to die by suicide than female do...

Ovarian Cancer Diagnosis Can Take Big Toll on Women's Mental Health

• Robert Preidt
• April 12, 2021
• Full Page

Ovarian cancer is a tough diagnosis to cope with, and now a new study finds these patients face a much higher risk of depression and other mental health issues.

And the emotional anguish exacted a significant toll: The researchers also found it was associated with an inc...

Women More Prone to Concussion's Long-Term Harms: Study

• Amy Norton HealthDay Reporter
• April 8, 2021
• Full Page

After a concussion, women may be at heightened risk of lasting physical and mental symptoms, a new study finds.

The study of 2,000 concussion sufferers found that women were more likely than men to still have some symptoms one year later. The problems included fuzzy memo...

About 40,000 U.S. Children Have Lost a Parent to COVID-19

• April 5, 2021
• Full Page

More than 40,000 U.S. kids have lost a parent to COVID-19 and the long-term impacts could be severe, experts warn.

Americans under age 65 account for about 1 in 5 COVID deaths. Of those, as many as 15% involve someone in their 40s and 3% someone in their 40s.

"In t...

Why Are Half of U.S. Kids With Mental Health Issues Not Getting Treatment?

• Sarah Collins HealthDay Reporter
• March 29, 2021
• Full Page

Over half of high-risk children in the United States are not receiving behavioral health services critical to their mental, emotional and physical well-being, new research warns.

"It's a pretty simple and kind of widely agreed upon finding that there are a lot of at-risk...

'Non-Drug' Approaches Can Fight Depression in People With Dementia

• Robert Preidt
• March 25, 2021
• Full Page

Exercise, mental stimulation and massage are among the drug-free therapies that are as good or better than medication in treating depression in dementia patients, researchers say.

They reviewed 256 studies that included a total of more than 28,000 people with dementia wi...

Suicide Attempts Spike Soon After Dementia Diagnosis

• Ernie Mundell HealthDay Reporter
• March 24, 2021
• Full Page

A new study shows just how devastating a diagnosis of mental decline can be: Researchers found that rates of suicide rise sharply in the months after such news is delivered.

The study of almost 148,000 older U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs patients, mostly men, looke...

Half of COVID Survivors Struggle With Depression: Study

• Steven Reinberg HealthDay Reporter
• March 16, 2021
• Full Page

To the lingering damage of COVID-19 infection, add this side effect: New research shows that more than half of those sickened by COVID-19 report depression.

Among more than 3,900 people who had COVID-19 surveyed between May 2020 and January 2021, 52% suffered symptoms of...

Beta Blockers Won't Cause Depression, But Might Impair Sleep: Study

• Ernie Mundell and Robert Preidt
• March 16, 2021
• Full Page

Millions of people take a beta blocker regularly, and a new study brings good news: The medications will not raise the risk of depression.

Beta blockers are used to treat conditions such as heart failure, chest pains, high blood pressure and abnormal heart rhythm. But it...

Pandemic Has Harmed Mental Health of Nearly Half of U.S. Teens: Poll

• Robert Preidt
• March 15, 2021
• Full Page

If your teenagers have been struggling to cope during the coronavirus pandemic, a new survey suggests they are far from alone.

Researchers found that 46% of 977 parents of teens said their child has shown signs of a new or worsening mental health condition since the star...

Depression Often Follows Stroke, and Women Are at Higher Risk

• Ernie Mundell and Robert Preidt
• March 11, 2021
• Full Page

The trauma and loss of stroke can often leave survivors with long-term depression, and women appear to be at special risk, new research shows.

"We did not expect that the cumulative risk of depression would remain so persistently elevated," said study author Dr. Laura St...

As Lockdowns Cut Into Exercise Time, Depression Rates Are Rising

• Alan Mozes HealthDay Reporter
• March 10, 2021
• Full Page

Exercise has long been considered a "natural antidepressant." Now, research suggests that as lockdowns kept people from regular exercise, depression rates started to rise.

The finding is based on multiple mental health surveys conducted among three successive groups of U...

College Students With ADHD Have Lower Grades, Higher Dropout Rates

• Amy Norton HealthDay Reporter
• March 3, 2021
• Full Page

College students with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have a harder time making it to graduation than their peers do, a new study suggests.

Researchers found that of 400 students they followed, those with ADHD had a lower grade-point average (GPA) -- abou...

History of Mental Illness Tied to Earlier Onset of Alzheimer's Disease

• Amy Norton HealthDay Reporter
• February 25, 2021
• Full Page

People with Alzheimer's disease often have a history of depression or anxiety, which might mean an earlier emergence of memory and thinking problems, a preliminary study suggests.

Researchers found that of 1,500 Alzheimer's patients at their center, 43% had a history of ...

Migraines? Get Moving: Exercise Can Help Curb Attacks

• Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
• February 24, 2021
• Full Page

Anyone who gets frequent migraine symptoms knows the experience: the throbbing, the pain, the visual disturbances.

Exercise has long been a potential way to reduce migraine triggers, but a new study suggests it could be an especially effective with triggers such stress, ...