A federal judge has ruled that the emergency contraception drug Plan B One- Step, a.k.a. the "morning-after pill," must be made available over the counter to everyone. The decision, issued Friday, April 5, 2013, overturns a rule that required anyone 16 years old and younger to have a prescription in order to get the pill In 2011, despite the Food and Drug Administration's … [Read more...] about Federal judge issues new ruling on emergency contraception
Health and Fitness
Got asthma? Odds are you have an allergy, too
Study found many U.S. adults suffer from both Most American adults with asthma also have an allergy, according to a new study. Researchers examined data on nearly 2,600 people from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and found that 75 percent of adults aged 20 to 40 with asthma, and 65 percent of adults 55 and older with the condition, have at least … [Read more...] about Got asthma? Odds are you have an allergy, too
Superfoods: Foods with benefits (part 3)
Talking Health with Dr. Carter By Dr. Lester Carter Owner, Carter Drug Store Hippocrates had it right around 300 B.C. when he advised, "Make thy food thy medicine, and thy medicine thy food." (We're slow learners as a race, aren't we?) We discuss 10 superfoods. Traditionally defined, these foods have exceptional properties. A grocery list follows the discussion. It … [Read more...] about Superfoods: Foods with benefits (part 3)
Sexually transmitted diseases and travel
Travelers who have casual sex are at risk for sexually transmitted diseases. Prevent STDs when you travel overseas. An estimated 20 percent of travelers say that they have had casual sex with a new partner while in a foreign country. The excitement of being on vacation may encourage people to do things they would not do at home, and the inhibition-lowering effects of drugs … [Read more...] about Sexually transmitted diseases and travel
Report: Nearly 14 million cancer survivors in U.S.
Many are people who had breast or prostate tumors By Robert Preidt There are currently 13.7 million cancer survivors in the United States and the number is expected to rise by 31 percent to 18 million by 2022, according to a new report. “Cancer is often not the immediately fatal diagnosis it often was in the past,” said one expert, Dr. William Oh, chief of the … [Read more...] about Report: Nearly 14 million cancer survivors in U.S.
Too much TV may make kids antisocial, study suggests
Five-year-olds who watch television for three or more hours a day are a bit more likely to fight, steal and have other antisocial behaviors by the age of 7, a new study suggests. The researchers also found that time spent playing computer or electronic games had no effect on children’s behavior, according to the report published online March 25 in the Archives of Disease in … [Read more...] about Too much TV may make kids antisocial, study suggests
Health Tips
Lower cholesterol Eating healthier can help lower your cholesterol. The Cleveland Clinic offers these suggestions: • Cut back on fatty meats, processed meats, poultry with skin and full-fat dairy products. • Eat more foods rich in soluble fiber, such as legumes, fruits, oats, barley, flaxseed and whole grains. • Eat at least one meat-free meal each week, opting instead for … [Read more...] about Health Tips
Vision 101: Local MDs answer questions about sight-threatening macular degeneration
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of central vision loss in Americans age 50+. Although it affects white people more than blacks, a study in East Baltimore showed that AMD was the third leading cause of bilateral (both eyes) blindness in blacks after cataracts and glaucoma. Whatever the risk rate, it is important to know that AMD can affect quality of … [Read more...] about Vision 101: Local MDs answer questions about sight-threatening macular degeneration
Talking Health with Dr. Carter
Time to weigh in (part 3) In a fully functioning body, leptin sends signals to the brain that reduce hunger, increase fat burning, and reduce fat storage. Surprisingly, this hormone is produced by our fat (white adipose tissue). That's right. That stuff we think we don't want is not inert. Although it does serve as padding, insulation, and fuel storage, that's just the … [Read more...] about Talking Health with Dr. Carter
Cancer rates dropping among black Americans
But they’re still more likely to die from the disease than whites, study finds A new report finds that cancer rates among blacks in the United States are on the decline, especially among black men, and the improvement may have saved almost 200,000 people from dying of the disease since the early 1990s. Still, blacks continue to be more likely to die of cancer than whites, … [Read more...] about Cancer rates dropping among black Americans