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Another Test to Help Clinicians Diagnose Asthma More Accurately

Although about 24 million Americans are diagnosed with asthma every year, there is no single test that can diagnose the disease. Common symptoms, such as shortness of breath, wheezing, and cough, are relatively nonspecific, and physicians may use multiple tests and observations to reach an accurate diagnosis. » Read more Source: ScienceNewsline

Better Treatment, Not More Spending, Saves Heart Attack Patients, Study Finds

A new long-term look at heart attack care and spending in America since the turn of the century shows more survival, more spending, and more variation between hospitals on both scores. » Read more Source: ScienceNewsline

Health benefits of swapping animal proteins for plant proteins

Substituting one to two servings of animal proteins with plant proteins every day could lead to a small reduction in the three main cholesterol markers for cardiovascular disease prevention, a new study suggests. » Read more Source: sciencedaily

Try exercise to improve memory and thinking, new guideline urges

For patients with mild cognitive impairment, don’t be surprised if your health care provider prescribes exercise rather than medication. A new guideline for medical practitioners says they should recommend twice-weekly exercise to people with mild cognitive impairment to improve memory and thinking. » Read more Source: sciencedaily

Could Sugar Be Responsible for the Obesity And Diabetes Epidemics?

The idea that sugar could be a fundamental cause of the global obesity and diabetes epidemics, with deleterious effects on the human body that go beyond just empty calories, should be considered seriously again, argues journalist and author Gary Taubes in The BMJ today. » Read more Source: ScienceNewsline

Low sodium-DASH diet combination dramatically lowers blood pressure in hypertensive adults

The CDC recommends influenza vaccination for everyone aged 6 months and older. However, vaccination coverage in the 2016-2017 season fell below the Healthy People 2020 targets of 70%. According to the CDC, only 59% of children aged 6 months to 17 years and 43.3% of adults aged 18 years or older were vaccinated during the […]

Q&A: Flu vaccination coverage benefits economy, not just overall health

The CDC recommends influenza vaccination for everyone aged 6 months and older. However, vaccination coverage in the 2016-2017 season fell below the Healthy People 2020 targets of 70%. According to the CDC, only 59% of children aged 6 months to 17 years and 43.3% of adults aged 18 years or older were vaccinated during the […]

Gluten-free diet’s effect on cardiovascular risk unclear

A systematic review showed no clear evidence that a gluten-free diet has an overall negative impact on cardiovascular risks in patients with celiac disease. » Read more Source: Healio

Catching up on sleep over the weekend may not help the heart

Using the weekend to catch up on sleep may not be good for heart health, a new study suggests. The study, presented Tuesday at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions, included more than 21,000 older female health care professionals without a history of cardiovascular disease or cancer. Those who spent two or more hours catching […]

Calcium in the prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis

A new clinical guide summarizes the evidence regarding the effects of calcium in reducing the risk of osteoporosis after the menopause. » Read more Source: Science Daily