Author: News Room

5 min readThe American Heart Association released updated dietary guidelines for heart health.The nine practices aim to help Americans make food choices that prevent heart disease and confounding factors, like high blood pressure.A cardiologist weighs in on the updates.The American Heart Association (AHA) recently released updated dietary guidelines for improved heart health—a list of recommendations that supersede a similar document that was released in 2021.Meet the Expert: Padma Shenoy, M.D., a cardiolgoist with Manhattan Cardiology and LabFinder contributor.“It appears that the new guidelines are focused on broader concepts of varied and healthful eating,” explains Padma Shenoy, M.D., a cardiologist with…

5 min readThe research is clear: Unless you’re eating the best foods for hair growth, it may not matter how many masks, oils, or other treatments you apply to your hair in hopes of keeping it long and strong. “Hair follicle cells are some of the most metabolically active and have amongst the highest cell turnover rate in the body,” said Alan J. Bauman, M.D., a hair restoration surgeon at Bauman Medical in Boca Raton, FL. “If you’re deficient in the basic nutritional building blocks, like protein, your body won’t produce healthy hair.”Meet the experts: Alan J. Bauman, M.D., a…

4 min read· The FDA announced a voluntary recall of select lots of Xanax.· The impacted lots may dissolve too quickly or not fast enough in the body.· Patients who have concerns should contact their doctor.The Food and Drug Administration has announced a voluntary recall of select lots of Xanax. The incredibly popular anti-anxiety medication was originally recalled by its distributor Viatris in mid-March, but was recalled nationwide on Wednesday for “failed dissolution specifications,” per the FDA.This is classified as Class II, which is the FDA’s second most severe recall category. Products that fall into this classification “may cause temporary…

9 min readUpon waking up, you discover a mysterious welt on your arm, immediately grab your phone and search: “spider bite pictures” followed by “spider bite symptoms.” It’s a valid, panicked reaction to such a jarring sight. But the results it yields can be quite the bug bite rabbit hole, and not one you want to dig through if you’re in any kind of pain, never mind danger. That’s why we asked a doctor and bug experts to vet real spider bite pictures and share what there is to know about them to stay safe.Many spider bites are completely harmless.…

The treatment for a sinus infection depends on whether it is viral or bacterial. If it is viral, antibiotics won’t help, so Dr. Wang suggests remedies like nasal saline sprays or rinses (like neti pots—be sure to use distilled water), nasal steroids (such as Flonase), decongestants, and over-the-counter pain relievers. Dr. King notes that most sinus infections are viral.Bacterial sinus infections, however, require antibiotics—and sometimes more. “For some patients, the swelling inside the nose can be so severe that in addition to antibiotics, they will also need a prescription for low-dose oral steroids,” says Dr. Barnes.If you have recurring sinus…

4 min readBreast cancer is very common, with about one in eight women in the U.S. developing it over the course of their lifetime. And while most know to get regular mammograms and check for lumps, knowing the sneaky signs of breast cancer besides a lump can help you identify the illness sooner and get the life-saving treatment you need.“Early detection is so important with breast cancer because early-stage breast cancer is highly treatable and highly curable,” says Tara Olson, M.D., an ob/gyn and physician manager at Simmonds, Martin & Helmbrecht of Advantia in Frederick, MD. According to the American…

7 min readCheese has long attracted critics due to its fat content. But don’t automatically discount the deliciously tangy dairy product as “unhealthy.” Calcium-rich and packed with important nutrients, cheese can play an important role in a balanced diet. In fact, incorporating some of the many delicious high-protein cheeses into your meal plan could even help you meet your protein goals.Meet the experts: Lauren Manaker, M.S., R.D.N., L.D., registered dietitian; Melissa Prest, D.C.N., R.D.N., spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics; Keri Gans, M.S., R.D.N., C.D.N., author of The Small Change Diet.For many, eating a high-protein diet can help…

5 min read· Ultra-processed foods are linked with a higher risk of frailty in a new study.· Frailty raises the risk of falls and other serious health complications. · Experts say you don’t need to avoid ultra-processed foods entirely.Ultra-processed foods have come under fire in recent years, with a growing body of research suggesting products that fall into this category aren’t great for your health. Now, a new study has found a link between a diet heavy in ultra-processed foods and a higher risk of frailty in older adults.For the study, which is pre-print and published in the journal MedRxiv,…

5 min readA record-breaking heat wave is scorching some parts of the U.S., delivering summer-like temperatures in April. Major cities like Atlanta, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Raleigh, and Washington, D.C., are expected to see temperatures upwards of 90 degrees—a rarity for this time of year.While a heat wave may be on your radar more in deep summer, it’s a little jarring and unexpected now. As with any time of year, high temperatures can be dangerous for your health—but a heat wave in April is especially tough.“What makes this week particularly dangerous is that it’s April,” says Christopher Bryczkowski, M.D., interim chairman of…

According to Sharkey, the best shoes for plantar fasciitis are those that provide structured support, stability, cushioning, and arch support. “A good shoe is one that is going to reduce strain on the plantar fascia and support proper foot alignment,” she explains. Here’s what to specifically look for in shoes if you have plantar fasciitis:✔️ Look for good cushioning and arch support. Shoes with “structured arch support” and “cushioning that absorbs impact without being overly soft or unstable” are best for plantar fasciitis, says Pourziaee. Soft, ample cushioning will help absorb shock and alleviate pressure on your feet—while proper arch…