Health: News, features, tips and alerts to keep you healthy - Spokane, North Idaho News & Weather KHQ.com

People who spend lots of time on their smartphones may be scrolling, tapping and swiping their way to carpal tunnel syndrome, a painful wrist and hand disorder.

As the debate continues about the best time for mammograms, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) is asking women to add their voice to the discussion.

Attempting to thread a very tight needle, Senate Republicans on Thursday released a health-care reform bill intended to undo major parts of the Affordable Care Act while still supporting the public's access to healthcare

Over the past few decades, death rates linked to cancer and heart disease have declined in most developed nations, thanks to more effective prevention strategies, early detection and greater access to quality health care.

Cancer doctors are often mute when a patient asks about the cost of treatment, a new study shows.

Environmentally conscious parents have long struggled with the fact that their baby's dirty diapers wind up in landfills, but what option do they have?

The safety of hair products has been debated for years. Now, new research suggests that black women who use dark hair dyes face a higher risk of breast cancer, while chemical relaxers and straighteners boost the odds in white women

Most Americans want to be in better shape, but few are putting in the work to get there, a new survey shows.

If you suffer from chronic low back pain, yoga might bring you as much relief as physical therapy, a new trial shows.

When it comes to stomach discomfort during exercise, forget that old adage "no pain, no gain." New research suggests that excessive strenuous exercise may lead to gut damage.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Friday that it's working with the drug company Pfizer to remedy a shortage of important injectable medications, including emergency syringes of epinephrine.

Once astronauts leave the Earth's protective magnetic field, their cancer risk would soar while traveling to Mars, new research indicates.

The American Medical Association is calling for more transparency in drug pricing amid skyrocketing costs that are putting some lifesaving medications out of reach for patients and communities.

It may not be for everyone, but a new study suggests that the smooth stride of a gentle horse may help stroke survivors regain lost mobility and balance years after their brain attack.

For the first time since the U.S. government began tracking e-cigarette use among American youth, a new report shows fewer teens are vaping.

When seasonal allergies strike, what remedy is right for you? The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has some answers.

Your Mom may have been right about broccoli's goodness. A small study hints that a substance in the crunchy veggy may help some with diabetes get better control of their blood sugar.

A flu shot is the best way to avoid getting sick, but new research reveals the vaccine doesn't work as well for people who are obese.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday announced that the launch of an updated "nutrition facts" panel on foods, developed during the Obama administration, will now be delayed.

When is a carrot not just a carrot? When it's a "twisted citrus-glazed carrot."

Nearly 10 million American adults have a serious mental illness, and a similar number have considered suicide during the past year, according to a new government report on the nation's behavioral ills.

People with type 2 diabetes who aren't taking insulin don't necessarily need to check their blood sugar levels, a new study contends.

Summer beckons, and with those sunny skies comes a warning to protect yourself from skin cancer.

An infant's fascination with faces is already evident in the womb, a new study contends.

Women are routinely prescribed more opioid painkillers than they need after Cesarean sections, creating a high risk for misuse, a trio of new studies suggests.

One in 20 women in the U.S. territories who were infected with Zika during pregnancy had babies with serious birth defects, officials reported Thursday.

Fatigue and mood changes are the most common symptoms that occur before children develop migraines, a new study finds.

An electric shock is an often overlooked threat to swimmers, a safety expert warns.

People who drink at even moderate levels may see some of their mental skills slip faster as they age, a new study suggests.

Overweight kids are excluded and ostracized by classmates in school more often than their thinner peers, new research indicates.

Deadly Legionnaires' disease is lurking in the water systems of hospitals, nursing homes and long-term care facilities, putting the most vulnerable patients at risk, U.S. health officials said Tuesday.

An unfriendly divorce can raise a child's risk of colds in adulthood, a new study suggests.

Competitive sports may be safe for many athletes who have an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), new research suggests.

When people with advanced cancer report their symptoms to health care providers using an online program, they may live longer, a new study suggests.

It's healthiest to evict infants from their parents' bedroom at 6 months of age, suggests new research that runs counter to national guidelines.

Frequent pot smokers might be dooming themselves to diseased gums, a new study suggests.

If you're an avid runner and you think compression tights might shave a few seconds off your time, a new study begs to differ.

The Zika virus will strike the continental United States again this summer, and looming federal budget cuts will make it hard for local officials to curb its spread, public health experts said Wednesday.

The Alzheimer's Association has just completed a new survey that asked more than 1,500 adults to share their fears and concerns about getting older, getting sick and/or caring for a family member struggling with dementia.

A pill that contains three powerful antiviral drugs might offer a cure for many hepatitis C patients who have failed other treatments, researchers report.

Millions of Americans have had to swear off shellfish, eggs, peanuts or soy to avoid allergic reactions that can range from stomach cramps to life-threatening swelling of the airways, new research shows.

Multidrug-resistant bacteria, such as E. coli, can be found in more than one-quarter of people living in nursing homes, a research review finds.

If you're a new father, spending plenty of time with your baby could boost his or her mental development, a new study suggests.

Methamphetamine users who quit the drug may get a break: New research suggests it's possible to reverse heart damage with proper medical treatment.

Before your family pulls out their swimsuits this Memorial Day, brush up on water safety, for your kids' sake.

A new genetic test may detect anal cancer, a disease that's become more common in women, gay and bisexual men, and people with HIV.

Could regular, strenuous exercise be a "fountain of youth"? New research suggests it could be -- for your cells, at least.

Most Americans still don't eat enough nutrient-rich foods from key groups including vegetables, fruits, whole grains and low-fat dairy, according to federal health statistics.

Child care experts say it's dangerous for infants to sleep in the same bed with their parents. Now, researchers report that "baby boxes" and parent education can help reduce the unsafe practice.

New gene-based therapies appear to significantly decrease cholesterol levels in people, and could even cut down on arterial plaque, according to results from two early drug trials.

As more baby boomers age, deaths from Alzheimer's disease have jumped 55 percent, and in a quarter of those cases the heavy burden of caregiving has fallen on loved ones, U.S. health officials report.

The Republican-led bill to repeal and replace Obamacare that passed the House last month would result in 23 million Americans losing their health insurance coverage, according to a much-anticipated report released Wednesday.

A landmark clinical trial has shown that a compound in marijuana can ease life-threatening seizures in children with a rare and devastating form of epilepsy.

There's delicious news for chocolate lovers: New research suggests the sweet might help keep a common and dangerous form of irregular heartbeat at bay.

As reports of the carnage at Monday's Ariana Grande show in Manchester, England, continue to pour in, many teens with tickets to concerts during the coming summer music season may be reluctant to attend an event.

City life seems to take a toll on the adolescent mind, new research suggests.

More than a quarter of Americans -- and 1 in 3 millennials -- say they know someone addicted to opioids or prescription painkillers, according to a new survey from the American Psychiatric Association (APA).

The first prescription of an antibiotic that the average U.S. adult with pneumonia receives is now ineffective in about a quarter of cases, a new study finds.

American teens are hitting the bottle less often than they did 25 years ago, new research reveals.

Families seeking to cool off don't expect to pick up a nasty infection. Yet, outbreaks of a diarrhea-causing parasitic infection have doubled in recent years at swimming pools and water playgrounds in the United States

As great as smartphones are, you can get too attached to the gadgets.

A 100-year-old medical treatment could help infertile women get pregnant without undergoing pricey in vitro fertilization (IVF), a new study suggests.

Insulin typically saves the lives of those with diabetes, but it can also be a way for some people to kill themselves, a new review warns.

Colon cancer patients might improve their chances of survival if they eat nuts along with an overall healthy diet and regular exercise, two new studies report.

After a popular type of weight-loss surgery, nearly 21 percent of patients develop a drinking problem, sometimes years later, researchers report.

Contrary to popular wisdom, an older, more experienced doctor may not always be the best choice.

Maybe you think you're the life of the party after your third gin and tonic. Or maybe you worry you'll drink too much and turn into a "mean" drunk.

The vast majority of U.S. child care centers are not fully prepared to handle the risks posed by a possible influenza pandemic, a new investigation warns.

Many adults under 40 may not need to have routine cholesterol screenings, a new study suggests.

If a woman's sex drive has waned to the point where she's distressed about it, or the issue is causing relationship problems, the medication dubbed "female Viagra" may help, a review of several studies suggests.

A new study suggests blood thinners may also help keep dementia at bay.

Millions of Americans fear the worst as they face so much to lose if Republicans in Congress pass a bill to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.

Drinking among U.S. high school students has plummeted in recent years, a new government report shows.

"Keyhole" arthroscopic surgery should rarely be used to repair arthritic knee joints, a panel of international experts says in new clinical guidelines.

Young adults with HIV who get treatment are living longer in North America and Europe, a new study finds.

Commonly used painkillers such as Motrin, Advil and Aleve might increase your risk for heart attack, even in the first week of use, a new study suggests.

U.S. women traveling to areas where the Zika virus is circulating might be less likely to be infected than expected, but risk remains, a new study suggests.

Where you live appears to play a role in your risk of cancer, a new analysis suggests.

Tossing out the salt shaker may not be enough for your heart health. Most of the salt that Americans consume comes from processed foods and restaurant meals, a new study finds.

Many resources can help people with asthma manage triggers and symptoms, an allergist says.

A simple phone call can make a big difference to someone who's attempted suicide and may be contemplating another try.

The antioxidant resveratrol -- found in red wine, peanuts and berries -- might improve the health of blood vessels in people with type 2 diabetes, a small study suggests.

With one vote to spare, Republicans took the first steps Thursday in their longstanding battle to repeal and replace Obamacare.

A new study finds that people with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis who haven't done well on other treatments may find relief with Xeljanz (tofacitinib), a drug currently used to treat arthritis.

After a week of working to wrangle support for an amended repeal-and-replace bill, House Republicans say they are set for a Thursday vote on legislation aimed at overturning the Affordable Care Act, often called Obamacare.

Falls and resulting hip fractures can prove disabling and even fatal for seniors. And new research suggests the risk of hip fractures rises soon after an older person is prescribed a sleeping pill.

About half of U.S. doctors received payments from the pharmaceutical and medical device industries in 2015, amounting to $2.4 billion, a new study reports.

The Trump administration announced on Monday that it will ease the requirements for healthy school lunch programs spearheaded by former First Lady Michelle Obama.

Score yet another point for low-dose aspirin: Regularly taking "baby" aspirin appears to protect women from the most common type of breast cancer, new research suggests.

American toddlers are more likely to eat french fries than green vegetables on any given day, according to a new national survey on children's eating habits.

Heading to summer camp for the first time is always a little unnerving. But for a child with allergies or asthma, there are special concerns.

Obamacare, also known as the Affordable Care Act, is still the law of the land. But its fate may be sealed by Congressional Republicans and the Trump administration in the coming days, weeks and months.

Previous research has linked type 2 diabetes and memory loss. Now, new research may be closing in on some of the reasons why.

Family income can take a big hit when a wife or husband cares for a spouse with cancer, researchers report.

Drinking heavily over a short period of time can significantly boost the risk of an abnormal heart rhythm, even in healthy people, new German research suggests.

The surge from energy drinks can cause unhealthy changes in your heart rhythm and blood pressure that don't occur with other caffeinated beverages, a small new trial suggests.

Snot, phlegm and other forms of mucus may not be everyone's favorite subject, but scientists say synthetic mucus might help save lives.

America's prescription drug abuse epidemic may be even more deadly than expected, a new report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests.

A nutrient in meat and eggs may conspire with gut bacteria to make the blood more prone to clotting, a small study suggests.

More bad news for plus-sized Americans: Obesity is the leading cause of preventable life-years lost in the nation, a new study finds.

An experimental immune-system therapy appears safe for people with progressive forms of multiple sclerosis. And it may ease symptoms in some, a preliminary study suggests.

In the battle to lose weight, many people switch to diet sodas. But while they cut calories they might also raise the risk of stroke or dementia, a new study suggests.

There may be new meaning to the term "higher" education: College has become a major setting for first-time pot use, new research contends.

Here's yet another reason to make sure your kids are active: New research shows those with stronger muscles may have better working memory.

Cluster headaches, though rare, are among the most severe forms of headache a person can face.

A woman's prognosis after an ovarian cancer diagnosis may be affected by a number of unexpected factors, new research suggests.

Any parent who's ever had to drag a groggy teen out of bed in the morning would likely agree with new guidelines that say kids should start school later in the morning.

There's no known cause or cure for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which affects more than 15 million Americans, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Adding to concerns about the harms of teenage pregnancy are new U.S. survey results that show 14 percent of teenage mothers-to-be smoke marijuana.

If you've spent any time outdoors recently, you may have found yourself swatting away a fly or mosquito -- and that means it's time to bone up on bug avoidance.

Study finds kids have higher reading skills when they enter 1st grade than they did a decade ago

Emotional stability, determination, control, optimism and conscientiousness: all important "life skills" that can raise your prospects for a happy, healthy life.

A pair of key differences in the brain may help distinguish which seniors are at risk of falling prey to financial scams, a small new study suggests.

Fewer Americans with Crohn's disease are ending up in the hospital than in the past, according to a new federal study.

If a doctor suggests your child enroll in a clinical trial, you'll undoubtedly have questions.

Two new studies on diabetes deliver good and bad news, but the overall message is that the blood sugar disease remains a formidable public health burden.

Physicians spend roughly as many hours on computer work as they do meeting with patients, a new study reveals.

Some young people with severe cases of Tourette syndrome may benefit from having electrodes implanted in the brain, a small study suggests.

For decades, use of the inhaled, legal high known as "poppers" has been common in dance clubs. But new research suggests the drug might pose a danger to club-goers' vision.

Wrist-worn activity trackers such as Fitbit don't reliably assess heart rate, a new study finds.

Obese teenagers are at increased risk of high blood pressure, but the effects of those extra pounds may vary by race and ethnicity, a new study suggests.

A half-century into its run as an iconic staple of children's television, "Sesame Street" will introduce a character with autism to its world-famous neighborhood.

Women who live where the air is thick with pollutants may be more likely to have dense breasts, a known risk factor for breast cancer, new research suggests.

An unbalanced population of bacteria on the skin may play a major role in acne, according to a new, small study.

The Trump administration may have failed in its initial effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act, but some activists hope White House support will prove valuable in changing another piece of federal health care policy.