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

That glass of wine or pint of beer you enjoy with dinner every night might come with an added benefit -- a lower risk of type 2 diabetes, a new Danish study contends.

More Americans are giving up cigarettes, and a new study suggests electronic cigarettes may be the reason why.

Distinguishing Alzheimer's disease from another common form of dementia may get easier using a new, noninvasive technique, researchers say.

HIV treatment prevented transmission of the virus in gay couples when only one partner had the virus, a new study shows.

Ninety-nine percent of former NFL players who donated their brain to science turned out to have the devastating disorder chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), according to a new report.

Most primary care doctors can't identify all 11 risk factors for prediabetes, a small new survey finds.

Just a minute or two of running every day could strengthen your bones, new research suggests.

Combining a sugary soda with your burger or fried chicken can really prime your body to pack on more pounds, a new study suggests.

If you like grapefruit juice, you need to be aware that it can affect the way some medications work, especially those used to treat high blood pressure or an irregular heart rhythm.

Women exposed to estrogen for longer periods of time during the reproductive years may have a lower risk of depression, a new study finds.

People who undergo knee surgery for a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) can expect to stay active and maintain a high quality of life, researchers report.

Sophisticated brain scans might be able to detect consciousness in brain injury patients who appear unconscious in the intensive care unit, a new study says.

Americans traveling to Europe should take steps to protect themselves against measles, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises.

Eating a healthy diet and exercising during pregnancy isn't just good for the developing baby.

Folks with heart-healthy habits in their 20s tend to have larger, healthier brains in their 40s -- brains that may be better prepared to withstand the ravages of aging, a new study reports.

More than 100 million U.S. adults have diabetes or prediabetes, health officials say.

Sometimes less really is more. New research suggests that when it comes to long-term use of opioid painkillers, cutting back on the dose of the drugs might improve pain and function, as well as boost quality of life.

Two more Republican senators announced Monday night their opposition to the GOP plan to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act.

Most Americans know that ticks can make them sick, and many take steps to avoid them. But few know that this summer could be a particularly bad one for tick bites, a new HealthDay/Harris Poll shows.

Back injuries are common, especially among competitive athletes.

Just a slight increase in social interaction benefits older adults with dementia and lowers health care costs, a new British study suggests.

On July 2, a 7-week-old baby boy died after being left in his grandmother's van for almost eight hours on a hot summer day in Mary Esther, Fla.

A treatment targeting wayward immune cells in people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes may help even years later, a new study finds.

There's been a great deal of attention paid lately to the potential lasting damage of head blows suffered by professional football players. But what about other sports where repeated trauma to the head is also common?

Typically, better-paying jobs and those that require higher education are thought more desirable, but a new study suggests white collar workers have a higher risk of death from two neurodegenerative diseases.

A U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisory panel on Wednesday gave unanimous approval to what could soon be the first gene therapy to be marketed in the United States.

Middle-aged and older adults who start eating better also tend to live longer, a large new study shows.

Expectant mothers have been warned for years to avoid cigarettes. Now researchers report another reason to follow that advice: Teens and young adults whose mothers smoked during pregnancy may be more likely to break the law and be antisocial.

Lifestyle counseling could help protect the long-term heart health of adults who aren't yet at high risk for heart attack and stroke, a panel of medical experts says.

It's worked wonders for men battling erectile dysfunction, and now early research suggests that Viagra -- when added to artery-opening stents -- might cut a patient's odds for clots.

Probiotic supplements may not protect babies from catching colds or stomach bugs in day care, a new clinical trial suggests.

Summer is the time when everyone dives into yard work and takes family vacations. But all that time spent bending, lifting and traveling can strain your back, spine experts say.

Here's news to perk up your day: Drinking coffee might help you live a little longer, two new studies suggest.

Most people don't like talking about dying, especially their own death. But it's important to let your loved ones know how you'd like your medical care handled when your "time" comes.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Friday approved the first new drug for sickle cell disease in nearly two decades.

Intense summer heat can be downright dangerous.

Shingles may be tied to an increased risk for heart disease, a new study suggests.

Make sure safety is part of kids' summer fun.

Firecrackers, sparklers and bottle rockets may seem harmless enough, but there's really no such thing as safe fireworks for consumers, eye doctors warn.

Many children suspected of being allergic to the inexpensive, first-line antibiotic penicillin actually aren't, new research indicates.

Parents may be worried that toddlers aren't getting enough calories or nutrients.

High intensity interval training involves cardiovascular exercise in short intervals at high intensity.

America's exit from the Paris climate change agreement will lead to more punishing summer heat waves and thousands of additional heat-related deaths each year in major U.S. cities, a new report claims.

Well-meaning family and friends may push your children to clean the plate or offer dessert as a reward, but those aren't the messages you want to send.

Many women at high risk for breast cancer do not take the drug tamoxifen to prevent the disease, often because they confuse naturally occurring symptoms with side effects from the drug.

New research might change the way doctors treat skin abscesses in children and adults, medical experts say.

Have you ever thought about what it might be like to live into your hundreds?

An experimental flu vaccine patch with dissolving microneedles appears safe and effective, a preliminary study shows.

The number of Americans hospitalized for heart failure has dropped substantially since 2002, but blacks still face higher risks, a new study finds.

If you have heart disease, unrelenting stress might hasten your death, researchers report.

The Senate Republican plan to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act would leave 22 million more Americans uninsured by 2026, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) said Monday.

Nothing spoils a trip faster than getting sick. And a good way to protect yourself is by getting certain vaccinations before you leave home.

Many people in pain are apprehensive about taking an opioid painkiller to ease their suffering, and rightfully so.

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.