Heat Dome Coming: Tips To Stay Safe During Extreme Temps

A heat dome is expected to scorch most of the United States through the July 4 weekend, sending temperatures into the high-double and even triple digits in the central and eastern regions of the nation.

In advance of these brutal conditions, experts are offering ways to protect against heat stroke and other forms of heat-related illness.

Melatonin Shows Promise As Safe, Cheap Painkiller, Review Concludes

The sleep supplement melatonin might also be useful in treating chronic pain, a new evidence review says.

Melatonin appears to reduce chronic muscle and joint pain as much as painkillers like opioids, aspirin, Aleve (naproxen) and Tylenol (acetaminophen), researchers reported June 30 in the journal Pain.

“Melatonin is ...

A 40-Year-Old Law Requires ERs To Treat Everyone — Unless They Opt Out

For 40 years, U.S. emergency departments have been barred from turning away patients who cannot pay. 

But that protection applies only to hospitals that contract with Medicare, and a growing number of for-profit emergency room (ER) operators are opting out, reports STAT.

One of the largest, Houston-based Nutex Health, r...

From Caffeine To 'Healthy' Labeling, FDA Sets Year-End Agenda For US Food Supply

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced the food supply issues it seeks to tackle by year’s end.

The FDA’s Human Food Program aims to prevent foodborne illness, reduce diet-related chronic disease and ensure chemicals in food are safe.

Its proposed agenda, announced June 29, emphasizes more informat...

Major Study Supports Same-Day COVID-19 and Flu Vaccination

One trip to the pharmacy may be all you need to protect yourself from COVID-19 and the flu this fall.

A new study — published today in the Annals of Internal Medicine — found that getting both vaccines at the same visit is no riskier than getting a flu shot alone.

A team led by Yan Xie of the VA St. Louis Health ...

Even Mild Weather Changes Impact Mental Health

Heat domes, soaking rains and savage winter storms have left their mark on people’s minds and moods this year.

And little wonder — even modest, short-term changes in weather can affect a person enough to make them seek therapy, a new study says.

Fluctuations in temperature and levels of sunshine are linked to U.K. residen...