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Health News Results - 107
Blood Test Might Alert Doctors to Problem Drinking
- Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
- December 13, 2024
- Full Page
Have you been boozing more often than usual?
A new blood test might be able to tell if you’re damaging your liver from too many beers, margaritas or belts of scotch, researchers report.
A blood-borne byproduct of alcohol consumption called phosphatidylethanol...
Nearly 160 Million Americans Harmed by Another's Drinking, Drug Use
- Carole Tanzer Miller HealthDay Reporter
- November 21, 2024
- Full Page
Think of it as collateral damage: Millions of Americans say they have been harmed by a loved one's drug or alcohol use.
One in 3 adults who responded to a new na...
U.S. Alcohol-Linked Deaths Doubled in 20 Years
- Carole Tanzer Miller HealthDay Reporter
- November 19, 2024
- Full Page
Alcohol-related deaths have surged in the United States, nearly doubling over 20 years, and a growing number of victims are women, a new study warns.
"Our study found significant gender differences in alcohol-related [death rates]," said senior author
More Evidence That GLP-1 Meds Curb Alcohol Abuse
- Ernie Mundell HealthDay Reporter
- November 15, 2024
- Full Page
There have been a slew of studies recently supporting the notion that the same mechanisms that help folks lose weight with Ozempic and its kin also work to curb problem drinkin...
Ozempic Could Help Curb Alcoholism
- Ernie Mundell HealthDay Reporter
- November 13, 2024
- Full Page
The blockbuster GLP-1 drug semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) could curb drinking for people battling alcohol use disorder, helping them to avoid crises that require hospitalization, ne...
Fatty Liver Disease Now Affects 4 in 10 U.S. Adults
- Ernie Mundell HealthDay Reporter
- November 13, 2024
- Full Page
Obesity, alcohol use and other factors are driving up rates of fatty liver disease among American adults, new research warns.
By 2018, federal data showed that 42% of adults had some form of fatty liver disease -- higher than prior estimates, according to a team led by <...
U.S. Alcohol Intake Rose During Pandemic, and for Years After
- Robin Foster HealthDay Reporter
- November 12, 2024
- Full Page
Even as the pressures of the pandemic began to ebb, Americans' growing dependence on alcohol did not, a troubling new study shows.
Two years into the globe-altering health crisis, the percentage of Americans who consumed alcohol -- which had already spiked between 2018 ...
Weight-Loss Meds Like Wegovy Could Battle Alcoholism
- Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
- October 17, 2024
- Full Page
Weight-loss and diabetes drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro or Zepbound appear to help people battle alcoholism and opioid addiction, a new study finds.
People taking this clas...
A Boozy Night Out Could Upset Your Heart's Rhythm
- Ernie Mundell HealthDay Reporter
- October 14, 2024
- Full Page
Binge drinking at a party or club could feel great when the music's beating, but it's your heart beat that might pay the price.
Researchers in Germany found that 1 in every 20 young Munich revelers developed "clinically relevant
Kids' Bedtimes Might Influence Odds for Drug, Alcohol Use as Teens
- Ernie Mundell HealthDay Reporter
- August 15, 2024
- Full Page
Regular bedtimes won't just help your child be alert for a busy school day; they might also help keep them from abusing drugs or alcohol as a teen, new research suggests.
Youth who'd had early bedtimes in childhood and adolescence were significantly less likely to be dri...
Even Light Drinking Harms Health of Older Adults: Study
- Robin Foster HealthDay Reporter
- August 13, 2024
- Full Page
New research confirms that alcohol is not your friend as you age: Even light drinking was linked to an increase in cancer deaths among older adults, with the raised risk most pronounced in those who had other health problems or lived in low-income areas.
The st...
14 Risk Factors Raise Your Odds for Odds for Dementia
- Robin Foster HealthDay Reporter
- August 1, 2024
- Full Page
New research has added two conditions to the list of 12 risk factors that boost the chances of a dementia diagnosis.
The good news? You can guard against the development of both and researchers offer advice on exactly how to do that.
In a study published Wednesday ...
A Little Drinking Won't Help You Live Longer, New Research Shows
- Lori Saxena HealthDay Reporter
- July 29, 2024
- Full Page
A new review challenges the long-held belief that moderate drinking can have health benefits.
The analysis, conducted by a team of researchers in Canada, points out flaws in several studies that seemed to support moderate drinking and suggests that even low levels of al...
Another Study Suggests GLP-1 Meds Could Ease Alcoholism
- Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
- July 2, 2024
- Full Page
Cutting-edge weight-loss drugs like Wegovy and Ozempic can help treat alcoholism, a new study says.
People taking semaglutide had 50% to 56% decreased odds for either becoming alcoholic or relapsing into alcoholism, researchers reported recently in the journal
Wegovy, Ozempic May Help Curb Alcohol Dependence
- Ernie Mundell HealthDay Reporter
- June 4, 2024
- Full Page
Could the blockbuster GLP-1 meds like Wegovy and Ozempic have a role to play in helping people cut down on problem drinking? A new study suggests so.
Researchers at Case Western...
Getting Help for Alcohol, Drug Abuse Tougher for Rural Americans
- Carole Tanzer Miller HealthDay Reporter
- May 10, 2024
- Full Page
When folks in rural America need treatment for a substance use disorder, significant obstacles stand in their way, researchers say.
They are more likely to have to look outside their insurance network for care, resulting in higher out-of-pocket costs, according to a rece...
A Parent's Watchful Eye Does Keep Kids From Drugs, Alcohol: Study
- Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
- May 7, 2024
- Full Page
Parents can be very effective buzzkills for their teens, just by letting kids know they're being closely watched, a new study reports.
Two-Drug Combo Curbs Drinking for People Battling Severe Alcoholism
- Ernie Mundell HealthDay Reporter
- April 18, 2024
- Full Page
A combo of an allergy drug and a blood pressure med appears to lower daily drinking in folks battling severe alcoholism, French researchers report.
The two generic drugs are the antihistamine cyproheptadine and prazosin, which treats high blood pressure and urinary urgen...
Most Homeless Americans Are Battling Mental Illness
- Ernie Mundell HealthDay Reporter
- April 17, 2024
- Full Page
Two-thirds of homeless people are experiencing some form of mental health disorder, a large, new review of data on the subject.
The analysis found that men who are homeless are more likely to be battling mental illness than women, although rates were high for both gender...
'Gig Economy' Job Woes May Lead to Problem Drinking Later
- Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
- April 10, 2024
- Full Page
The "gig economy"could be setting up many young adults for drinking problems later in life, a new study warns.
People who take poorly paid temp jobs as freelancers or independent contractors are 43% more likely to develop an alcohol-related illness than those with full-t...
Sports Gambling, Binge Drinking a Dangerous Duo for Health
- Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
- April 3, 2024
- Full Page
People who gamble on sports are more likely to be binge drinkers as well, a new report finds.
Both women and men who bet on sports were at least twice as likely to binge drink compared to non-gamblers, results showed. Further, the odds of binge drinking increased with th...
In One Baltimore Neighborhood, Curbing Liquor Sales Hours Slashed Crime Rates
- Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
- April 3, 2024
- Full Page
Cutting back on late-night alcohol sales might help curb crime in violence-ridden neighborhoods, a new report claims.
Murders dropped by half (51%) within a month after one Baltimore neighborhood limited alcohol hours of sale for bars and taverns, researchers report Apr...
Mouse Study Finds Brain Target to Block Alcohol Cravings
- Ernie Mundell HealthDay Reporter
- April 1, 2024
- Full Page
For folks who have battled alcohol dependency for years, any treatment that could curb or block alcohol cravings would be a huge advance.
Now, research in mice is giving a glimmer of hope that just such a therapy might be possible.
A compound -- so far dubbed LY244...
Telehealth May Help People Stick With Alcoholism Treatment
- Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
- April 1, 2024
- Full Page
Telehealth might be a more effective way of treating alcoholism than in-person therapy sessions, a new study reports.
Alcoholics who receive treatment through telehealth were more likely to engage in more therapy visits and stick to anti-alcohol medication longer than th...
Binge Drinking Boosts Heart Risks, Especially for Women
- Ernie Mundell HealthDay Reporter
- March 28, 2024
- Full Page
Imbibing more than a drink per day significantly raises heart risks for all, but binge drinking is especially harmful, particularly for women, new research shows.
"When it comes to binge drinking, both men and women with excess alcohol consumption had a higher risk of he...
U.S. Deaths Linked to Alcohol Keep Rising, Especially Among Women
- Ernie Mundell HealthDay Reporter
- February 29, 2024
- Full Page
Deaths where alcohol played a key role climbed sharply in recent years, hitting women even harder than men, new government data shows.
Between 2016 and 2021 (the latest numbers available), "the average number of U.S. deaths from excessive alcohol use increased by more th...
Stress Main Factor Driving Teens to Abuse Drugs, Alcohol
- Ernie Mundell HealthDay Reporter
- February 9, 2024
- Full Page
American teenagers cite stress as the leading reason they might get drunk or high, a new report reveals.
That only underscores the need for better adolescent mental health care, according to the research team behind the study.
Better "access to treatment and suppor...
High School Kids Who Use Weed, Alcohol Face Higher Risks for Suicidal Thoughts
- Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
- January 29, 2024
- Full Page
High school students who smoke, drink or use weed are more likely to be emotionally troubled and have suicidal thoughts, a new study finds.
Teens who turn to nicotine, alcohol or marijuana are more likely to think about suicide, feel depressed or anxious, have psychotic ...
Alcohol-Linked Fatty Liver Disease More Fatal for Women
- Ernie Mundell HealthDay Reporter
- January 29, 2024
- Full Page
Fatty liver disease can cause liver damage and can be one health effect of long-term heavy drinking.
Now, research shows that the illness can prove even more deadly for women who drink than for men.
Also called steatotic liver disease, the condition involves the st...
AA Programs Turn Lives Around, But Most Members Are White: Study
- Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
- January 24, 2024
- Full Page
Alcoholics Anonymous is a key means by which millions of Americans deal with drinking problems.
However, white Americans are much more likely to engage in the trusted "12-step"program than Black of Hispanic drinkers, a new study finds.
Black and Hispanic alcoholics...
U.S. Has Seen Steady Rise in Role of Alcohol, Drugs in Heart Deaths
- Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
- January 10, 2024
- Full Page
Heart disease deaths linked with alcohol or drug use have been steadily increasing in the United States, a new study has found.
Deaths from heart disease in which substance use was cited as contributor rose an average of 4% per year between 1999 and 2019, researchers rep...
What's Your Bedtime Routine? Survey Finds Americans' Favorites
- January 10, 2024
- Full Page
A hot shower, a glass of wine, a good book and sex are a few of Americans' favorite ways to unwind at bedtime, a new survey shows.
"What defines a comfortable night's sleep varies from person to person, but developing a consistent sleep routine that removes distraction i...
Your New Year's Eve Safety Checklist
- Carole Tanzer Miller HealthDay Reporter
- December 30, 2023
- Full Page
Millions of revelers hit the road after New Year's Eve celebrations and the inevitability of impaired drivers make the holiday one of the nation's deadliest.
High blood-alcohol levels are a factor in more than 50% of crashes on New Year's Day, the American Safety Council...
Ease Up on Drinking to Cut Your Risk for 'Holiday Heart'
- Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
- December 22, 2023
- Full Page
Rum-laced eggnog, mulled wine, or a hot toddy all sound good around the holidays, but too much imbibing can increase your risk of "holiday heart syndrome,"doctors warn.
Holiday heart syndrome is the unofficial name for a notable increase in patients seeking treatment in ...
Men Who Want to Be Dads Should Take a Break From Alcohol
- Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
- December 18, 2023
- Full Page
Much has been made of the effects a pregnant woman's drinking could have on the health of her unborn child.
But alcohol consumption by men also increases the risk of birth defects in newborns -- and a new study shows that guys who want to avoid this will have to cut out ...
For Kids, Superbowl & Drinking Can Mean Tougher Discipline From Parents
- Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
- December 14, 2023
- Full Page
Parents who imbibe while watching the Super Bowl are more likely to use aggressive discipline on their children than those who abstain during the football game, a new study reports.
What's interesting is that moms made up more than 90% of the parents in the study, noted ...
Climate Change's Hotter Days Could Bring More Alcohol, Drug Crises
- Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
- September 26, 2023
- Full Page
Sweltering temperatures appear to fuel drug-related hospital visits, a problem that could be worsening with climate change, a new study suggests.
"We saw that during periods of higher temperatures, there was a corresponding increase in hospital visits related to alcohol ...
Talking to a Loved One Battling Substance Abuse: Staying Positive Is Key
- Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
- September 23, 2023
- Full Page
A conversation with a family member or loved one struggling with addiction can be the catalyst for getting help.
But it's important to choose your words carefully when discussing possible addiction to controlled substances with your loved one, said
Heavy Drinking Tied to Dangerous Buildup of Fat Around Heart, Liver
- Steven Reinberg HealthDay Reporter
- September 18, 2023
- Full Page
Before pouring another drink, consider this sobering new research: Heavy drinkers can develop fat around the heart, leading to heart failure and other cardiac problems.
This so-called pericardial fat is associated with increased risk of heart disease.
Researc...
Teen Drinking Much More Likely If Parents Binge Drink, Study Finds
- Steven Reinberg HealthDay Reporter
- September 15, 2023
- Full Page
Parents who drink too much, too often, may be influencing their teens to do the same, a new study finds.
"Adolescents whose parents binge drink had a four times greater chance of drinking alcohol themselves compared to adolescents whose parents did not binge drink, and s...
Los estadounidenses de mediana edad usan marihuana y se dan atracones de bebida a niveles récord
- Hola Doctor and Cara Murez HealthDay Reporters
- August 21, 2023
- Full Page
Los atracones de bebida y el consumo de marihuana han alcanzado niveles históricamente altos entre los adultos de EE. UU. de 35 a 50 años, anunciaron el jueves los Institutos Nacionales de la Salud (NIH) de EE. UU.
Entre estos adultos de mediana edad, las drogas fa...
Middle-Aged Americans Are Using Marijuana, Binge-Drinking at Record Levels
- Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
- August 18, 2023
- Full Page
Binge-drinking and marijuana use have reached historically high levels among U.S. adults aged 35 to 50, the U.S. National Institutes of Health announced Thursday.
For these middle-aged adults, the drugs of choice are marijuana, hallucinogens and alcohol, with nearly...
In Monkey Trial, Gene Therapy Shows Promise in Curbing Severe Problem Drinking
- Sarah D. Collins HealthDay Reporter
- August 14, 2023
- Full Page
For people with severe alcohol use disorder, a new gene therapy trial could lead to an effective treatment that would involve chemically rebalancing the area of the brain associated with addiction.
"With alcohol alone, there's generally more than 100,000 deaths [in the ...
Drinking, Often Heavy, Is Common Among Cancer Survivors
- Amy Norton HealthDay Reporter
- August 14, 2023
- Full Page
Many Americans diagnosed with cancer continue to drink alcohol regularly -- sometimes heavily and sometimes during treatment, a new study shows.
The study, of over 15,000 U.S. cancer survivors, found that 78% were current drinkers. And of them, significant percentages sa...
Regular Drinking Can Raise Blood Pressure in the Otherwise Healthy
- Alan Mozes HealthDay Reporter
- July 31, 2023
- Full Page
Whether knocking back a little alcohol or a lot, daily drinking is tied to higher blood pressure, a new research review warns.
Compared with not drinking, just one alcoholic drink a drink a day is associated with higher blood pressure over time, even in people who previo...
Alcohol Kills Men More Often, but Women's Death Rates Are Catching Up
- Steven Reinberg HealthDay Reporter
- July 31, 2023
- Full Page
Women are catching up to men when it comes to dying from alcohol abuse, a new study finds.
Although men are nearly three times more likely to die from alcohol abuse than women, such deaths among women are rising at a faster rate. Between 2018 and 2020, alcohol-related de...
Bipolar Disorder Ups Early Death Risk by Sixfold
- Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
- July 19, 2023
- Full Page
People who have bipolar disorder may have a higher risk of dying early, according to new research.
Finnish investigators say this is due to a combination of external causes -- such as suicide, accidents and violence -- and physical health issues, with alcohol a big contr...
Home Delivery of Alcohol Expanded During Pandemic, With Permanent Effects on Health
- Steven Reinberg HealthDay Reporter
- June 28, 2023
- Full Page
During the COVID-19 pandemic home liquor delivery soared in the United States, as did binge drinking along with it, a new study finds.
"'Home delivery' refers to when restaurants, bars or retailers use their own employees or a third-party delivery system such as DoorDash...
Binge Drinking in Middle Age: Has 'Wine Mom' Culture Gone Too Far?
- Alan Mozes HealthDay Reporter
- June 23, 2023
- Full Page
It's an image you see everywhere on social media and television: Groups of 30-something women, glistening glasses of chardonnay or cabernet in their hands as they let loose with their friends.
But a new study digs into the downside of "booze bonding" -- these women are ...
Legalizing Marijuana Tied to More Binge Drinking in Folks Over 30
- Denise Mann HealthDay Reporter
- June 21, 2023
- Full Page
A growing number of states are legalizing marijuana for recreational use, and it may be leading to an unexpected side effect among millennials and Gen Xers: binge drinking.
Binge drinking is defined as five or more drinks at a time for men or four or more drinks for wome...