There’s a new way to treat alcoholism — and it’s as easy as popping a candy. Clutch, from Oar Health, is said to be the first mint designed to reduce alcohol cravings and curb heavy drinking. Nearly 28 million Americans 12 and older struggle with alcohol use disorder. Adults can take a Clutch once a … Read more
Balding might bruise your ego — but your hair-loss fix could be messing with your mind. New research out of Israel suggests that patients using a popular drug for male pattern baldness face a significantly higher risk of mood disorders and suicidal thoughts compared to those who don’t. “The evidence is no longer anecdotal,” Dr. … Read more
Critical care nurse Janet Kerrigan was stunned to discover in 2011 that she had multiple myeloma, an incurable blood cancer, and she only had a year or two to live. A crucial stem cell transplant in 2012 prolonged her life — but her private insurance carrier stuck her with 20% of the nearly million-dollar tab. … Read more
Talk about a dose of disappointment. A new analysis suggests that millions of Americans with chronic pain are being prescribed an opioid that likely does little to ease their suffering. To make matters worse, the research indicates the drug significantly increases the risk of serious side effects — including heart disease, the nation’s leading killer. … Read more
From sagging jowls and sulfurous burps to deflated breasts and surprise pregnancies, the side effects of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs have ranged from subtle to strange. Now, new research suggests that these wildly popular medications may also be throwing off critical medical imaging scans, interfering with doctors’ ability to detect serious — even deadly — diseases. … Read more
Could “TrumpRx” be the prescription for lower drug prices? President Trump announced a landmark deal with Pfizer to cut drug prices and sell them on TrumpRx, a new direct-to-consumer federal website that’s slated to launch next year. Prescription drug prices in the US are roughly 2.78 times higher on average than in 33 other high-income … Read more
Queasy come, queasy go. Nausea and vomiting are very common in pregnancy, especially during the first trimester, due to rapid hormone changes. Though it’s called “morning sickness,” it can occur at any time of day and at any point of pregnancy. A new UCLA study suggests that these unpleasant symptoms are perfectly normal and, in … Read more
That’s-a one spicy pizzeria! A Long Island pizza shop has gone viral for saucy social media video skits that mercilessly mock bad customer behaviors — with one clip showing a dining dunce punished with water sprayed in his face. Phil’s Pizzeria in Syosset has been dramatizing blood-boiling interactions with customers using some real pie-in-the-face humor … Read more
This could really move the needle in the GLP-1 weight loss market. Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, is injected into the fatty tissue just under the skin of the stomach, thigh or upper arm to treat obesity or Type 2 diabetes. Soon, there may be a promising alternative for the needle-averse, as … Read more
Can a generic drug designed to make chemotherapy work better benefit people with autism? President Trump is touting an “amazing” drug — leucovorin — as “an answer to autism,” a broad range of conditions that affect how people learn, behave, communicate and interact with others. A form of vitamin B9, also known as folate, leucovorin has been … Read more
A common over-the-counter medication could significantly reduce the risk of colorectal cancer coming back. In a Swedish study, a low dose of aspirin was shown to slash recurrence in half for patients with colon and rectal cancer whose tumors had a specific type of genetic mutation. Researchers at Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital followed more than … Read more
Researchers have long been trying to pinpoint the specific factors that play a role in the development of autism spectrum disorder as diagnosis rates skyrocket. Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Department of Health and Human Services is planning to release a report this month that will link prenatal exposure to acetaminophen — a popular pain reliever … Read more
Birthday cakes would need to come with fire extinguishers if these two world leaders have their way. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping were caught on a hot mike this week discussing scientific approaches to dramatically extending human life, renewing the age-old debate about the potential for people to live to 150. … Read more
Your medicine cabinet could be packing more than just cold and flu relief. A groundbreaking new study found that a widely available over-the-counter nasal spray may help healthy adults fend off COVID-19. The news comes amid a late-summer surge driving up cases across the country — including in New York City. A widely available over-the-counter … Read more
The actor who famously played the teen caddie attacked by Adam Sandler in the cult classic “Happy Gilmore” is now well into his second successful career — as a neuroscientist on Long Island. The actor who famously played the teen caddie attacked by Adam Sandler in the cult classic “Happy Gilmore” is now well into … Read more
Welcome to Club Meds. More than 4 out of 10 senior citizens take five or more prescription medications — a phenomenon known as polypharmacy, research shows. This practice increases the risk of addiction and medication errors, like taking the wrong dosage or skipping doses altogether. Potential consequences include hospitalization, mental impairment and painful falls. Many … Read more
Finally, some good news for the millions of Americans living with cancer or heart disease. Experts have consistently warned that drinking alcohol and being overweight significantly increase the risk of developing several cancers and heart disease. But an observation called “Cuomo’s paradox” suggests that certain factors that increase the odds of chronic disease — like … Read more
Needle-less to say, it’s effective! Eli Lilly’s experimental GLP-1 pill caused participants in a late-stage trial to shed an average of 10.5% of their body weight — nearly 23 pounds — over 16 months, according to data released Tuesday. The daily medication, known as orforglipron, has also been shown to reduce hemoglobin A1C —average blood … Read more
You’ve been itching to avoid this antibiotic — maybe for no reason. Penicillin was discovered in 1928 by a Scottish bacteriologist. The medication has since become a common treatment for a range of bacterial infections, including strep throat, pneumonia, skin infections and certain urinary tract infections. But not everyone can tolerate penicillin. People allergic to … Read more
Asthma sufferers, get pumped! Managing asthma often requires a two-pronged approach — long-term medicines to prevent attacks and rescue strategies to stop attacks when they happen. It’s important to avoid triggers and monitor breathing. New research out of the UK suggests that GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Victoza may provide long-term asthma relief — in … Read more