US life expectancy is forecasted to only slightly increase over the next three decades despite medical advances, with researchers blaming a looming “public health crisis of unimaginable scale.” Americans in 2050 are expected to live 80.4 years on average, up from 79.9 years in 2035 and 78.3 years in 2022, according to an analysis by … Read more
Vaping has “immediate” negative impacts on the body’s circulation, warn the authors of a new study —even when there is no nicotine in the cigarette. Despite commonly held beliefs that vaping is safer than traditional smoking, the researchers found that vaping had a “significant” effect on blood vessels and may also decrease how much oxygen … Read more
November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month — an estimated 235,000 new cases of lung cancer and 125,000 deaths are expected to occur this year in the US. Dr. Daniel Sterman, the division director for pulmonary, critical care and sleep medicine at NYU Langone Health and NYU Grossman School of Medicine, talked with us about the … Read more
A Virginia woman was experiencing no troubling symptoms when she went for a cancer screening afte 35 years of smoking — but when she was told she had lung cancer, she says she felt “blessed” and “grateful.” Barbara Rodriguez, 53, was smoking a cigarette while reading the Bible in December 2022 when she decided to … Read more
David Lynch is dealing with major health issues from smoking for almost his entire life. The 78-year-old director was diagnosed with emphysema, a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, back in 2020. Today, he needs supplement oxygen to go on a walk. David Lynch at the 15th Annual IFP-West Independent Spirit Awards in March 2000. Ron Galella … Read more
You may want to pass on that joint. A new scientific paper describes cannabis as a “genotoxic” substance that damages genetic information within cells, potentially leading to DNA mutations, accelerated biological aging and cancer. The authors of the analysis say this genotoxicity can be transmitted to the weed smoker’s offspring via a damaged egg and … Read more
Online vape sellers are failing to comply with regulations to stop children buying their products, warns a new report. Researchers found that online e-cigarette retailers are not consistently adhering to laws aimed at preventing the sale of vaping products to youngsters. Regulations on age verification, shipping methods and flavor restrictions are all being ignored, according … Read more
Cancer may seem like an old person’s disease, but studies have shown that certain types have become increasingly prevalent in Americans younger than 50. Recent research found that Gen X and millennial Americans are at higher risk of developing 17 cancers compared to older generations. Rates of colon cancer diagnoses, for example, have increased by 15% in adults … Read more
Better late than never. On October 22, the Federal Aviation Administration eliminated the rule that required an off switch for the “no smoking” sign on planes, even though smoking on US flights officially ended decades ago. Before the change, domestic and international flights allowed travelers to smoke while onboard despite the fire hazard, where flight … Read more
More than 600,000 Americans are expected to experience their first stroke this year — but up to 80% of these incidents may be preventable. The American Stroke Association (ASA) issued updated advice on Monday urging health care workers to screen for stroke risk factors such as high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, high blood sugar and … Read more
This warning isn’t just smoke and mirrors. Experts are issuing an alert to social media users participating in “Stoptober” — a trend that sees people use the month of October to quit vaping by hurling their devices into water. While the act might render the vapes useless, it can also pose serious danger, potentially starting … Read more
Pipe dream? Researchers say that 1.2 million lung cancer deaths worldwide could be prevented over 70 years by banning the sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products to people born between 2006 and 2010. “Lung cancer is a major killer worldwide, and a staggering two-thirds of deaths are linked to one preventable risk factor — … Read more
He wants you to take this advice to heart. Dr. Jeremy London, a heart surgeon in Savannah, Georgia, is revealing the four bad habits that he avoids to maintain good health. He said that being a cardiothoracic surgeon for 25 years has taught him not to smoke or vape, use alcohol-based mouthwash, consume processed foods … Read more
A young Ohio woman was so addicted to vaping that she showered and slept with an e-cigarette — until she nearly died when her lungs collapsed and black goo poured out of her. Now, she’s warning others to steer clear of vaping. Her message comes amid estimates there are 82 million vapers worldwide. “I wouldn’t wish … Read more
In the ongoing flap about whether it’s better to be a night owl or an early bird, new evidence suggests that nocturnal navigators are nearly 50% more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes than those who quickly call it a night. Darkness dwellers have a late chronotype, which means they prefer to go to bed … Read more
A pensioner has reached her 100th birthday despite smoking 20 cigarettes a day for most of her life — as doctors hail her ”clear lungs and heart sound as a bell.” Mary ‘Molly’ Repper, who only gave up the habit at the age of 95, was joined at Weston View Care Home in Moray in … Read more
Hold the phone! New research out of China suggests a link between cellphone use and an increased risk of heart disease, especially among smokers and diabetics. The study authors partly blame this association on poor sleep, psychological stress and neuroticism. “A poor sleep pattern and poor mental health may adversely affect the development of cardiovascular … Read more
Even “light smoking” — defined as just one or two cigarettes a day — can be a real drag on pregnancy, causing “major health problems” for the newborn, researchers warn in a new study. Though smoking during pregnancy is known to raise the risk of preterm delivery, low birth weight, restricted fetal growth and other … Read more
Just two aspirin a week may help reduce the risk of colorectal cancer in adults living unhealthy lifestyles, new research from Mass General Brigham finds. Nearly 108,000 health professionals were included in the study — most were around 50 years old. Researchers recorded their aspirin intake and assigned them a lifestyle score based on their … Read more
Vision loss and high cholesterol increase the likelihood of developing dementia, according to a new report that says nearly half of dementia cases could be delayed or prevented by addressing 14 risk factors. The Lancet Commission, composed of 27 dementia experts, previously identified 12 lifestyle struggles responsible for 40% of dementia cases, with hearing loss, … Read more