Health

Pfizer says COVID-19 vaccine more than 90% effective in kids

Pfizer says COVID-19 vaccine more than 90% effective in kids

By LAURAN NEERGAARD and MATTHEW PERRONE, Associated Press Troy Warren for CNT #Health #COVID-19 Kid-size doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine appear safe and nearly 91% effective at preventing symptomatic infections in 5- to 11-year-olds, according to study details released Friday as the U.S. considers opening vaccinations to that age group. The shots could begin in early November — with the first children in line fully protected by Christmas — if regulators give the go-ahead. Details of Pfizer's study were posted online. The Food and Drug Administration was expected to post its independent review of the company's safety and effectiveness data later in…
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If you’re over 60, here are some reasons why you may not be sleeping

If you’re over 60, here are some reasons why you may not be sleeping

By Kiersten Willis, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Troy Warren for CNT #Health It’s commonly believed that older adults need fewer hours of sleep. But that’s actually a myth. “The amount of sleep needed doesn’t change, but the perception of sleep changes,” Dr. Leila Kheirandish-Gozal, Pediatric Sleep Medicine Specialist at the University of Missouri, told Time magazine. One common reason for lack of sleep in older adults is insomnia. “Insomnia is more common for seniors, partly because of health issues, partly because of the anxiety and the concerns of aging, and sometimes because of medication,” Dr. Jack Gardner told WebMD. He is a board-certified neurologist…
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Avoid these bad habits if you’re over 50

Avoid these bad habits if you’re over 50

By Kiersten Willis, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Troy Warren for CNT #Health Some habits are bad at any age, but experts say certain ones should particularly be avoided for older adults. Eat This, Not That spoke to experts about what they say people over 50 should avoid. Here are a few of them. Avoid weight gains It’s not just in your head: It’s common for you to hold on to weight as you get older. “Obesity incidence starts increasing in one’s twenties and peaks at 40 to 59, and then decreases slightly after age 60,” Dr. Craig Primack, an obesity medicine physician at…
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FDA panel endorses lower-dose Moderna COVID shot for booster

FDA panel endorses lower-dose Moderna COVID shot for booster

By LAURAN NEERGAARD and MATTHEW PERRONE, Associated Press Troy Warren for CNT #COVID-19 #Health U.S. health advisers said Thursday that some Americans who received Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine should get a half-dose booster to bolster protection against the virus. The panel of advisers to the Food and Drug Administration voted unanimously to recommend a booster shot for seniors, adults with other health problems, jobs or living situations that put them at increased risk for COVID-19. The recommendation is non-binding, but it’s a key step toward expanding the U.S. booster campaign to millions more Americans. Many people who got their initial Pfizer shots…
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Stand all day at work? 7 tips to lower your risk for varicose veins

Stand all day at work? 7 tips to lower your risk for varicose veins

By Dana Sparks Troy Warren for CNT #Health Risk factors for varicose veins include age, sex, pregnancy, family history and trauma to the leg Have you noticed large, tender veins in your legs? Do you experience aching or swelling in your legs at the end of the day? Do suffer from restless legs? Have you noticed changes in the color or texture of the skin near your ankles? If you have answered yes to any of these questions, you may have varicose veins or venous insufficiency. As the heart pumps blood, your body depends on thin-walled veins to return it. In…
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California first to let adult kids add parents to insurance plans

California first to let adult kids add parents to insurance plans

By ADAM BEAM, Associated Press Troy Warren for CNT #Health SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California is the first state to let some adult children add their parents as dependents on their insurance plans, a move advocates hope will cover the small population of people living in the country illegally who don’t qualify for other assistance programs. The trend nationally has been to let children linger on their parents' health insurance plans. Former President Barack Obama's health care law let children stay on their parents' plans until age 26. Some states have gone further and let kids stay on their parents' plans until…
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3 signs your health might be in danger if you’re over 50

3 signs your health might be in danger if you’re over 50

By Kiersten Willis, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Troy Warren for CNT #Health It’s important to monitor your health at any age, but after 50, it can be especially imperative. “If you want a future that’s disease-free and enjoyable, it’s vital to start taking steps to protect your health and longevity,” Roger Landry, preventive medicine physician and author of Live Long, Die Short, told Prevention. Eat This, Not That outlined several signs your health may be in danger if you’re over 50. Here are a few of them. Not checking your blood pressure recently Even if you don’t believe you have an issue, it’s important…
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3 subtle signs you’re becoming obese, according to doctors

3 subtle signs you’re becoming obese, according to doctors

By Nancy Clanton, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Troy Warren for CNT #Health No one plans to become obese, but for many people it’s a subtle transition The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development reported earlier this year that Americans are the heaviest group of people in the world. Being obese can lead to numerous health problems, including heart disease and diabetes. It can also affect how well the COVID-19 vaccine works. No one plans to become obese, and for many people it’s a subtle transition. The website Eat This, Not That talked to three top doctors who contributed to the documentary “Better” about recognizing the signs you’re gaining too much…
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4 tips to help older runners minimize aches and pains, stay safe, and have fun

4 tips to help older runners minimize aches and pains, stay safe, and have fun

By Tom Avril, The Philadelphia Inquirer (TNS) Troy Warren for CNT #Health So you want to start exercising more after a lifetime of cubicle-dwelling and have settled on the sport of millions: running. Congrats — it is great exercise, and it can be very rewarding. But please — if you’re over 50-something, or even younger and truly out of shape — do not simply lace up an old pair of sneakers and charge out the front door. First, run the idea past your primary care doctor. A physical exam may identify cardiac issues or other limitations that warrant trying a different…
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Why it’s important for older people to get a flu shot

Why it’s important for older people to get a flu shot

By Nancy Clanton, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Troy Warren for CNT #Health Annual flu vaccination important because hospitals are again struggling to care for coronavirus patients In the early weeks of the coronavirus pandemic, many people believed COVID-19 was no worse than the flu. We now know it’s much worse, but that doesn’t mean we can forget about getting our flu shot. The annual flu vaccination is especially important this year, experts say, because hospitals are again struggling to care for coronavirus patients. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta says the flu vaccination is especially important for adults 65…
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