2 December 2019
MONDAY, Dec. 2, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- Rising temperatures might help trigger premature birth, a new study finds, suggesting that global warming could deliver more "preemie" babies.
Looking at 20 years of data on heat waves and birth timing across the United States, researchers "estimate that an average of 25,000 infants per year were born earlier as a result of heat exposure."
Taken another way, the research suggests that each year, American women lose a total 150,000 "gestational days" due to excess heat -- days that could otherwise have been used bringing baby to a healthy term delivery.
"These findings are important given the emerging evidence that early-life health has a lasting effect on health and cognitive outcomes" for children, said study co-authors Alan Barreca, of the...
2 December 2019
(HealthDay News) --The menopausal transition is a 7- to 14-year period when women have symptoms like hot flashes and changes in monthly cycles.
Typically, the transition occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, says the U.S. National Institute on Aging.
During this time, hormone production by the ovaries will vary. Because of this, bones become less dense and women may gain weight more easily.
If you are experiencing symptoms associated with the menopausal transition, a doctor can determine if you're entering that phase of your life.
27 November 2019
(HealthDay News) -- Pregnancy typically is measured in three trimesters, each with its own milestones, says the University of California San Francisco.
The first trimester spans the first 13 weeks of pregnancy. During this time, your baby's structure and organs develop. The changes in your body might cause nausea, fatigue, breast tenderness and frequent urination.
The second trimester spans weeks 14 to 26. You may feel your baby's first movements inside your belly at this time. Many women have decreased nausea, better sleep patterns and an increased energy level during this period.
The third-trimester is from weeks 27 to 40, as a full-term pregnancy is 40 weeks long. During this time, you may develop hemorrhoids, varicose veins and sleep problems. Babies born before 37 weeks are...
25 November 2019
MONDAY, Nov. 25, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- Even infants are now watching screens, and as they grow so does the time they spend doing it, two new studies show.
In fact, watching TVs, computers, smartphones, tablets or electronic games occupies about an hour a day of an infant's time and increases to more than 150 minutes by age 3. That's way beyond what's recommended, the researchers said.
"Since screen-time exposure starts so early, it is important to continue to understand what factors play a role in forming screen-time habits," said lead researcher Edwina Yeung. She's an investigator in the epidemiology branch of the U.S. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.
"While the type of child care is not always modifiable, the awareness of its impact may help parents...