MONDAY, Oct. 16, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- A new trial demonstrates the power of the diabetes drug Mounjaro in fighting obesity, helping folks who used the medication lose about 60 pounds."In this study, people who added tirzepatide [Mounjaro] to diet and exercise saw greater, longer-lasting weight reduction than those taking placebo," Dr. Jeff Emmick, senior vice president of product development at drug maker Eli Lilly, said in a company news release. "While intensive lifestyle intervention is an important part of obesity management, these results underscore the difficulty some people face maintaining weight loss with diet and exercise alone."While approved since May 2022 to treat diabetes, Mounjaro has been used “off-label” to treat obesity.Tirzepatide works by targeting two...

MONDAY, Oct. 16, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- For dogs, body size matters.That’s true in terms of how quickly they age, but also in their mental health, according to a new study comparing big and little canines.Age-related decline starts at 7 to 8 years of age in big dogs, compared to 10 to 11 years in smaller dogs, Hungarian researchers found.But big dogs decline more slowly than their pint-sized peers. Large dogs maintain their mental health longer and have a smaller degree of age-related decline.“For those who want a smaller-sized dog but do not want to risk severe mental health problems in old age or want a larger-sized dog but do not want to risk physical health problems at 7 to 8 years of age, we recommend a dog from the [22- to 66-pound] size range,” said first study author...

MONDAY, Oct. 16, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- The vast majority of women know a lump in their breast likely signals the presence of cancer, a new survey finds, but that's not the only sign of the disease. “Screening mammography is our No. 1 defense in detecting and addressing breast cancers at their earliest, most treatable stages, but it is also very important for people to be familiar with the look and feel of their own breast tissue so that sometimes subtle changes can be evaluated quickly to give us the best chance at early detection,” said Dr. Ashley Pariser. She is a breast medical oncologist and director of breast cancer survivorship services at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, in Columbus.A survey commissioned by the cancer center found that 93% of those...

SATURDAY, Oct. 14, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- While the hot, dry summer may have offered a break to people with some environmental allergies, that reprieve could be over.Ragweed and mold are in the air this fall.“This summer was good news for people who are sensitive to mold and pollen as there were little of those allergens in the air, but now that we’re seeing more rain coming in after this drought, we’re experiencing a big ragweed and mold bloom in Houston,” said Dr. David Corry, a professor in the section of immunology, allergy and rheumatology at Baylor College of Medicine.It's not always easy to distinguish fall allergies from seasonal viruses, Corry noted.Common allergy symptoms include sneezing, a runny nose, and itchy or watery eyes.A sore throat and malaise are more...