MONDAY, May 29, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Limited "heading" of a soccer ball in youth sports may not cause irreversible harm, as long as players are properly trained, a new study finds.This study from concussion researchers at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) looked at the consequences of repeated head impacts shortly after the impact. They did this using six different tests.They found that having a small number of repeated soccer headers equivalent to a throw-in did not cause immediate neurophysiological problems for teens. “Soccer is a sport where intentionally using your head to hit the ball is an integral part of the game, and concern over its long-term effects has parents, caregivers and coaches understandably concerned,” said study co-author Colin Huber, a...

SATURDAY, May 27, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- When going on vacation, there’s a lot to remember, but it’s a good idea if you add one more item to the to-do list.Baylor College of Medicine in Houston suggests creating a family travel medical checklist, to be sure that you and your loved ones stay healthy and safe while you’re away.“Traveling can expose families to different environments, climates and potential health risks. A medical travel checklist makes families take a step back to ensure the necessary precautions to protect their health and safety,” said Dr. Mike Ren, an assistant professor of family and community medicine at Baylor. “A list should include essential items such as medications, first aid supplies and personal protective equipment,” he said in a college news...

FRIDAY, May 26, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- You've been diagnosed with depression. What's next?The cornerstone of treatment remains antidepressants, so it's likely your doctor will prescribe one for you, but which one might be best?You will join millions around the world who struggle with how to treat the mental health disorder. An estimated 3.8% of the global population experiences depression, according to the World Health Organization. The numbers are staggering, but when depression is left untreated, it can impair daily functioning, raise the risk of suicide and lower quality of life.Fortunately, there are many different types of antidepressants available, each with unique mechanisms of action, benefits and potential side effects. Here, experts will explore the most commonly prescribed...

FRIDAY, May 26, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- It may sound like the stuff of science fiction, but Elon Musk’s company Neuralink announced Thursday that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a human clinical trial of a device that may restore or enhance function when implanted in a human brain.“We are excited to share that we have received the FDA’s approval to launch our first-in-human clinical study!” the company said in a statement on Twitter Thursday. It’s “an important first step that one day will allow our technology to help many people.”The device would be surgically implanted into patients’ brains using a robot. The idea is that it would connect with computers to decode brain activity, the Washington Post reported, but the FDA did not announce the trial...