THURSDAY, Aug. 26, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Overdose deaths linked to illicit “designer” benzodiazepines have surged in the United States, as underground labs crank out new synthetic variations on prescription tranquilizers like Valium, Xanax and Ativan. Overdose deaths involving illicit benzos increased more than sixfold (520%) between 2019 and 2020,Continue Reading
THURSDAY, Aug. 26, 2021 (HealthDay News) — A new approach to spinal cord stimulation may drastically reduce chronic back pain, a small pilot study suggests. The study, of 20 patients with stubborn low back pain, tested the effects of implanting electrodes near the spinal cord to stimulate it with “ultra-low”Continue Reading
THURSDAY, Aug. 26, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Do you have an implanted defibrillator or pacemaker? Try keeping your smart watch or smart phone a few inches away from them. New research from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration finds that your phone or watch could interfere with implanted heart devices.Continue Reading
THURSDAY, Aug. 26, 2021 (American Heart Association News) — It was the evening of Jan. 30, 2007, when Mike Maddux got the phone call from his stepfather. His mother was in the bathroom with the door locked and her husband couldn’t get her to come out. Could Mike help? Mike,Continue Reading
Here are some of HealthDay’s top stories for Thursday, Aug. 26: Moderna submits data for full approval of COVID vaccine. Coming soon after full approval of the Pfizer vaccine, Moderna says it has now submitted relevant data for approval of its own two-dose vaccine. Pfizer is also submitting data forContinue Reading
THURSDAY, Aug. 26, 2021 (HealthDay News) — More than 171 million people are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in the United States, but the highly infectious Delta variant has left some with “breakthrough” cases nonetheless. These cases were anticipated, because the COVID vaccines weren’t designed to eliminate all virus infections, butContinue Reading
THURSDAY, Aug. 26, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Moderna Inc. announced Wednesday that it has completed its submission for full approval of its coronavirus vaccine, while Pfizer Inc. said it has begun to file data for full approval of a third booster shot of its vaccine. “This BLA [biologics license application]Continue Reading
THURSDAY, Aug. 26, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Coronavirus cases and deaths in Florida are at record highs as the Delta variant ravages the state and Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis holds firm on forbidding vaccine and mask mandates. As of Tuesday, Florida had reported a record average of 227 COVID-19 deathsContinue Reading
THURSDAY, Aug. 26, 2021 (HealthDay News) — The search for the source of the new coronavirus is at an impasse and the window of opportunity to identify the virus’ origins is “closing fast,” a World Health Organization-appointed team of experts said Wednesday. The investigation is at a “critical juncture” thatContinue Reading
THURSDAY, Aug. 26, 2021 (HealthDay News) — U.S. passengers aged 12 and older boarding Disney Cruise Line voyages to the Bahamas will have to start providing proof of COVID-19 vaccination as of Sept. 3, the company said Wednesday. The new policy is in effect until November and requires passengers toContinue Reading