The Medical Minute: Immunization the Best Defense Against Measles
Penn State HealthHigh fever. Cough. Runny nose. Red, watery eyes. It may not be the flu. It could be measles.
High fever. Cough. Runny nose. Red, watery eyes. It may not be the flu. It could be measles.
Although some people are genetically more susceptible to the stressors of daily life than others, most could benefit from learning how to lower that stress before it negatively affects their physical and mental health.
An athlete is sailing through the air or making a quick turn when all of a sudden he or she hears a “pop” in the knee. An athlete who experiences this followed by sudden pain and swelling often receives the much-feared diagnosis of an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear.
An intervention designed to promote healthy growth that taught first-time moms how to respond with age-appropriate responses to their babies’ needs resulted in children having lower body mass indexes (BMIs) when they were three years old.
Anyone who has developed a kidney stone will tell you that the pain of passing one is worth an ounce of prevention.
In the United States, the percentage of children and adolescents with obesity has more than tripled since 1970. Today, approximately one in five school-aged children (ages 6 to 19) is obese.
Patients’ perceptions of the hospital they’re being treated in may be improved by the type of artwork hanging in hospital rooms, according to Penn State College of Medicine researchers.
Two current drugs used to treat psychosis and depression showed anti-cancer activity in mice by blocking the movement of cholesterol within drug-resistant cancer cells, according to Penn State Cancer Institute researchers.
A little preparation and an understanding of safety can go a long way to avoid potential pitfalls that come with enjoying hiking and camping.
Kombucha (pronounced kom-BOO-cha) can help restore the body’s natural microbiome and improve overall health, but it’s important to make informed choices about kombucha sources and consumption.
Teens are particularly attracted to “Juuling” because of the device’s sleek design and fruity or perfume-like odor. Here's what parents need to know.
Yoga and Pilates are two forms of low-impact exercise that people of all ages and fitness levels can do to improve both their physical and mental well-being.
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The lazy days of summer can be peaceful and relaxing, but they can also wreak havoc on your body’s internal clock -- and throw even the most conscientious family’s sleep schedules out of whack.
For many, summer means the sweet sounds of live concerts, fireworks, lawnmowers and splashing water. To optimize the fun summer sounds, here are some preventative measures to protect your hearing during these outdoor activities.
Life can be pretty good during the summer – especially for those who heed health advice about sun safety, staying hydrated and getting needed vaccinations before traveling abroad.
A new approach to killing C. difficile that silences key bacterial genes while sparing other bacteria may provide a new way to treat the most common hospital-acquired bacterial infection in the United States, according to researchers.
Summer means fun in the sun, but also in the pool, at the beach or on the lake. So it’s important to know how to stay safe while enjoying the water.
From fireworks at wedding receptions and Independence Day celebrations to graduation bonfires and simple sparklers at weekend cookouts, Americans love playing with fire. The trick is to do so safely.
A team of Penn State researchers is planning to create a new map of the brain that will establish a neural circuit diagram of oxytocin, a compound often associated with affection and emotional behavior.
Penn State Health and Andrews Patel Hematology/Oncology announced today they have reached agreement to join together to provide unmatched, patient-focused oncology and hematology services to central Pennsylvania and the surrounding region.
Prescription cough and cold medicines containing the opioid hydrocodone were more likely to cause serious side effects in children than those containing codeine, according to a new study from Penn State College of Medicine.
Emergency situations are always stressful, but knowing how to respond at such a time can greatly reduce the anxiety so that everyone involved can get through it safely.
Mutations in genes that help repair damage to DNA may aid in predicting the prognosis of patients with bladder and other related cancers, according to researchers.
April showers might bring May flowers, but they also bring the arrival of troublesome plants such as poison ivy and poison oak that can cause mild to severe allergic reactions.
Injuries from guns kept in the home are often devastating, but they are also frequently preventable.
Doctors may do more good for diabetes patients by getting their cholesterol and blood pressure under control than by intensifying their glucose control.
Cleaning out your medicine cabinet is about more than having a tidy bathroom. In an age of opioid addiction, it can also prevent leftover medications from getting into the wrong hands.
People with obesity are more likely to develop a rapid and irregular heart rate, called atrial fibrillation, which can lead to stroke, heart failure and other complications, according to Penn State researchers.
Many people accept deteriorating eyesight as an inevitable part of getting older, but blurry or distorted vision – such as when straight lines appear wavy – could be signs of age-related macular degeneration.
The flavor of an e-cigarette may affect more than a consumer’s taste buds, according to Penn State researchers who say the chemicals that make up the different flavors also produce different levels of free radicals.
All children have moments of moodiness, but family medicine doctors and pediatricians may doubt their abilities to tell the difference between normal irritability and possibly bigger issues, according to Penn State researchers.
There are many factors that determine your likelihood of developing cancer, including age, genetic predisposition and lifestyle.
Penn State College of Medicine has created a new Department of Radiation Oncology and named Dr. Rickhesvar Mahraj, professor of radiology and pediatrics, its interim chair.
It’s not unusual for your body to make “popping” or “cracking” sounds as you lean over, twist or reach for something. Fortunately, it’s also typically not a cause for worry.
The longevity and health improvements seen in animals on sulfur amino acid-restricted diets could translate to people, according to Penn State College of Medicine researchers.
As the winter cold season melts into seasonal spring allergies, many people may start to experience sneezing, wheezing and other breathing difficulties. Sometimes, the trouble goes away after a few days, but if it lingers or recurs, asthma could be the culprit.
Nearly half of adolescents aren’t receiving a pair of vaccines to prevent a virus many of them will get.
When cost isn’t an issue, women will choose more effective, long-term methods of contraception, according to Penn State College of Medicine researchers.
The bacteria in your gut do more than simply help digest your food. The microorganisms living in your digestive tract can also influence your overall health.
Most people know doctors recommend a colonoscopy at age 50 to screen for colorectal cancers. What they might not realize is that earlier screening may be necessary if they have a family history of colorectal cancer or other diseases.
Most of Pennsylvania’s high school and middle school students are tobacco-free, but the use of cigarettes and their digital counterpart, e-cigarettes, is still a cause for concern, according to Penn State researchers.
Many women may write off fatigue, body aches and even nausea as the result of stress, or as an indication that they need to slow down and rest. What they might not realize is that those subtle symptoms could indicate something much more distressing: heart disease or the possibility of a heart attack.
When you strap on skis or lace up skates, it’s important to remember that you have not trained like an Olympian, and that an ounce of prevention can help avoid the pain of injuries later.
Childhood cancer survivors are at a higher risk of developing physical and emotional difficulties once their treatment is complete. That's why it’s important to connect them with follow-up care and resources.
Doctors ask patients about smoking habits for the same reason they check weight, blood pressure, breathing and heart beat during a visit.
A recent Penn State College of Medicine physician’s study review suggests that shorter courses of radiation are preferable to longer ones for older patients receiving treatment for slow-growing skin cancers.
When the weather is cold and the nights are long, new parents can be tempted to put extra blankets in a crib or bring their infant into bed with them. But both practices can lead to death for children under a year old, who do not have the ability to protect their airway and prevent their own suffocation.
With many people staring down New Year’s resolutions related to losing weight, some may be wondering if surgical weight loss is right for them.
As healthy resolutions fill gyms and outdoor paths, two sports medicine doctors at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center remind those who work out to do it safely – whether exercising indoors or out.