Bird flu uptick in US has CDC on alert for pandemic 'red flags': report

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are keeping a close eye on "red flags" relating to the bird flu and whether the illness might develop into a pandemic, according to a report.  The latest numbers show 66 confirmed human cases of bird flu in the U.S. The CDC is taking a holiday break and will resume updates on human cases on...

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22 health care predictions for 2025 from medical researchers

2024 was packed with health care innovations, from a new blood test detecting Alzheimer’s disease to deep brain stimulation reversing paralysis. Heading into the New Year, medical experts are predicting even more medical advances for 2025. Researchers from Mass General Brigham, a health care system in Boston, Massachusetts, shared with Fox News Digital...

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Choking emergency? How to do the Heimlich maneuver — and when to avoid it

A choking emergency can turn really scary, really quickly. Whether it’s yourself or another person, knowing how to remove the blockage while staying calm can be the difference between life and death. The Heimlich maneuver is a first-aid method recommended by most health organizations, which uses abdominal thrusts to dislodge an obstruction from a person’s...

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Bird flu patient had virus mutations, sparking concern about human spread

The patient in Louisiana who was hospitalized with severe bird flu illness was found to have a mutated version of the virus, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced last week. The fact that the virus mutated within the patient suggests that it could potentially spread from human to human. The CDC analyzed samples of the...

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Service dog helps boy with rare genetic disorder achieve ‘unbelievable’ progress

When a 3-year-old New York boy was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder, hope came in an unlikely form — a golden retriever named Yammy. Susan Bresnahan’s son, Patrick, was born in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, she told Fox News Digital. Bresnahan, who has been a nurse for 20 years, noticed that her son wasn’t hitting any of the normal developmental...

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Jimmy Carter spent nearly 2 years in hospice care before his death at 100

Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States who died at the age of 100 on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, had been living in hospice care at his home since Feb. 2023. Back in May, Carter's son, Jason Carter, said in a speech at the Carter Center in Georgia that his grandfather was "doing OK." Jason Carter also praised the "outpouring of love" the...

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‘Alcohol gene’ could predict how cocktails may affect you — and there’s a test for it

Feel like you "can’t handle your alcohol" — or do you experience nausea, facial flushing or a racing heart after enjoying even small amounts of your favorite cocktail? These could be signs that you have an inherited intolerance to alcohol — and a mutated gene could be the culprit, according to Cleveland Clinic. This gene mutation hampers the body’s...

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Depression could be prevented with specific daily step count, study finds

Getting a certain number of daily steps has long been known to boost overall health — and now a new study has pinpointed how many you need to keep depression at bay. A research team led by Bruno Bizzozero-Peroni, PhD, from Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha in Cuenca, Spain, analyzed 33 studies involving 96,173 adults. In comparing the adults’ daily...

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New Year life lessons from country star: 'Never forget where you came from'

Country music star T. Graham Brown, based in Nashville, is sharing his top 15 lessons for a healthy life with Fox News Digital ahead of the New Year. Brown, 70, recently celebrated the 25th anniversary of his deeply personal song, "Wine into Water," which has impacted many people who have faced struggles in life. His newest album is "From Memphis to...

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What is ‘toasted skin syndrome'? Heating pads and blankets can cause skin damage, experts warn

A heated blanket or heating pad might keep you warm in the cold winter months, but experts are warning of a potential danger. Too much close exposure to high heat can cause noticeable skin damage, or a condition called toasted skin syndrome. NEW SKINCARE TREND HAS PEOPLE RUBBING BEEF FAT ON THEIR FACES: DERMATOLOGISTS REACT Several heated blanket users...

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7 of Google’s most-searched health questions in 2024, with expert responses

Google has long been a go-to tool for many who have health-related questions – and 2024 was no different.  Americans across the country turned to the search engine for answers to their medical concerns throughout the year. Soliant Health, a health care job search site based in Georgia, analyzed 2024 Google search data to identify popular questions...

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Holiday sleep trouble? 5 secrets of a better snooze

Getting a good night's sleep can be a little more challenging amid the hype of the holidays. With changes in routine, diet and potentially time zones, quality sleep could be difficult to come by. Around 42% of U.S. adults struggle with sleep issues during the holiday season, according to a CNET survey. DO WOMEN NEED MORE SLEEP THAN MEN? HERE'S WHAT...

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5 major Alzheimer’s discoveries scientists made in 2024

With an estimated 6.9 million Americans aged 65 and older currently living with Alzheimer's disease, the road to a cure seems long and uncertain. But as the year comes to a close, experts are reflecting on some of the hopeful advances in diagnosis, treatment and risk management that have been made in 2024. The Alzheimer’s Association — a Chicago-based...

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‘I have a blood test coming up — how should I prepare?’: Ask a doctor

It’s common for doctors to recommend getting bloodwork following a medical appointment or routine check-up. Blood tests can identify deficiencies in vitamins or minerals, immune system problems, or signs of infection, as well as whether organs like the liver, heart or kidneys are functioning correctly, according to the University of Pittsburgh Medical...

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Dance eases depression symptoms in Parkinson's patients, new study suggests

Putting a swing in their step could be just the thing to help ease the symptoms of depression in some Parkinson's patients, a new study suggests. Patients who took months of dance classes found their depression eased, a small study published recently in the Journal of Medical Internet Research says. Not only did depression symptoms ease for the Parkinson's...

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