Chikungunya and Dengue Outbreak in Cuba Has Left 33 Dead, Officials Say

A severe mosquito-borne virus outbreak in Cuba has led to dozens of deaths since midsummer, including many young children, health officials there have reported.

Cuba’s deputy health minister, Carilda Peña, said on state TV that 33 people have died from chikungunya and dengue since July. Twenty-one of the deaths were in childre...

A Common Scan Can Prevent Face Damage From Cosmetic Fillers

Cosmetic fillers are meant to enhance a person’s beauty, but can cause damage and deformity if applied incorrectly.

However, ultrasound scans can help doctors prevent these ugly side effects by precisely guiding treatment to dissolve poorly placed fillers that are blocking blood vessels, according to findings presented Wednesday at t...

Hallucinogens Linked To Mania, Bipolar Disorder

A bad psychedelic trip might have long-term consequences for a person’s mood, researchers say.

Folks who land in the hospital due to hallucinogens are six times more likely to be diagnosed with mania within a few years, according to results published Dec. 2 in the journal PLOS Medicine.

“Our study showed a strong...

Body Shaming, Outdated Ideals Increase Injury Risk Among Female Athletes, Olympics Committee Says

Sports injuries among female athletes can be reduced by creating a safe, supportive environment for training and competition, an International Olympic Committee (IOC) panel has concluded.

Among many other physical safety recommendations, an environment free of body shaming, idealized body types and notions of how women “should”...

Asthma More Common Among Kids Whose Moms Have Eating Disorders

Women with an eating disorder are more likely to have children who suffer from asthma and wheezing, a new study says.

Eating disorders are associated with a 26% increased risk of school-age asthma and a 25% higher risk of preschool wheeze, researchers reported Dec. 2 in the journal Thorax.

This increased risk persisted even ...

Common Painkillers Trick Doctors Into Misdiagnosing Heart Failure, Study Warns

A painkiller alternative to opioids could be tricking doctors into misdiagnosing heart failure, a new study warns.

Drugs like gabapentin and pregabalin are frequently prescribed to treat nerve pain, researchers said.

But a side effect of these drugs is fluid retention, causing a person’s legs and feet to swell.

Unfortunat...