'Dr. Google' Helps Some Patients Diagnose a Rare Disease

MONDAY, Aug. 19, 2019 -- A middle-aged woman had persistent symptoms that doctors couldn't explain. Frustrated, she took an increasingly common route: a search through the internet.

"Dr. Google" led the woman to specialists at Wake Forest University Medical Center in Winston-Salem, N.C. There, she was diagnosed with a rare genetic condition called autosomal dominant tubulointerstitial kidney disease (ADTKD). This gradually causes the kidneys to stop working.

How Sleep Woes May Strain Your Heart

MONDAY, Aug. 19, 2019 -- If you spend a lot of nights watching the clock instead of sleeping, new research suggests you may need to be as concerned about your heart health as you are about lost shut-eye.

People with genetic variants linked to insomnia have an increased risk of heart disease, heart failure and stroke, according to the study.

Heart Experts Support Use of Prescription Fish Oil to Lower Triglyceride Levels

MONDAY, Aug. 19, 2019 -- Heart experts are advising that prescription-strength fish oil pills might help lower excess levels of blood fats known as triglycerides.

The pills contain heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. When prescribed by a doctor, these meds can lower high triglyceride levels by 20%-30%, according to a new American Heart Association science advisory.

Many Parents Would Switch Doctors Over Vaccination Policy, Poll Finds

MONDAY, Aug. 19, 2019 -- Forty percent of U.S. parents say they would likely find a new doctor if their child's primary care provider sees families who refuse childhood vaccines, a nationwide poll finds.

And three in 10 say their child's primary care provider should not treat youngsters whose parents refuse all vaccines.

The 4 Keys to Emotional Well-Being

MONDAY, Aug. 19, 2019 -- If you're satisfied with your life, you probably have emotional well-being.

Emotional well-being can be mastered just like any other skill, according to Richard Davidson, founder of the Center for Healthy Minds at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Recognizing When Your Parents Need Help

MONDAY, Aug. 19, 2019 -- Sometimes it's obvious when older parents need outside help -- like when they're having difficulty managing numerous chronic illnesses or losing mobility and unable to maneuver well even at home. But mental problems may not be as easy to spot.

For instance, is Dad's forgetfulness -- his misplacing house keys or missing appointments -- normal aging or a sign of something more serious, such as dementia?

Could Fluoride Be Bad for Your Baby During Pregnancy?

MONDAY, Aug. 19, 2019 -- Fluoride exposure from drinking water during pregnancy could be making children less intelligent, a new Canadian study argues.

Expectant moms with higher levels of fluoride in their urine tended to have kids with lower average IQs, based on a study of 601 mother-child pairs from six cities in Canada.

Upping Seniors' Blood Pressure Meds After Hospital Can Sometimes Bring Danger

MONDAY, Aug. 19, 2019 -- For seniors who've been hospitalized for non-cardiac conditions, any hike in blood pressure medications as they leave the hospital can prove dangerous, new research shows.

That's because the prescription change may not help and could do harm -- putting them at higher risk for falls and other health issues, investigators said.

AHA News: Why Do Women Get Statins Less Frequently Than Men?

MONDAY, Aug. 19, 2019 (American Heart Association News) -- Women are less likely than men to be treated with cholesterol-lowering statins – or get them prescribed at guideline-recommended intensity levels when they do, according to a new study that also looked at reasons behind the discrepancies.

Statins help reduce the risk of heart attacks, stroke and other cardiovascular events by lowering high cholesterol levels. But women historically have received less aggressive treatment than men when it comes to cholesterol management.

How to Protect a Loved One With Dementia During a Heat Wave

MONDAY, Aug. 19, 2019 -- Heat waves can pose a serious risk to people with Alzheimer's disease, so their families should know how to keep them safe, advocates say.

Extreme heat is "dangerous for everyone, but especially for someone with Alzheimer's disease, who may be unable to spot the warning signs of trouble or know how to get help," said Charles Fuschillo Jr., president and CEO of the Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA).