Fever, persistent cough and fatigue lead list of ‘classic’ symptoms of COVID-19, study confirms
Other top symptoms were loss of smell and difficulty breathing. And, of course, people with COVID-19 can be entirely symptom-free.
Susan Perry
Susan Perry writes Second Opinion for MinnPost, covering consumer health. She has written several health-related books, and her articles have appeared in a wide variety of publications.
COVID-19 is more likely to lead to a baby bust than a baby boom, economists’ report says
“The COVID-19 crisis is amounting to much more than a temporary stay-at-home order,” the economists say. “It is leading to tremendous economic loss, uncertainty, and insecurity. That is why birth rates will tumble.”
Most avocado oil sold in U.S. is either rancid or contains other oils, study finds
The tests on 22 oils revealed that more than 80 percent of the products had significant quality problems. Fifteen were oxidized — or had gone rancid — before their expiration date.
Loneliness has not increased during coronavirus pandemic, study suggests
“We were surprised by the overall remarkable resilience in response to COVID-19,” says Martina Luchetti, the study’s lead author.
Shortened sleep flattens mood and reduces reaction time, raising risk of accidents, study finds
Sleeping just 90 minutes or so less than usual can have a significant impact on how quickly and accurately our brains function the next morning, according to new research from Norway.
Stress is up and happiness is down — significantly so, according to recent U.S surveys
More than eight in 10 Americans (83 percent) say that the future of the country is a significant source of stress in their lives, the surveys found.
Combined 4-5 healthy behaviors linked to a 60% reduction in risk of Alzheimer’s disease
People in their 70s and 80s who adhere to four or five behaviors — a high-quality diet, regular physical activity, not smoking, light-to-moderate alcohol consumption and staying intellectually engaged — are 60 percent less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease over the next decade of their life than others.
Eating a late dinner may slow nighttime burning of fat — and lead to weight gain
In the study, individuals who ate their last meal of the day at 10 p.m. rather than 6 p.m. burned less fat overnight. They also had higher blood sugar levels.
While in lockdown, we’ve been sleeping longer and more regularly, but not necessarily better
Three-quarters of the people surveyed said they were sleeping longer on most nights — from 25 to 51 minutes more.
CDC’s COVID guidelines for going out: face masks, distancing and planning ahead
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued updated COVID-19 pandemic guidelines to help people reduce their risk of either contracting or spreading the infection.
Certain personality traits linked to stockpiling of toilet paper, study finds
The perceived threat posed by COVID-19 was the strongest predictor of toilet-paper hoarding. The more people felt threatened by the pandemic, the more they crammed their cupboards with toilet paper.
Nation’s eye doctors call for ban on rubber bullets
“Americans have the right to speak and congregate publicly and should be able to exercise that right without the fear of blindness,” the American Academy of Ophthalmology says.
Updated cancer-prevention guidelines: exercise more and consume less meat, sugary beverages, processed foods and alcohol
The guidelines also state that the American Cancer Society does not recommend vitamin and mineral supplements — or any other kind of dietary supplements — for the prevention of cancer.
Tai chi linked to improved mood and quality of life in older adults with cardiovascular disease
“If you’ve had a heart attack or stroke, or are affected by another heart condition, I would strongly recommend adding tai chi to your recovery and rehabilitation,” says Ruth Taylor-Piliae, one of the study’s authors.
CDC: Four in 10 Americans are misusing household cleaners to ward off COVID-19
Those unsafe practices mostly involve washing food with bleach. But people have also done such high-risk things as intentionally ingesting or inhaling disinfectants or spraying household cleaners on their skin.
Handgun ownership is ‘a substantial and enduring risk’ for suicide, study finds
In the study, the suicide rate among people who owned handguns was almost four times higher than among who didn’t own a gun.
Parents are often clueless about their young children’s use of mobile devices, study finds
Almost three-quarters of parents misjudge how much time their preschoolers spend on smartphones and tablets, according to a new study.
Older men more likely than others to brush aside worries about COVID-19 and to resist taking protective actions, study finds
These findings are troubling and suggest “a critical need for COVID-19 behavioral change interventions targeted at older men,” the study’s authors conclude.
One in 10 hospitalized COVID-19 patients with diabetes die by day seven, study finds
In the study, by day seven of their hospitalization, 29 percent of the patients with diabetes had died or been put on a ventilator to breathe.
Preschoolers who are picky eaters may not soon grow out of it, study suggests
The more parents try to impose strict control over their child’s cuisine, such as by making them eat certain foods and restricting their access to others, the fussier the child is likely to become at mealtimes, the study also found.
