More than 3 million women in the U.S. are at risk of drinking while pregnant. The Centers for Disease Control says that’s because women are drinking while they’re not using birth control, and sometimes even while they’re trying to get pregnant. Alcohol during even the first weeks of pregnancy can cause long-lasting physical and intellectual disabilities. To read more about the CDC’s recommendations click here.
Drugs used to treat anxiety and insomnia are not linked to an increased risk of dementia. That’s the finding of the newest research on tranquilizers, such as Valium and Xanax. A study in the BMJ found no association with dementia. But it recommends that doctors avoid these drugs for senior citizens to prevent other health risks.
Parkinson’s patients may be at higher risk for falling and hip fractures for years before being diagnosed. Researchers in Sweden studied more than 24-thousand patients. They found that in the 15 years before diagnosis, Parkinson’s disease was associated with a 36-percent higher risk of hip fracture.
