Addictive Opioids Still Overprescribed After Surgery: Study

THURSDAY, April 19, 2018 -- Doctors continue to prescribe far too many opioid painkillers to patients following surgery, a new study indicates.

In fact, one of every three patients prescribed an opioid, such as Oxycontin, didn't take a single pill during their recuperation, said lead researcher Elizabeth Habermann. She is scientific director for surgical outcomes at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

When Does Online Gaming Become an Addiction?

FRIDAY, April 20, 2018 -- For most, playing online video games is largely a harmless hobby. But a new review finds that some fall prey to what experts call "internet gaming disorder."

The concept that gaming could become an addiction first gained traction in 2013 when the disorder was included in the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders" (DSM). At the time, the disorder was only listed as a "condition for further study."

U.S. Better Able to Tackle Health Emergencies: Report

FRIDAY, April 20, 2018 -- The United States is more ready for health disasters than it was five years ago, but certain regions still lag behind, a new report shows.

The nation scored 7.1 on the 10-point 2018 National Health Security Preparedness Index. That's nearly 3 percent better than last year and nearly 11 percent better than when the index was introduced five years ago.

Keep Eating Veggies (and Fruits) for Better Health

FRIDAY, April 20, 2018 -- Your parents' advice to eat your vegetables has solid science behind it.

Filling half your plate with non-starchy selections, as well as some fruit, provides a high volume of low-calorie food that can tame hunger as it delivers important nutrients.

Healthy Diet, Healthy Eyes

THURSDAY, April 20, 2018 -- Healthy eating may help preserve your vision as you age, eye experts say.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) damages the macula (a small area near the center of the retina, located on the inside back layer of the eye), leading to a decline in central vision.

As Younger Men's Smoking Rises, So Does Their Stroke Risk

THURSDAY, April 19, 2018 -- Men under 50 who smoke cigarettes are increasing their risk for a stroke, researchers warn.

And the more they smoke, the greater their stroke risk, reported the University of Maryland investigators.

His and Her Knee Injuries Occur the Same Way

THURSDAY, April 19, 2018 -- Women are more likely than men to suffer a knee injury called an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear. But -- surprisingly -- the injury occurs the same way in both genders, a new study reveals.

Prior research suggested women are two to four times more likely to suffer ACL tears due to differences in how this type of injury occurs in the sexes, researchers at Duke University, in Durham, N.C., noted.

You and Your Pooch May Have Similar Tummy Bacteria

THURSDAY, April 19, 2018 -- The makeup of bacteria in your dog's digestive tract may be more like your own than you think, researchers say.

In a new study, investigators analyzed gut bacteria populations ("microbiomes") in two dog breeds. The findings showed that the genes in the dogs' microbiomes had many similarities with humans. In fact, they were more similar to humans than the microbiomes of pigs or mice.

Meditation: Different Approaches, Different Benefits

THURSDAY, April 19, 2018 -- Deep breathing is a great stress reliever, and the technique called mindfulness meditation is a helpful way to use breathing to get more in touch with your inner self.

People who meditate say they feel more positive, and have more energy and better concentration.

Could a Tattoo Someday Spot Your Cancer?

THURSDAY, April 19, 2018 -- Tattoos serve many purposes, perhaps expressing artistry, loyalty or love. Now, scientists working with mice say they've engineered a medical "tattoo" that can screen for early signs of major disease.

The biomedical tattoo is made up of cells embedded with sensors that measure levels of blood calcium.