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Shots - Health News

Shots

Health News From NPR

Your Health

Watching war unfold is distressing — here's how to protect your mental health

Palestinians evacuate the area following an Israeli airstrike on the Sousi mosque in Gaza City on October 9, 2023. Images of suffering, violence and death in Gaza and Israel have flooded the news since Oct. 7. MAHMUD HAMS/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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MAHMUD HAMS/AFP via Getty Images

Your Health

Watching war unfold is distressing — here's how to protect your mental health

Doomscrolling won't help the people who are suffering and it might put you into a state of chronic stress. A psychiatrist who works with trauma shares advice for how to process global tragedy.

Salty much? These brain cells decide when tasty becomes blech

Two brain circuits help determine whether there's too little salt, or too much. Aleksandr Zubkov/Getty Images hide caption

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Aleksandr Zubkov/Getty Images

Your Health

Salty much? These brain cells decide when tasty becomes blech

Scientists say two separate brain circuits control how much salt we consume.

Salty much? These brain cells decide when tasty becomes blech

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What can trigger an itch? Scientists have found a new culprit

New research finds that a common microbe may be directly causing itchiness on the skin it colonizes. Kinga Krzeminska/Getty Images hide caption

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Kinga Krzeminska/Getty Images

Your Health

What can trigger an itch? Scientists have found a new culprit

This itchy microbe really touches a nerve. A common skin bacterium can directly interact with a nerve cell to trigger an itch, new study shows, suggesting possible new therapies for itchy conditions.

What can trigger an itch? Scientists have found a new culprit

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Another Ozempic side effect? Facing the holidays with no appetite
Meredith Rizzo for NPR

Your Health

Another Ozempic side effect? Facing the holidays with no appetite

Weight-loss medications tamp down hunger — often dramatically — causing some people to lose the pleasure of communing over food at a festive family meal.

Another Ozempic side effect? Facing the holidays with no appetite

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Get used to it: COVID is a part of the holidays. Here's how to think about risks now

Back in 2020, even Sasquatch Pilgrim wore a mask on his way to Thanksgiving dinner. Vaccines and immunity make things better this year, but a mask during holiday travel is still a good idea. Mark Makela/Getty Images hide caption

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Mark Makela/Getty Images

Your Health

Get used to it: COVID is a part of the holidays. Here's how to think about risks now

As the country enters its fourth holiday season with COVID-19, experts offer advice about how Americans should navigate the risks and what precautions still make sense.

Get used to it: COVID is a part of the holidays. Here's how to think about risks now

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She was elated about her pregnancy. Then came a $2,400 bill for blood tests

Reesha Ahmed of Venus, Texas, was billed nearly $2,400 for standard blood tests following her first prenatal checkup. Nitashia Johnson/KFF Health News hide caption

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Nitashia Johnson/KFF Health News

Your Health

She was elated about her pregnancy. Then came a $2,400 bill for blood tests

KFF Health News

Convenient as it may be, beware of getting your blood drawn at a hospital. The cost could be much higher than at an independent lab, and your insurance might not cover it all.

She was elated about her pregnancy. Then came a $2,400 bill for blood tests

Healing the 'Invisible Ache' behind the suicide crisis among Black men and boys
Hachette

Your Health

Healing the 'Invisible Ache' behind the suicide crisis among Black men and boys

Fresh Air

Rates of suicide among Black men and boys in the U.S. are increasing faster than among any other group. Actor Courtney B. Vance and Robin L. Smith (aka "Dr. Robin") address the crisis in a new book.

Healing the 'Invisible Ache' behind the suicide crisis among Black men and boys

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Can little actions bring big joy? Researchers find 'micro-acts' can boost well-being
lechatnoir/Getty Images

Your Health

Can little actions bring big joy? Researchers find 'micro-acts' can boost well-being

A new citizen-scientist research project aims to test whether daily moments of awe, kindness and gratitude can make a real impact. Early results are promising. And it's not too late to join the study.

Can little actions bring big joy? Researchers find 'micro-acts' can boost well-being

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Hearing loss can lead to deadly falls, but hearing aids may cut the risk

People who consistently wear hearing aids have a lower chance of falling, a new study finds. picture alliance/dpa/picture alliance via Getty I hide caption

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picture alliance/dpa/picture alliance via Getty I

Your Health

Hearing loss can lead to deadly falls, but hearing aids may cut the risk

Falling is the top cause of injury for older adults and even mild hearing loss can increase the risk. But consistently wearing hearing aids may improve balance and prevent falls, a study finds.

Hearing loss can lead to deadly falls, but hearing aids may cut the risk

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FDA approves Zepbound, a new obesity drug that will take on Wegovy

Drugmaker Eli Lilly & Co. received Food and Drug Administration approval for an obesity drug called Zepbound that will be a rival to Novo Nordisk's Wegovy. Darron Cummings/AP hide caption

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Darron Cummings/AP

Your Health

FDA approves Zepbound, a new obesity drug that will take on Wegovy

Eli Lilly said the obesity medicine, which helped adults in clinical studies lose about 20% of their body weight, will be available in the U.S. by the end of the year. The list price will be $1,060.

Tai chi helps boost memory, study finds. One type seems most beneficial

People who practice cognitively enhanced tai chi significantly improved their scores on memory tests. PYMCA/Avalon via Getty Images hide caption

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PYMCA/Avalon via Getty Images

Your Health

Tai chi helps boost memory, study finds. One type seems most beneficial

Research shows that a daily dose of tai chi, the slow-moving meditative, martial art can boost our body and brain. A new study finds adding word games to tai chi doubles the increase in memory.

Tai chi helps boost memory, study finds. One type seems most beneficial

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Lessons from brain science — and history's peacemakers — for resolving conflicts

Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to U.S. Congress was running for president in 1972 when she had a remarkable interaction with the pro-segregation George Wallace, then governor of Alabama. Her efforts to build bridges with him ultimately changed his point of view. She's pictured here giving a speech at Laney Community College during her presidential campaign. Howard Erker/Oakland Tribune-MediaNews Group via Getty Images hide caption

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Howard Erker/Oakland Tribune-MediaNews Group via Getty Images

Analysis

Your Health

Lessons from brain science — and history's peacemakers — for resolving conflicts

Humans instinctually forge loyalties to groups to survive. Being aware of these impulses can help us deescalate arguments and find common ground. Some notable leaders in history show us how it's done.

Lessons from brain science — and history's peacemakers — for resolving conflicts

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Less snacking, more satisfaction: Some foods boost levels of an Ozempic-like hormone

A fiber found in barley, called beta-glucan, may improve insulin sensitivity, lower blood pressure and increase satiation between meals, research shows. LauriPatterson/Getty Images hide caption

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LauriPatterson/Getty Images

Your Health

Less snacking, more satisfaction: Some foods boost levels of an Ozempic-like hormone

Popular weight-loss drugs mimic GLP-1, a hormone the body makes naturally after eating. Turns out some foods trigger GLP-1 better than others, making us feel full and eat less.

Less snacking, more satisfaction: Some foods boost levels of an Ozempic-like hormone

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She talked about depression at a checkup — and got billed for two visits

Christine Rogers of Wake Forest, North Carolina, was asked to complete a mental health questionnaire as part of her annual physical. A brief conversation with her doctor landed her with a charge for a separate consultation. Kate Medley/KFF Health News hide caption

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Kate Medley/KFF Health News

Your Health

She talked about depression at a checkup — and got billed for two visits

KFF Health News

Completing a routine depression screening questionnaire during an annual checkup is cost-free under federal law. But, as one woman discovered, answering a doctor's follow-up questions might not be.

She talked about depression at a checkup — and got billed for two visits

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Too much red meat is linked to a 50% increase in Type 2 diabetes risk

People who consume higher amounts of red meat and processed meat are more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes than people who consume less, a new study finds. LauriPatterson/Getty Images hide caption

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Your Health

Too much red meat is linked to a 50% increase in Type 2 diabetes risk

A study finds people who eat more than one serving of red meat a day are at higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Processed meats, like bacon and hot dogs, were linked to an even higher risk.

Too much red meat is linked to a 50% increase in Type 2 diabetes risk

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