MONDAY, Oct. 21, 2024 (Healthday News) -- Following the devastation of hurricanes Helene and Milton, a new health danger has emerged in Florida: A spike in cases of flesh-eating bacteria.
As Hurricane Milton barreled toward the west coast of Florida, hospitals in its path were making ready.
Milton is projected to make landfall a bit south of the Tampa area late Wednesday night. Long-term care facilities in counties where mandatory evacuations have been i...
High winds, torrential rain: All dangerous, but there's a silent killer lurking in the aftermath of hurricanes like Milton -- carbon monoxide.
Experts at the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) are warning of the potentially lethal effects of carbon monoxide (...
Hot weather can be more than just uncomfortable and annoying: New research finds it can impact an infant’s development both before and after birth.
Babies are more likely to be delivered at low birth weight as an expecting mom’s average daily heat stress incr...
As the southeastern United States begins to recover from Helene's devastation, a new study suggests the health impact of major storms can linger for over a decade.
So far, more than 120 people across six states have already been confirmed dead in Helene's aftermath, alth...
Following the historic destruction of Hurricane Helene, many Americans must now return to their mangled homes and begin the heartbreaking task of clean-up.
After making landfall in Florida near Tallahassee as a ferocious Cat 4 storm on Thursday, Helene caused record-bre...
Hospitals see more admissions for heart attacks in the days after cold weather sets in, new research shows.
"Individuals may be particularly vulnerable to acute cardiac events during periods of cold stress," said study lead author
Last summer was a record-breaker for heat emergencies, so the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Monday launched a new online h...
Weather disasters driven by climate change are stressing out U.S. teenagers, a new study warns.
Teens with the most firsthand experience of events like hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, droughts and wildfires were more likely to show signs of mental distress than peers who ...
A white winter landscape might look magical, but the cold and snow and ice can make even the simplest of tasks potentially dangerous.
"It's slip and fall season,"said Dr. Letitia Bradford, an orthopedic surgeo...
Controlled forest burns can prevent the sort of high-intensity wildfires that have plagued the Western U.S. and Canada as a result of climate change, a new study argues.
A low-intensity fire in the mixed conifer forests of California provides an estimated 60% reduction i...
As sweltering summer days become more common, the number of Americans who die of heat-related heart problems or strokes could soar over the next few decades, a new study projects.
Climate change is bringing diseases once considered tropical afflictions to the United States, and new research warns that a parasite spread by sand flies may be the latest to join this growing list.
The Leishmania parasite causes several forms of the disease le...
Yellow fever may be resurfacing in the United States, thanks to climate change.
The mosquito-borne viral illness decimated southern U.S. cities from 1820 to 1905, and now a new report says it could return to those areas.
One of the potential reasons fo...
While the hot, dry summer may have offered a break to people with some environmental allergies, that reprieve could be over.
Ragweed and mold are in the air this fall.
"This summer was good news for people who are sensitive to mold and pollen as there were little o...
The signs of climate change are everywhere, from raging wildfires to flash flooding to soaring temperatures.
Now, a new study warns that things could get worse, with scientists reporting that even small increases in global temperatures will make some parts of the Earth ...
People who experience flooding aren't just at risk during these severe weather events -- they also have a significantly higher risk of dying in the weeks that follow.
Sweltering temperatures appear to fuel drug-related hospital visits, a problem that could be worsening with climate change, a new study suggests.
"We saw that during periods of higher temperatures, there was a corresponding increase in hospital visits related to alcohol ...
Phoenix, already the hottest major city in the nation, experienced its most scorching summer on record this year, new data shows. And that will likely prompt the highest number of heat-associated deaths ever reported in the city in one year.
At this point, Maricopa Count...
As this summer has shown, the massive smoke plumes generated by wildfires can dirty the air of regions many miles away. Now a new study is raising the question of whether that pollution is contributing to suicides in rural America.
Researchers found a correlation between...
Hot weather can pose serious health risks for older adults.
Existing medical conditions, problems moving around and medications raise the risk of heatstroke, according to an expert at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago.
Being prepared can help prevent heat e...
Global warming has been linked to higher rates of asthma, heart disease and other health concerns. Now, new research suggests that rising temperatures across the planet may place pregnant women at greater risk for severe pregnancy-related illnesses, especially in their third t...
Winter months can be a challenge for those trying to keep their high blood pressure in check, new research suggests.
In an analysis of more than 60,000 American adults being treated for high blood pressure at six health care centers in the Southeast and Midwest United St...
Heat domes and extreme heat waves have been battering the United States for years now, and a new study shows that increasing temperatures are doing real harm to humans.
A significant increase in heat-related illnesses like heat stroke and heat exhaustion has occurred dur...
As waters warm across the United States and hurricanes and flooding season begins, the odds of being infected by flesh-eating bacteria are also rising, U.S. health officials warn.
Hurricane Idalia is expected to make landfall in the United States Wednesday.
Idalia was forecast to be a powerful Category 3 storm by the time it reaches Florida's Big Bend, an area prone to storm surge that stretches from Tampa to just south of Tallahassee. It's also e...
Death rates skyrocket during extreme weather events among the most vulnerable Americans, especially those from minority groups.
A study looking at hurricanes over more than three decades showed that their impacts varied and were driven by differences in social, economic...
While the record-breaking heat the United States is experiencing this summer can stress people to their limits, it can be particularly hard to navigate for those with mental health issues.
"All mental illnesses increase with heat because it results in more fatigue, irrit...
Tornado damage to a Pfizer drug-making plant in North Carolina is unlikely to trigger drug shortages across the country, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says.
"We do not expect there to be any immediate significant impacts on supply, given the products are current...
It's hot out there. If you're working out outdoors this summer, take precautions.
"If you plan to exercise in the heat, know your fitness level, take frequent breaks, wear proper clothing, wear sunscreen, avoid hottest times of the day and hydrate, hydrate, hydrate,"said...
The color of the oceans has changed over the past two decades, which has scientists concerned about the impact of climate change.
"I've been running simulations that have been telling me for years that these changes in ocean color are going to happen,"said study co-auth...
As extreme heat continues to blanket numerous parts of the United States, Americans with dementia may be particularly challenged.
"Triple-digit temperatures and heat indexes are especially dangerous for someone with a dementia-related illness such as Alzheimer's dis...
Record-breaking heat waves are pummeling the United States and the world, causing many to wonder how much of this a body can take and still survive.
The limit is somewhere between 104 and 122 degrees Fahrenheit if you're sitting perfectly still, according to a small...
Older American adults who live in warmer regions are more likely to have serious vision impairment than those who live in cooler places, new research finds.
Living with average temperatures of 60 degrees Fahrenheit or above -- think South Florida, for example -- created ...
For the second time this month, massive plumes of smoke from hundreds of out-of-control Canadian wildfires are polluting much of America's air.
Among the major U.S. cities now experiencing poor air quality are St. Louis, Milwaukee, Cincinnati and Chicago, while entire st...
Wild and feral cats appear to release more toxoplasmosis parasites in places densely populated with people, new research suggests.
These cats also "shed" more when the temperature is warmer, a significant finding given climate change, according to the report published o...
Kidney stones are something most folks want to avoid at all costs, but few may know that the chances of developing this excruciating condition rise during the hot months of summer.
Luckily, it is possible to take steps to prevent stones from forming, primarily by increas...
Heat illness can be deadly, so it's essential to recognize the warning signs and know what to do as the summer season gets into gear.
"Heat illness tends to happen when the body is unable to regulate its temperature due to overexertion or extended periods of time in high...
Just like their humans, dogs get cranky when temperatures and air pollution levels surge.
Heat and air pollution have previously been linked to human aggression. Now, researchers say it also appears that there are more dog bites on hot, polluted days.
More research...
Extreme heat can be dangerous, but you can stay cool and safe this summer if you take the right precautions.
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) offers some tips for doing so.
"No matter your age, it is critical to be able to recognize the signs of ...
Ticks are extremely resilient even when temperatures vary wildly, according to scientists who are working to better understand the spread of Lyme disease.
In their new study, black-legged ticks, notorious for carrying pathogens, were very good at surviving both extreme c...
The Atlantic hurricane season in the United States starts June 1, and some dangers might not be immediately obvious: carbon monoxide poisoning, fires and electric shock.
"Hurricanes and major storms in the U.S. have increased in frequency and severity in recent years. Th...
Men, want to burn fat? Chill out.
New research shows that exposure to cold in the morning may help you burn more fat than at other times of day.
Expos...
Children are uniquely vulnerable to the effects of climate change, a new report from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) shows.
Climate change can affect learning, physical health and housing security, which can last throughout the child's life, according to t...
Tornadoes bring with them many dangers, but perhaps not so evident are the risks from colorless and odorless carbon monoxide (CO) from generators used to temporarily restore power.
With parts of the United States expecting another round of severe weather, the Consumer Pr...
Hurricanes not only disrupt the communities they affect, they also pose an increased risk of death for people with dementia.
This heightened risk could owe to disruption in their normal routines, changes in their living environment or even changes in access to caregiving...
The changes in temperature and daylight brought by winter may make a person feel like hibernating.
It turns out that humans do get longer REM sleep in wintertime and less deep sleep in autumn, even in an urban setting, German researchers reported Feb 17 in
Winter's icy beauty can also be dangerous.
An orthopedic expert offers some tips for avoiding serious injuries on slippery ground or hazards hidden by snow.
"When people have injuries during the winter, it commonly involves tripping over an object or slipping on ic...
Winter weather can add a layer of danger to the wandering behavior common in people with dementia.
The Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA) offers some suggestions to help prevent wandering and prepare folks to react quickly if it occurs.
"During the winter, it'...
If it seems as though everyone you know struggles with some sort of allergy, new research suggests you are not mistaken.
As many as 1 in 3 adults and 1 in 4 kids suffers from a seasonal allergy, a food allergy or eczema, the latest government data shows.
Caused by ...