Some people glide down the sidewalk while others shuffle along at a crawl. Turns out this difference could determine how long you live. Health experts now call walking speed the “sixth vital sign” because this simple measurement predicts your future health better than many expensive medical procedures. What makes this even better is that you don’t need any needles or...

Scientists have identified a concerning new coronavirus in Chinese bats that could pose a pandemic threat. Researchers from the Wuhan Institute of Virology discovered HKU5-CoV-2 during a comprehensive study of bat populations across China’s southern and eastern regions. The virus belongs to the lesser known relative of COVID, the merbecovirus family. This family includes the...

A major beverage mix-up is making headlines. The manufacturer pulled over 19,000 cases of Dr Pepper Zero Sugar after labeling them incorrectly. These cans, marked “Zero Sugar,” actually contain the full-sugar version. The Dr. Pepper recall affects anyone watching their sugar intake, especially diabetics. On June 5, 2025, the FDA reclassified the situation as a...

Scientists have long believed that leprosy was an import from European settlers in the Americas. However, a recent study published in Science reveals that the disease existed on the continent centuries before Europeans set foot on American soil. This discovery shifts the premise of medical textbooks that credited European colonizers with bringing leprosy to the...

It is estimated that more than 7 million adults in America live with Alzheimer’s disease. However, a new study has found that people in some regions get diagnosed with dementia more than in other regions. While there are new medications and treatments available to patients, many people live in areas where they are not able...

Minnesota health officials issued an urgent warning after an unvaccinated child with measles visited Mall of America while infectious. The child from Dakota County spent time at the mall’s theme park on May 24 between 5 pm and 9 pm. Thousands of visitors may have been exposed to this highly contagious viral disease during this...

Doctors are reporting an increase in cases of a new COVID variant in 2025, known as the NB.1.8.1 COVID variant. One doctor has warned that there is a good chance we will need to start wearing masks again if the number of cases continues to rise. What are the chances that we are heading into...

Peripheral neuropathy is a condition that arises when the peripheral nerves, which connect the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body, become damaged. This damage can lead to a range of uncomfortable and even disabling symptoms. While diabetes is a leading cause, other culprits include infections, injuries, and autoimmune diseases. Without proper...

Have you ever finished a long workout in really hot weather and felt weak and dizzy? Or how about after being quite sick? What you were likely experiencing is an electrolyte imbalance. Normally, a healthy, balanced diet including staying hydrated is all you need to keep your electrolytes in check. Sometimes, however, this isn’t enough....

When you’re soaking through sheets and feeling bone-tired despite rest, your body might be sending urgent messages that are more alarming than you’d expect. Night sweats and crushing fatigue? They’re common cancer symptoms that just happen to strike at night while you’re sleeping. These experiences don’t guarantee cancer. Most people with these signs have other causes. But recognizing when they shift from normal to concerning can help...

In recent years, scientists have discovered so much about vitamin D. Before it was simply thought of as the accompaniment to calcium for strong, healthy bones. Now we know it is so much more than that, with new information being discovered every day. Despite its importance, deficiency is more common than you think and can...

Levothyroxine is a synthetic hormone used in treating hypothyroidism or an underactive thyroid. Marketed under various brands including Synthroid, it is the second most prescribed medication, especially among older adults, in the United States. Millions of Americans rely on levothyroxine to manage symptoms and prevent complications resulting from thyroid irregularities. However, new research has uncovered...