Kids who devote some of their free time to volunteer work may not only help others, but also themselves. That’s according to a new study that found U.S. kids who spend time in community service are often thriving, physically and mentally. Overall, kids who’d volunteered in the past year were in better physical health, had a more positive outlook on life, and were less likely to have anxiety, depression or behavioral problems than their peers who did not do volunteer work. The findings, published May 30 in the journal JAMA Network Open, do not answer the chicken-and-egg question, researchers noted: Kids who were already high on the well-being scale may have been more apt to volunteer. “We can’t say this is cause-and-effect,” said lead researcher Kevin Lanza, an assistant professor at UTHealth Houston School of Public Health. That said, Lanza thinks the findings set the stage for a study that follows kids over time, to see whether volunteerism promotes better physical and mental well-being down the road. There are, of course, already plenty of reasons to encourage volunteerism, Lanza pointed out. But if it also benefits young volunteers’ well-being, then it would be a “win-win,” he said. “There could be a great opportunity to promote volunteering as a public health measure,” Lanza said. Many studies over the years have linked volunteerism to better physical and…  read on >  read on >

(HealthDay News) – Smokers in Canada will soon see health warnings on each and every cigarette they light up.. The country will be the first in the world to print these warnings directly on individual cigarettes. “This bold step will make health warning messages virtually unavoidable, and together with updated graphic images displayed on the package, will provide a real and startling reminder of the health consequences of smoking,” Carolyn Bennett, Canada’s Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, said in a Health Canada news release announcing the new labeling. “We will continue to do whatever it takes to help more people in Canada stop smoking and help young people to live healthy, tobacco-free lives.” Tobacco use kills about 48,000 Canadians each year, Bennett noted. The changes are intended to help adults quit smoking and to protect youth and non-tobacco users from nicotine addiction. Retailers and smokers will start to see these new messages on cigarette packaging by the end of April 2024. They will appear on individual king-size cigarettes by late July 2024 and on regular cigarettes, little cigars with tipping paper and tubes by the end of April 2025. Messages will include such phrases as “tobacco smoke harms children” and “poison in every puff,” the Associated Press reported. The regulations will support Canada’s Tobacco Strategy, which has set a target of reaching less than…  read on >  read on >

Large, uncontrolled wildfires in Nova Scotia are creating unhealthy air in the Northeast region of the United States, including parts of Connecticut. This significant smoke plume is likely to cause elevated levels of fine particulate matter, the American Lung Association warned in its alert. Particulate matter contains microscopic solids or liquid droplets that are so small that they can be inhaled and cause serious health problems, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The lung association also offered tips for everyone — but especially children, older adults and people with lung diseases like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) — to stay well despite the poor air quality. Start by staying indoors. If you live close to these areas where there is fire and a lot of smoke, stay inside to avoid breathing smoke, ashes and other pollution in the area. Keep doors, windows and fireplace dampers shut, preferably with clean air circulating through air conditioners on the recirculation setting. Watch your symptoms. With higher smoke levels, breathing can be more difficult. Call your doctor if you experience these symptoms. Protect your children and teens, who are more susceptible to smoke. They breathe in more air — and more pollution — into their developing lungs for their size than adults do. Ask for help. The American Lung Association’s Lung HelpLine at 1-800-LUNGUSA is staffed…  read on >  read on >

When most men think about their prostate, it’s to worry about whether they have prostate cancer or not. But another condition is far more common and plenty painful. Prostatitis involves inflammation of the prostate gland and sometimes the areas around it. Not only is prostatitis highly treatable, but it is highly prevalent among men. According to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, it is the leading cause of urinary tract infections in men, resulting in approximately 2 million doctor’s visits each year in the United States. In fact, it’s estimated that half of all men will experience prostatitis at some point. The U.S. National Center for Health Statistics further reveals that about 25% of men who seek medical attention for urological problems exhibit symptoms of prostatitis. Here, experts give the rundown on prostatitis, including its various types, causes, common symptoms and available treatments. What is prostatitis? Prostatitis, a condition characterized by the inflammation of the prostate gland, is known for its frequent and often debilitating pain. According to the Cleveland Clinic, it is a complex condition that can lead to various symptoms, including infection, inflammation and pain. Two types of prostatitis are associated with urinary tract infections (UTIs), while the remaining types may not have an infectious origin. Regardless of the type, prostatitis is commonly recognized for the intense pain its sufferers feel, which can significantly impact…  read on >  read on >

When it comes to mental health, men don’t always seek help when they need it. But maybe they should. June is Men’s Mental Health Month, so here are the most common mental health conditions men experience, the symptoms that may differ in men vs. women and what resources are available for those seeking treatment options. Common mental health conditions in men According to Mental Health America, the most common men’s mental health conditions are: Depression and suicide Anxiety Bipolar disorder Eating disorders Psychosis and schizophrenia Substance abuse “It’s a sign of strength to talk about these issues with your health care provider, counselor or a supportive family member or friend,” Piedmont Healthcare family medicine physician Dr. Siraj Abdullah said in a recent story. “As men, we tend to let stress build up until it affects our mental and physical health. Talking about your mental health is a way to take care of your body.” How men’s mental health symptoms may show up differently from women The reasons that mental health symptoms can be different for men and women are complex, according to Kathryn McHugh, chief of psychology at McLean Hospital in Boston. She noted in an article that “biology is not the only piece of the puzzle. There are also many social and cultural factors that play a role in mental health and wellness, such…  read on >  read on >

You’re due for a prostate exam, but you don’t know what to expect. So, what is this exam like? Regular check-ups are essential for maintaining your health, and a prostate exam is crucial to preventive care for men. Not only is it a screening test for early signs of prostate cancer, but it also helps detect other potential health issues. Here, experts walk you through what a prostate exam entails, when to consider scheduling one, how to prepare, and what the results might mean for you. So, dive in and learn more about this medical examination that every man should get at some point in his life. What is a prostate exam? Per the Cleveland Clinic, a prostate exam is a screening method to detect early signs of prostate cancer. Typically, the exam involves two main components: a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test, and a digital rectal exam. The PSA blood test measures the levels of PSA in the bloodstream. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, PSA is a substance produced by the prostate gland, and higher levels can indicate the presence of prostate cancer. However, it’s important to note that elevated PSA levels can also be caused by other prostate-related conditions and factors such as age and race. Medical procedures, medications, an enlarged prostate or a prostate infection can all…  read on >  read on >

Some short men really struggle with their lack of height, feeling that they are both literally and figuratively looked down upon by others. That’s why an increasing number of height-challenged men are turning to limb-lengthening surgery — an expensive, potentially painful, months-long procedure that will add a few extra inches to their frame. Limb-lengthening procedures have been around for decades, and have been typically used to correct illnesses and birth defects that cause one leg to be shorter than the other, said Dr. David Frumberg, co-director of the Yale Limb Restoration and Lengthening Program. “You basically convince the body that there’s a hairline fracture, and you allow the body to set up a healing response,” Frumberg explained. “Then you gradually distract [separate] the bone ends apart and stretch the healing response over the desired length.” Alfonso Mascolo, 64, of Wolcott, Conn., underwent the procedure in February to have his left leg lengthened to match his right leg. Polio had caused his left leg to be shorter since he was 6 years old. But new technology — in the form of a telescoping rod implanted inside the leg bone — has made it much easier to add inches to one or both of a person’s legs, Frumberg said. An orthopedic surgeon gently breaks a person’s leg bone in a way that maintains blood supply, and then…  read on >  read on >

Microplastic pollution is altering the gut microbiomes of wild seabirds and that could be a warning sign for humans, researchers report. Scientists from McGill University in Montreal, along with colleagues from around the world, found that tiny bits of plastic present in the gastrointestinal system of seabirds have modified the gut’s microbiome. The plastics are also reducing levels of advantageous bacteria typically found within the intestines. “Our discoveries mirror the conditions experienced by wildlife. Given that humans also ingest microplastics through environmental exposure and food consumption, this study should serve as a cautionary signal,” the researchers warned. Their findings were recently published in the journal Nature Ecology and Evolution. Scientists have long been concerned about microplastics, minute fragments of plastic about 5 mm in size found everywhere from deep in the oceans to isolated territories in Antarctica and in the fish people eat. “The gut microbiome encompasses the entire assemblage of microorganisms residing in the gastrointestinal tract, crucially involved in regulating processes such as food digestion, immune system function, central nervous system activity, and other vital bodily functions. It serves as a pivotal indicator of overall health and well-being,” study co-author Julia Baak said in a McGill news release. She’s a PhD candidate in natural resource sciences at McGill. The research team analyzed the gut microbiome of two seabird species: the northern fulmar and the…  read on >  read on >

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease that attacks the central nervous system and leaves patients suffering from a host of symptoms, and now new research finds life stressors can make those symptoms even worse. Poverty, abuse and divorce in childhood and adulthood can significantly impact the level of disability someone with MS experiences, according to researchers from Michigan Medicine. “MS is the leading cause of non-traumatic disability among young adults, and additional research is needed to identify these external drivers of disability that can be addressed or prevented, including stress, to improve functional outcomes,” said study co-author Dr. Tiffany Braley. She is director of the multiple sclerosis/neuroimmunology division and multidisciplinary MS Fatigue and Sleep Clinic at University of Michigan Health, in Ann Arbor. “This knowledge is needed to inform MS research as well as clinical care. Referrals to resources, such as mental health or substance use support, could help reduce the impact of stress and enhance well-being,” Braley added. For the study, the researchers used survey data from more than 700 people with MS. While the findings showed impact from both childhood and adult stressors on relapse after the start of the pandemic, the impact of childhood stress on disease lost significance when further accounting for experiences in adulthood. Studies on stress and MS that don’t focus on the whole life span may miss…  read on >  read on >