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<title>Friday Health Report: Restart a Heart Day encourages proper CPR technique</title>
<link>https://www.wbrz.com/news/friday-health-report-restart-a-heart-day-encourages-proper-cpr-technique/</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.wbrz.com/news/friday-health-report-restart-a-heart-day-encourages-proper-cpr-technique/</guid>
<category>Health</category>
<pubDate>Fri, 16 Oct 2026 5:48:18 PM</pubDate>
<author>WBRZ Staff</author>
<description><![CDATA[ <div align="center"><a href="https://www.wbrz.com/mobile/cleanStory.cfm?n=193961"><img src="https://dcer237tfveol.cloudfront.net/v2/DzpS8lFzDGZdXEmhGFT9Sw0dke3Dw0RWcghTeguk59AUfPNN-pebeYj1yH5J5eVaG8KM1YdMBA8rZUbMkrR1fSeZxgZHDPpXOF58IdAEu1wQ" alt="Friday Health Report: Restart a Heart Day encourages proper CPR technique" border="0" align="left" vspace="4" hspace="8"/></a></div> <p data-path-to-node="3">BATON ROUGE &amp;mdash; The American Heart Association is highlighting World Restart a Heart Day&amp;mdash;a global initiative dedicated to raising awareness about how ordinary bystanders can save lives during a cardiac emergency.</p><p data-path-to-node="4">According to health officials, immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can dramatically increase a victim's odds of survival, yet many people hesitate to act out of uncertainty.</p><p data-path-to-node="5">The American Heart Association emphasizes that effective CPR comes down to two simple steps using Hands-Only CPR.</p><p data-path-to-node="6,0,0">First, call 911. It's important to immediately contact emergency medical services or instruct someone nearby to make the call and retrieve an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) if available.</p><p data-path-to-node="6,0,0">Second, push hard and fast. Place both hands in the center of the person's chest and push down hard at a rate of 100 to 120 beats per minute&amp;mdash;matching the tempo of the song "Stayin' Alive."</p><p data-path-to-node="7">Emergency care experts stress that you don't need formal medical training to take action: taking quick initiative before paramedics arrive is the single most critical factor in surviving sudden cardiac arrest.</p><br clear="all"/><p><a href="https://www.wbrz.com/news/friday-health-report-restart-a-heart-day-encourages-proper-cpr-technique/" title="Friday Health Report: Restart a Heart Day encourages proper CPR technique">Permalink</a>| <a href="https://www.wbrz.com/news/friday-health-report-restart-a-heart-day-encourages-proper-cpr-technique/#comments" title="View user submitted comments on this entry">Comments</a></p><br/> ]]></description>
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<title>West Baton Rouge Parish Health Clinic hosts free health screening fair</title>
<link>https://www.wbrz.com/news/west-baton-rouge-parish-health-clinic-hosts-free-health-screening-fair/</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.wbrz.com/news/west-baton-rouge-parish-health-clinic-hosts-free-health-screening-fair/</guid>
<category>Health</category>
<pubDate>Thu, 8 Oct 2026 8:36:56 AM</pubDate>
<author>Mia Monet</author>
<description><![CDATA[ <div align="center"><a href="https://www.wbrz.com/mobile/cleanStory.cfm?n=193558"><img src="https://dcer237tfveol.cloudfront.net/v2/3Ivh_UQpPASrctOJiYgEnQMlFjH3msnDIvUNYa2YR5Yi3aQKldl6abQ5s__GLJr7AtYEAgdhfgE5-TjCknJc2upukYOPG4FR8_L2900C2W28eXvqYqiX5vveUN8pJ9jyY" alt="West Baton Rouge Parish Health Clinic hosts free health screening fair" border="0" align="left" vspace="4" hspace="8"/></a></div> <p>PORT ALLEN &amp;mdash; On Thursday morning, the West Baton Rouge Parish Health Clinic is hosting a free health screening fair.</p><p>This is a great chance for citizens to get their BMI, height, weight, glucose, blood sugar, blood pressure and more checked.</p><p>&amp;ldquo;People need to know their numbers so that they can know how to take care of their bodies,&amp;rdquo; Mary Winfield, director of the clinic, said.</p><p>Participants will also have the chance to get food demonstrations provided by Southern University&amp;rsquo;s Agriculture Center, as well as hands-on CPR demonstrations and free Narcan.</p><p>This health screening is for WBR residents only and will include:</p><p>Free Flu shots <br />Hands-Only CPR <br />Blood Pressure, blood sugar, &amp; cholesterol screenings<br />Height, weight and BMI screenings</p><p>The event runs from 9 a.m. to noon at 685 Louisiana Avenue in Port Allen.</p><br clear="all"/><p><a href="https://www.wbrz.com/news/west-baton-rouge-parish-health-clinic-hosts-free-health-screening-fair/" title="West Baton Rouge Parish Health Clinic hosts free health screening fair">Permalink</a>| <a href="https://www.wbrz.com/news/west-baton-rouge-parish-health-clinic-hosts-free-health-screening-fair/#comments" title="View user submitted comments on this entry">Comments</a></p><br/> ]]></description>
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<title>Tuesday Health Report: Pregnancy and infant loss awareness month</title>
<link>https://www.wbrz.com/news/tuesday-health-report-pregnancy-and-infant-loss-awareness-month/</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.wbrz.com/news/tuesday-health-report-pregnancy-and-infant-loss-awareness-month/</guid>
<category>Health</category>
<pubDate>Tue, 6 Oct 2026 5:56:01 PM</pubDate>
<author>WBRZ Staff</author>
<description><![CDATA[ <div align="center"><a href="https://www.wbrz.com/mobile/cleanStory.cfm?n=193489"><img src="https://dcer237tfveol.cloudfront.net/v2/wRpqSQzHhY7lzfx2d9Gv6Qbu5WuD1yKB1VSzrFYHZUmMtGasMT4TWN6a-MEzE8dF8_4hho5XtqH4jvGDmEcjINPvqDWVk28DNcOQ1qAjATafuCQqFl0L4_2FeOid0M_QE" alt="Tuesday Health Report: Pregnancy and infant loss awareness month" border="0" align="left" vspace="4" hspace="8"/></a></div> <p data-path-to-node="0">BATON ROUGE &amp;mdash; October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, a time dedicated to honoring grieving families and bringing attention to a painful reality: roughly 10 to 20 percent of known pregnancies end in miscarriage, and about 21,000 U.S. babies are stillborn each year.</p><p data-path-to-node="1">For Ranim Haddad, that grief was a recurring part of her life for more than a decade. Over 11 years, Haddad endured 20 miscarriages, a baby who died just hours after birth, and a stillbirth at 18 weeks shortly after a gender reveal party. To this day, doctors have found no clear medical cause for her recurrent losses.</p><p data-path-to-node="2">"God was just with us in this whole process, especially this last pregnancy," Haddad said.</p><p data-path-to-node="3">Last week, Haddad celebrated a miracle: her son, Emmanuel&amp;mdash;meaning "God with us"&amp;mdash;turned 1 year old. He is her only living child.</p><p data-path-to-node="4">"I didn't kind of take a deep breath until Emmanuel was in my arms, to be honest with you," Haddad admitted.</p><p data-path-to-node="5">Her physician, Dr. Susan Gerber, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist at Northwestern Medicine who began caring for Haddad in 2024, called the sheer number of losses Haddad suffered "extremely unusual." While it remains unclear why her pregnancy with Emmanuel was successful when so many others were not, Gerber notes that each patient must navigate their own journey and decide what is best for them.</p><p data-path-to-node="6">"We still don't have an underlying cause," Gerber said.</p><p data-path-to-node="7">Now, as her rainbow baby reaches a major milestone, Haddad hopes her story offers comfort to others walking through similar heartache.</p><p data-path-to-node="8">"Don't give up, especially if they can't find the problem," Haddad urged.</p><br clear="all"/><p><a href="https://www.wbrz.com/news/tuesday-health-report-pregnancy-and-infant-loss-awareness-month/" title="Tuesday Health Report: Pregnancy and infant loss awareness month">Permalink</a>| <a href="https://www.wbrz.com/news/tuesday-health-report-pregnancy-and-infant-loss-awareness-month/#comments" title="View user submitted comments on this entry">Comments</a></p><br/> ]]></description>
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<title>Thursday Health Report: American Cancer Society tool helps women understand their personal breast cancer risk</title>
<link>https://www.wbrz.com/news/thursday-health-report-american-cancer-society-tool-helps-women-understand-their-personal-breast-cancer-risk/</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.wbrz.com/news/thursday-health-report-american-cancer-society-tool-helps-women-understand-their-personal-breast-cancer-risk/</guid>
<category>Health</category>
<pubDate>Thu, 1 Oct 2026 6:28:29 PM</pubDate>
<author>WBRZ Staff</author>
<description><![CDATA[ <div align="center"><a href="https://www.wbrz.com/mobile/cleanStory.cfm?n=193290"><img src="https://dcer237tfveol.cloudfront.net/v2/aqkzPYQ-JAqp3QEWAUo0YQ9XgWWMMTZG1bCqV7Bts3mUBFvik7TNfUIpy_gruVviunevsdP0HWfIPWxliZZxtvfZ0eghzbEBpuR_ZWckuRug" alt="Thursday Health Report: American Cancer Society tool helps women understand their personal breast cancer risk" border="0" align="left" vspace="4" hspace="8"/></a></div> <p>Most breast cancers are diagnosed in women with no family history of the disease and new data shows many women are aware of lifestyle changes that could lower their risk but are not making them.</p><p>The American Cancer Society estimates more than 30 percent of breast cancers are considered preventable through certain healthy choices.</p><p>"About 85 percent of breast cancers are actually diagnosed among women who don't have a family history," Alpa Patel with the American Cancer Society said.&amp;nbsp;</p><p>The new data found that awareness does not always translate into action. "About 9 out of 10 women surveyed knew that physical activity was important to lowering their cancer risk, but only about 27 percent of the population actually was meeting the American Cancer Society guidelines," Patel said.</p><p>The American Cancer Society recommends 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity activity like a brisk walk or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous activity like running, every week to support health and reduce cancer risk.</p><p>Alcohol use also raises breast cancer risk and a majority of women surveyed reported drinking to some extent.</p><p>The least-known protective factor, according to the organization, is breastfeeding. Only about half of women surveyed knew it can help lower cancer risk.</p><p>A free online tool called ACS Cancer Risk 360 is available to help women understand their personal risk level. "It's a great tool. To really have an understanding about what your risk level is and where there are opportunities to lower that risk," Patel said.</p><br clear="all"/><p><a href="https://www.wbrz.com/news/thursday-health-report-american-cancer-society-tool-helps-women-understand-their-personal-breast-cancer-risk/" title="Thursday Health Report: American Cancer Society tool helps women understand their personal breast cancer risk">Permalink</a>| <a href="https://www.wbrz.com/news/thursday-health-report-american-cancer-society-tool-helps-women-understand-their-personal-breast-cancer-risk/#comments" title="View user submitted comments on this entry">Comments</a></p><br/> ]]></description>
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<title>Study finds rates of intentional substance exposure rising in elementary and middle schoolers</title>
<link>https://www.wbrz.com/news/study-finds-rates-of-intentional-substance-exposure-rising-in-elementary-and-middle-schoolers/</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.wbrz.com/news/study-finds-rates-of-intentional-substance-exposure-rising-in-elementary-and-middle-schoolers/</guid>
<category>Health</category>
<pubDate>Wed, 30 Sep 2026 5:37:55 PM</pubDate>
<author>CNN Newsource</author>
<description><![CDATA[ <div align="center"><a href="https://www.wbrz.com/mobile/cleanStory.cfm?n=193236"><img src="https://dcer237tfveol.cloudfront.net/v2/LMUpyzlWiy20YkRbiP9RYQE3S1tNUCoJM1dMm9JdzO1_iRbg-N5kChBaBf-R4O5CA2eLswDICjm_VP_HslWQTp-Sv8Ki2tQ-YQJBv8kH1A3w" alt="Study finds rates of intentional substance exposure rising in elementary and middle schoolers" border="0" align="left" vspace="4" hspace="8"/></a></div> <p><span>BATON ROUGE &amp;mdash; A new study analyzing nearly 25 years of U.S. Poison Center data reveals a surprising age shift in intentional substance exposures at schools.</span></p><p><span>Researchers at Nationwide Children's Hospital examined over 122,000 cases involving students ages 6 to 18 between 2000 and 2024. During that period, intentional exposure rates soared by more than 287% among elementary school students and nearly 112% among middle schoolers, while rates among high schoolers dropped by over 4%.</span></p><p><span>The substances involved varied sharply by age group. Younger children were primarily exposed to cosmetics, personal care products, art supplies, plants, and small toys. High schoolers were more likely to use analgesics, stimulants, and street drugs&amp;mdash;and were significantly more likely to suffer serious medical outcomes.</span></p><p><span>Study co-author Dr. Hannah Hays urges parents to lock up both prescription and over-the-counter medications at home, start early, nonjudgmental conversations about substance use and mental health, and partner with schools to help address the growing issue.&amp;nbsp;</span></p><br clear="all"/><p><a href="https://www.wbrz.com/news/study-finds-rates-of-intentional-substance-exposure-rising-in-elementary-and-middle-schoolers/" title="Study finds rates of intentional substance exposure rising in elementary and middle schoolers">Permalink</a>| <a href="https://www.wbrz.com/news/study-finds-rates-of-intentional-substance-exposure-rising-in-elementary-and-middle-schoolers/#comments" title="View user submitted comments on this entry">Comments</a></p><br/> ]]></description>
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<title>Expert says parents with kids who play sports need to make sure they're properly fueled, hydrated</title>
<link>https://www.wbrz.com/news/expert-says-parents-with-kids-who-play-sports-need-to-make-sure-they-re-properly-fueled-hydrated/</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.wbrz.com/news/expert-says-parents-with-kids-who-play-sports-need-to-make-sure-they-re-properly-fueled-hydrated/</guid>
<category>Health</category>
<pubDate>Mon, 28 Sep 2026 6:20:39 AM</pubDate>
<author>WBRZ Staff </author>
<description><![CDATA[ <div align="center"><a href="https://www.wbrz.com/mobile/cleanStory.cfm?n=193067"><img src="https://dcer237tfveol.cloudfront.net/v2/kmRheiHxuxky7490WIQWxg5PpooKEdQai4ZP-I5Oiu1dTMv9Xt5blsT5qR1kmlNHiSy8kazhXL3zpS9eP3hkGT-FmkOLsIBMCRfn9MOljkzQ" alt="Expert says parents with kids who play sports need to make sure they're properly fueled, hydrated" border="0" align="left" vspace="4" hspace="8"/></a></div> <p>BATON ROUGE &amp;mdash; If your child plays sports after school, make sure they are properly fueled so they have the energy to compete and play.&amp;nbsp;</p><p>Registered dietitian Jennifer Hyland at the Cleveland Clinic says her general advice is to make sure kids eat carbohydrates before playing sports. She says that carbs break down quicker in the body than fiber or healthy fats, adding that running on an empty stomach is not ideal.&amp;nbsp;</p><p>Hyland recommends granola bars, pretzels with hummus, trail mix, raisins, a smoothie, yogurt or fruit as good carb options.</p><p>"Something that comes up a lot of times is kids who have slightly later practices, so they're eating dinner before, but they don't want to eat this big dinner before because they're worried about how it's going to feel on their stomach. So, I think it's perfectly reasonable to split things up a little bit," she said. "So maybe we have part of dinner before, a small plate, and then we eat the rest of our dinner afterwards. Or maybe we have a larger-size snack before, right when you get home from school, around, say, 3 or 3:30. If your practice isn't until 5:30, that's still plenty of time, and then you can eat afterwards."</p><p>Hyland also emphasized the importance of staying hydrated, recommending that children drink plenty of water throughout the day rather than chugging a large amount right before practice begins.&amp;nbsp;</p><p></p><br clear="all"/><p><a href="https://www.wbrz.com/news/expert-says-parents-with-kids-who-play-sports-need-to-make-sure-they-re-properly-fueled-hydrated/" title="Expert says parents with kids who play sports need to make sure they're properly fueled, hydrated">Permalink</a>| <a href="https://www.wbrz.com/news/expert-says-parents-with-kids-who-play-sports-need-to-make-sure-they-re-properly-fueled-hydrated/#comments" title="View user submitted comments on this entry">Comments</a></p><br/> ]]></description>
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<title>Friday Health Report: How to identify vascular disease</title>
<link>https://www.wbrz.com/news/friday-health-report-how-to-identify-vascular-disease/</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.wbrz.com/news/friday-health-report-how-to-identify-vascular-disease/</guid>
<category>Health</category>
<pubDate>Fri, 25 Sep 2026 6:41:03 PM</pubDate>
<author>CNN Newsource</author>
<description><![CDATA[ <div align="center"><a href="https://www.wbrz.com/mobile/cleanStory.cfm?n=193020"><img src="https://dcer237tfveol.cloudfront.net/v2/v5yWEqyBKlq676F__xxpvQC1dzPq4Byt-NEPG_ztQ-1AwVYXpQ_cvP6FRUl2b4EEXqqP06oUTHfTnZnmChBXbS2d72PZ0Hm2dDEwV0EQrMGQ" alt="Friday Health Report: How to identify vascular disease" border="0" align="left" vspace="4" hspace="8"/></a></div> <p data-path-to-node="1">BATON ROUGE &amp;mdash; At 69 years old, Bobby Hager ignored the aching in his legs until a family boating trip turned his discomfort into unbearable agony.</p><p data-path-to-node="2">"It was like a toothache that just constantly shot pain right up my leg," Bobby recalled. "I knew right there that something was wrong."</p><p data-path-to-node="3">Luckily, his son-in-law, Dr. Robert Ford, an emergency physician at Orlando Health, noticed the red flags. Bobby&amp;rsquo;s left leg was pale, cold, and lacked a pulse&amp;mdash;clear signs of restricted blood flow. Rushed to the hospital, surgeons removed a massive blood clot blocking a main artery just in time.</p><p data-path-to-node="4">"I could have lost a toe, I could have lost a foot, I could have lost my leg, and then I could have lost my life," Bobby said.</p><p data-path-to-node="4">Vascular disease affects nearly 40 million Americans. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience: Pain in legs or feet (while walking or at rest), numbness, weakness, or a heavy feeling in legs, pale skin, discoloration, or legs cool to the touch, weak or absent pulse in the feet, hair loss on lower legs or slow-healing wounds</p><p data-path-to-node="6">Bobby now urges anyone recognizing these signs not to tough it out: "Don't be like me and wait. Go get it checked out."</p><br clear="all"/><p><a href="https://www.wbrz.com/news/friday-health-report-how-to-identify-vascular-disease/" title="Friday Health Report: How to identify vascular disease">Permalink</a>| <a href="https://www.wbrz.com/news/friday-health-report-how-to-identify-vascular-disease/#comments" title="View user submitted comments on this entry">Comments</a></p><br/> ]]></description>
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<title>Doctor debunks popular sleep products</title>
<link>https://www.wbrz.com/news/doctor-debunks-popular-sleep-products/</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.wbrz.com/news/doctor-debunks-popular-sleep-products/</guid>
<category>Health</category>
<pubDate>Fri, 18 Sep 2026 11:31:54 AM</pubDate>
<author>April Davis</author>
<description><![CDATA[ <div align="center"><a href="https://www.wbrz.com/mobile/cleanStory.cfm?n=192684"><img src="https://dcer237tfveol.cloudfront.net/v2/mOLcepte82iDCaLF_EN98gbcuJKHgEpivTQAuU5w7ckEgFKu2zHIEROlVoWYMxPuZOWE73opoclI0-LoVfFK4VK8RObvADcubW_sxIa_WVjzEupQ3AUbRkj4wr5P7KlUM" alt="Doctor debunks popular sleep products" border="0" align="left" vspace="4" hspace="8"/></a></div> <p>CLEVELAND - A sleep specialist at Cleveland Clinic is weighing in on whether popular sleep products like blue light filtering glasses and magnesium supplements actually help people sleep better.</p><p>Brian Chen, MD, a sleep specialist at Cleveland Clinic, said blue light filtering glasses don't fully solve the problem of staying awake at night.</p><p>"Blue light is not good in terms of helping us feel sleepy. But not only blue light, but light in general of a certain intensity is going to make us feel awake. So, the glasses filter out the blue light. You have those settings on your phone as well and various other screens, even on your TV," Chen said. "But still, the light is going to keep you awake."</p><p>Chen said besides the light, the type of content being watched can also disrupt sleep, which is why it's best to turn off all electronics about two hours before bed.</p><p>He said this helps the brain wind down for the night and that reading, doing a puzzle or finishing up chores around the house are good alternatives. The key, he said, is to do something relaxing.</p><p>Chen said a lot of people also ask him about sleep supplements like magnesium glycinate.</p><p>"Magnesium is a really popular medication to use to help people fall asleep. It does make people feel relaxed. It can relax your muscles and that can help you feel relaxed to fall asleep. It's not been proven to work in large studies of many, many people. It's not tried and true, and it doesn't work for everybody," he said.</p><p>Chen said that many people don't get enough magnesium in their diets, "so, it's not really hurting to take a little bit more magnesium, kind of replace what we naturally don't get in our diet."</p><p>Chen added that sleep supplements are not FDA-approved, so it's important to keep that in mind before buying any. He said it's best to consult with a physician if there is ongoing trouble sleeping.</p><br clear="all"/><p><a href="https://www.wbrz.com/news/doctor-debunks-popular-sleep-products/" title="Doctor debunks popular sleep products">Permalink</a>| <a href="https://www.wbrz.com/news/doctor-debunks-popular-sleep-products/#comments" title="View user submitted comments on this entry">Comments</a></p><br/> ]]></description>
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<title>New study identifies brain activity linked to food cravings during pregnancy</title>
<link>https://www.wbrz.com/news/new-study-identifies-brain-activity-linked-to-food-cravings-during-pregnancy/</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.wbrz.com/news/new-study-identifies-brain-activity-linked-to-food-cravings-during-pregnancy/</guid>
<category>Health</category>
<pubDate>Fri, 18 Sep 2026 2:56:27 PM</pubDate>
<author>Charleigh Thomas</author>
<description><![CDATA[ <div align="center"><a href="https://www.wbrz.com/mobile/cleanStory.cfm?n=192695"><img src="https://dcer237tfveol.cloudfront.net/v2/_0oTIx7UPxKUdd2v2OOu5gYJ_550cTuBlw9KBVz3CHF387Y_wBxNfIolu2xT_-eNN2JvAMn4dLZhSZZq4GN3mkw_E9CaS7GQD7mwFdAj8cw0_o9DBtUoL6vtgmcsxa0Zc" alt="New study identifies brain activity linked to food cravings during pregnancy" border="0" align="left" vspace="4" hspace="8"/></a></div> <p>BATON ROUGE &amp;mdash; Researchers at LSU&amp;rsquo;s Pennington Biomedical Research Center, University of Illinois Chicago and Baylor College of Medicine have identified a brain pattern that may explain the relationship between pregnancy and certain food cravings.</p><p>The <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41593-026-02445-3">study</a>, published in Nature Neuroscience on Friday, provides new insight into how certain physiological changes during pregnancy can influence how the brain regulates food motivation. The study examined the serotonin levels and activity during pregnancy in mice.</p><p>&amp;ldquo;The discovery could ultimately improve understanding of why some women experience strong food cravings and excessive weight gain during pregnancy,&amp;rdquo; <a href="https://www.pbrc.edu/research-and-faculty/faculty/He-Yanlin-PhD.aspx">Yanlin He, director of the Brain Glycemic and Metabolism Control Laboratory at Pennington Biomedical</a>, said.</p><p>The team also identified a neural pathway involved in reward and motivation. Activating this pathway lowered food-craving-like behavior in pregnant animals, while restricting the pathway increased the behavior in nonpregnant animals. This research team&amp;rsquo;s work builds on previous research showing that pregnancy-related food cravings involve changes in the brain&amp;rsquo;s reward system.</p><p>&amp;ldquo;However, the findings are currently based in animal model studies, so we caution that directly manipulating serotonin during pregnancy could carry risks,&amp;rdquo; He said. &amp;ldquo;More importantly, we hope to gather additional evidence from human clinical studies at PBRC to determine whether these findings can be translated to the prevention of maternal obesity.&amp;rdquo;</p><p>For more information on PBRC, <a href="https://www.pbrc.edu/">click here</a>.</p><br clear="all"/><p><a href="https://www.wbrz.com/news/new-study-identifies-brain-activity-linked-to-food-cravings-during-pregnancy/" title="New study identifies brain activity linked to food cravings during pregnancy">Permalink</a>| <a href="https://www.wbrz.com/news/new-study-identifies-brain-activity-linked-to-food-cravings-during-pregnancy/#comments" title="View user submitted comments on this entry">Comments</a></p><br/> ]]></description>
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<title>Thursday Health Report: Senate holds first-ever hearing on menopause care gaps in the US</title>
<link>https://www.wbrz.com/news/thursday-health-report-senate-holds-first-ever-hearing-on-menopause-care-gaps-in-the-us/</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.wbrz.com/news/thursday-health-report-senate-holds-first-ever-hearing-on-menopause-care-gaps-in-the-us/</guid>
<category>Health</category>
<pubDate>Thu, 17 Sep 2026 7:52:32 PM</pubDate>
<author>WBRZ Staff</author>
<description><![CDATA[ <div align="center"><a href="https://www.wbrz.com/mobile/cleanStory.cfm?n=192653"><img src="https://dcer237tfveol.cloudfront.net/v2/6eGnjfL-bgJfc6BPwI0VYgpzJbVnJWfwN-a28bJ9RYgfhScX0KIWlgJXiAib8AC8FQbAiJ0sUzz1p3mbtjLnS8PBh_brx3pD7Rk9e6Asxy-w" alt="Thursday Health Report: Senate holds first-ever hearing on menopause care gaps in the US" border="0" align="left" vspace="4" hspace="8"/></a></div> <p>WASHINGTON &amp;mdash; For the first time ever, a bipartisan Senate committee held a hearing focused on what lawmakers are calling the "menopause care gap," a term used to describe critical shortfalls in care for the more than 1 million U.S. women who go through menopause every year.</p><p>Congressional lawmakers said women's health is "one of the most under-researched, under-treated and under-discussed topics" in the country.</p><p>"Women have carried this alone for generations. Not anymore," U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York said.</p><p>U.S. Sen. Rick Scott of Florida also weighed in during the hearing. "There's simply no excuse for the lack of resources and information," Scott said.</p><p>Dr. Lynne Coslett-Charlton, a witness at the hearing representing the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, said the situation is one that does not have to continue. "There's no reason that we have to tough this out," Coslett-Charlton said.</p><p>"We really want women to be able to thrive and we want women to maintain their independence and we want women to feel well as they age," Coslett-Charlton said.</p><p>Among the barriers raised during the hearing was a significant lack of federal research funding. "Less than 1% of federal research funding goes to menopause and midlife women's health," said Jennifer Weiss-Wolf of the Birnbaum Women's Leadership Center at NYU Law.</p><p>Experts also pointed to physician shortages, especially in rural areas and gaps in doctors' menopausal education as reasons older women are falling through the cracks of the healthcare system.</p><p>"My own OBGYN education was focused largely on reproductive issues and pregnancy. I received very little menopausal training in my core curriculum," Gynecologist Dr. Suzanne Silverman Fenske said.</p><p>Inadequate health insurance coverage and shortages of some hormone treatments were also raised as concerns. "There is therapy that can help improve their quality of life, therapy that may provide preventative health benefits for them and also decrease some symptoms that can be very burdensome and debilitating," Coslett-Charlton said.</p><p>Experts at the hearing made clear that access to those treatments should not depend on a person's financial situation. "It really should be care for all," Coslett-Charlton said.</p><br clear="all"/><p><a href="https://www.wbrz.com/news/thursday-health-report-senate-holds-first-ever-hearing-on-menopause-care-gaps-in-the-us/" title="Thursday Health Report: Senate holds first-ever hearing on menopause care gaps in the US">Permalink</a>| <a href="https://www.wbrz.com/news/thursday-health-report-senate-holds-first-ever-hearing-on-menopause-care-gaps-in-the-us/#comments" title="View user submitted comments on this entry">Comments</a></p><br/> ]]></description>
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<title>Orlando Health doctor warns breastfeeding mothers about online and AI advice</title>
<link>https://www.wbrz.com/news/orlando-health-doctor-warns-breastfeeding-mothers-about-online-and-ai-advice/</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.wbrz.com/news/orlando-health-doctor-warns-breastfeeding-mothers-about-online-and-ai-advice/</guid>
<category>Health</category>
<pubDate>Thu, 10 Sep 2026 8:01:15 PM</pubDate>
<author>WBRZ Staff</author>
<description><![CDATA[ <div align="center"><a href="https://www.wbrz.com/mobile/cleanStory.cfm?n=192350"><img src="https://dcer237tfveol.cloudfront.net/v2/NQFrTND3PwIErME9tp44iQyORU4iNabwbcpjqK3_pz9CYqWp3RD7LwVx6uKzt8ywTJnTgCgZ4bI5IdWvHzZvl17VpQ7ZDhLeGX2Fr3qiUEDg" alt="Orlando Health doctor warns breastfeeding mothers about online and AI advice" border="0" align="left" vspace="4" hspace="8"/></a></div> <p>ORLANDO &amp;mdash; Breastfeeding comes with plenty of benefits for children, but it does not always come without challenges.</p><p>Emily Hunziker had no problems breastfeeding her first child, but five years later, her second child has been a different experience.</p><p>"I find myself having to like refresh myself on some things. And so, of course, you want to look for advice on the internet," Hunziker said.</p><p>More women are turning to search engines, social media or artificial intelligence for breastfeeding advice, often in the middle of the night when others are not available, according to Dr. Erynne Bowers, a pediatrician with Orlando Health Physician Associates.</p><p>"They're using these devices because they're asking, how much is my baby feeding, how often should they be feeding, why are they crying and they're giving that direct feedback at 3 a.m.," Bowers said.</p><p>But Bowers says asking medical questions online is not always a good idea. She says mothers could be misled by information that is not evidence-based and since every child is different, any advice given will not be specifically tailored toward that infant.</p><p>She says it is important to seek advice from a lactation specialist or doctor instead.</p><p>"I loved talking to my pediatrician because she knew where my heart was at. She knew I'd breastfed before. She knew that my goal was to exclusively breastfeed my second baby," Hunziker said.</p><p>Hunziker says it was overwhelming trying to sort through which information online was accurate, so she went to her doctor instead.</p><p>"That next week things seem to turn around. I didn't have as much discomfort with feeding. He was gaining weight appropriately. Sometimes it just takes some time," Hunziker said.</p><br clear="all"/><p><a href="https://www.wbrz.com/news/orlando-health-doctor-warns-breastfeeding-mothers-about-online-and-ai-advice/" title="Orlando Health doctor warns breastfeeding mothers about online and AI advice">Permalink</a>| <a href="https://www.wbrz.com/news/orlando-health-doctor-warns-breastfeeding-mothers-about-online-and-ai-advice/#comments" title="View user submitted comments on this entry">Comments</a></p><br/> ]]></description>
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<title>Tuesday Health Report: New AstraZeneca drug may be first to reduce COPD symptoms, FDA approval sought</title>
<link>https://www.wbrz.com/news/tuesday-health-report-new-astrazeneca-drug-may-be-first-to-reduce-copd-symptoms-fda-approval-sought/</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.wbrz.com/news/tuesday-health-report-new-astrazeneca-drug-may-be-first-to-reduce-copd-symptoms-fda-approval-sought/</guid>
<category>Health</category>
<pubDate>Tue, 8 Sep 2026 6:51:20 PM</pubDate>
<author>WBRZ Staff</author>
<description><![CDATA[ <div align="center"><a href="https://www.wbrz.com/mobile/cleanStory.cfm?n=192226"><img src="https://dcer237tfveol.cloudfront.net/v2/JEtbTv0CWHNtrboXx3-J6ANLkrYuyD93sCRmzgUqzJ1DjHygJ_2KGCgw4K9b_t6CPQOarpSBSol9A5rP101QPumDS0lj_e7eIQFdjXdsJ5Sw" alt="Tuesday Health Report: New AstraZeneca drug may be first to reduce COPD symptoms, FDA approval sought" border="0" align="left" vspace="4" hspace="8"/></a></div> <p>AstraZeneca says its new drug is the first to help reduce symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, also known as COPD.</p><p>Two clinical trials showed that the monoclonal antibody known as tozorakimab reduced COPD symptoms by more than 30 percent in current and former smokers.</p><p>The clinical trial results were just presented at a medical conference and published in a research journal. The company says it is hoping for FDA approval sometime early next year.</p><p>Numbers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show an estimated 16 million Americans have been diagnosed with COPD.</p><p>While smoking is the main cause of the condition, roughly 1 in 4 people diagnosed have never smoked. Recent studies have shown an increased risk in firefighters or those exposed to workplace dust or chemical fumes.</p><p>Those living with the disease often experience frequent coughing or wheezing and may get short of breath doing everyday activities.</p><br clear="all"/><p><a href="https://www.wbrz.com/news/tuesday-health-report-new-astrazeneca-drug-may-be-first-to-reduce-copd-symptoms-fda-approval-sought/" title="Tuesday Health Report: New AstraZeneca drug may be first to reduce COPD symptoms, FDA approval sought">Permalink</a>| <a href="https://www.wbrz.com/news/tuesday-health-report-new-astrazeneca-drug-may-be-first-to-reduce-copd-symptoms-fda-approval-sought/#comments" title="View user submitted comments on this entry">Comments</a></p><br/> ]]></description>
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<title>Dermatologist says red light therapy has benefits, but some should avoid it</title>
<link>https://www.wbrz.com/news/dermatologist-says-red-light-therapy-has-benefits-but-some-should-avoid-it/</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.wbrz.com/news/dermatologist-says-red-light-therapy-has-benefits-but-some-should-avoid-it/</guid>
<category>Health</category>
<pubDate>Thu, 3 Sep 2026 2:57:23 PM</pubDate>
<author>April Davis</author>
<description><![CDATA[ <div align="center"><a href="https://www.wbrz.com/mobile/cleanStory.cfm?n=192061"><img src="https://dcer237tfveol.cloudfront.net/v2/fpWEm2L0QrQa-qkG5qlwowWqe1mMhCK0uogxCcL5pbI9NMMTuwrkk1cshccZ_PSN4-d2q7l-9yRHImGQkh89VmNJtZpLADOzmE1CalRSxqng" alt="Dermatologist says red light therapy has benefits, but some should avoid it" border="0" align="left" vspace="4" hspace="8"/></a></div> <p>CLEVELAND - Red light therapy ads and products are prevalent on social media, on TV, at the gym, and in the spa.</p><p>A Cleveland Clinic dermatologist says it can have some benefits. Research suggests that when done consistently, it may help with wrinkles and redness. It may also help some people with mild hair loss by prolonging the hair growth phase.</p><p>Red light therapy uses red or near-infrared light to promote cellular growth, decrease inflammation and improve healing, according to a Cleveland Clinic dermatologist. Dr. Jennifer Lucas says not to expect overnight results or dramatic changes to skin or hair.</p><p>Some people may want to avoid red light therapy altogether.</p><p>"Anyone who has what's called a photosensitive disorder, meaning if you go out in the sun and you get blisters or burn, you want to avoid red light therapy," Dr. Lucas says. "Also, those who are on medicines that make them sensitive to the sun, like certain antibiotics and blood pressure medications," she said.</p><p>Lucas said it's best to talk to a dermatologist before starting red light therapy. A dermatologist can help assess skin or hair concerns and decide whether it's a good fit.</p><br clear="all"/><p><a href="https://www.wbrz.com/news/dermatologist-says-red-light-therapy-has-benefits-but-some-should-avoid-it/" title="Dermatologist says red light therapy has benefits, but some should avoid it">Permalink</a>| <a href="https://www.wbrz.com/news/dermatologist-says-red-light-therapy-has-benefits-but-some-should-avoid-it/#comments" title="View user submitted comments on this entry">Comments</a></p><br/> ]]></description>
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<title>FDA approves Rasonque for advanced pancreatic cancer patients in the US</title>
<link>https://www.wbrz.com/news/fda-approves-rasonque-for-advanced-pancreatic-cancer-patients-in-the-us/</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.wbrz.com/news/fda-approves-rasonque-for-advanced-pancreatic-cancer-patients-in-the-us/</guid>
<category>Health</category>
<pubDate>Thu, 27 Aug 2026 6:14:15 PM</pubDate>
<author>WBRZ Staff</author>
<description><![CDATA[ <div align="center"><a href="https://www.wbrz.com/mobile/cleanStory.cfm?n=191796"><img src="https://dcer237tfveol.cloudfront.net/v2/6eltN0ZWJeMoGtdD-XFuXgHfYBP37Jx9SipNvFuHuTCSvvQO6HqaBiKWorXv5AN1CgMO6LAN9J6k4FylHJpIpg7O7bDbH29KjI17nLDfE5Gw" alt="FDA approves Rasonque for advanced pancreatic cancer patients in the US" border="0" align="left" vspace="4" hspace="8"/></a></div> <p>BATON ROUGE &amp;mdash; The FDA has approved a new drug for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer, with doctors calling it a turning point in treating the disease.</p><p>The once-daily oral pill, called Rasonque, is approved for metastatic pancreatic cancer patients who haven't found success with prior treatment and those who aren't able to receive traditional therapies.</p><p>"This is a new hope and it's a meaningful hope," Dr. Shafia Rahman of The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center said.</p><p>Rahman has already been able to give the drug to eligible patients who are out of options and dying from the disease through the expanded access program.</p><p>In a large trial, patients who used the treatment lived for twice as long as those who got standard chemotherapy.</p><p>"We have not seen this amount of benefit from any drug in pancreatic cancer so far," Rahman said.</p><p>The drug manufacturer, Revolution Medicines, says this is the first targeted cancer medication approved from a new class of drugs that targets what's called RAS mutations, which drive most pancreatic cancer cases.</p><p>With FDA approval, the medicine is now available for prescriptions in the U.S. A 30-day supply will cost wholesalers nearly $40,000, though what patients pay will depend on factors like insurance coverage, Medicare or Medicaid status and assistance programs.</p><p>"Seeing this kind of improvement in the survival is, is really a game-changer," Rahman said.</p><br clear="all"/><p><a href="https://www.wbrz.com/news/fda-approves-rasonque-for-advanced-pancreatic-cancer-patients-in-the-us/" title="FDA approves Rasonque for advanced pancreatic cancer patients in the US">Permalink</a>| <a href="https://www.wbrz.com/news/fda-approves-rasonque-for-advanced-pancreatic-cancer-patients-in-the-us/#comments" title="View user submitted comments on this entry">Comments</a></p><br/> ]]></description>
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<title>World's smallest heart pump helps Ascension Parish coach, teacher survive surgery</title>
<link>https://www.wbrz.com/news/world-s-smallest-heart-pump-helps-ascension-parish-coach-teacher-survive-surgery/</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.wbrz.com/news/world-s-smallest-heart-pump-helps-ascension-parish-coach-teacher-survive-surgery/</guid>
<category>Health</category>
<pubDate>Sun, 23 Aug 2026 11:28:53 PM</pubDate>
<author>April Davis</author>
<description><![CDATA[ <div align="center"><a href="https://www.wbrz.com/mobile/cleanStory.cfm?n=191617"><img src="https://dcer237tfveol.cloudfront.net/v2/CCW3ifjcRjzUdXRd9K8nUgjwxgpr_FbN5BU7dyYw7kmmfWxm1MFYr8ISWS6R8S5JoCnbXVn7me-CockYA-CZeg5E0Q8Y_bZAv4Mbnt030gtKkco-PV4L32pgPeZN4V_NE" alt="World's smallest heart pump helps Ascension Parish coach, teacher survive surgery" border="0" align="left" vspace="4" hspace="8"/></a></div> <p>GONZALES &amp;mdash; A two-time Gonzales Middle School teacher of the year and coach is sharing his story about how early detection of heart issues and a small medical device helped him recover and get back to living an active life.</p><p>Reuben Ruiz, known as "Coach Boo" to his players, spent nearly 40 years coaching several sports and teaching P.E. at Gonzales Middle School. At 73 years old, he's in good shape now, but a few years ago he was 50 pounds heavier and noticed he was getting fatigued climbing stairs.</p><p>"Where I substitute at, they had this big, massive set of stairs when you walk in the door and you go up," Ruiz said. "And I was getting to where I had reached a point where I'm getting to the top of those stairs and I'm starting to breathe a little heavy... a little perspiration and stuff."</p><p>Ruiz never had a stroke or heart attack, just high blood pressure, but his family had a history of heart issues. His daughter, who works in cardiology, pushed him to establish care with a cardiologist.</p><p>"I would answer the phone and friends and family would say, boo, why you breathing heavy?" Ruiz said. "And I would make up something. Oh, well, I just came in from out of the yard working and stuff. But the signs were all there. But I was in total denial."</p><p>Dr. Niksad Abraham found heavy calcification in Ruiz's arteries. Ruiz then underwent surgery to have stents inserted, with the surgical team assisted by a device called the Impella temporary heart pump at Our Lady of the Lake Hospital St. Elizabeth in Gonzales.</p><p>Dr. Roberta Bogaev-Chapman worked as a practicing cardiologist for 20 years before joining Johnson &amp; Johnson as the Vice President of Global Heart Failure. Johnson &amp; Johnson is the parent company of Abiomed, which makes the Impella pump.</p><p>"The Impella device is the world's smallest heart pump," Bogaev-Chapman said. "The diameter of the device is 4.67 millimeters, which is 0.184 inches. So it's a tiny, tiny device that can be inserted in a minimally invasive fashion in a cardiac catheterization lab at the hospital, through the artery and the leg, the femoral artery."</p><p>The device goes on a catheter up the aorta and sits inside the heart muscle across the aortic valve, Bogaev-Chapman added.</p><p>"So it assists the heart by pumping, by pulling blood from the left ventricle, the main pumping chamber, out into the aorta and allows the heart to rest and recover after an insult such as a heart attack," Bogaev-Chapman said.</p><p>Abraham pointed out that Ruiz's case became particularly complex because his arteries contained a lot of calcium. Ruiz described what the doctor told him about the procedure.</p><p>"He said it was like going through concrete," Ruiz said. "So the surgery itself involved an extended amount of time. So I really needed that implant to give my heart a chance to rest and make the insertion of those stents possible."</p><p>According to Johnson &amp; Johnson, the Impella pump has helped more than 400,000 patients worldwide.</p><p>"The Impella device is intended to support a patient's heart so that they can keep their heart and not ultimately require a heart replacement therapy, such as a permanent device that's surgically implanted or a heart transplant," Bogaev-Chapman said.</p><p>The device is being used in Baton Rouge at Our Lady of the Lake, Ochsner and Baton Rouge General hospitals as well as Lane Regional in Zachary.</p><p>After surgery, Ruiz's shortness of breath disappeared. He changed his diet, lost 50 pounds and can now walk longer distances. He's still substitute teaching and volunteer coaching, and he has advice for others.</p><p>"It's just like my daughter told me, said, 'Go now,'" Ruiz said. "If you're not seeing a cardiologist and you're getting up in age, go ahead and get established with one. And, hey, my advice would be to ask your cardiologist if he uses this Impella or not during his procedures."</p><p>Ruiz said his biggest motivation to stay healthy is his six grandchildren. He described a moment with his 9-year-old grandson that put everything in perspective.</p><p>"The thing that brought it all together for me. I have a 9-year-old grandson and he's always like, 'Pawpaw, come out, come throw the ball with me, come play ball with me,'" Ruiz said. "His life dream is to be a quarterback. And we're throwing the ball and I remember I stopped dead in my tracks and I looked at him and I'm going through my mind. Talk about manipulation, here my 9-year-old grandson is playing quarterback, throwing me the ball. I'm 72 years old, running pass routes."</p><br clear="all"/><p><a href="https://www.wbrz.com/news/world-s-smallest-heart-pump-helps-ascension-parish-coach-teacher-survive-surgery/" title="World's smallest heart pump helps Ascension Parish coach, teacher survive surgery">Permalink</a>| <a href="https://www.wbrz.com/news/world-s-smallest-heart-pump-helps-ascension-parish-coach-teacher-survive-surgery/#comments" title="View user submitted comments on this entry">Comments</a></p><br/> ]]></description>
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<title>Friday Health Report: Fall allergy season starts around Labor Day, doctors say to prepare now</title>
<link>https://www.wbrz.com/news/friday-health-report-fall-allergy-season-starts-around-labor-day-doctors-say-to-prepare-now/</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.wbrz.com/news/friday-health-report-fall-allergy-season-starts-around-labor-day-doctors-say-to-prepare-now/</guid>
<category>Health</category>
<pubDate>Fri, 21 Aug 2026 6:35:42 PM</pubDate>
<author>WBRZ Staff</author>
<description><![CDATA[ <div align="center"><a href="https://www.wbrz.com/mobile/cleanStory.cfm?n=191576"><img src="https://dcer237tfveol.cloudfront.net/v2/dWKipYrccADbGnpTMToDdgvdiIIvQ73wlai9Sg79Sdlkn0xAGzF4eYO30_Sg-Wws9rCkwIS5TCEm4oPm73MFRMQPTcxDBj2iAI5SVSVWFA5Q" alt="Friday Health Report: Fall allergy season starts around Labor Day, doctors say to prepare now" border="0" align="left" vspace="4" hspace="8"/></a></div> <p>Getting ahead of fall allergies before symptoms start is the key to managing the season, experts say.</p><p>"I usually tell my patients that fall allergy season starts right around Labor Day. So, when kids start going back to school, that is about the time that patients will start to feel more miserable from their allergies," Dr. Sandra Hong, an allergist, said.</p><p>Doctors recommend starting nasal steroid sprays before symptoms appear. Oral antihistamines can also be taken as needed throughout the season to relieve itching and sneezing.</p><p>Allergy symptoms tend to be worse on dry, windy days, so that is worth keeping in mind as the season gets underway.</p><br clear="all"/><p><a href="https://www.wbrz.com/news/friday-health-report-fall-allergy-season-starts-around-labor-day-doctors-say-to-prepare-now/" title="Friday Health Report: Fall allergy season starts around Labor Day, doctors say to prepare now">Permalink</a>| <a href="https://www.wbrz.com/news/friday-health-report-fall-allergy-season-starts-around-labor-day-doctors-say-to-prepare-now/#comments" title="View user submitted comments on this entry">Comments</a></p><br/> ]]></description>
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<title>LDH asks residents, visitors to avoid areas of Henderson Lake where harmful algae bloom has been observed</title>
<link>https://www.wbrz.com/news/ldh-asks-residents-visitors-to-avoid-areas-of-henderson-lake-where-harmful-algae-bloom-has-been-observed/</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.wbrz.com/news/ldh-asks-residents-visitors-to-avoid-areas-of-henderson-lake-where-harmful-algae-bloom-has-been-observed/</guid>
<category>Health</category>
<pubDate>Thu, 20 Aug 2026 12:44:01 PM</pubDate>
<author>WBRZ Staff</author>
<description><![CDATA[ <div align="center"><a href="https://www.wbrz.com/mobile/cleanStory.cfm?n=191495"><img src="https://dcer237tfveol.cloudfront.net/v2/XUbyD8aBE_9VvuTuvUilQAnQKesqi7LiRmgOcC0ZFBZdn6zOdWX9JwbjLPy4JNxKUVIE-QCqQLdaza313ok1w_fscpKNLRJcNdbRTLHXZV1A" alt="LDH asks residents, visitors to avoid areas of Henderson Lake where harmful algae bloom has been observed" border="0" align="left" vspace="4" hspace="8"/></a></div> <p>HENDERSON &amp;mdash; The Louisiana Department of Health has asked residents and visitors to avoid areas of Henderson Lake where a blue-green algae bloom that produces harmful toxins has been observed.&amp;nbsp;</p><p>The cyanobacteria bloom has been confirmed by satellite imagery. While some algae is harmless, certain types of cyanobacteria can produce toxins that are harmful to people and animals. Testing is required to determine whether toxins are present, LDH said Thursday.</p><p>An algal bloom is a rapid growth of algae on the surface of the water and may appear blue, bright green, brown or red and can have a strong odor similar to rotting plants. Foam or scum may also form on the water's surface, officials added.</p><p>Anyone who sees a bloom is asked to stay out of the affected water, keep pets away, wash after any contact with it, and to avoid drinking or consuming it in any way. If you are exposed, watch for symptoms, which may include rashes, stomach cramps, coughing, nausea, diarrhea, or vomiting. High levels of exposure can affect the liver and nervous system</p><p>"Louisiana's lakes and waterways are an important part of how we live, work, and spend time outdoors, and a few simple precautions can help people enjoy them safely," LDH Secretary Bruce D. Greenstein said. "If you see or smell an algal bloom, stay out of the affected water and keep children and pets away. When you're unsure, please avoid all contact with the water."</p><p>?</p><br clear="all"/><p><a href="https://www.wbrz.com/news/ldh-asks-residents-visitors-to-avoid-areas-of-henderson-lake-where-harmful-algae-bloom-has-been-observed/" title="LDH asks residents, visitors to avoid areas of Henderson Lake where harmful algae bloom has been observed">Permalink</a>| <a href="https://www.wbrz.com/news/ldh-asks-residents-visitors-to-avoid-areas-of-henderson-lake-where-harmful-algae-bloom-has-been-observed/#comments" title="View user submitted comments on this entry">Comments</a></p><br/> ]]></description>
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<title>Friday Health Report: Nearly half of Americans over 55 at risk of dementia, but lifestyle changes can delay it</title>
<link>https://www.wbrz.com/news/friday-health-report-nearly-half-of-americans-over-55-at-risk-of-dementia-but-lifestyle-changes-can-delay-it/</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.wbrz.com/news/friday-health-report-nearly-half-of-americans-over-55-at-risk-of-dementia-but-lifestyle-changes-can-delay-it/</guid>
<category>Health</category>
<pubDate>Fri, 7 Aug 2026 6:15:50 PM</pubDate>
<author>WBRZ Staff</author>
<description><![CDATA[ <div align="center"><a href="https://www.wbrz.com/mobile/cleanStory.cfm?n=191003"><img src="https://dcer237tfveol.cloudfront.net/v2/OGMr0z_28ktSxE7-AwtQAwiN7s1cbQN4PotUdEO1Ga4-XITuEY_beqf3PHVrCFk0Zid9TaRLZIv_L1rf0Wzm1kLuI4Nvul46hK9DymUva0Uw" alt="Friday Health Report: Nearly half of Americans over 55 at risk of dementia, but lifestyle changes can delay it" border="0" align="left" vspace="4" hspace="8"/></a></div> <p>Nearly half of Americans are at risk of developing dementia after the age of 55, but a new study suggests three lifestyle changes could delay that diagnosis by more than a decade.</p><p>Researchers tracked more than 12,000 participants more than 25 years in a study published in Neurology. They found that people who entered old age with normal blood pressure, no diabetes and no history of smoking lived 13 years longer without dementia than those who had all three of those risk factors.</p><p>This is not the first time scientists have linked lifestyle choices to dementia. Previous studies have found that eating a balanced diet, staying physically active and challenging the brain with new skills can also help reduce the risk.</p><p>Genetics can also play a role, which is something outside of a person's control. Doctors say it is normal to have memory changes with age, but with dementia, those forgetful moments can really disrupt daily life.</p><p>While there is no cure, there are treatments that can slow the progression of the disease.</p><br clear="all"/><p><a href="https://www.wbrz.com/news/friday-health-report-nearly-half-of-americans-over-55-at-risk-of-dementia-but-lifestyle-changes-can-delay-it/" title="Friday Health Report: Nearly half of Americans over 55 at risk of dementia, but lifestyle changes can delay it">Permalink</a>| <a href="https://www.wbrz.com/news/friday-health-report-nearly-half-of-americans-over-55-at-risk-of-dementia-but-lifestyle-changes-can-delay-it/#comments" title="View user submitted comments on this entry">Comments</a></p><br/> ]]></description>
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<title>Moms can donate life-saving breast milk at Ochsner Baton Rouge for the state's milk bank</title>
<link>https://www.wbrz.com/news/moms-can-donate-life-saving-breast-milk-at-ochsner-baton-rouge-for-the-state-s-milk-bank/</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.wbrz.com/news/moms-can-donate-life-saving-breast-milk-at-ochsner-baton-rouge-for-the-state-s-milk-bank/</guid>
<category>Health</category>
<pubDate>Mon, 3 Aug 2026 6:58:12 AM</pubDate>
<author>April Davis</author>
<description><![CDATA[ <div align="center"><a href="https://www.wbrz.com/mobile/cleanStory.cfm?n=190773"><img src="https://dcer237tfveol.cloudfront.net/v2/eOFIbsGVHyKKf0rgR67PMwdp0yrFjU3-fxrawhJm25jtdZVm8tqAKu5KTlxiIkvAJkSL0xFOcT3Y1BrT7YUx46J-tmrd57KYyNlfUIH90NnQ" alt="Moms can donate life-saving breast milk at Ochsner Baton Rouge for the state's milk bank" border="0" align="left" vspace="4" hspace="8"/></a></div> <p>BATON ROUGE &amp;mdash; During World Breastfeeding Week, the vital role of infant nutrition is highlighted at mothers' milk banks all over the country. There's one in Louisiana, and mothers can donate at Ochsner Baton Rouge&amp;nbsp;</p><p>Mothers donate at the depot in Baton Rouge, and the milk is sent to New Orleans to the Mothers' Milk Bank of Louisiana at Ochsner Baptist. It is the only accredited milk bank in the entire state.</p><p>The milk bank at Ochsner in New Orleans officially opened as an accredited facility in 2018. It serves 75% of the neonatal intensive care unit beds in the state, outpatient families and neighboring areas including Mississippi.</p><p>Jessica Evins, Ochsner Women's Services Quality Coordinator, said the bank has grown to meet local demand. "When we first started, we were able to reach out to some neighboring states and get milk. But, you know, to be able to meet our own needs was incredible," Evins said.</p><p>One of the key benefits of human milk is its ability to be customized for individual babies. Evins explained that when mothers visit their babies in the neonatal intensive care unit, they get exposed to that environment and can make milk tailored specifically for their child.</p><p>"We encourage everybody to breastfeed. The science is there to support it, evidence-based, you know and what we're looking at really is that human milk is made of human protein and that is easier for human bellies to digest," Evins said. "So we don't want anyone to feel guilty if breastfeeding doesn't work. We have alternatives, but it is easier for the baby's belly to break down human milk."</p><p>Evins also pointed to immune system benefits, noting that when a mother is exposed to something in public, her body creates antibodies that can be passed through her milk, while a baby's immune system cannot do the same on its own.</p><p>During World Breastfeeding Week, Evins is calling on the public to reduce the stigma around breastfeeding in public. "If we see a mom who is in public, like, it could be that she can't get her baby to take a bottle. She can't get her baby to latch on any other way. And so it took a lot to get there. A lot of sleepless nights, a lot of tears," Evins said. "And so whatever we can do to reduce the stigma and have her feel comfortable doing that for her baby is great."</p><p>Evins said the benefits of breastfeeding extend beyond the individual family.</p><p>"We know that it helps with bonding and reduces infections and it can help reduce cancer risks for moms as a society. It just helps people be healthier. And so we have fewer people calling in sick and less turnover at work. So it's really one of those things. That's why it's a public health issue, not just a momma issue, not just a baby issue."&amp;nbsp;</p><p>Find details on how to donate to the milk bank <a href="https://www.ochsner.org/services/mothers-milk-bank-at-ochsner-baptist/" title="milk bank donations">here.</a></p><br clear="all"/><p><a href="https://www.wbrz.com/news/moms-can-donate-life-saving-breast-milk-at-ochsner-baton-rouge-for-the-state-s-milk-bank/" title="Moms can donate life-saving breast milk at Ochsner Baton Rouge for the state's milk bank">Permalink</a>| <a href="https://www.wbrz.com/news/moms-can-donate-life-saving-breast-milk-at-ochsner-baton-rouge-for-the-state-s-milk-bank/#comments" title="View user submitted comments on this entry">Comments</a></p><br/> ]]></description>
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<title>Thursday Health Report: Caffeine in kids linked to ER visits, seizures and sleep issues, CDC warns</title>
<link>https://www.wbrz.com/news/thursday-health-report-caffeine-in-kids-linked-to-er-visits-seizures-and-sleep-issues-cdc-warns/</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.wbrz.com/news/thursday-health-report-caffeine-in-kids-linked-to-er-visits-seizures-and-sleep-issues-cdc-warns/</guid>
<category>Health</category>
<pubDate>Thu, 30 Jul 2026 6:47:12 PM</pubDate>
<author>WBRZ Staff</author>
<description><![CDATA[ <div align="center"><a href="https://www.wbrz.com/mobile/cleanStory.cfm?n=190678"><img src="https://dcer237tfveol.cloudfront.net/v2/YBoGb4O7nhFCCdLIsfRNKA5y3Wtbyt8TBAG-vG-EYeuM1A71kzsmKjIrD9xCZGYgLGTiyZCVVsCyQ03tXVol8ia-mb2t0E-ukfKyuY8QnFBVSWrHnqMZBir8nSEmwWKeY" alt="Thursday Health Report: Caffeine in kids linked to ER visits, seizures and sleep issues, CDC warns" border="0" align="left" vspace="4" hspace="8"/></a></div> <p>More than 60 percent of kids consume caffeine on a given day, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.</p><p><span>The CDC also found that the older kids got, the more caffeine they consumed.</span></p><p>For younger kids, sweet bakery products were the most common source of caffeine, followed by flavored milk, candy and soda. For older kids, soda was the most common source, followed by tea and coffee.</p><p>The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that kids less than 12 consume no caffeine at all. For those more than 12, the recommended limit is 100 milligrams per day, which is about one cup of coffee.</p><p>Doctors warn that energy drinks often contain much higher doses of caffeine along with a lot of added sugar. <span>That combination can lead to sleep issues, dehydration, and, at higher doses, more serious outcomes like panic attacks and seizures.</span></p><p>Over the past few years, both emergency rooms and poison centers have seen an increase in kids overdosing on caffeine, which leads to thousands of ER visits among kids every year.</p><p>Doctors say parents should always read the label and keep energy drinks away from kids entirely.</p><br clear="all"/><p><a href="https://www.wbrz.com/news/thursday-health-report-caffeine-in-kids-linked-to-er-visits-seizures-and-sleep-issues-cdc-warns/" title="Thursday Health Report: Caffeine in kids linked to ER visits, seizures and sleep issues, CDC warns">Permalink</a>| <a href="https://www.wbrz.com/news/thursday-health-report-caffeine-in-kids-linked-to-er-visits-seizures-and-sleep-issues-cdc-warns/#comments" title="View user submitted comments on this entry">Comments</a></p><br/> ]]></description>
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