Boston (SmartAboutHealth) - New Mexico is experiencing a major problem as they are trying to work through an extreme shortage of medical marijuana.

New Mexico allows for medical marijuana to be used as a form of treatment, but the issue here is that it is difficult to actually follow all of the guidelines and restrictions put in place to make it work. Continue Reading

Washington (SmartAboutHealth) - New health insurance plans being adopted by major insurance companies in the U.S. are coming with cheaper premiums, but will restrict the choice of doctors and hospitals patients can go to.

Health insurance companies are approving a new plan that will lead to premiums that are 15% cheaper than current premium rates for many consumers. Continue Reading

Boston (SmartAboutHealth) - The heart pump that is currently being used by former Vice President Dick Cheney is something which could be used by many more patients with heart problems to extend their lives.

A new study has shown that the device has more than a 50% chance of extending the lives of patients with heart problems by at least 2-years. Continue Reading

Washington (SmartAboutHealth) - A new drug trial has revealed that the much-anticipated Roche drug Avastin does little to help breast cancer patients, sparking reports that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) may pull the drug from the market.

Avastin has been much-anticipated and seen by many as a drug that could really help in the fight against breast cancer. Continue Reading

Boston (SmartAboutHealth) - A new study has revealed that Alzheimer’s not only causes cognitive decline and memory loss, but also takes emotions out of those who suffer from the terrible disease.

Researchers from the University of Florida have been doing a great deal of work on Alzheimer’s disease and dementia to see the various ways in which it will impact its victims. Continue Reading

Washington (SmartAboutHealth) - Federal agents deserve a pat on the back this week as they have managed to shut down the largest health-care fraud operation in history, one that led to $251 million in false Medicare claims.

The U.S. Justice Department charged 94 people in total this week in connection with this absolutely massive fraud operation. Continue Reading

Washington (SmartAboutHealth) - A new weight-loss from from the pharmaceutical company Vivus, Qnexa, has been proven to be effective, but are the results of a study enough to receive approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)?

The FDA released a report on Tuesday which focused on the new weight-loss drug following the results of a study. Continue Reading

Boston (SmartAboutHealth) - A new set of guidelines proposed this week may lead to very early Alzheimer’s diagnosis in many patients.

The new guidelines were presented at the Alzheimer’s Association meeting which took place in Hawaii this week, and focuses on the disease in its very earliest stages. Continue Reading

Washington (SmartAboutHealth) - According to a new report released this week, both salsa and guacamole you eat at restaurants pack a high risk for food poisoning, and other food-borne illnesses.

Food poisoning is falways a major concern for many people, especially when they go out to eat at a restaurant, as they don’t know what is safe, not safe, etc. Continue Reading

Boston (SmartAboutHealth) - A new study has revealed that kids and even young adults who play too many video games and spend too much time in front of the TV have a harder time focusing in school and have a much shorter attention span than those who do not play as many video games.

The study was led by researcher Edward Swing from Iowa State University. The idea behind the study was to try and see what type of impact spending time behind a monitor such as a television monitor had on kids and young adults. Continue Reading