Getting less than six hours of sleep per night has long been known to be hazardous to health, but the discovery of the mechanisms behind those hazards is leading scientists to strengthen their warnings. Too little sleep or poor sleep carries heart and brain risks that are powerful, as experts explain.

Mobile health apps are becoming very popular, though some are being shown to have little benefit. Few barriers exist to almost anyone entering the field whether they have health expertise or not. Privacy is also a concern. Experts discuss how people can protect themselves and find apps that do what they want.

Studies are finding that obesity significantly increases a person’s risk for a variety of cancers. However, not all forms of fat carry equal risk. An expert discusses who is more at risk and why.

Medical Notes for the week of July 21, 2019 including: A study showing gestational diabetes during pregnancy can raise the risk for type 1 diabetes in the child. Then, a specific antibiotic that might help women with symptoms from endometriosis, and finally, gazing down at smartphones is causing the development of horns in young adults.

Medical Notes for the week of July 14, 2019 including: A new study finds the people we trust most, friends and family may be at fault for triggering opioid addiction. Then, a new study finds that vitamin D may help cancer patients live longer, and finally, another reason you should think twice before dozing off with the television left on.

Cancer treatment has always focused on survival. Now doctors are increasingly focusing on side effects, including the effect of treatment on sexual function and satisfaction. However, many patients are shy about bringing up their difficulties, unaware there are ways to help. One of the nation’s top experts discusses.

Most people associate cirrhosis of the liver with heavy alcohol use. But nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, which also leads to cirrhosis, is growing rapidly, and may affect a quarter of the population. Experts discuss this silent disease and what people can do to prevent and treat it.

Strep infection may prompt a severe reaction in some children, causing their own immune system to attack cells in the brain. What appear to be extreme psychological symptoms result from what is really a physical disorder. The disorder, known as PANDAS, is often misdiagnosed. Experts discuss.

Most people procrastinate at least now and then. But when we put something off, we’re usually facing not a time management problem, but an emotion management problem. Experts discuss what’s going on in our heads when we procrastinate.

Medical Notes for the week of July 7, 2019 including: The Scientific reports the rotavirus could give children some protection against diabetes. Then, studies showing a rough childhood can have an affect on development. Skin biopsies are costly and invasive but a new virtual biopsy device could change all of that. Finally, are you a dog person, a study in Sweden says, "It's genetic."