Could ear, nose, and throat issues play a role in autism? Plus, how to relieve a stress headache, and more health news

Researchers have long tried to pinpoint a reason that some people have autism or autistic traits.

A new study from the United Kingdom builds upon evidence about one potential factor, finding that young children with ear, nose and throat problems were more commonly diagnosed with autism later.

This isn’t to say that all young kids who have ear infections will eventually be diagnosed with autism. It also doesn’t mean that all people with autism had these upper respiratory infections as a young child.

But this could be part of a long list of potential reasons, working together in various combinations, according to investigators at the University of Bristol and Aston University in England.

Methamphetamine is a highly addictive stimulant that has been around for a long time, creating multiple health issues for users.

But there is another downside to this drug: It can ravage the dental health of users.

Meth was first used during World War II by both sides, to increase the focus and energy of soldiers. However, in the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, amphetamines were classified as Schedule II drugs, meaning they could only be used for medical reasons, since they have such a high risk of abuse and addiction.

In the past few decades, there has been an explosion in the abuse of this man-made substance.

Older drivers using alcohol or drugs are much more likely to be at fault in a car crash.

Researchers studying the issue say that calls for sober-driving campaigns aimed at seniors.

“Our research shows just how much aging increases the risk of being at fault for injury or fatality in a drug- or alcohol-related traffic accident,” said lead author Dr. Satish Kedia. He’s a professor in the division of social and behavioral sciences at the University of Memphis School of Public Health in Tennessee.

His team’s analysis of nine years of U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data revealed that substance use in older drivers increased the likelihood of being at fault in a crash by two to four times.

Selfie shots might seem shallow but they’re actually serving a deeper psychological purpose, a new study suggests.

So-called “third-person” photos — shots taken to include the photographer, such as selfies or group shots — are better at depicting the deeper meaning of an event in a person’s life, by showing them actively participating in that moment, according to researchers.

On the other hand, “first-person” photos — the photographer’s eye view of a scene — best represent the physical experience of an event, the authors explained.

Those TV ads for juicy burgers may trigger your emotions, making you believe you’ll be happier if you run out and get one for yourself.

Unfortunately, a similar ad for salad does not appear to have the same emotional impact, according to new research from the University of Michigan.

“Many people think that eating highly processed foods like cheeseburgers and french fries will make them happier, and these beliefs are especially strong in people struggling to control their intake of highly processed foods,” said study author Jenna Cummings, a former University of Michigan research fellow.

“Regulating fast-food advertisements and changing beliefs about how highly processed foods affect emotions could help people eat more nutritious foods,” she said in a university news release.

Do you know the warning signs of oral cancer?

Some oral cancer symptoms are common and easily identifiable. Other symptoms are surprising, and you might miss them.

First, what is oral cancer?

According to the American Dental Association, the term “oral cancer” encompasses throat, mouth, tongue and jaw cancer. The American Cancer Society estimates there will be approximately 54,540 new cases of oral or oropharyngeal cancer, with approximately 11,580 deaths, in the United States in 2023. These cancers commonly occur in the tongue, tonsils and oropharynx (the throat area behind the mouth), gums and other areas of the mouth.

You had a rough day at work and got stuck in traffic on the way home, and suddenly your head starts pounding.

Stress headaches can be debilitating in the moment, but you don’t have to suffer indefinitely.

If you’re struggling with stress, you’re not alone. More than one-quarter of adults in the United States reported they’re too stressed out to function, according to a recent survey from the American Psychological Association.

Can stress cause headaches? Yes, in fact the most common type of primary headache is a tension headache, also referred to as a muscle tension headache or stress headache, according to Harvard Health.

Gun deaths in the United States are more likely in small towns than big cities, and suicides are a big reason why.

Gun suicides are more common than gun homicides, according to a new study. Those suicides have played a large part in the increase in gun deaths over the past few decades.

“Our study has found that the divide in total intentional firearm deaths between urban and rural counties is increasing, with rural counties bearing more of the burden. In the 2000s, the two most rural county types had statistically more firearm deaths per capita than any other county type, and by the 2010s, the most urban counties– cities — were the safest in terms of intentional firearm death risk.”