Health

If you're feeling—yawn—sleepy or tired while you read this and wish you could get some more shut-eye, you're not alone. A majority of Americans say they would feel better if they could have more sleep, according to a new poll.But in the U.S., the ethos of grinding and pulling yourself up by your own bootstraps is ubiquitous, both in the country's beginnings and our current environment of always-on technology and work hours. And getting enough sleep can seem like a dream.The Gallup poll, released Monday, found 57% of Americans say they would feel better if they could get more sleep, while only 42% say they are getting as much sleep as they need. That’s a first in Gallup polling since 2001; in 2013, when Americans were last asked, it was just about the reverse — 56% saying they got the need...

Good afternoon, Chicago. A government attorney faced tough questioning today from U.S. Supreme Court justices over concerns that the federal bribery statute often used to prosecute public officials, including a former Indiana mayor, is vague and potentially criminalizes innocuous gift-giving by people from all walks of life. The oral arguments came in a case involving James Snyder, the former mayor of Portage, Indiana, who was convicted of taking a $13,000 “consulting” fee from a garbage truck contractor that had recently won two lucrative contracts with the town. Here’s what else is happening today. And remember, for the latest breaking news in Chicago, visit chicagotribune.com/latest-headlines and sign up to get our alerts on all your devices. Subscribe to more newsletters | Puzzles &a...

Health agencies in the U.S. and Europe say there’s no evidence that thoughts of suicide or self-harm are linked to the popular weight loss and diabetes drug semaglutide, which is sold under the brand names Ozempic and Wegovy. After a nine-month review, the European Medicines Agency concluded Friday that “the available evidence does not support a causal association” between GLP-1 receptor agonists, the drug class that includes semaglutide, and suicidal thoughts or actions. The Food and Drug Administration arrived at a similar conclusion in January. The agency examined reports of suicidal thoughts or actions to its adverse event reporting system, but a preliminary review found there wasn’t a clear link to the use of GLP-1 receptor agonists. However, the FDA said in a statement it “cannot de...

If you're feeling — YAWN — sleepy or tired while you read this and wish you could get some more shut-eye, you're not alone. A majority of Americans say they would feel better if they could have more sleep, according to a new poll.But in the U.S., the ethos of grinding and pulling yourself up by your own bootstraps is ubiquitous, both in the country's beginnings and our current environment of always-on technology and work hours. And getting enough sleep can seem like a dream.The Gallup poll, released Monday, found 57% of Americans say they would feel better if they could get more sleep, while only 42% say they are getting as much sleep as they need. That’s a first in Gallup polling since 2001; in 2013, when Americans were last asked, it was just about the reverse — 56% saying they got the...

Tax season is never fun. But some tax filers this year face an added complication: Their returns are being rejected because they failed to provide information about Affordable Care Act coverage they didn't even know they had.While the concern about unscrupulous brokers enrolling unsuspecting people in ACA coverage has simmered for years, complaints have risen in recent months as consumers discover their health insurance coverage isn't what they thought it was.Now such unauthorized enrollments are also causing tax headaches. Returns are getting rejected by the IRS and some people will have to pay more in taxes. "It's definitely gotten worse over the past year. We've helped three to four dozen people this year already,"said Erin Kinard, director of system...

A Chinese company targeted by members of Congress over potential ties to the Chinese government makes blockbuster drugs for the American market that have been hailed as advances in the treatment of cancers, obesity and debilitating illnesses like cystic fibrosis.WuXi AppTec is one of several companies that lawmakers have identified as potential threats to the security of individual Americans’ genetic information and U.S. intellectual property. A Senate committee approved a bill in March that aides say is intended to push U.S. companies away from doing business with them.But lawmakers discussing the bill in the Senate and the House have said almost nothing in hearings about the vast scope work WuXi does for the U.S. biotech and pharmaceutical industries — and patients. A New York Times rev...

Cereals with less-added sugar are a better option for your children. — UnsplashProcessed food options like store-bought fruit juices and flavoured yoghurts are often touted as healthy products for children but in reality they may pose the most dangerto your child.They may seem harmless but experts have warned that they may not be an ideal snacking or breakfast choice for your children as they are plagued with high amount of sugar and artificial chemicals.This can raise the risk of obesity, diabetes and other lifestyle diseases among children.According to paeditrician Dr Saurabh Khanna, here are the foods that could harm your child's health.CerealThe packaging of breakfast cereals is what children find more attractive than the taste of it because their packages often feature colourful d...