WASHINGTON — For years, physicians have been inching their way to a better understanding of how — and how well — the drug ketamine, a “twilight drug” used to sedate some patients before a painful procedure, can lift someone with severe depression almost immediately from the abyss.

(BPT) - Warm weather is here, bringing barbecues, picnics and more time spent outdoors. Everyone should be able to enjoy these popular pastimes, including the up to six million Americans at risk for a severe allergic reaction or anaphylaxis. For these people, a bee sting, shrimp on the barbecue or a latex balloon may lead to a life-threatening emergency. That’s why it’s important to have a plan in place to help avoid allergens and be prepared if accidental contact occurs.

(StatePoint) In a world full of noise -- from everything from city traffic and lawnmowers to hairdryers and earbuds on personal music devices -- hearing problems are a growing issue. Chief among these problems is tinnitus, a medical condition affecting 50 million Americans.

(NAPSI)—You may have heard that drinking 8-ounce glasses of water a day is good for your health. But what if the water you’re drinking isn’t as good for you as you think—due to drinking water contaminants?

(BPT) - Let’s face it – moving is hard. Along with the stress of leaving a familiar place and adapting to new surroundings, moving means packing, loading, transporting, unloading and unpacking everything you own – as well as everything you forgot you owned.

(BPT) - Losing power leads to instant anxiety: when will it return? Aside from the absence of everyday luxuries like turning on the TV or connecting to the Internet, you may worry about the food in the fridge spoiling, and wonder when you’ll be able to take a hot shower. While these types of events present real problems for the average homeowner, business owners worry about when the cash register will start ringing again.

It is estimated that at some point in their lifetime, one in ten U.S. children between the ages of 4 and 17 will be diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), making it the most common childhood neurobehavioral disorder.[1] Although there is no cure for ADHD, the disorder can be successfully managed through a comprehensive treatment approach including, but not limited to, behavioral therapy, medication, and parent and child education.[2]

(NAPSI)—Hearing loss is one of the leading public health concerns, impacting an estimated 17 percent of American adults. Despite this fact, most insurance policies cover only a portion of hearing impairment costs, and government-sponsored health programs like Medicare offer little to no coverage at all.

(NAPSI)—There’s good news for children who experience chronic pain. A new approach to pain care will finally offer relief for young patients and their families.

(NAPSI)—There’s hopeful news for those who experience chronic pain. There are practical steps they can take to find relief.

(BPT) - From bag-checking charges and unexplained delays to rude fellow passengers and flight attendants who are having a bad day, flying can be a huge hassle. If you’re among the approximately 1 to 1.5 percent of Americans living with a peanut or tree nut allergy, boarding a commercial airplane can raise concerns that you might experience a rare in-flight reaction.

(BPT) - Stress affects everyone and can cause problems at work, home and with health. Researchers have found that stress is a leading cause of illness, affecting as much as 20 percent of the population. Economic factors, such as a recession, have also been shown to significantly increase population-wide stress levels.

(BPT) - In the year 2000, Lisa Wollman, a young, vibrant woman in the prime of her life, was pregnant with her second child, and like many expectant mothers, was experiencing changes in her mood and body. However, she knew something was not quite right. Lisa started experiencing anxiety and insomnia, which had not occurred during her first pregnancy. After visiting multiple doctors, Lisa was told her symptoms would subside post-pregnancy, however several weeks after giving birth, she began experiencing other unusual symptoms, including excessive facial hair growth, acne and depression. These signs and symptoms prompted further doctor visits ultimately leading to the diagnosis of Cushing’s disease, which affects approximately one to two people per million annually.

Dear Pharmacist: I’ve had a couple of years of bad insomnia. I’ve tried medications, but I want something natural. Suggestions? — P.T., Denver

(BPT) - With the school year well underway, students and teachers have fallen comfortably into their daily routines. Diversions – Celebration! Field trip! New lunch in the cafeteria! – are greeted with excitement, but for children with potentially life-threatening allergies, it’s important to remember that part of their routine must be to always avoid their allergic triggers.

(BPT) - Spring is the time of year for renewal. So, it’s no surprise that springtime finds most people planning to rejuvenate their spaces. Four out of five Americans have a room in the home in need or redecorating, according to a 2013 study by Homegoods. Unfortunately, all too often the decorating process is a source of stress and anxiety for homeowners. How will you ever afford new furniture in your living room? How can you be on-trend without dating your home?

(BPT) - Each April for the past four decades, National Autism Awareness Month has elevated awareness among the children, parents and friends affected by autism spectrum disorders.

(BPT) - Have you noticed that someone important to you seems to be feeling sad, empty and lacking energy? Have they lost interest in activities they once enjoyed? Has this been going on for two weeks or more? It’s possible that they may be experiencing symptoms of depression.

(BPT) - What parent hasn’t had to call a child’s name more than once to get his attention? Or wondered how she can still be “bouncing off the walls” at the end of a long, tiring day. Moments of intense activity or occasional inattention are typical kid behavior, but for some children the problem is extreme and impairing. How can parents tell if their child’s energy or distraction is ordinary or something more?

Dear Pharmacist: At one of your lectures, I heard you say you drink Linden tea at night but you never said why. What is it and why is it something you like? — L.P. Jacksonville, Fla.

(NAPSI)—When it seems like the weight of the world is on your shoulders, the answer may bemore weight...in a special weighted blanket, that is.

Having your first baby can be exhilarating and terrifying. You will be responsible for a new human life, and many new parents find themselves in a swirl of uncertainty about what kind of parents they will be.

(BPT) - Wedding day traditions vary ever so slightly from decade to decade based on music, fashion and cultural change. However, today’s newlyweds have a distinct issue that their parents probably didn’t face a quarter century ago – which sectional couch stays, and which one goes?

The Lodi Unified School District has agreed to a $4.75 million settlement in the case of a special-needs student who was kidnapped and sexually assaulted by a former bus driver.

(BPT) - The ideal dress, the perfect menu, the heartfelt vows – to these add another necessity of your dream wedding: gorgeous, glowing skin. Throughout your entire wedding – from the moment you start walking down the aisle to when you exchange vows to your first dance as man and wife – the focus is on your face. Beautiful skin is essential, and with some expert tips, achieving it doesn’t have to be difficult.