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Bedbugs can cause people to lose sleep — and blood

NEW YORK — Bedbugs are sometimes called the vampires of the insect world — hiding during the day and coming out at night to feast on human blood. Generations of children have been told: “Sleep tight. Don’t let the bedbugs bite.” Well, bad news: Bedbug infestations are increasing. This is the time of year when they tend to be at their worst. And some scientists think the reviled pests might be capable of spreading an antibiotic-resistant infection called MRSA. “They certainly are out there,” said Christopher Hayes, a North Carolina State University assistant professor ...

Try water aerobics to lose weight

DEAR HELOISE: I read the letter from Patty, who wants to lose weight but can’t exercise due to having bad knees. My hint for her is to try water aerobics! It’s non-weight-bearing exercise, and her knees won’t be affected. — Helen, via email Helen, this is an excellent idea! I’ve tried water aerobics, and it was fun. Plus, I met and made a new friend! — Heloise DEAR HELOISE: We all know that plastic bags are a problem in our environment. They choke animals, create garbage and break down into microplastics that have even been found in babies’ placentas! Here are some ...

Health notes

To include or update items in the weekly Health News list, email information to tmunnell@tribtoday.com or dbigelow@tribtoday.com. The deadline for inclusion for next week’s list is noon Sunday. ST. JOE’S AT THE MALL Open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the Eastwood Mall. • EXERCISE CLASSES AVAILABLE — Call 330-652-7542 to inquire and register. • FREE BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENINGS: 9 a.m. to noon and 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Tuesdays, and 9 a.m. to noon Wednesdays and Thursdays. • DIETITIAN AVAILABLE: by appointment every first and third Friday; no cost — call ...

Vaccine lowers risk of getting shingles

DEAR DR. ROACH: I was reading your recent column about shingles. Several years ago, I contracted shingles, even after getting the shingles vaccine. It hit me in my left eye, so I went to my eye doctor. (I wasn’t sure what the problem was.) He took one look at my eye and diagnosed me with shingles. He gave me an antibiotic that cleared up the problem. At no time was I in any pain, which I attributed to my getting the vaccine. Do you concur with my observation? I’m aware that getting shingles can be very painful. —L.J. ANSWER: Shingles is caused by a reactivation of the ...

Bridge by Steve Becker

Yesterday, we saw how a team that was losing by 53 IMPs with 16 deals to go in the 2004 Vanderbilt semifinal managed to tie the match on the very last board when a close double gained an extra IMP to produce the deadlock. Without the double, Richard Schwartz’s team would have lost the 64-deal match to Nick Nickell’s squad by a single IMP. The tie necessitated an eight-board playoff, and as the players began the last deal, Nickell led -- by 1 IMP! The bidding shown took place when Peter Boyd and Steve Robinson of the Schwartz team held the North-South cards. Robinson won the heart ...

Milkweed plays host to ravenous moth caterpillars

We have a milkweed colony right up to our mailbox, as the township officials are always cutting back the ditches. We stopped for the mail and Bill was so excited. Caterpillars on the leaves! I took pictures and I even made a video, as they moved with jerking motions, very unusual. I posted ...