Health Highlights: Oct. 20, 2022​

Your hospital room affects outcomes after surgery. A new study finds key factors about hospital rooms that are tied to higher or lower survival rates in the days or weeks after surgery. Read more

Marijuana, meth, cocaine use may trigger dangerous a-fib. The heart arrhythmia increases the risk of stroke, heart failure, kidney disease, heart attack and dementia, the authors of a new study noted. Read more

FDA approves Novavax as an alternate COVID vaccine booster. Because it’s formulated differently, Novavax could be used by adults who aren’t able to use an mRNA booster from Pfizer or Moderna. Read more

Study debunks use of antidepressant Luvox as COVID treatment. The drug was one of three FDA-approved repurposed medications being tested in hope they might be ‘repurposed’ to fight coronavirus infection. But the new study showed no benefit. Read more

‘Friends’ star Matthew Perry reveals harrowing addiction journey. In an autobiography, the 53-year-old actor says struggles with alcohol and opioids brought him near death before he regained his sobriety. Read more