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December 2011

Friday December 30, 2011

• A Life-Saving Lesson That Took Decades to Learn
• Health Care Reform Battle Tops Health News for 2011 – Debates over cellphone safety, cigarette-pack images also grabbed headlines.
• Health Tip: Dealing With Alzheimer's – Suggestions to help protect physical health.
• Health Tip: What is a Night Terror? – And what causes it?.
• Obesity, Diabetes Pose 1-2 Threat to Young Americans – The result: They could be first generation to not live as long as their parents.
• Tips to Keep Winter Sports Injury-Free – Slipping and sliding on skis and skates is fun, but can be hazardous, experts say.

Thursday December 29, 2011

• 'Silent Strokes' Linked to Memory Loss in Elderly: Study – More memory woes noted in seniors who had experienced these events, researchers say.
• Health Tip: Eat Right During Pregnancy – Here are some diet essentials.
• Health Tip: Exercising With Arthritis – What experts recommend.
• Is American Medicine Too Test Happy? – Overuse of diagnostic exams can harm patient health, inflate medical costs, some experts warn.

Wednesday December 28, 2011

• Health Highlights: Dec. 28, 2011
• Health Tip: Burned Out at Work? – Check these possible warning signs.
• Health Tip: Wear Your Seat Belt During Pregnancy – And watch where you sit.
• In the Age of Email, the Good, Old Letter Still Holds Sway – Soldiers found lasting comfort, solace -- and a shield against post-traumatic stress disorder -- in handwritten notes.
• States Crack Down on Drunk Drivers This Holiday Season – New Year's Day is among the five deadliest days on U.S. roads, sobering research shows.

Tuesday December 27, 2011

• Adversity, Trauma May Boost Mental Toughness – Living through difficulty -- up to a point -- can build resiliency, study shows.
• Eating Out Doesn't Have to Mean Excess Calories – Choose grilled over fried foods, and hold the cheese, mayo and creamy salad dressings.
• Get a Head Start on 2012 Fitness Resolutions – Tips for staying healthy through holiday travel, temptations.
• Health Highlights: Dec. 27, 2011
• Health Tip: Choose Your Day to Quit Smoking – Suggestions to help you stop.
• Health Tip: Discuss Weight With Your Child – Teach good habits and a healthy approach.
• More Schooling Might Raise IQ – Intelligence quotient isn't fixed at birth, and can increase with education, study suggests.
• Poor People May Be Quicker to Be Kind – Study suggests the more affluent face fewer obstacles, slower to recognize suffering of others.
• The Mainstreaming of Vegan Diets – Once the purview of a small group of devotees, more people -- including nutritionists -- are embracing plant-based eating plans.
• The New Face of Pet Therapy – The practice, once limited to nursing homes, is aiding people, young and old, with a range of ills.

Monday December 26, 2011

• Health Tip: Learning to Eat With Dentures – Suggestions for making the adjustment.
• Health Tip: When Children Break the Rules – Suggestions to encourage better behavior.
• How to Make Your Quit-Smoking Resolution Stick – Tips from the American Lung Association may help.
• Mother-Toddler Bond May Influence Teen Obesity – Prevention strategies should go beyond eating, exercise, study suggests.

Friday December 23, 2011

• Breast Cancer Patients Face More Imaging Tests Today – Study finds multiple visits common in pre-op period, urges better coordination.
• Fears of Divorce May Be Keeping Many Young Couples From Marriage: Study – Two-thirds of cohabitating couples said they worried about fallout from a legal split.
• Health Tip: Prevent Falls During Holiday Decorating – Suggestions to reduce your risk.
• Health Tip: Use Medications Safely – Dos and don't for giving medicine to children.
• How to Survive the Holiday Eating Season – A little thought and planning now may keep you from having to diet later.
• Scientists Ponder Santa's High-Tech Secrets – He seems to possess scientific savvy -- quantum theory, anyone? -- that lets him circle the globe in one night.

Thursday December 22, 2011

• As Gastric Banding Increases, So May Complications – Puzzling respiratory symptoms require investigation, researchers say.
• As Obesity Rises, More Suffer From Acid Reflux – GERD symptoms have been linked to cancer of esophagus, researchers say.
• Chorus Gives Voice to Those With Alzheimer's – In New York City, people with dementia and their caregivers come together in song.
• Chronic School Absenteeism Linked to Mental Health Problems – Children who consistently miss school are more likely to be depressed or anxious, study shows.
• Does Your Teen Constantly Challenge You? – The good news is teens' assertiveness may help them resist peer pressure, study finds.
• Frankincense Production May Be Doomed – Fires, grazing, insects threaten future of the fragrant resin linked to Christmas, scientists warn.
• Health Highlights: Dec. 22, 2011
• Health Tip: Diabetes Can Raise the Risk of Skin Infections – These bacterial infections are common.
• Health Tip: Improving Your Cholesterol – Here are some suggestions.
• Hepatitis B Vaccine Recommended for Adults With Diabetes – Shared blood glucose monitors, finger-stick devices are infection risks, experts warn.
• Most Weight Regained by Older Women Is Fat, Study Finds – Muscle-fat balance changes with yo-yo dieting, experts say.
• Noisy Toys Might Harm Kids' Hearing – If held too close to the ear, these toys might cause permanent damage, researchers say.

Wednesday December 21, 2011

• '27 Club' Debunked: Musicians Aren't Prone to Die at That Age – But, they do face a higher risk of premature death, researchers report.
• 40 Years On, the Triumphs and Challenges of America's 'War on Cancer' – In many cases, what was a death sentence is now a manageable condition, although roadblocks remain.
• Health Tip: Diabetics, Pack Smart for Holiday Travel – Don't leave home unprepared.
• Health Tip: Manage Stress – Too much can harm your heart.
• Most Sick or Disabled Seniors Want Docs to Say How Long They Have – But very few actually have that conversation, study finds.
• Timing of Aquatic Therapy After Joint Replacement Matters – Starting within days of the operation seems beneficial for those with new knees, but not hips.

Tuesday December 20, 2011

• Endometriosis Tied to Higher Risk of Crohn's, Colitis – Large Danish study suggests possibility of connection between both in women.
• Health Tip: Help Prevent Exercise Injury – Don't forget to warm up and cool down.
• Health Tip: Risk Factors for Varicose Veins – Why you may be more likely to get them.
• Making Sense of Cancer Screening Updates – It's important to discuss testing schedule with your doctor.
• Youth Exposure to Unwanted Internet Sexual Encounters Drops – But study found slight increase in online harassment.

Monday December 19, 2011

• Choosing a Toy? Think 'Kid-Powered'
• Discerning Gift-Givers Look for Toys That Offer More Than Fun – Some of the best choices spur imagination and exercise, experts say.
• Health Highlights: Dec. 19, 2011
• Health Tip: Are You at Risk for Macular Degeneration? – Common risk factors for the eye condition.
• Health Tip: Skip the Cold Medicine Before Age 4 – Here's what you can offer instead.
• Knee Pain Plagues Many Women Over 50 – Overweight, previous injury, arthritis predicted persistent discomfort, researchers found.
• Nearly 1 in 3 Young U.S. Adults Have Arrest Records: Study – At 18, the estimate is 25 percent; pediatricians can help keep kids out of trouble, researchers say.
• Obesity Linked to Lower Paychecks – Annual earnings are usually less, especially for women, study says.

Sunday December 18, 2011

• Extra Help Enhances Holidays for Older Relatives – Some thoughtful preparation can let everyone participate and celebrate.

Friday December 16, 2011

• Asthma Drugs in Pregnancy Might Pose Risk for Kids – Mothers' use of steroid inhalers could lead to some disorders in children, large study suggests.
• Blood Pressure Readings Differ When Guidelines Followed – Study compared routine measurements to method recommended by experts.
• Dengue Fever Cases Subside in Florida, But Threat Remains – Report finds no outbreak in Key West this year, but many residents may still be infected.
• Health Highlights: Dec. 16, 2011
• Health Tip: Keep Diabetes in Check During the Holidays – Prepare for the festivities.
• Health Tip: Participating in Winter Sports – Suggestions for how to stay safe.
• Life After Cigarettes Is Happier: Study – Three years later, quitters report less stress, better mood compared to smokers.
• Men Often Misread Women's Sexual Cues: Study – But ignorance might work in favor of males who overestimate their attractiveness.
• Recession Hurt Parent-Child Ties, Survey Finds – Seattle families reported less connectedness, social generosity, researchers say.
• Study Looks at Stroke Risks in Teen Football Players – Possible factors include obesity and anabolic-steroid use, researchers say.

Thursday December 15, 2011

• Experts Urge Limits on Medical Research on Chimpanzees – U.S. government-mandated report says the animals need only be used in select instances.
• Health Highlights: Dec. 15, 2011
• Health Tip: Are You Actually Hungry? – Or eating for another reason.
• Health Tip: Dealing With Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy – Suggestions to help end discomfort.
• HPV Test Spots Cervical Cancer Earlier Than Pap Smear: Study – Viral screen better at catching precancerous lesions in women over 30, Dutch researchers found.
• Low Iron Levels May Increase Blood Clot Risk – Researchers say next step is determining if treating iron deficiency wards off dangerous clots.
• Smoking Linked to Skin Cancer in Women – Non-melanoma malignancies twice as likely after 20 years of tobacco use, study finds.
• Snow Shoveling Really Does Raise Heart Attack Risk: Study – Seven percent of heart patients at Canadian hospital said symptoms started while clearing snow.
• Toy Safety Tips Help Protect Kids – Experts offer precautions for parents and gift-givers alike.

Wednesday December 14, 2011

• New data: Affordable Care Act helps 2.5 million additional young adults get health insurance
• Could Statins Help Those Hospitalized With Flu? – Preliminary study suggests they might boost survival rates.
• Drunk Driving-Related Deaths Surge During the Holidays – Alcohol affects coordination and judgment long before people appear to be intoxicated, experts say.
• Health Highlights: Dec. 14, 2011
• Health Tip: At Risk for Hip Fracture? – Factors that make it more likely.
• Health Tip: Protect Teeth From Decay – Suggestions for newborns and young children.
• Injuries Linked to Holiday Decorating on the Rise – Fires from candles, frayed electric light wires can prove deadly, experts warn.
• Med Students Need Hand Holding on Hand Washing – Too many don't know when they're supposed to wash up, study finds.
• Walking While Drunk Can Lead to Deadly Accidents: Expert – Many pedestrians struck and killed by cars have been drinking.

Tuesday December 13, 2011

• Birth Defects Seem Rare in Kids of Childhood Cancer Survivors – Findings should reassure parents, doctors say.
• Cancer Outpatients at Greater Risk for Blood Clots – In large study, only one-quarter of patients developed clots in hospital.
• Health Tip: Find Time for You – Help foster a healthier mind and body.
• Health Tip: Help Protect Against Blood Clots – Things you can do.

Monday December 12, 2011

• ADHD Drugs Don't Raise Risk of Heart Problems: Study – Earlier research indicated possible problem, but latest finding doesn't show link.
• Adult Sickle Cell Drug May Benefit Kids, Too – It was well-tolerated by children younger than 4, study finds.
• Drug for Acute Respiratory Distress May Do More Harm Than Good: Study – Trial of salbutamol was discontinued after patients using it fared worse than those without it.
• FDA Panel Cites Clot Risk From Contraceptive Patch – Advisory group recommends Ortho Evra remain available, but with warning on label.
• Gene Therapy a Boon for 6 Hemophilia Patients – Severity of the bleeding condition was reduced for men with type B disorder, study finds.
• Health Highlights: Dec. 12, 2011
• Health Tip: How to Ease Leg Cramps During Pregnancy – Suggestions include exercise, calcium-rich foods.
• Health Tip: Keep the Sport in Kids' Sports – Make sure focus isn't only on winning.
• Low-Dose Aspirin After Lung Clot Could Prevent Recurrence – Study shows benefit for patients who've already finished with stronger blood thinners.
• Radiation May Also Lead to 'Chemo Brain' – Mental fuzziness can last several years after breast cancer treatments, study finds.
• Side Effects Cause Many Older Women to Drop Breast Cancer Drugs – Problems with recurrence-preventing aromatase inhibitors may be underreported, study suggests.
• Too Much Alcohol Linked to Unsafe Sex, Study Confirms – Each drinks worsens decision-making, possibly upping HIV risk.
• World's Tiniest 'Preemies' Growing Up Healthy: Report – Two premature infants with extremely low birth weights are both leading normal lives.

Friday December 9, 2011

• British Study Suggests Mammograms Do More Harm Than Good – But U.S. experts say getting them annually, starting at age 40, saves lives.
• Broadway Strikes an Autism-Friendly Chord – Sold-out performance of 'The Lion King' was adjusted to suit needs of kids with the disorder.
• Depression, Disability Can Follow ICU Care: Study – Meals, phone calls become too difficult for some patients, study finds.
• Health Tip: Don't Let Holiday Turkey Make You Sick – Follow these food safety guidelines.
• Health Tip: Should You Still Be Driving? – Older people need to evaluate their skills, experts say.
• Preemies Infected With More Dangerous Types of Bacteria: Study – These babies also have fewer types of microbes than those born full-term, researchers say.
• Starchy Foods May Boost Risk of Breast Cancer Recurrence – Women who ate more carbs, especially starches, more likely to get repeat cancer, study says.

Thursday December 8, 2011

• Avastin Boosted Survival for Type of Aggressive Breast Cancer: Study – Added to chemo treatment, the drug prolonged life an average of nearly 3 months, researchers say.
• British Screening Program Finding More Early Stage Colon Cancers – More than 1 million have been tested using kits sent to homes.
• Health Tip: Opt for a Healthy Weight-Loss Plan – Avoid fad diets.
• Hispanic Women More Likely to Die of Breast Cancer – Disparity may be explained by biological differences in tumors, researchers say.
• Obesity Linked to Worse Outcomes With Early Breast Cancer – But tamoxifen showed protective effect for heavy women, researchers say.
• Stress Early in Pregnancy Linked to Fewer Baby Boys – Women in first trimester during major earthquake gave birth earlier and had more girls, study finds.
• Two New Drug Combos May Fight Advanced Breast Cancers – Studies found disease-free survival was lengthened when two new drugs were added to standard regimen.

Wednesday December 7, 2011

• Plan B One-Step - A Statement by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius
• Steroids boost survival, reduce brain injury for infants born at 23 weeks
• Chimps Shed Light on How Humans Learned to Share – Their behavior seems to be affected by their environment, research suggests.
• Diabetes, Obesity After 60 May Drive Up Breast Cancer Risk – Study also finds low blood lipids linked to risk, but can't explain it.
• FDA May Ease Rules on Morning-After Pill for Teens – Change would allow those 16 and under to buy Plan B without prescription.
• FDA Panels to Weigh Safety of Newer Forms of the 'Pill' – They will consider new warning labels about increased risk of blood clots linked to contraceptives.
• Health Highlights: Dec. 7, 2011
• Health Tip: Is Your Relationship Healthy? – Possible warning signs of a bad relationship.
• Health Tip: Wind Down With Mind-Body Exercises – And enjoy these potential benefits.
• Marathons May Damage Part of Heart: Study – But this doesn't mean endurance sports are bad for you, researcher says.
• New Tests Might Better Predict Breast Cancer's Return – Information locked in tumor's genes could help guide treatment for some patients, studies find.
• Targeted Radiation May Not Be Better for Breast Cancer – Study found brachytherapy had double the risk of mastectomies, compared to radiation of entire breast.

Tuesday December 6, 2011

• Medicare Gives Employers, Consumers Information to Make Better Health Care Choices
• Open Enrollment Ends Tomorrow ? People with Medicare See Significant Savings in 2011 As Time to Select 2012 Plans Draws to a Close
• Bed Bugs Can Bypass Pitfalls of Inbreeding, Studies Say – Finding means they can cause rapid infestation, may explain recent resurgence.
• Best Antidepressant May Depend on Patient: Study – Large evidence review finds newer brands work equally well.
• FDA Targets Homeopathic Weight Loss Products – Agency says there's no proof the homeopathic remedies work, and associated diet may cause harm.
• Gene Mutation Helps Clear Fats From Blood, Study Finds – But it is unknown if the beneficial effect actually cuts heart risks, researchers say.
• Health Highlights: Dec. 6, 2011
• Health Tip: Are You Disposed to the Holiday Blues? – Risk factors for holiday depression.
• Health Tip: Boost Your Brain Power – What seniors can do to help stay sharp.
• If Parents Drink and Drive, Their Kids May Too: Study – Teens' risk for motoring under the influence rose with parents' bad example, researchers found.
• Mammograms Cut Risk of Breast Cancer Death by Half, Study Finds – Echoes previous findings, supports calls for routine screening.
• Most Doctors Don't Tell Parents Kids Are Overweight – Or health care providers are speaking up, but message isn't sticking, study finds.
• Research With Worms May Shed Light on Women's Fertility – Egg cells aged earlier than body cells in roundworms, study found.
• Targeted Drugs, Lung CT Screening Top Cancer Advances in 2011 – Report from leading oncologists' group finds strides were made against tough-to-treat tumors.
• Vitamin D Levels Tied to Diabetes Risk in Obese Kids – Low levels were associated with more insulin resistance, study found.

Monday December 5, 2011

• NCI launches smoking cessation support for teens
• Statement from HHS Secretary Sebelius on International Day of Persons with Disabilities
• 3-D TV Doesn't Raise Seizure Risk for Kids With Epilepsy: Study – Researchers note that certain patterns, colors, flickering images a greater threat.
• Autistic Teens With Epilepsy Often Light-Sensitive – Incidence is roughly 30 percent among teens with both conditions, study finds
• Common Hospital Infection Lengthens Patient Stays – An estimated 10% of those infected with C. difficile will die, study finds.
• Epileptic Seizures May Worsen During Menstrual Cycle – 'Catamenial' epilepsy also associated with more seizures during pregnancy, study shows.
• Fetal Exposure to Epilepsy Drug Might Raise Autism Risk: Study – Danish researchers found it almost tripled chances of autism spectrum disorder, although risk remains small.
• Girls More Prone Than Boys to Headaches After Head Injury – They can last for months but in most cases will disappear, study finds.
• Health Highlights: Dec. 5, 2011
• Health Tip: Easy on the Holiday Buffets – Some simple suggestions to limit calories.
• Health Tip: The Risks of Smoking While Pregnant – Your baby can suffer serious complications.
• Kids With Epilepsy Should Get Screened for Autism, Developmental Delays – The conditions often occur in the same child, experts say.
• More Children Using Preventive Asthma Drugs: Study – But, minorities and uninsured had lower use of these medications, researchers say.
• More Evidence Links Specific Genes to ADHD – Future treatments might target these genetic pathways, researchers say.
• Nervous System May Hold Key to Weight Loss – People with higher 'sympathetic nerve activity' more likely to shed pounds, study finds.
• Teen 'Sexting' Might Be Less Common Than Feared – But emotional, legal fallout can still occur, studies find.

Friday December 2, 2011

• Abusive Boss May Harm Workers' Home Life, Too – But long-term partners, more kids may boost family satisfaction.
• Colon Cancer Prognosis Worse for the Obese, Type 2 Diabetics – Cancer and heart-disease deaths higher, studies find.
• Depression, Partner Conflict Raise Suicide Risk for Pregnant Women, New Moms – More than half also had a mental health diagnosis, study found.
• Genes May Make Quitting Tougher for Smokers – Your particular DNA may explain why you can't break the habit, study suggests.
• Health Highlights: Dec. 2, 2011 – Obama to Announce New Measures to Fight HIV/AIDS
• Health Tip: Watch Your Weight This Holiday Season – Suggestions to ward off weight gain.
• Kids of All Weights Benefit From Car Seats – Even overweight children safer when using the correct seat for their height and weight, study finds.
• Lung Cancer's Hidden Victims: Those Who Never Smoked – More than 32,000 Americans who never lit up will die each year, with women at higher risk, experts say.
• New Guidelines for Treating Psoriasis When Pregnant or Nursing – Try moisturizers, emollients before resorting to steroids, experts say.
• Opioids May Be Overused for Chronic Stomach Pain – Doubling of prescriptions over 10 years is cause for concern, study says.
• Police at No Greater PTSD Risk Than General Public: Study – Yet they can struggle with feelings of powerlessness, guilt after traumatic events, researchers say.
• Pressure to Be Perfect Parent Can Discourage New Moms, Dads – Study found it eroded confidence for mothers, created stress for fathers.
• Prozac Might Ease Repetitive Behaviors in Some Adults With Autism – Study found 50% saw benefit, while only 8% in placebo group did.
• Scientists ID Gene That Predicts Chances of Cold Sores – Two variants seem to raise the risk of recurrent outbreaks, while two lower the possibility.
• Sickle Cell Disease Tied to 'Silent Strokes' in Children – Anemia and high blood pressure together or alone increased the risk in study of young patients.
• Socioeconomic Status Main Predictor of Health Habits: Study – Race, ethnicity not necessarily behind disparities in weight, exercise and diet.

Thursday December 1, 2011

• NIH Statement on World AIDS Day 2011 - December 1, 2011
• President Obama announces new efforts to end the AIDS epidemic in the United States
• Statement from HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on World AIDS Day - December 1, 2011
• AIDS Research Holds Promise for Reducing HIV Transmission Rates – 'Extraordinary advances' prompt some to dare to dream of a cure.
• Circle of Friends Key to Adopting Healthy Habits: Study – When people of similar age, sex, size buddied up online, they made gains, researchers say.
• Despite Advances, HIV/AIDS Still Takes Heavy Emotional Toll – Care coordinator describes alienation, financial woes and health struggles that people face.
• Experts Urge Posting Meat, Poultry Inspection Data on Web – Online information could help consumers make better choices, National Research Council says.
• First Generic Lipitor Approved
• Health Highlights: Dec. 1, 2011 – Obama to Announce New Measures to Fight HIV/AIDS
• Health Tip: Do You Have Psoriatic Arthritis? – Here are common symptoms.
• Health Tip: Spot Problems With a CPAP – Warning signs of trouble.
• How to Stay Flu-Free for the Holidays – Regular handwashing, 'air kissing' are two of several suggestions.
• Many Ignore Symptoms of Lung Disease, Study Finds – Shortness of breath, chronic coughing could indicate COPD.
• More Exercise Could Make For Better Sleep: Study – Those getting 150 minutes' activity a week were less likely to report daytime fatigue.
• Multitasking Stresses Out Working Moms More Than Dads – Mothers spend many waking hours doing at least two things at once, study finds.
• Optimism May Help Female Undergrads With Their Grades – But positive thinking seems to backfire for male students, study says.
• Self-Monitoring of Blood Thinner May Halve Clot Risk – But newer drugs may replace warfarin and the need for frequent blood tests, experts say.
• Studies in Mice May Offer Clues to Cleft Lip – Scientists corrected the birth defect in mouse embryos, study says.
• Younger Americans Face Greater Health Disparities: Study – Large gap between most and least healthy has opened up among those born after 1980.

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Content last updated December 31, 2011.

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