Health news from HealthDay, plus recent press announcements from major medical organizations.
Monday, January 23
- Could Obesity Undermine Memory Training in Older Adults? (HealthDay)Study adds to growing evidence of a link between weight and certain brain functions
- Early Family Deaths May Create 'Grief Gap' for Blacks (HealthDay)Compared to whites, they are more likely to lose a loved one earlier in life, U.S. researcher says
- E-Cigarettes Not a Smoking Deterrent for Kids (HealthDay)Study finds 'vaping' might lead teens who would've never smoked to try nicotine
- Exercise Rates Often Decline After Cancer Diagnosis (HealthDay)But researchers say physical activity can improve recovery and survival chances
- Gestational Diabetes a Risk Factor for Postpartum Depression (HealthDay)It found chances increased even more if woman had suffered an earlier bout of depression
- Jet Lag a Drag on Pro Baseball Players (HealthDay)Study found traveling across time zones linked to poorer pitching, slower running
- Language Barrier May Keep Some Hispanics from Good Diabetes Care (HealthDay)Studies found poor doctor-patient communication hampered medication use, proper blood sugar control
- Safeguards May Be Reducing Serious Catheter Infections (HealthDay)Study finds hospitals that adopt new procedures reap sizable improvements, savings
- U.S. Deaths from Cervical Cancer May Be Underestimated (HealthDay)Rates rose when latest study excluded women who'd already undergone hysterectomy
- When Loved One Has Breast Cancer, Partner Suffers, Too (HealthDay)Anxiety is common even several years later, study finds
Saturday, January 21
- Best Ways to Steer Clear of The Flu (HealthDay)For starters, get a flu vaccine to protect yourself and others, infectious diseases expert says
Friday, January 20
- Childhood Asthma May Encourage Obesity, Study Suggests (HealthDay)Fear of flare-ups might spur kids to limit physical activity, specialists say
- Ebola Blood Test May Help Predict Survival Chances (HealthDay)Findings might lead to more effective patient care, researchers suggest
- Flu Cases Starting to Spread: CDC (HealthDay)Illness now being reported in middle sections of the country
- Many with Advanced Lung Cancer Don't Get Treatments That Might Help (HealthDay)Study found 21 percent went without therapy, even though it could boost their survival
- Many Women with Eating Disorders Do Recover, Study Finds (HealthDay)But it may take years or longer, researchers acknowledge
- Poverty Harder on Women's Hearts, Research Shows (HealthDay)Poor females 25 percent more likely to have a heart attack than male peers
- Screen Time May Not Be So Bad for Teens After All (HealthDay)Those who spend hours on smartphones, computers, TV can still flourish, develop social skills, study finds
- Stress May Explain Digestive Issues in Kids with Autism (HealthDay)Elevated stress hormone levels linked to stomach problems among these children, researchers say
- Trulance Approved for Chronic Constipation (HealthDay)Drug designed to stimulate upper gastrointestinal tract
- 8 People Infected in Rare U.S. Outbreak of Rat Virus (HealthDay)Those handling rodents in breeding facilities in 2 states contracted Seoul virus, CDC reports
Thursday, January 19
- Abortions in Texas Dropped Dramatically After Restrictions (HealthDay)Greater travel distances linked to 50 percent decline in some counties, study finds
- Brain-Training May Help Ease Ringing in the Ears (HealthDay)Study found computer-based program seemed to allow people to cope with tinnitus
- Food Stamp Use Linked to Raised Early Death Risk in Study (HealthDay)Highlights need to improve health of poorer Americans, researchers say
- Forward-Thinking Tips for Back Pain (HealthDay)Certain behaviors can reduce your risk, doctor says
- Genital Herpes Vaccine Shows Promise in Animal Trials (HealthDay)Two-pronged approach tested on lab monkeys, guinea pigs
- Know the Risks, Warning Signs of Ovarian Cancer (HealthDay)Older age, family history raise the odds for this potentially deadly disease
- Many with Mental Illness Miss Out on HIV Tests (HealthDay)Rates of infection up to 15 times higher, yet testing rates similar to those without psychiatric woes, study finds
- Most Cow's Milk Baby Formulas Don't Up Risk of Type 1 Diabetes (HealthDay)But one type of formula may be linked to greater chances if given in week 1, study suggests
- Nearly Half of U.S. Men Infected with HPV, Study Finds (HealthDay)Although a vaccine is available, too few are getting it when young
- Skin Cancer Cream Linked to 5 Dog Deaths: (HealthDay)Even ingesting small amounts of fluorouracil can kill family pets, agency warns
- Study Ties Inflammation, Gut Bacteria to Type 1 Diabetes (HealthDay)However, it's not yet clear if these factors actually cause the disease
- Truckers' Poor Health: An Accident Waiting to Happen? (HealthDay)Multiple medical conditions tied to 2 to 4 times the odds of a crash, study suggests
- U.S. Health Care Costs from Birth Defects Total Almost $23 Billion a Year (HealthDay)CDC study finds many cases involve babies, but care may be needed for a lifetime
- 17 Million U.S. Adults May Have Tough-to-Spot High Blood Pressure (HealthDay)'Masked' hypertension doesn't show up in a doctor's office, so home monitoring is needed, researchers say
Wednesday, January 18
- Could Grilled, Smoked Meats Lower Survival After Breast Cancer? (HealthDay)Study can't prove cause and effect, but raises questions about beef, pork, lamb cooked at high temps
- FDA Offers Guidance on Fish Intake for Kids, Pregnant Women (HealthDay)Agency recommends 2-3 servings of 'best choices' weekly
- Higher Risk of Heart Disease for Blacks in Poorer Neighborhoods (HealthDay)Preventive measures must address social policies, researcher says
- Hospital-Related Delirium May Help Worsen Dementia (HealthDay)But disorienting condition can be treated if recognized, researchers say
- Implanted Defibrillators Benefit Seniors (HealthDay)Nearly 80 percent of patients were alive 2 years after getting device that restores normal heart rhythm
- Incentives May Spur Poor Families to Buy More Fruits, Veggies (HealthDay)Many may not know about program that doubles value of food stamps spent on produce, study finds
- Men: Here Are Ways to Healthier, Younger-Looking Skin (HealthDay)Avoiding the sun and choosing products best suited to your skin type are key, dermatologist advises
- MRIs Might Help Guide Preemies' Neurological Care (HealthDay)Brain scans after birth may pinpoint potential developmental problems, study finds
- Plastic Surgeons Often Miss Patients' Mental Disorders (HealthDay)10 percent seeking facial procedures have condition called body dysmorphic disorder, study contends
- Short Stretches of Exercise May Have Anti-Inflammatory Effect (HealthDay)20 minutes on a treadmill linked to drop in immune cells tied to inflammation, study finds
- Too Much Sitting Ages You Faster (HealthDay)Cells of elderly sedentary women look much older than their actual age, study finds
Tuesday, January 17
- Can HIV Drugs Boost Syphilis Risk? (HealthDay)Meds may raise susceptibility to bacterium that causes the sexually transmitted disease, study suggests
- Even a Little Daily Activity May Boost Colon Cancer Survival: Study (HealthDay)Walking or gardening 30 minutes daily was linked to better prospects for advanced-stage disease
- Fetal Alcohol Syndrome a Global Problem (HealthDay)Countries with highest alcohol use during pregnancy include Belarus, Britain, Denmark, Ireland and Russia
- Hispanics, Blacks Less Likely to Get High Blood Pressure Treatment: Study (HealthDay)Less than half from any group had BP under good control
- Postpartum Depression Affects New Dads, Too (HealthDay)Certain men at greater risk, doctors say
- Should More Kids Have Their Tonsils Out? (HealthDay)Research suggests looser surgical guidelines might be warranted for sore throat, sleep problems
- Steep Bills Surprise Patients Who Go 'Out-Of-Network' (HealthDay)For example, anesthesiologists charge nearly 6 times the Medicare rate, study finds
- Steep Rise in Births to U.S. Women Using Opioids (HealthDay)Few treatment programs deal with substance abuse in expectant moms, federal report says
- Ticks Carrying Lyme Disease Confirmed in Eastern National Parks (HealthDay)U.S. National Park Service and CDC advise using insect repellents on clothes and skin
Monday, January 16
- First Stop for Scuba Divers: the Dentist's Office? (HealthDay)Underwater pressure can heighten dental problems, study finds
- Kids Born to Opioid-Addicted Moms Seem to Fare Poorly in School (HealthDay)By 7th grade, 4 out of 10 failed to meet standards in at least one academic area, study finds
- Medical Groups Raise Blood Pressure Rx Threshold for Healthy Adults Over 60 (HealthDay)Guidelines say therapy should begin after top number in reading meets or exceeds 150 mmHG, not 140
- Most Smokers with Mental Illness Want to Kick the Habit (HealthDay)But psychiatrists and caseworkers often don't recognize this need, survey finds
- Parents Have Mixed Views on When to Keep Sick Kids Out of School (HealthDay)Most agree those with diarrhea should stay home, but about half would send a child who had thrown up
- 'Superbug' May Be More Widespread Than Thought (HealthDay)Study of 4 U.S. hospitals found wide variety of germs resistant to antibiotics of last resort