Health News

How to Get Your Teeth White

2008-02-10T14:09:00.005+01:00

I know that you have read a lot about how you to get your teeth white. But most of them in the end says that you should spend a lot of money. Below I have found some advice how to keep teeth clean.1. First you will need to check what you are eating and drinking. Coffee, smooking and red wine are the most thing that dirt on our teeth. So if you are smooking you need to stop smoking to get your

Creative Guerrilla Quit Smoking Advertisement

2008-01-25T13:07:00.003+01:00

123| Tags: Addiction, Smoking Cessation |

Scientists Create Breast Tumor Stem Cells

2007-09-06T21:06:00.003+02:00

U.S. scientists say they've succeeded in growing breast cancer stem cells from normal tissue.Since it is suspected that these types of cells give rise to cancer's spread, isolating them could prove invaluable in the fight against the disease, experts say."There has not been any publication to my knowledge that has demonstrated a way to isolate these cells from human patients and expand them,

Doctor's advice may boost car seat use

2007-09-03T22:19:00.003+02:00

While a doctor's advice can encourage people to use car seats for children younger than four, there is less data on the effectiveness of counseling on motor vehicle restraint use for older kids and adults, according to a new study.And there's no evidence that doctors can help prevent alcohol-related car crashes by warning patients about the risks of drunk driving, the study team found.Motor

Coloring Compound in Fruits, Veggies May Cut Colon Cancer Risk

2007-08-28T22:10:00.003+02:00

Compounds called anthocyanins, which give color to most red, purple and blue fruits and vegetables, may help protect against colon cancer, an Ohio State University study says.The findings, presented Sunday at the American Chemical Society's annual meeting in Boston, may help advance knowledge about what gives fruits and vegetables their cancer-fighting properties which, in turn, could eventually

Marriage-Minded Women Focus on Men's Faces

2007-08-25T21:42:00.003+02:00

When it comes to a woman's choice of a life-partner, a man's face may mean a lot, a new study finds.Many women regard men with masculine facial features -- such as a square jaw, larger nose and smaller eyes -- as unsuitable long-term partners, because they're more likely to be domineering, unfaithful, unaffectionate and poor parents, U.K. researchers have found.On the other hand, women believe

Toothbrushing May Strengthen Gums

2007-08-23T23:09:00.003+02:00

It may seem contradictory, but the cell damage caused by brushing your teeth may help keep your gums healthy, U.S. researchers say.Toothbrush bristles tear holes in the epithelial cells that line the gums and tongue, causing a momentary rupture, explains a team at the Medical College of Georgia.Calcium (which is abundant in saliva) then moves into the cells and triggers internal membranes to move

Health Tip: Before a Colonoscopy

2007-08-22T21:59:00.003+02:00

A colonoscopy -- used to detect colon cancer and other potential problems -- involves use of a long, flexible tube with a camera that takes images of the colon.Before having a colonoscopy, you should follow certain do's and don'ts to ensure an accurate procedure. This list is provided by the U.S. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse:- Avoid all solid foods and any beverages with

Health Tip: Treating a Blister

2007-08-20T22:41:00.004+02:00

Blisters are sore, swollen areas on the skin where fluid has collected beneath an outer layer of skin. Blisters are caused by friction, often from poorly fitted shoes or socks that rub against the skin.Here are suggestions on caring for a blister, courtesy of the University of Michigan Health System:Steps should be taken to avoid further irritating the problem area. Large blisters can be

Trial vaccine may slow breast cancer tumors

2007-08-18T21:52:00.003+02:00

A vaccine designed to treat breast cancer appeared to be safe in women with advanced disease and showed signs of actually slowing down tumors, U.S. researchers reported on Friday.Dendreon Corporation, maker of the Provenge prostate cancer vaccine, calls the new vaccine Neuvenge. It targets a type of breast cancer called her2/neu-positive breast cancer, which affects between 20 percent and 30

Obesity Heightens Kidney Disease Risks

2007-08-17T22:59:00.003+02:00

Chronic kidney disease patients who are also obese are much more likely than normal-weight patients to have a condition called hyperparathyroidism, which raises their risk of heart problems and death, U.S. researchers say.This study of 496 patients with moderate to severe chronic kidney disease who were not yet on dialysis showed a significant association between obesity and hyperparathyroidism.

Minorities at higher risk of arthritis disability

2007-08-13T21:00:00.003+02:00

Black and Hispanic adults with arthritis are more likely than whites to become disabled from the joint disease, new research findings suggest.In a study that followed nearly 7,300 Americans with arthritis for six years, researchers found that African-American patients were twice as likely to develop a disability as their white counterparts. The same was true of Hispanic adults who spoke Spanish

Personality may influence irritable bowel syndrome

2007-08-13T20:58:00.003+02:00

People who experience high levels of stress and anxiety appear to be more likely to develop irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) following a severe gastric infection, UK and New Zealand researchers reportA variety of studies have suggested that the cause of IBD has psychological and behavioral components, Dr. Rona Moss-Morris of the University of Southampton and Dr. Meagan J. Spence of the University

Insomnia may lead to toilet visits, study finds

2007-08-10T08:18:00.003+02:00

Insomniacs may not only toss and turn all night -- their symptoms may be worsened by a constant need to get up and urinate, Danish researchers reported on Wednesday.Tests on 20 people who were deliberately deprived of sleep produced more urine at night, and it was saltier than usual, the researchers said. The effects were much stronger in men than in women.Birgitte Mahler and colleagues at Aarhus

Ovarian Tissue Successfully Transplanted in Sisters

2007-08-06T21:26:00.003+02:00

For the first time, a woman whose ovaries were damaged by drug and radiation treatments has undergone a successful transplant of ovaries from her genetically non-identical sister, Belgian researchers report.Previously, other researchers had successfully transplanted ovarian tissue between genetically identical twin sisters.This method of restoring ovarian function might be used when a woman has

Health Tip: Coping With Menopause

2007-08-06T08:53:00.003+02:00

When a woman's menstrual period stops and hormonal changes begin, she is going through menopause. Symptoms, including hot flashes, can range from mild to severe.The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services offers these suggestions to help alleviate menopausal symptoms:- To help prevent hot flashes, avoid hot or spicy foods and beverages, stress and being in very warm places. Also, dress in

Abstinence Programs Don't Cut HIV Risk

2007-08-04T22:35:00.003+02:00

Programs that stress sexual abstinence have had no impact on HIV infection rates in the U.S., according to a new research review. But an abstinence education expert says the study is flawed.Investigators analyzed findings from 13 studies comparing abstinence-only education to other forms of sexual education or no sexual education at all. Some 16,000 preteens and teens in the U.S. participated in

Health Tip: Understanding Deep Vein Thrombosis

2007-08-03T22:50:00.004+02:00

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs when a blood clot develops in one of the deep veins. The problem most often occurs in the pelvis, thigh or calf, but may also develop in the chest, arm, or elsewhere.DVT may trigger swelling or pain, and the clot could travel to the lungs, a potentially fatal condition known as a pulmonary embolism.Here are some possible triggers of DVT, courtesy of the Society

Many Heart Attack Patients Don't Get Needed Treatment

2007-08-03T22:48:00.003+02:00

While the use of emergency angioplasty and clot-busting drugs to treat heart attack patients in the United States has increased significantly since the mid 1990s, about 10 percent of eligible patients still don't receive these therapies.That's the finding of a new study in the American Journal of Medicine.A team of researchers led by cardiologists at the University of Michigan Cardiovascular

Drinking While Pregnant May Alter Child's Brain

2007-08-02T22:34:00.003+02:00

Being exposed to alcohol before birth may lead to behavioral problems later on, U.S. researchers report.Heavy prenatal alcohol exposure does not always lead to fetal alcohol syndrome, noted a team reporting in the August issue of Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research. In some cases, it can cause cognitive and behavioral problems without the facial features characteristic of fetal alcohol

Progesterone Prevents Preterm Birth for Some Women

2007-08-02T22:22:00.003+02:00

The hormone progesterone may help prevent preterm birth in some women, but it doesn't work for everyone.A pair of studies in the Aug. 2 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine found that progesterone didn't help prevent preterm birth for women carrying twins or triplets, but it was helpful in women carrying a single baby who also had a condition known as short cervix."There are a lot of

Transient amnesia can be a form of epilepsy

2007-08-01T23:34:00.003+02:00

Episodes of transient amnesia, which frequently occur on awakening and are associated with other memory problems, may be a symptom of a distinct type of epilepsy. A British team describes this condition they call transient epileptic amnesia; in a study published in the Annals of Neurology.Dr. Adam Z. J. Zeman, of the Peninsula Medical School in Exeter, and colleagues recruited 50 patients over an

Nicotine may slow progression of rheumatoid arthritis

2007-08-01T23:24:00.003+02:00

In people with rheumatoid arthritis, heavy cigarette smoking appears to slow the rate of joint destruction, new research suggests.Potentially, this may be due to the anti-inflammatory properties of nicotine, Dr. Axel Finckh, University Hospital of Geneva, Switzerland told Reuters Health.Cigarette smoking is a known risk factor for rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic inflammatory disease that causes

Health Tip: Red Face Could be Rosacea

2007-07-31T23:18:00.003+02:00

Rosacea is a condition in which the skin, most commonly on the face, breaks out in a red, bumpy rash.Rosacea most often affects people after age 30, and is characterized by a pattern of flare-ups and remissions, says the National Rosacea Society.Typical symptoms include persistent flushed face, red skin, bumps or pimples, and visible blood vessels. Eventually, the skin becomes ruddier.

1 Marijuana as Damaging as 5 Cigarettes to Your Lungs

2007-07-31T23:17:00.003+02:00

Smoking just one marijuana joint is the same as smoking five cigarettes in terms of the damage it does to your lungs, a new study found.Lung damage from marijuana results in chronic bronchitis and other respiratory problems. But whether marijuana causes emphysema or lung cancer isn't clear, the researchers said."This damage is a full range from symptoms to structural lung damage and reduced lung

Health Tip: Causes of Fainting

2007-07-28T23:05:00.002+02:00

Fainting occurs due to a sudden drop in blood flow to the brain, resulting in brief loss of consciousness. Fainting can be accompanied by dizziness or nausea.Here are some common triggers, courtesy of the U.S. National Library of Medicine:- Straining during urination or a bowel movement. - Excessive coughing. - Standing for too long in the same position, or quickly standing up from a lying

Study: Loading Up on Fruits and Veggies Won't Lower Breast Cancer Recurrence

2007-07-27T21:34:00.003+02:00

A long-term study of breast cancer survivors shows that eating more than the recommended 5 daily servings of vegetables and fruit has no effect on breast cancer recurrence or deaths. Although researchers are disappointed by the finding, they say women should still strive to fit plenty of these healthy foods into their diet because they have other benefits. "There are many reasons women should eat

Early HIV Therapy Boosts Children's Survival

2007-07-26T20:57:00.002+02:00

Starting anti-HIV treatment soon after birth is clearly the best means of ensuring infected children's survival, a new trial finds.In fact, the African study was stopped four years early after researchers found that 96 percent of HIV-positive infants who received immediate treatment survived, compared to 84 percent of those who waited longer to get the drugs.Currently, doctors in the developing

One Billion People Don't Get Enough Vitamin D

2007-07-25T21:21:00.003+02:00

Vitamin D deficiency is a common problem that can lead to a number of serious health conditions, but it can be prevented, says one expert.People get vitamin D from sun exposure, diet and supplements. Yet vitamin D deficiency is all too common.In utero and in childhood, not getting enough vitamin D can cause growth retardation, skeletal deformities and increase the risk of future hip fractures. In

Health Tip: Feeling Forgetful?

2007-07-24T17:48:00.003+02:00

If you sometimes have problems remembering things, try following these tips from the American Academy of Family Physicians:Keep lists of things you need to remember, a detailed calendar, and follow a regular daily routine. Make connections in your mind to help you remember -- like associating places with certain landmarks. Keep objects you use regularly -- like your keys -- in the same place each

Health Tip: Bicycle Safety for Children

2007-07-24T17:47:00.003+02:00

Before your child uses that new bicycle, the most important things to equip him or her with is a properly-fitted helmet and a basic knowledge of bicycle safety.Here are suggestions, courtesy of the International Bicycle Fund:- Always wear a bicycle helmet. - Never bike in the road or on a busy street. Stay on the sidewalk. - Stop and look for cars at any intersection before crossing. - Although

Steps Prior to Pregnancy Can Protect Baby

2007-07-21T21:29:00.003+02:00

Planning ahead before pregnancy helps new moms give their babies the best possible start in life, experts say.And to help in that planning, here's an eight-step pre-pregnancy checklist from Barbara Coulter-Smith, a Texas obstetrician/gynecologist at Baylor Regional Medical Center at Grapevine:Take folic acid supplements. Folic acid is a B vitamin that reduces the risk of neural tube defects such

Health Tip: Risk Factors for Preeclampsia

2007-07-21T21:26:00.003+02:00

Preeclampsia is a condition in pregnancy, characterized by a sudden, significant rise in blood pressure and swelling of the hands and feet.It can be dangerous for both the fetus and the mother.Here is a list of common risk factors, courtesy of the Preeclampsia Foundation:- A first pregnancy. - Family or personal history of preeclampsia, chronic high blood pressure, diabetes or kidney disease. -

Health Tip: Are Joint Supplements For You?

2007-07-20T22:10:00.004+02:00

Glucosamine and chondroitin are substances that occur naturally in the body. Taken as supplements, they can help relieve arthritic joint pain.Glucosamine is an amino sugar that's believed to help cartilage formation and repair, the Arthritis Foundation says. And chondroitin sulfate can help give cartilage elasticity.But the supplements aren't recommended for everyone, the Arthritis Foundation

Vitamin A Compound Could Fight Rheumatoid Arthritis

2007-07-20T22:08:00.003+02:00

Research in mice suggests that a vitamin A derivative, retinoic acid, may fight autoimmune and inflammatory diseases such as colitis or rheumatoid arthritis, U.S. scientists say.A team at the La Jolla Institute for Allergy & Immunology in California found that manipulating the amount of retinoic acid (a substance derived when vitamin A is broken down in the body) in the mice affected levels of

Health Tip: Dealing With Loss

2007-07-19T21:18:00.003+02:00

Dealing with the death of a loved one, friend or family member can take a toll on your health -- both physically and emotionally.The American Academy of Family Physicians offers these suggestions to cope with a loss:- There is no right or wrong way to feel -- allow yourself to experience any emotions. - Ask for help when you need it, and talk to friends and family about what you're going through.

Simple Steps Improve Appearance After Thyroid Surgery

2007-07-19T21:16:00.003+02:00

Cosmetic surgery approaches can lead to better aesthetic outcomes for patients having thyroid surgery, researchers report.The thyroid is a small butterfly-shaped gland located in the neck.Dr. David Terris, chair of the department of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery at the Medical College of Georgia, in Augusta, studied 248 patients who underwent thyroid surgery. He noted that many patients

Tonsillectomy Shouldn't Dull Taste: Study

2007-07-19T21:14:00.003+02:00

Tonsil removal (tonsillectomy) does not cause permanent changes to a person's sense of taste or smell, concludes an Austrian study of 65 patients."A number of case reports and a few systematic investigations of patients experiencing taste disorders after tonsillectomy have been published. However, based on the present results, taste loss after tonsillectomy seems to be a rare complication," a

New Surgery Brings Back a Smile

2007-07-19T18:37:00.003+02:00

By detaching, rerouting and reattaching a muscle used for chewing, surgeons were able to restore the ability to smile to seven patients with facial paralysis.The procedure, called temporalis tendon transfer, is combined with intense physical therapy before and after surgery and could help similarly stricken patients right away. "It's really a very doable procedure, and we're realizing how it can

Prostate Cancer Treatment Can Speed Heart Attacks

2007-07-18T20:26:00.003+02:00

The male hormone-suppressing treatment used against aggressive prostate cancer may help bring on earlier heart attacks in older men, new research suggests."The new finding is that in men who have risk factors for heart attack, even six months of androgen-suppression therapy [and] maybe as little as three months, can cause a heart attack to occur sooner by about 2.5 years," said lead researcher Dr

Many Men Getting Unnecessary Prostate Cancer Blood Tests

2007-07-18T20:19:00.003+02:00

Too many American men are receiving inappropriate PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood tests for prostate cancer, researchers say.In many cases, these screenings are being done in populations of either young or elderly men where the test has not proven beneficial, the experts report in the July 9 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine."PSA screening is performed inappropriately in a great

Smokers Toxic to Bar, Restaurant Workers

2007-07-17T20:53:00.004+02:00

It's a tip waiters and bartenders could do without.A potent carcinogen rises quickly in restaurant and bar workers' urine after even brief exposures to secondhand smoke, a new U.S. study finds.Concentrations of the cancer-causing toxin, called NNK, appear to rise steadily as bar workers' exposure continues, the researchers add.NNK is "unsafe at any level," according to study lead author Michael

Fish Oil Might Slow Prostate Cancer

2007-07-17T20:52:00.003+02:00

A new study with mice suggests that diets high in omega-3 fatty acids from fish might help slow prostate cancer.The comparable levels of dietary omega-3s used in the study "are much higher than the average Western diet, but they are not unachievable," said senior researcher Yong Chen, a professor of cancer biology at Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, N.C.Omega-3 fatty

Cigarette Smoking May Lower Parkinson's Risk

2007-07-17T20:50:00.003+02:00

Long-term and current smokers have a lower risk of Parkinson's disease than the general population, researchers say in a report that confirms previous observations that people with Parkinson's disease were less likely to be smokers.Dr. Beate Ritz of the University of California, Los Angeles, School of Public Health and colleagues analyzed data from 11,809 people involved in 11 studies conducted

Get in Shape for Your Pregnancy

2007-07-16T20:57:00.003+02:00

Would-be moms often want to know how to trim their bellies after having children. But how actively do they seek tips for getting their bodies in great shape before getting pregnant? Until recently, that part of the baby-making equation had been largely absent from the discussion. Increasingly, though, maternal health and prenatal-care experts are urging women to improve their health before

Common Causes of Male Infertility

2007-07-16T17:18:00.004+02:00

Infertility -- defined by the American Academy of Family Physicians as the inability of a couple to become pregnant after one year of trying -- affects about 15 percent of the population.The academy offers this list of common causes of male infertility:-The most common cause is varicocele, when the veins in the scrotum become enlarged. This can affect sperm production by heating the inside of the

Health Tip: When Babies Spit Up

2007-07-16T17:15:00.003+02:00

Spitting up, medically called reflux, is common in babies after a feeding.It's not vomiting, and occurs when food or liquid from the baby's stomach comes back up through the esophagus. It tends to happens after they've eaten too much, or when being burped.Here are suggestions to help reduce spitting up, courtesy of the American Academy of Family Physicians:- Feed your baby in an upright position.

Pack Health Into Your Summer Holiday

2007-07-15T20:48:00.004+02:00

Planning for your summer vacation involves more than looking at brochures, packing, and traveling to your destination. You also need to protect your health, says Dr. Kathy Alvarez, a family medicine physician at Baylor All Saints Medical Center in Forth Worth, Texas.She offers the following advice for having a healthy vacation:- Talk to you doctor about where you're going and whether you need any

Mystery disease affects 100 at Bangladesh school

2007-07-15T20:47:00.004+02:00

More than 100 students and teachers from a school in Bangladesh have been admitted to hospital after suffering convulsions, police said on Saturday.The cause of their sudden illness was being investigated.The victims fell ill at Adiabad School and College near Narshingdi district town, 55 km (34 miles) northeast of the capital Dhaka, a police inspector said.Twenty-three people died in Bangladesh

Robot Visits Patients When Doctor Can't

2007-07-15T20:46:00.003+02:00

Not exactly, but some doctors have found a way to use a videoconferencing robot to check on patients while they're miles from the hospital.One is at Baltimore's Sinai Hospital. Outfitted with cameras, a screen and microphone, the joystick-controlled robot is guided into the rooms of Dr. Alex Gandsas' patients where he speaks to them as if he were right there."The system allows you to be anywhere

Heartburn Is More Than Just an Annoyance

2007-07-14T21:14:00.003+02:00

More than 60 million Americans experience heartburn once a month, and more than 15 million suffer heartburn every day, according to the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG), which hopes to better educate the public on this widespread ailment.Heartburn occurs when excessive amounts of stomach acid reflux into the esophagus, according to the ACG.The college offers the following information

Health Tip: Tame Symptoms of PMS

2007-07-13T21:19:00.004+02:00

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) affects many women just before their menstrual cycles. Common symptoms include cramps, bloating, fatigue and moodiness.Here are suggestions on how to help curb PMS, courtesy of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:- Get regular exercise. - Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and avoid foods high in salt, sugar, caffeine and alcohol. - Try to

Inflammatory Factor Could Spur Male Infertility

2007-07-13T21:17:00.003+02:00

A substance present in the body as a result of inflammation may also help cause male infertility, new research suggests.A team at The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research in Manhasset, N.Y., identified unusual levels of a substance called "macrophage migration inhibitory factor" (MIF) in semen samples obtained from infertile men.Reporting in the current issue of Molecular Medicine, the

Health Tip: Risk Factors for Placenta Previa

2007-07-12T22:19:00.004+02:00

Placenta previa occurs when, during pregnancy, the placenta drops lower in the uterus and covers the opening to the cervix. The placenta may also separate from the uterine wall as the cervix begins to dilate.Placenta previa affects about one in 200 pregnant women in the third trimester, the American Pregnancy Association says.The association lists these common risk factors for placenta previa:1-

Cancer risk higher with Western diet

2007-07-12T22:18:00.003+02:00

Older Chinese women who eat a Western-style diet loaded with meats and sweets appear to have a greater risk for breast cancer than women who eat mainly soy and vegetables, a new study has concluded.Previous research has found connections between a meat- and fat-heavy Western diet and several kinds of cancer, as well as heart disease and diabetes. And other research has identified links between

Learn about Signs of Depression

2007-07-11T21:46:00.004+02:00

Typical signs of depression actually show a change in the way a person has come to think about himself.“I just can’t get myself to do any work around the house. My marriage is falling apart.”“My hair is thinning. I’m losing my looks. No one will care about me anymore.”These are typical thoughts of people who are depressed and show a change in thinking, feeling and acting.Here are other signs of

Understanding Liver Spots

2007-07-11T21:45:00.003+02:00

Liver spots are light brown patches of skin that commonly appear in people aged 40 and older. But they have nothing to do with the liver or liver function, the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM) says.Instead, these areas of increased pigmentation may be a normal result of aging, or exposure to the sun or ultraviolet light.Liver spots are most often found on the backs of the hands, the

Newborns tested for genectic disorders

2007-07-11T21:43:00.003+02:00

Good news for the nation's babies: Nearly 90 percent of newborns are getting tested for a host of rare but devastating genetic disorders.Since 2004, specialists have urged that every U.S. newborn be checked for 29 conditions, to detect the few thousand who will need early treatment to avoid death, retardation or other serious problems.The federal government hasn't issued national screening

Antibiotics Won't Prevent Urinary Tract Infections in Kids: Study

2007-07-11T17:31:00.003+02:00

Giving children antibiotics to ward off repeat urinary tract infections does not prevent the problem from returning and leads to infections that are resistant to the drugs, researchers said on Tuesday.Preventive daily use of antimicrobials is often recommended in cases where children have already had a urinary tract infection and tests indicate they have a backflow of urine from the bladder into

Having a male twin can reduce woman’s fertility

2007-07-10T21:49:00.003+02:00

Women who have a male twin are less likely to marry and have children, perhaps because of being exposed to their brother’s testosterone for nine months in the womb, researchers reported on Monday.A study of Finnish twins showed that women were 25 percent less likely to have children if their twin was a male. Those who did have children gave birth to an average of two fewer babies than women who

Scientists shed new light on male infertility

2007-07-10T21:46:00.003+02:00

Scientists in Hong Kong and China have identified for the first time a protein in sperm from humans and from mice that could be responsible for many unexplained cases of male infertility.Defective versions of the protein, called epithelial ion channel, have previously been reported to be responsible for female infertility.Writing in the latest issue of the Proceedings of National Academy of

When Your Child Is Stressed

2007-07-10T21:05:00.003+02:00

Problems at school, home, or frustrations with friends can all lead to stress in children. Like adults, children need to learn healthy outlets for stress, and how to deal with their emotions.Here are suggestions to help your child when she's stressed, courtesy of the Nemours Foundation:Encourage her to talk to people she trusts -- if not you, then a teacher, counselor or relative. Help her work

First Alzheimer's patch gets approval

2007-07-10T17:05:00.003+02:00

The first skin patch to treat the dementia that can plague Alzheimer's patients gained federal approval, a drug company said Monday.The drug in the patch, called Exelon or rivastigmine, is the same as that now available in capsule form but provides a regular and continuous dose throughout the day, according to Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp. Since the drug enters the bloodstream directly, the

How to dispose of Rx drugs safely

2007-07-10T17:03:00.003+02:00

With the rise in prescription drug abuse, three federal agencies issued guidelines earlier this year for disposing of medications without harming the environment._Remove unused, unneeded or expired prescription drugs from their original containers._Mix prescription drugs with an undesirable substance, like used coffee grounds or cat litter, and put them in impermeable, nondescript containers,

Thin people can be fat on the inside

2007-07-09T21:47:00.005+02:00

Some doctors now think that the internal fat surrounding vital organs like the heart, liver or pancreas — invisible to the naked eye — could be as dangerous as the more obvious external fat that bulges underneath the skinAccording to the data, people who maintain their weight through diet rather than exercise are likely to have major deposits of internal fat, even if they are otherwise slim. “

Ulcer operation may be new way to treat obesity

2007-07-09T21:32:00.003+02:00

An old ulcer operation is getting new attention as a possible alternative obesity surgery: a quick snip of a nerve that helps control hunger.It’s far from clear if cutting the vagus nerve really helps — initial pilot studies in a few dozen patients have just begun. Skeptics abound, and even proponents say it wouldn’t lead to nearly as much weight loss as more traumatic operations that shrink the

Six-year-old boy dies of bird flu in Indonesia

2007-07-09T17:21:00.001+02:00

A 6-year-old boy died of bird flu at the weekend, bringing the country's death toll from the disease to 81, a health ministry official said on Monday.| Tags: Flu Health |

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in seniors years

2007-07-09T17:14:00.004+02:00

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) develops slowly over many years sometimes before you notice symptoms such as “feeling short of breath.” Cigarette smoking is the most common cause of COPD. It can also be caused by breathing in lung irritants like pollutions, dust, or chemicals over a long period of time.Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is usually diagnosed in people 40 years old

What is Acne?

2007-07-09T17:10:00.003+02:00

As we all know, acne is a skin infection producing blackheads, whiteheads, spots or cysts that normally appear on the face, neck, back, chest and upper arms. If the acne is severe it can leave permanent scarring.Acne hits at the worse time of a young person's life. Just when they are suddenly aware of the opposite sex and they are struggling to become independent individuals, their confidence is

Stress, depression may hike memory problems

2007-07-08T21:28:00.003+02:00

Resulting brain changes associated with Alzheimer’s disease.People who are often stressed out or depressed are far more likely to develop memory problems than those with sunnier dispositions, U.S. researchers said on Monday in a finding that sheds light on early predictors of Alzheimer’s disease.They said those who most often are anxious or depressed were 40 times more likely to develop mild

Merlot mouthwash? Wine can fight germs

2007-07-08T21:25:00.003+02:00

Drinking wine can maintain heart health, prevent cancer and even settle a mean case of diarrhea. Research now shows it’s also good for your teeth and throat. According to a new study, a cocktail of compounds found in both red and white wine fights germs that can cause dental plaque as well as sore throats. “Exposure to wine had a persistent antibacterial effect,” the authors wrote in their study

Symptoms of Scabies

2007-07-08T09:02:00.004+02:00

Scabies is a skin disease caused by a mite. It can be very contagious via skin-to-skin contact, or by sharing bedding or towels with an infected person.The itchy rash that characterizes scabies is an allergic reaction to the mite.Here are other common symptoms, courtesy of the U.S. National Library of Medicine:Itchiness, especially at night. Very thin, pencil-mark like lines. Abrasions, caused by

Baby dies of salmonella from pet turtle

2007-07-08T09:01:00.003+02:00

THREE-week-old girl died of salmonella transmitted by a pet turtle, while 22 other people have been infected by the reptiles across the United States since September, health authorities said.The infant girl was taken to a Florida hospital, where she was in febrile and in septic shock, on February 20. She was given antibiotics but died on March 1, the CDC said in its 'Morbidity and Mortality

Simple Blood ?

2007-07-08T09:00:00.003+02:00

O-no! The chance of receiving mismatched blood during a medical procedure is estimated to be 1 in 12,000, making it a more common problem than blood shortages. In 2003 Tawnya Brown was awaiting bowel surgery in a Northern Virginia hospital when she decided to switch beds to be closer to the window. The move ultimately killed her. During surgery, Brown mistakenly received two pints of A-negative

Clinical Trials Update: July 5, 2007

2007-07-06T22:33:00.002+02:00

1) Chronic Pain This study will evaluate the safety and effectiveness of an investigational medication to manage breakthrough pain. Volunteers 18-80 who have had chronic pain for at least three months may be eligible.The research site is in Phoenix, Ariz. More informationPlease see http://www.centerwatch.com/patient/studies/cat45.html. 2) Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) or Heartburn

Black vs. White Women on Dieting

2007-07-06T21:25:00.003+02:00

Overweight or obese white American women are more likely than their black peers to ask for dieting assistance, such as counseling from a medical professional, a doctor's prescription, membership in a weight-loss group, or advice from a trainer, a new study finds.The study authors, who surveyed 120 women in Philadelphia, also found that body image was an important motivator for white women in

Some therapies may hurt pregnancy chance

2007-07-05T21:54:00.005+02:00

LYON, France - Alternative therapies such as reflexology and herbal supplements may reduce a woman's chance of getting pregnant, experts said Wednesday.Research presented Wednesday at a Lyon meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology examined the impact of alternative therapies on women receiving in-vitro fertilization over a year.Of 800 Danish women followed for the

Healthy Eating for Life for Women (eBook)

2007-07-05T21:54:00.004+02:00

By Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, Publisher: Wiley Number Of Pages: 272 Publication Date: 2002-01-18 Book Description: Eat your way to better health and well-being.Making simple changes to your diet can significantly improve your health, from easing your menstrual and menopausal symptoms to strengthening your bones and protecting your

Health Tip: Endometriosis and Pregnancy

2007-07-05T21:06:00.002+02:00

Endometriosis occurs when the endometrium that lines the uterus attaches itself to organs outside the uterus. These implants continue to grow, causing abdominal pain and discomfort.Other symptoms may include: painful menstruation or sexual intercourse, infertility, painful bowel movements, fatigue, gastrointestinal problems, painful urination or lower back pain.Although endometriosis can cause

New "asthma gene" could lead to new therapies

2007-07-05T17:10:00.002+02:00

A gene that is strongly associated with a risk of developing childhood onset asthma was identified by an international team of scientists, whose findings are published Wednesday in the journal Nature. In a genetic study of more than 2,000 children, scientists from the University of Michigan and colleagues from London, France and Germany found genetic markers that dramatically increase a child's

French swans test positive for bird flu

2007-07-05T17:07:00.002+02:00

Three swans found dead in a pond in eastern France have tested positive for the H5N1 strain of bird flu, the Agriculture Ministry said Thursday.Officials have set up a control zone of about half a mile around the pond in Assenoncourt in the Moselle region to watch for more possible deaths of wild birds, the ministry said.The ministry ordered domestic fowl protected from wild birds and banned

Hunger protein links stress, obesity

2007-07-05T16:23:00.001+02:00

A neurotransmitter that acts as a central controller for appetite also regulates stress-induced obesity in the body's periphery, according to a paper in this month's Nature Medicine. The authors found that abdominal fat increased in stressed mice through the actions of neuropeptide Y (NPY) and one of its receptors. Blocking this receptor's signaling prevented stress-induced obesity. "It's really

Students With Symptoms Of Mental Illness Often Don't Seek Help

2007-07-05T16:22:00.003+02:00

Studies show that the incidence of mental illness on college campuses is rising, and a new survey of 2,785 college students indicates that more than half of students with significant symptoms of anxiety or depression do not seek help. This is despite the fact that resources are available at no cost on campus, said Daniel Eisenberg, assistant professor at the University of Michigan School of

Osteoarthritis - Are You Preventing It?

2007-07-04T21:36:00.003+02:00

Prevention is extremely important with osteoarthritis.It's much easier to prevent osteoarthritis than it is to treat it.In my opinion, here is the biggest problem. As long as people are pain free they will see no reason to take preventive measures against it.For example, how many times have you had back pain, and only once you get the back pain do you start to take notice of your posture.It's the

A Little Daily Dark Chocolate Reduces Blood Pressure, New Study

2007-07-04T17:21:00.002+02:00

A new German study suggests that eating a small amount of dark chocolate every day could lower blood pressure without increasing weight or other health risks.The study is published in today's issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).Eating large amounts of cocoa often increases other risk factors because of the higher intake of sugar, fat and calories. So the researchers,

Poorer Kids at Higher Migraine Risk

2007-07-04T17:15:00.002+02:00

Adolescents from poorer families are more likely to suffer from migraines than their better-off peers, a new study finds.This relationship even applied to teens whose parents had no history of migraine, the researchers add. The findings suggest that factors tied to low income -- such as stress, poor diet and limited access to medical care -- may contribute to migraines. "Certainly if you look at

What is Chest Pain?

2007-07-04T17:12:00.002+02:00

Chest Pain CauseMusculoskeletal conditions (36%)GI conditions (19%)Cardiac conditions (16%)Psychosocial conditions (9%)Pulmonary conditions (5%)Other conditions (13%)Chest pain is a clinical syndrome that may be caused by almost any condition affecting the thorax, abdomen, or internal organs. It is critically important to distinguish the two major presentations of chest pain: emergent and

Super Foods for Better Health

2007-07-04T13:59:00.002+02:00

1. Sweet Potatoes A nutritional All-Star — one of the best vegetables you can eat. They're loaded with carotenoids, vitamin C, potassium, and fiber. Bake and then mix in some unsweetened applesauce or crushed pineapple for extra moisture and sweetness.2. Grape Tomatoes They’re sweeter and firmer than other tomatoes, and their bite-size shape makes them perfect for snacking, dipping, or

When medicines fail

2007-07-04T13:57:00.001+02:00

What is sickness?Sickness (any sickness) is just a lie. An sickness doesn’t have life in itself, it’s just the absence of health.To better understand this concept, imagine that health is a complex ecuation written on a blackboard, and ilness is this ecuation with a few erased factors, and it can’t be understood (and the result, which is health, can’t be reached).To restore the health state, the

Suicide Attempts Fall After Depression Treatment Begins

2007-07-03T23:02:00.003+02:00

Suicide attempts dropped among people with depression soon after they started treatment, either with antidepressant drugs or psychotherapy, a study of more than 109,000 patients shows.The study results come after a controversial 2004 recommendation on antidepressant labeling from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). That move slapped a strong "black box" warning on the labeling of drugs

Eye checks: Signs of later heart disease

2007-07-03T21:33:00.002+02:00

A study in Australia has shown that changes occur in blood vessels in the eyes of heavier and obese children from as young as six, warning signs that might be linked to cardiovascular disease in later life.Previously, these changes -- widening of veins and narrowing of arteries -- were only observed in the retinas of heavy teenagers and adults, and this is the first time that such troubling signs

Fast Food: Advertise vs. Reality

2007-07-03T21:30:00.002+02:00

Have you ever received a "less than perfect" looking meal from your favorite fast food restaurant? For example, have you ever received this? When based on the Arby's magazine ad you were expecting your roast beef and cheddar to look like this?You will often see your favorite fast food restaurant running television commercials, newspaper inserts and magazine advertisements displaying appetizing

10 Foods You Should Never Eat

2007-07-03T13:23:00.002+02:00

1. Artery CrustJudging by the label, Pepperidge Farm Roasted White Meat Chicken Premium Pot Pie has 510 calories and 9 grams of saturated fat. But look again. Those numbers are for half a pie. Eat the entire pie, as most people probably do, and you’re talking more than 1,000 calories and 18 grams of sat fat. Then add the 13 grams of hidden trans fat (from the partially hydrogenated vegetable

Practical Tips For Healthy Weight Loss

2007-07-01T22:39:00.002+02:00

Ever wish there was an easy-to-follow practical primer to tell you all the things you should and shouldn't do to help you lose weight? I'm not talking about food choices here - there are 'tons' of eating plans available. I'm referring to a simple list that you can follow in your everyday life to make it easier to stick to your diet. Here are a few tips that I've found works wonders to help avoid

How often should you have sex

2007-07-01T20:56:00.002+02:00

Question 10: According to Dr. Oz, how often should you have sex?A) Once a weekB) Twice a weekC) 10 times a monthD) 200 times a year or moreThe correct answer is D."If you have more than 200 orgasms a year, you can reduce your physiologic age by six years," Dr. Oz says. He bases the number on a study done at Duke University that surveyed people on the amount and quality of sex they had. "They

Medical marijuana will be legal in New Mexico

2007-07-01T17:31:00.003+02:00

Starting Sunday medical marijuana will be legal in New Mexico. But now the Department of Health has dropped a bombshell: It will allow people who qualify for medicinal pot to grow it in their own homes. It’s a decision that has made a lot of state law enforcement officials upset. The legislature passed the medical marijuana bill into law earlier this year after a decade of lawmakers rejecting the

New sex-related infection passes gonorrhea

2007-07-01T16:17:00.002+02:00

A relatively new sexually transmitted infection has surpassed Neisseria gonorrhea in prevalence among young adults in the US, according to a new study. Mycoplasma genitalium was first identified in the 1980s. It can cause inflammation of the urethra (the urinary passage from the bladder), in men, and inflammation of the cervix and the lining of the uterus in women, possibly leading to

Potential cure for HIV discovered

2007-07-01T16:10:00.002+02:00

CHICAGO (AFP) - In a breakthrough that could potentially lead to a cure for HIV infection, scientists have discovered a way to remove the virus from infected cells, a study released Thursday saidThe scientists engineered an enzyme which attacks the DNA of the HIV virus and cuts it out of the infected cell, according to the study published in Science magazine.The enzyme is still far from being

Tequila’s Medical Properties

2007-06-30T23:10:00.002+02:00

Its benefits include treatment of ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, colon cancer and Crohn disease.The compounds of blue agave (the cactus used for making tequila) showed nice results in studies performed at the University of Guadalajara in Mexico.This development could be the first step in better treatments for ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome and other conditions

Fear. That’s my anti-drug

2007-06-30T21:40:00.003+02:00

Growing up, my dad always smoked cigarettes. At least 2 daily packs of either Camel Lights or Ultra Lights, depending, I suppose, on what level of tar he was feelin’ that day. I went to school every day wearing clothes completely reaking of smoke, and, suffice it to say, the other kids noticed. I was so embarassed by it that I swore that I would NEVER touch a cigarette as long as I lived.Well,