Monthly News Archives



		The Problem With Losing Weight When we discover that we are heavier than we want to be, or have excess fat where it shouldn't be, we have a natural inclination to eat less food or try one of the plethora of diets available. However, eating less can actually make it more difficult to lose weight, especially if you are not physically active. WHO Report Favors Cutting Salt from Food Supply Government actions to cut salt in processed foods, as well as other measures to lower blood pressure and cholesterol, could cut the global rate of cardiovascular disease by up to 50%, UN health officials said Thursday. Dad's Genes May Affect Length of Pregnancy Women whose pregnancies last longer than usual may be able to place some of the blame on the dad, a study released Thursday suggests. High-Dose Vitamin D Prevents Bone Breaks in Elderly High-dose vitamin D supplements costing less than one pound ($1.58) a year could reduce fractures in the elderly by more than 20%, UK researchers said on Thursday. Tough Subjects, Noise Trigger Schoolkids' Headaches Noisy classrooms and tough academic subjects can literally be a real headache for kids, Swedish researchers have found. Seniors Turning to Internet for Health Help A growing number of older adults are going online to find medical information, says a study in the February issue of Chest. Diabetes Costs Spike in United States, Study Shows The costs of diabetes have spiked sharply in the United States over the past five years, with the country spending $13,243 on each diabetic, according to a study published Thursday. TV Shows Aimed at Blacks Carry More Junk-Food Ads Prime-time television shows with predominantly black characters include more junk-food advertising and overweight actors than the rest of prime-time TV, according to new study findings. Preventable Clots Killing Thousands Physicians are failing to prevent blood clot formation in nursing home and hospital patients, leading to 60,000 to 100,000 preventable deaths each year, public health officials said Wednesday. Teachers Untrained for Birds-And-Bees Questions Only a minority of elementary school teachers are trained in how to best answer students' questions about sexuality, new research suggests. Rethinking the Treadmill Test One of the most commonly used tests to determine heart risk--the treadmill exercise test--may yield just as much information after exercise as it does during the workout, a new study suggests. People with Arthritis Can Exercise More: Study While people with arthritis may know that joint-friendly activities such as walking and gardening can help reduce their pain and disability, study findings show that many of them still remain completely inactive. Hot--Or Not? Study Says Most Agree on Beauty Men and women generally agree about how attractive another person is, and are often quite accurate in predicting how others will rate their own appearance, new study findings show. Extra Help for Kids With ADHD Group classes that teach behavioral and social skills may benefit children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and their parents, says an American study. Good Dental Habits Start Earlier Than You Think Pediatric dentists urge parents to follow simple guidelines early in their babies' lives to create proper hygiene habits and reduce the risk of tooth decay later on. Hormone Troubles in Teens Can Lead to Infertility Fears Teenage girls with menstrual problems and other hormone-related symptoms are much more concerned about their future fertility than are their healthy peers. Bad Breath and the Battle of Bacteria Do you have bad breath, really bad breath? It might not be the garlic or onions, coffee or alcohol. Rather, a new study links it to the types of bacteria that dominate the back portion of the top of your tongue. UN: World Popping More Pills, Growing More Heroin The use of synthetic drugs like ecstasy is booming among the party-goers of the rich world, the United Nations said on Wednesday. Common and Costly, Colds Account for Billions Forty billion US dollars are spent each year due to missed days from school and work, visits to the doctor and over-the-counter medications, according to a team of Michigan and Florida researchers. British Women Not Getting Enough Exercise--Poll Most women in Britain take less than 30 minutes of exercise three times a week and one in four do no exercise at all, according to a poll by Cancer Research UK. Calls for Doctors to Improve Communications Skills Doctors need to improve their communication skills because patients say the information they are given when diagnosed with cancer is incomplete or incomprehensible, according to a poll released on Wednesday. Tobacco, Alcohol, Drugs Kill 7 Million a Year--Study Tobacco, alcohol and illicit drugs prematurely kill about seven million people worldwide each year and the number is rising, according to a study released in Australia on Tuesday. Back Care for Travelers Long hours of travel, whether by car or plane, can be brutal on your back. The Canadian Chiropractic Association suggests some ways to prevent and relieve the physical stress of traveling. Nagging Coughs? Your cold seemed to clear up a week ago, but you've still got a nagging cough. How do you know whether you should visit the doctor? Pressure Can Push Female Collegians Over the Edge Parental pressure to excel in school can push female college students to consider suicide, says a Penn State study. Song Stuck in Your Head? You're Not Alone The vast majority of people say they have been mentally tortured at one point in their lives by a song that keeps repeating itself over and over in their heads. Can Rain Bring Pain? Many people claim they can predict the weather by how much pain they feel. However, scientists are at a loss to explain exactly how, or even if, changing weather patterns can really affect human health, or if the damp, dreary weather is simply affecting people's spirits and just making them feel their pain more acutely. Perfectionists May Have Less-Than-Perfect Marriages People who describe themselves as perfectionists may do well on job interviews, but new study findings suggest that they may struggle in marriage and other intimate relationships. Vitamins: You Can Get Too Much of a Good Thing From helping your heart to protecting you from cancer to lengthening your life, there's no question that nutrition plays a vital role in keeping you healthy. Winter Sun's Rays Can Still Be Damaging Winter can be hard on the eyes, especially for people who spend any amount of time outdoors. Eating Disorders Not Always Obvious The number of cases of eating disorders has doubled since the 1960s, according to the Eating Disorders Coalition, a cooperative of organizations committed to advocacy on a federal level. Many Older Diabetics Undiagnosed About half of people aged 55 to 74 with diabetes were not aware they had the disease, according to a survey conducted in a region of southern Germany. Mom-To-Be's High Coffee Intake Linked to Stillbirth Pregnant women who drink eight or more cups of coffee a day may triple their risk for having a stillborn child, scientists in Denmark announced Friday. Researchers Link Miscarriages, Heart Disease Women who experience multiple miscarriages may have an elevated risk of heart disease, a new study shows. All the Elderly at Risk for Diabetes Large amounts of muscle fat or visceral abdominal fat may put elderly men and women with normal body weight at risk for developing Type 2 diabetes. Avoid Pigging Out on Campus Temptations are everywhere for people who are living away from home for the first time, and food is bound to be one of them. Harvard Medical School suggests how students can deal with the desire to pig out on campus. Scientists Find 'Ouch' Gene If you find yourself whining over a paper cut or moaning over a stubbed toe, blame your genes. Fruits in Childhood Bear Health Fruits Later Feed your children well -- lots of healthy fruits -- and you may reduce their risk of cancer when they are old and gray. Most Depressed Teens Never Get Diagnosis, Care Nearly all US parents believe they can spot depression in their teenagers, but in fact two-thirds of adolescents are never diagnosed and left at risk of suicide, a survey published on Thursday says. On-The-Job Back Pain Influenced by Social Climate While repeated heavy lifting and straining can indeed increase the risk of job-related back pain, new research suggests that an unpleasant workplace environment can also damage workers' backs. New Center Promises to Tell All About Sex A typical 17-year-old American probably has a lot of ideas on how to gather information about sex. But where does an older person turn? European Diet Industry, Dieters Grow Fat Europe's $100 billion market for slimming products just keeps on swelling--and it's not just the food manufacturers who are getting fatter. Research from analysts Datamonitor showed that fewer than one dieter in 50 achieves permanent weight loss, even though each year dieters in the European Union spend the equivalent of the economic output of Morocco in the effort. More Evidence Estrogen Doesn't Boost Memory Despite previous evidence to the contrary, new research suggests that the female sex hormone estrogen does not protect people from memory loss that comes with old age or the memory-robbing effects of Alzheimer's disease. Researcher Links Food, Car Ads to Obesity Epidemic Food and automobile companies are spending billions of dollars in advertising to promote conveniences that, over time, may be key factors in Americans' rising rates of obesity, according to one Massachusetts researcher. Air Pollution Poses Greatest Risk to Youngest Kids Air pollution has a greater impact on infants than on adults, and pollution regulations should be developed with young children's health in mind, say researchers in South Korea. Estrogen, Testosterone Crucial in Men's Bone Health It's well-known that declining estrogen levels put postmenopausal women at increased risk for osteoporosis, an often-disabling disease marked by the loss of bone density. Mental Function in Middle Age Linked to Death Risk Declining mental ability in middle age may predict a person's risk of death, a preliminary study suggests. A Little Exercise Can Go a Long Way A little bit of pain may be all you need to feel when it comes to exercising your heart. New Studies a Mixed Bag for Diet and Alzheimer's Two new studies offer mixed news when it comes to staving off Alzheimer's disease through your diet. Prevent Golf-Related Back Pain If golf's your game, your score may not be your only handicap. Every time you take a swing or haul your golf bag across the fairway, you're putting strain on your back. More Kids Mean More Weight Gain for Mom, Dad The more children you have, the more likely you are to be obese, whether you are a mother or a father, researchers said. Cancer Charities Declare Global War on Tobacco Two of the world's biggest cancer charities launched a transatlantic alliance against the global threat of tobacco on Monday as WHO member states began final negotiations for an international pact against smoking. Posttraumatic Stress More Common in Women Than Men Women are more likely than men to suffer long-term posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after a traumatic injury, according to researchers from the University of California at San Diego. But the reasons for the difference remain unclear. Winter Sports Call for Water Bottles When it comes to staying healthy this winter, keep two things in mind: hydration and hand washing. Winter Nosebleeds a Warning of Dryness Of the many harbingers of winter, few are more annoying than nosebleeds. Although these occur as temperatures begin to plummet, it's not really the low temperature but the absence of moisture in the air that's responsible. Finding a Senior-Friendly Fitness Club If you're an older adult who's considering joining a fitness club, you should choose one that is prepared and equipped to serve you. ADHD: It's a Girl Thing, Too ADHD is a condition marked by distractibility, difficulty setting priorities and following through, impulsivity, difficulty with social relationships and, in some people, hyperactivity. For years, it was believed that only boys suffered from ADHD. Not so. Being in Love May Help Suppress Random Lust If your partner says he or she only has eyes for you this Valentine's Day, it may be a sign of lasting love. New research suggests that being in love helps prevent us from lusting after others. Headaches a Lover's Bane on Valentine's Day This Valentine's Day, think twice about the chocolate, the wine, the flowers, the romantic bubble bath -- and maybe even the sex, should you get so lucky. Children Need More Than Chocolate on Valentine's Day Valentine's Day isn't just an opportunity to express your love for your significant other. It's also a good day to let your children know how much you love them. Secret to Romantic Intimacy: Skip the Nagging Avoiding nagging and yelling in a romantic relationship may be more important for building intimacy than all those thoughtful things you do for your sweetie, new research suggests. Signs of Eating Disorder in Teeth The mouth is one of the first places to show evidence of eating disorders, and consequently, dentists are in a perfect position to spot them. Managing Chronic Disease Online Stanford University Medical Center is looking for people who have been diagnosed with heart disease, lung disease or Type 2 diabetes to take part in a study of a workshop that teaches disease self-management skills. Physically Active Lifestyle May Prevent Cancer Deaths Among Men Staying fit and trim may do more than keep your heart healthy, researchers report. It could also reduce your risk of dying from cancer. Chocolate May Boost Heart Health If that special person in your life loves chocolate, here's a good excuse to give him a box of his heart's desire this Valentine's Day. Is Fast Food Addictive? People may become addicted to the sugar and fat in fast food, much like a person can become addicted to a drug, which may help explain the rising rates of obesity. Want to Lose Weight? Beef Up If you're trying to slim down, are you better off eating a big bowl of pasta or a grilled steak with a couple of veggies on the side? Even a Little Sun May Boost Kids' Skin Cancer Risk German researchers report that even moderate sun exposure is tied to the appearance of moles that may one day develop into melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer. Location of Body Fat Key in Elderly's Diabetes Risk Although obesity is closely tied to type 2 diabetes, normal-weight older adults may face an increased risk when they have excess fat in all the wrong places, new research shows. Don't Stress Your Unborn Child The heart rate of a developing fetus can be affected when a pregnant woman suffers chronic anxiety and experiences stress-induced changes in her heart rate and blood pressure. Record Number of U.S. Cancer Cases Predicted The number of new U.S. cancer cases is expected to increase 3.8 percent, to a record 1.33 million this year, but the death rates for the top four killer cancers will decline, the American Cancer Society predicts. Early Pregnancy Bleeding Less Risky Than Thought As many as 30 percent of women experience bleeding during the first three months of pregnancy, yet until recently little was known about how the symptom affects pregnancy outcome. Guys Are Gossips Too, Study Finds Long considered the domain of women, gossip may be just as likely to be spread by the mouths of men, new study findings suggest. Red Meat and Fatty Foods Spell Trouble for Your Colon Women who eat a lot of red meat, fats and refined grains could be increasing their risk of colon cancer. Office Ergonomics Office workers' most common aches and pains involve their hands, wrists, necks, shoulders, backs, arms and legs. Here's some tips from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Keeping Cavities Out of Your Child's Mouth Parents can play a key role in ensuring their children's smiles stay healthy and cavity-free. That's the good news in a report in the January/February issue of General Dentistry. Boys Lean at Birth May Have Hypertension Risk How well a woman eats during her pregnancy might affect her son's risk of cardiovascular disease later in life, researchers say. Poor Sleep Can Be Deadly for Elderly Elderly people who don't sleep well may have more than mental alertness to worry about: They are also more likely to die sooner than their sound-slumbering counterparts, a new study suggests. More Art, Entertainment Linked to Healthier Kids Communities where residents spend more money on the arts, entertainment, and other forms of recreation also tend to be home to healthier kids, new research findings show. Nurse Your Nose in the Cold "Wintertime causes us to spend more time indoors and therefore individuals have additional exposure to indoor allergens, including pet dander, dust mites, mold spores, feathers and cockroach allergen," says Dr. Clifford Bassett, an allergist at Long Island College Hospital. Winter Temperatures Dangerous for Heart Disease Sufferers If you have heart disease, be careful that the cold weather doesn't put a chill in your heart. Winter temperatures and conditions can be dangerous for people with cardiovascular disease, says the American Heart Association (AHA). Warning to Skin-Care Cosmetic Users If you're one of millions of women who use skin-care treatments and cosmetics containing the popular anti-aging ingredients known as alpha hydroxy acids, you may soon find a warning on the product labels. Many Have Subconscious Bias Against Obese New study findings show that even when people don't believe they are biased against the overweight, those biases often exist at subconscious levels, and may creep out in subtle ways. More Research Needed on Melatonin Melatonin is widely used to relieve the effects of jet lag but better safety standards and more research on it is needed, scientists said on Thursday. Depression Can Dampen Sense of Smell People with serious depression seem to have an impaired ability to smell, German researchers report. Their discovery suggests there is an interaction between olfactory function and state of mind. Study Shows His 'Biological Clock' Is Ticking Too While much has been made of women's "biological clocks," new research confirms that men have them too--although the male clock is slower to wind down. More Steps, Less Bites Stop Weight Gain Our current environment makes it easy to overeat and forgo exercise, but a few small changes in diet and lifestyle could go a long way, experts said Thursday. How Space Exploration Contributes to Health Advances on Earth The tragic loss of the space shuttle Columbia and its seven crew members also meant the loss of something much less in the public eye � a large amount of medical research data, the product of years of hard work from hundreds of scientists in the United States and abroad. Soy-Tea Combo May Thwart Prostate Cancer The same two foods that many scientists believe reduce the risk of breast cancer in women may also protect men from prostate cancer. A Health Odyssey to the Bottom of the World Will Cross broached the idea a few years back of becoming the first diabetic to trek 700 miles through icy terrain to the South Pole. He still recalls the response from doctors and would-be corporate sponsors: "They said it couldn't be done by someone with diabetes, that it's a 'suicide mission.'" They were wrong. Anger Expression Can Be Healthy, for Some Men Outward expressions of anger may help protect some men from heart disease and stroke, a new study shows. Canada Haggles Over Money Deal to Fix Health Care Canada's top politicians engaged in 11th-hour haggling on Wednesday as they tried to forge a funding deal that would prevent further erosion of the country's ailing universal healthcare system. Mothers Better at Baby Talk Than Men Although infants don't really understand when their parents speak to them, women seem to be better at baby talk than men. Study Finds a Drink or Two a Day Cuts Stroke Risk Moderate drinkers who consume one to two alcoholic drinks a day reduce their risk of having a stroke, but downing more than five drinks daily has the opposite effect, doubling a person's risk of one type of stroke, according to a new study. Television Shows Depict More Sex Sex on television is heating up, but more TV programs are including the risks and responsibilities of sexual behavior. The percentage of shows depicting or implying sexual intercourse rose from 10 percent two years ago to 14 percent in the 2001-02 season, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation study. NIH, Black Women's Groups Partner to Prevent SIDS The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) and three African-American women's organizations are working together to cut the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) among black infants. Scuba Diving Knows No Age Don't let age sink your love for diving. Undersea diving is safe for older divers, says a Duke University Medical Center study in the February issue of the Journal of Applied Physiology. Scoliosis Prognosis Not Always Grim Other than back pain and cosmetic concerns, people with the most common form of scoliosis, or curving of the spine, can lead normal, productive and long lives. High Blood Sugar Linked to Lost Memory Scientists have found yet another reason to slim down: The high blood sugar so common among the overweight may contribute to the fogged memory of old age. Exercises in Pregnancy Avert Incontinence Later On Women who perform strengthening exercises for their pelvic floor muscles during pregnancy appear to reduce their risk of developing urinary incontinence during pregnancy and after childbirth, new research shows. Easy Sleepers May Have Leg Up on Longevity Older adults who have no problems sleeping, such as waking up during the night or taking a long time to fall asleep, may have a survival advantage over their peers who find sleep more of a struggle, new research suggests. Companies Encouraging Employees to Exercise The fatter people get, the more their health insurance costs go up, a study finds. Moderate Exercise OK for Breast-Feeding Moms A study published in the February issue of Pediatrics concludes that moderate exercise doesn't affect levels of three key immunity-building components in breast milk. Romanow Says Public Accountibility is Key Saying accountability is key, Roy Romanow said Monday he has never advocated a new health-care bureaucracy, nor does be believe the provinces should have to answer to Ottawa for how they spend health dollars. White Tea Cream Counters Sun Damage Saying accountability is key, Roy Romanow said Monday he has never advocated a new health-care bureaucracy, nor does be believe the provinces should have to answer to Ottawa for how they spend health dollars. Parents' False Beliefs Bring Kids to ER for Colds Mistaken beliefs about the causes and cures of simple colds cause parents to schedule millions of unnecessary doctor visits each year, costing untold amounts to the healthcare system, according to new research released Monday. Ephedra Has More Side Effects Than Other Herbs Ephedra is linked to more than 100 times as many reports to US poison control centers as other herbs, and the substance should be banned or restricted out of safety concerns, US researchers said Monday. Pre-Diabetic Condition Linked to Memory Loss Middle-aged and older adults with a condition that often precedes diabetes appear to show signs of memory loss not visible in their peers without the condition, researchers announced Monday. Stay Warm During Winter Workouts Exercising in the cold can be a brisk, invigorating experience. However, it also demands special attention to preserving your body heat so you can make it through the workout. Exercising at the Dorm When you're a college student living in a dorm, staying faithful to a workout routine can be a challenge. So many other temptations beckon -- food, music, gossip -- that working out may land in last place on your to-do list. Beware Carbon Monoxide Are you letting a silent killer into your home? High levels of carbon monoxide (CO) can kill people within minutes, but you can't see or smell the danger, says the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Winter Weather Calls for Joints Care When participating in winter activities, think water, water, water. Not to swim in, of course, but to drink. Dehydration on top of cold winter temperatures can worsen blood circulation, which can cause your joints to ache when the snow falls.