Monthly News Archives



		Exercising More After Cancer Boosts Quality of Life Study after study has shown that exercise improves quality of life in people who have survived cancer. Now, a new study suggests that improvements in quality of life are related more closely to whether cancer survivors maintain or increase their physical activity after treatment rather than on a particular amount of exercise. Don't Shop Till You Drop Experts caution this holiday season that the demands of carrying burdens of packages and bags for long periods of time in crowded malls and downtowns that are too hot or too cold can give you back pain and sore feet. World Not Ready for a Flu Pandemic It's only a matter of time before another influenza pandemic tears through the world, and the world is just not prepared. Not only do researchers lack adequate methods for producing effective vaccines quickly, no country on earth is stockpiling drugs for this eventuality, say researchers reporting in the Nov. 28 issue of Science. Vision Problems May Cause Elderly to Restrict Driving A range of vision problems, from trouble with depth perception to difficulty seeing through glare, may prompt older adults to limit their own driving, according to a new study. Diet May Improve Cognition, Slow Aging Eating certain foods can help protect you from heart disease, some types of cancers and other illnesses. But can your diet also help protect your brain if you should suffer a stroke or accidental head injury? Or keep your thinking and memory skills strong as you age? Hot Cocoa Tops Red Wine And Tea In Antioxidants There's sweet news about hot cocoa: Researchers at Cornell University have shown that the popular winter beverage contains more antioxidants per cup than a similar serving of red wine or tea and may be a healthier choice. Internet Help for Incontinence An online forum for people affected by incontinence has been launched by the National Association for Continence. The Bladder Control Forum aims to educate people with bladder problems, their caregivers and the general public about the issue to improve the quality of life for people with incontinence. Cholesterol Risk Singles Out Older Men A specific kind of low-density cholesterol is an accurate indicator of increased risk of heart attack and stroke in older men, but not women, says a new study that has researchers scratching their heads in puzzlement. Ecstasy Can Stop Your Heart The popular illegal drug MDMA, or Ecstasy, can trigger heart attacks, according to a report from Taiwan in the December issue of the Annals of Emergency Medicine. Morning Exercise May Make Sleep Easier Morning exercisers had fewer complaints about a bad night's sleep and those who stretched in the morning had somewhat better sleep, a new study found. Women who exercise in the evening, on the other hand, were more likely to be up at night. Cooking Ensures Safe Vegetables Contaminated scallions linked to a deadly outbreak of hepatitis A shouldn't scare most people away from eating more fresh fruits and vegetables, experts say. Epsom Salts May Protect Premature Babies Preliminary data suggests that Epsom salts given intravenously to women about to deliver extremely premature babies help reduce brain damage and death among the infants, Australian researchers reported. Value of Cancer Screening in Older Women Doubted Women over 70 are having an increasing number of mammograms and Pap smears despite a lack of scientific evidence to support widespread testing of older women, a new study contends. Active Women Live Independently Longer Older women who take regular walks and remain active have a much better chance of living independent lives as they age, according to a new study published. Pool Therapy May Ease Arthritis Splashing in warm waters may have a curative effect for people with osteoarthritis. Hydrotherapy, or water exercise in a heated pool, was found to improve strength and mobility in elderly patients with arthritis of the hip and knee, according to a study in the December issue of the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. Root from Peru Holds Hope for Dieters, Diabetics Imagine a sweet treat that doesn't make you fat -- indeed is positively good for you -- and that you can indulge in even if you're diabetic. There may be hope from Peru. British Doctors Urge Public Smoking Ban Britain's most senior doctors urged the government to follow the example of Ireland and many other cities and impose a ban on smoking in public. Biological Cause Behind Speech Delays Researchers have found that there may, in fact, be a biological cause behind speech delays in children. The issue can be very troubling for parents, especially because doctors often can't find a cause that explains the delay. Nickel Causing Workplace Skin Disease Nickel exposure may be a factor in as many as 1 in 20 cases of contact dermatitis that employees acquire in the workplace, says a new British study. Weight Loss Key for Treating High Blood Pressure Reducing body weight should be a "major component" in the treatment of high blood pressure, new research suggests. For every kilogram lost, blood pressure falls about one point, the authors found. Brazil Seeks to Show Coffee's Health Benefits Brazil, the world's No. 1 coffee producer, hopes to convince people to drink up -- and ease a global crisis caused by oversupply -- by proving that coffee is good for you. Right Cooking Oil Key to Avoiding Trans Fats Some research for low-fat cooking ingredients reflects that of many have turned attention to an overlooked but widespread source of dietary fat: vegetable oils. Diabetics: Dodge Trouble During Holidays Holidays are a stressful time, especially for millions living with diabetes. However, the truth is that millions are now overweight or obese, so a few healthy eating strategies helps all of us. Cigar, Pipe Smoking Boost Cancer, Heart Risks The health risks of cigar or pipe smoking, from cancer to heart disease, are as great as those of relatively light cigarette smoking, according to a UK study. Stressful and Insecure Jobs Take a Toll on Health The fear of losing your job can do a number on your nerves, and new research shows it can have negative effects on your overall physical and mental health, as well. The Use-It-Or-Lose-It Defense With all the talk of drugs and inhibitors, some Alzheimer's researchers have bucked the trend by setting their sights on something far simpler: The daily crossword puzzle. Buckwheat Good for Diabetics Buckwheat may help people with diabetes better manage their condition. That's the conclusion of a Canadian study in the Dec. 3 issue of the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. Group Says Atkins Diet May Be Dangerous A nutrition advocacy group warned that the popular Atkins diet may cause heart disease and could have killed a teen-age dieter. Staying in Shape Staves Off Diabetes in Women Being physically fit may help prevent the development of diabetes in healthy women, according to findings presented at the American Public Health Association's 131st Annual Meeting in San Francisco. What We Drink Makes Us Gain Weight It may not be what we eat that's making us obese as much as what we drink. Excess Weight in Middle Age Tied to Poor Health Later People who are overweight in middle age are more likely than their normal-weight peers to have a poor quality of life as they grow old, new study findings suggest. Most Parents Bully Their Kids Psychological aggression toward children was noted in parents who took part in a study published in the November issue of the Journal of Marriage and Family. Coors to Introduce Low-Carbohydrate Beer Adolph Coors Co., said it was introducing a low carbohydrate beer to gain market share with health-conscious drinkers. The new beer, called Aspen Edge, is designed to compete with products such as rival Anheuser-Busch Cos. Inc.'s Michelob Ultra. Shock Wave Therapy Helps with Bad Shoulder Powerful, focused shock waves have been used for years to break up kidney stones, but now new research suggests that it may also help people with a certain shoulder problem. Doctors Can Predict Heart Failure Death A quick analysis of patients hospitalized for heart failure can pick out those at highest risk of dying, Canadian physicians report. Intellectual Pursuits Keep Middle-Aged Mind Sharp Participating in intellectually challenging leisure-time activities such as reading or taking evening courses appears to improve the middle-aged mind, new research suggests. High Fat, No-Starch Diet Doesn't Raise Cholesterol Patients with atherosclerosis lose weight on a high fat, no-starch Atkins-style followed for 6 weeks, without increasing their blood fat (lipid) levels. Study Links Psoriasis to Lymphoma Cancers Psoriasis sufferers may later develop lymphoma cancers at nearly three times the rate of people who do not have the red and scaly skin condition, a study said. Large Breast Cancer Tumors Rise in 1990s A new analysis shows a small but surprising upswing during the 1990s in the proportion of women with newly diagnosed breast cancer who have unusually large tumors, which are more likely to prove fatal. Health Industry Meets as Obesity Crisis Looms Millions are fatter and lazier than they've ever been, can reduce the risk of developing a debilitating illness simply by dropping a few pounds, occasionally breaking a sweat and kicking smokes. Diet Can Alter Risk of Kidney Stones Belying the common belief that calcium contributes to kidney stones, a new study of young women has found eating foods rich in this mineral may actually reduce the risk of getting the painful condition. Sweet Tooth May Forecast Drinking Problem Having a sweet tooth precedes alcoholism and may serve as a marker for the genetic risk for developing the disease. That's the sobering conclusion of a study in the November issue of Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research. Weather Affects Pain Many people with arthritis do believe that temperature, humidity, rain, wind, barometric pressure and sunshine are among the weather factors that affect the level of their arthritis pain, according to the Arthritis Research Campaign in the United Kingdom. Chocolate Firm Eyes Diet Tips Amid Obesity Debate A leading British chocolate manufacturer said it may include diet tips on its product labels as sports stars and celebrities were criticized for promoting unhealthy food blamed for a sharp rise in child obesity. Medium-Firm Mattress Best for Back Pain If lower back pain is making life a misery, a medium-firm mattress could provide some relief. Although a firm mattress offers better support and is recommended by most doctors, Spanish researchers said less rigid mattress is best for a pain in the back. Vent Your Emotions to Live Longer If you're mad and you show it, you might just live longer than those who simply seethe, new findings from an ongoing study of elderly priests and nuns show. Managing Diabetes A diagnosis of diabetes is never easy. First, there's the realization you're confronting a potentially deadly disease. Then comes the doctor's admonition to pay close attention to your diet, exercise routine, medication and insulin levels. If you do so faithfully, you can keep such complications as heart and kidney disease, nerve damage and blindness at bay. Menopause May Trigger Obesity New insights about the relationship between menopause and weight gain are offered in a study presented at the Society for Neuroscience Meeting in New Orleans. Fish Oil Clears Airways Three weeks of fish oil capsules markedly reduced the severity of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) in elite athletes, claims a study in the new issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. Switching Partners Risks Pregnancy Problems Women whose second child is fathered by a different man than the first have double the risk of a having a preterm or small baby, Norwegian researchers stated. Overweight Boys Show More Blood Pressure Problems Among boys, those who weigh more experience a greater increase in blood pressure under stress, and are slower to return to normal pressure levels once relaxed, new research reports. Bullied Children Suffer Behavioral Problems Young students plagued by bullying may be at greater risk for developing depression and antisocial behavior, says a study in the current issue of Child Development. Hot Tubs and Pregnancy Don't Mix New research suggests that warnings against hot tub use during pregnancy have some basis in reality. Women were twice as likely to suffer miscarriages if they took dips in hot tubs during the first 10 weeks of pregnancy, a survey of San Francisco-area women found. Menopause Equals Extra Munching In a possible explanation of why many women gain weight after menopause, a U.S. researcher said that monkeys whose ovaries are removed eat 67 percent more food and gain 5 percent of body weight in just weeks. Walk Away From Heart Disease A brisk but comfortable walking pace is a good way to strengthen your heart. That's the claim of a University of Massachusetts study presented Nov. 11 at the American Heart Association's annual conference in Orlando, Fla. Exercise May Reverse Heart Disease in Fat Kids Many studies have shown that children across the industrialized world are getting fatter -- and that even toddlers are showing early signs of heart disease such as high cholesterol and the beginnings of clogged arteries. But several researchers told a meeting of the American Heart Association in Orlando that parents can safely do something about it. Hidden Stress Underlies Heart Attacks Stress you didn't even know you had could kill you, U.S. researchers reported. They found people whose blood pressure rose during "mental stress" were six times more likely to have a heart attack or other severe heart event within six years than people who handled the stress more calmly. Impotence Linked to Heart Attack Risk Impotence can signal heart trouble in men. The sexual problem, also known as erectile dysfunction, was associated with a more than threefold higher risk of heart attack, a long-running study of more than 2,000 men finds. Atkins-like Diet Shows Promise for Heavy Heart Patients When researchers in Delaware saw diabetic patients shed pounds on a high-fat, carbohydrate-restricted diet, they decided to try it on a group of obese patients with heart disease. Workers in Pain Cost Business Billions One in eight workers is in pain and losing productive time at work, costing U.S. business an estimated $61.2 billion each year, according to a study in the latest issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association. Depression Treatment Eases Arthritis Treating elderly patients for depression can help ease arthritis pain, an unexpected and hopeful finding for sufferers of the degenerative joint disease, the author of a study released said. Group Seeks to Curb Promoting Junk Food to Kids A consumer group charged that the marketing of fatty, sugary, and low-nutrient foods was fueling childhood obesity and it called for restricting promotions targeted at the young. Vitamin C May Ward Off Stroke People who eat a diet rich in vitamin C may be at lower risk of suffering strokes, and smokers who do so may benefit the most. A new Dutch study finds people with the lowest amount of vitamin C in their diets were 30 percent more likely to have a stroke than people with the highest amount of it. Air Pollution Alone Might Trigger Asthma Attacks Using a new testing method in mice, University of California at Los Angeles researchers conclude that air pollution alone may be enough to cause acute asthma flare-ups. Vitamins Combat Age-Related Blindness Hundreds of thousands of people could benefit from vitamin supplements shown to help prevent macular degeneration, a condition that is the leading cause of blindness from age 65, according to a new study. Four Popular Diets All Work Well Weight Watchers, the high-fat Atkins diet, the extremely low-fat Ornish diet and the high-protein, moderate carbohydrate Zone diet all help people lose weight and all reduce cholesterol, but in different ways, researchers said. Exercise Gets Blood to Your Brain Exercise fanatics may be right -- getting out and moving increases blood flow in the brain, U.S. researchers said. Tests on monkeys show that exercise helps foster blood vessel development in the brain, making the animals more alert than non-exercisers. Cold Weather Stiffens Joints If you think the cold weather brings lots of aches and pains with it, you're probably not imagining things. Many osteoarthritis sufferers report an increase in stiffness and pain when Jack Frost pays a visit. Stress Changes Adolescent Brain Severe stress can permanently affect an adolescent's brain, causing changes in an area important for learning and memory, U.S. researchers reported. A Little Hypertension May Sharpen Seniors' Thinking Skills Mild hypertension may actually protect the cognitive ability of people after age 70, claims an Israeli study. One in Three Injections in Poor Nations Is Unsafe People in developing countries receive too many injections, often with unsterilized needles and syringes that can transmit illnesses such as hepatitis and HIV, researchers said. Stop Smoking, Prevent Sudden Death It's no secret that smoking increases the risk of heart disease, but now a new study suggests that puffing on cigarettes also raises the risk of sudden cardiac death in people who already have heart disease. Sex on Campus: Risky Business College social life nowadays is often a whirl of Saturday football games, Greek rushes, dorm parties -- and, all too often, unprotected sex. That's the view of health experts who are dismayed that college students, despite all the publicity on safe sex, typically fail to realize how much they're at risk of contracting a sexually transmitted disease. COPD: The Unnoticed Epidemic Most people have never heard of it, and have no idea what the acronym means. But it's the sixth leading cause of death in the world, and it costs billions a year in healthcare. Early Diabetes Leads to Early Heart Disease The ever-increasing waistlines of young adults have led to more and more cases of type 2 diabetes in young people -- and these young people are having far too many heart attacks and strokes, new research suggests. Labeling on Herbal Products Differs Widely Different brands of the same herbal supplement can vary widely in the label's recommended dose and listed ingredients, according to a new study. Brain Hard-Wired for Empathy Ever watched someone grimace after they sniffed a carton of sour milk? Even though you were spared a whiff of stinky milk, to your brain, you might as well have been sniffing the milk yourself, a report from Italy suggests. Cut Lunchtime Calories: Eat a Better Breakfast Children who start the day with a bowl of bran cereal, muesli high in nuts and seeds, or porridge made from rolled oats feel fuller and eat less at lunchtime than kids who down corn flakes or white bread for breakfast. That's the conclusion of a British study that appears in the November issue of Pediatrics. Memory Drugs Could Backfire Regional differences in the brain may undercut the effectiveness of drugs that are being developed to enhance memory.In fact, these drugs may actually impair working memory, which includes the ability to remember a phone number long enough to dial it. Top Number in Blood Pressure Tells All To the befuddlement of patients everywhere, blood pressure measurements come in two numbers -- one that's bigger and one that's smaller, such as 120 over 80. Now, new research confirms that the first number is the more important of the two, and suggests the difference between them -- the little-known "pulse pressure" -- doesn't mean much at all. Tomato Supplements May Not Affect Cancer Supplements based on tomato extracts may not work to prevent prostate cancer the way the whole fruit does, at least in rats, researchers reported. Studies Back Earlier Tests for Heart Disease Risks Two recent studies published suggest that the risk of heart disease can be identified early in life, and that cholesterol and other tests should be initiated earlier than they now are. Teens Who Dislike School Tend to Graduate to Parenthood Early Teens who don't like school are more likely to become parents at a young age, says a British study in the new issue of the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health. Childhood Obesity Clearinghouse Announced A new survey, database and Web site of childhood anti-obesity programs were announced by the surgeon general. More than 1,000 exercise, nutrition, healthy baby and other anti-obesity programs are expected to participate in the new clearinghouse, called Shaping American's Youth. Growing Up with Cats Good for Allergies Allowing cats to be in a child's bedroom, starting in the first year of life, may prevent the later development of allergic asthma and hay fever, new research suggests. Fatigue Often Precedes Heart Attacks in Women Most women who have a heart attack have experienced telltale symptoms, such as extreme fatigue and sleep disturbance, during the weeks leading up to the attack, investigators report. High Cholesterol May Weaken Bones It's no secret that high cholesterol increases the risk of heart disease, but new research from Italy suggests that it may also be bad for the bones. Nearly One in Three Teens Reports Chronic Condition: StatsCan Survey Chris Siems enjoyed playing sports as much as the next person until tendinitis in his knees forced him into a more sedentary lifestyle. The Toronto-area teen is not alone. Nearly one in three Canadian adolescents reports having at least one chronic condition that keeps them from feeling healthy, according to a Statistics Canada survey released. Behavior Problems Feed Childhood Obesity If your child is antisocial, anxious, dependent, depressed, headstrong, hyperactive or withdrawn, the likelihood of his or her becoming obese is greatly increased, a new study says. Weight Control Doesn't Have to Be a Battle Like most, you probably think the effort to lose weight is too overwhelming to think about -- particularly in the middle of working, raising a family and keeping in touch with friends. Exercise and nutrition experts have another idea. Instead of focusing on losing that 10 or 20 pounds, they say, concentrate on not gaining any more. Exercise Picks Up Martial Arts Style Combining kicking and boxing doesn't always result in kickboxing. Sometimes it results in dancing. Classes that combine karate with everything from ballet to Pilates are kicking up a storm in health clubs. Obesity Rise Not Benefiting Fitness Firms People are contending with ever-expanding waistlines, but they aren't flocking to the companies focused on helping them fight the problem. Some of the biggest names in the fitness and weight-loss industries are struggling to sign up members, and sales of home exercise equipment are sliding despite the obesity epidemic. Postpartum Depression Can Lead to Violent Kids Children whose mothers suffer depression after childbirth face a greater risk of violent behavior by the time they reach age 11. That disturbing conclusion is made in a British study in the November issue of Developmental Psychology.