Monthly News Archives



		Targeting Older Women More medical studies need to be done on older women's health issues and more older women need to take part in such studies, says the Society for Women's Health Research. Genetically Modified Cows On The Horizon Specially bred cows that produce low-fat milk, environmentally friendly cows that emit less methane, and milk that boosts people's immune systems are among the changes in dairy production that may occur over the next 50 years. Teeth Grinding, Workplace Stress Go Hand in Hand People who frequently grind their teeth are more likely to feel stressed out at work than those who don't clench their teeth, according to Finnish researchers. What's more, women are more likely than men to say that they grind their teeth and that their jobs are stressful, they report. Obesity Among Pregnant Women on the Rise Obesity is on the rise among pregnant women, threatening the health of both mother and child, a recent study suggests. Robotic Dogs Help Elderly Purdue University scientists are proving that dogs really are man's best friends -- even if they run on batteries. If Cigarettes Are Around, Teens More Likely to Smoke It sounds obvious, but a new study now proves it: If cigarettes are easily available, especially at home, teens are more likely to smoke. An Active Mind May Keep Alzheimer's at Bay Some research has suggested that participating in ordinary tasks may stave off the memory-robbing illness Alzheimer's disease. Now a new study of Chicago residents shows that people who participate in intellectually stimulating activities such as reading, listening to the radio and playing games like checkers and cards are less likely than their peers to develop Alzheimer's. Getting Mad May Be Good For You A study by researchers at the University of Sussex in England found that taking part in protests and demonstrations is beneficial to your mental and physical health. Lower Education Level Tied to Heart Risk People with less education may be slower to recover a normal heart rate after exerting themselves--a potential health threat researchers say could be related to the greater lifetime stress associated with lower education levels. Internet Support Groups Help Depressed Patients People with depression who use Internet support groups heavily tend to be more severely depressed and socially isolated than those who get less help on the Web, but they also may gain the greatest benefit from the support groups, new study findings indicate. Moderate Alcohol Consumption May Thwart Ulcer Bug Moderate consumption of alcohol may lower a person's risk of infection with Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium associated with stomach ulcers, UK researchers have found. Eating Fish a Good Way to Prevent Stroke Eating fish just once a month can reduce a man's risk of stroke by more than 40 percent, a study finds. Some Heart Attacks Go Undetected About one fifth of heart attacks among middle-aged and older adults may go unrecognized, according to new estimates from a US study. Seasonal Blues Sufferers Have Keener Sense of Smell People with seasonal affective disorder (SAD) have a sharper sense of smell than those who don't get the winter blues, a small study shows. Fish Oil, Soy May Cut Risk of Death: Study A new study from Japan provides additional evidence for the health benefits of a diet rich in fish oil and soy products. Medical Milestones Medical findings had people hooked on high-fat diets and rethinking health supplements this year. Creative, Nutritious Meals That Will Please Children Give your children a special gift this Christmas -- a healthy diet. While that can be a challenge for parents during the holidays, here are some suggestions for creative, nutritious meals that will please children. Not Feeling Jolly? No Problem . . . The holiday season may be delightful, but it can also be frightfully stressful. One way to reduce holiday stress is to set realistic expectations in terms of time and money, says information from Purdue University. Getting Through Seasonal Temptations All those holiday goodies on the table can make it difficult to stick to healthy eating habits, and that can be a serious problem for those with diabetes. It's Never Too Late to Start Exercising Even 80-year-olds have no excuse for being couch potatoes, research suggests. A study has found that people 80 and older who exercise just a couple of times a week can improve their health. Protesting May Be Good for Your Health Taking part in protests and demonstrations can be good for your physical and mental health, a new British study suggests. Native Climate May Influence How Body Burns Energy A person's native climate might influence how his or her body goes about burning calories, according to a study published. Fruits, Veggies Do a Tummy Good as Cancer-Fighters Eat your vegetables. That's the take-home message from a 10-year study of nearly 40,000 Japanese people that found diets heavy in fruits and veggies may ward off stomach cancer. 2 in 3 Babies Had Antibiotics by First Birthday Two out of three infants have been given antibiotics by the time they reach their first birthday, according to new research from Scotland. Season's Sneezings Are Upon Us Many of the wonderful touches associated with the Christmas holidays can actually be like lumps of coal for allergy sufferers. Parents and Students Should Minimize Stress During The Holiday Season The holidays can be a time of great togetherness and pleasure for families, but it can also cause some stress. A Workout a Day May Keep Colds at Bay Welcome to cold season. Time to make sure you've stocked up on tissues and chicken soup to help you get through the inevitable bout with a runny nose, watery eyes and sore throat. Unmarried Moms Face Greater Risk of Depression Later A young mother's marital status increases her risk of depression more than her age at having her first child does. Western Culture May Be Culprit Behind Acne Calling into question the current medical belief that diet does not affect acne, a new report suggests that regularly eating breads, cakes, chips and other staples of Western culture may promote the skin condition. Why a Man's Pain Is Different Than a Woman's Men generally tolerate intense pain better than women, but painkillers tend to do a better job at masking pain in women than in men--and new research in mice offers an explanation why. Study Reveals Why Pregnant Women Snore Pregnant women have narrower upper airways than other women, which might explain why they are more likely to snore, a new study reveals. Preventing Cancer Although there is no sure way to prevent cancer, there are certain ways to reduce your risk. Eating Smaller Bites Can Prevent Ice Cream Headache To avoid an ice cream headache, savor the flavor, say Canadian researchers. Studies of Herbal Medicine Found Inadequate In a wide-ranging critique of herbal medicines, a Dutch scientist reports that a lack of regulation and scientifically rigorous research damages the safety and efficacy of the alternative remedies that are taking up increasing space in the nation's medicine cabinets. More Teens Struggling With Depression More young Americans seem to be suffering from depression this holiday season, a new survey finds. Parents Ignore Heft and Contents of Kids' Backpacks If you know of a child who appears to carry the weight of the world on her shoulders, you may need to look no further than her backpack to help relieve some of the burden. Chocolate-Derived Chemical Could Suppress Cough A chemical found in cocoa and chocolate appears to suppress coughs and could potentially be developed into an effective treatment, according to the results of a small new study. Eating Oily Fish May Reduce Risk of Asthma Eating oily fish like salmon of mackerel regularly may reduce the risk of asthma symptoms, according to new British research. Beating the Holiday Blues Have the high spirits of the winter holidays got you down? If the answer is yes, you are in good company. For all their joyful noise, the holidays can be a lonely, stressful, disorienting time for many people. Dr. Milton Anderson is a psychiatrist at the Ochsner Clinic Foundation in New Orleans. He offers some no-nonsense advice about getting through the holiday blues. Combating the Dry Winter Chapped hands and lips, dry, itchy skin and colds are common problems during winter. The Medical College of Wisconsin offers some tips on how you can deal with these daily issues caused by cold weather. Canada's Provinces Seek Billions for Health-Care Canada's provinces threw down the health-care gauntlet on Tuesday, demanding Ottawa pump C$24.7 billion ($15.9 billion) over the next four fiscal years into the cash-strapped public health-care system. Extra Help With Diet Makes the Difference People who receive nutrition counseling to help them lower their cholesterol levels are more satisfied with their quality of life and health care than people who try to lower their cholesterol in other ways. A Primer on Arthritis Misconceptions about just what "arthritis" is--and isn't--are common. Many patients believe that any chronic pain in their bones or muscles automatically means they have arthritis. The various "arthritises" share one common feature -- damage to the joint. The causes and effects of this damage vary by type of arthritis. Stress-Busters Is your stress-laden life wearing you down? Are there too many occasions when you feel your mind or body is racing out of control? Here are some stress-busting techniques suggested by the University of Illinois McKinley Health Center. Study Finds Cholesterol Drug Does Not Cut Deaths Study after study has shown that cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins can prevent heart attacks, but in a new trial the statin pravastatin (Pravachol) did not reduce the risk of death and heart disease in people with moderately high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Early Joint Replacement May Be Better for Osteoarthritis People with osteoarthritis might do well to undergo knee and hip replacement surgery before their pain becomes very severe and they have lost a great deal of joint function, the results of a study suggest. Echinacea Capsules May Not Fight Colds People looking to shorten a bout with the common cold or reduce their symptoms by popping capsules of echinacea may not find relief, new study findings suggest. Brain Appears to Have 'Daydreaming' Mode Much as a car's engine hums along even when it's parked in neutral, the brain seems to contain a "default mode" in which certain regions become more active at rest, US researchers report. Overnight Lenses Correct Kids' Daytime Vision Special contact lenses worn during sleep can correct vision enough to allow nearsighted children to function during the day without wearing either glasses or contact lenses, an Ohio researcher reported last week at the American Academy of Optometry meeting in San Diego. Better Memory May Not Be Out of Reach Don't let people with exceptional memories give you an inferiority complex. People who have especially good memories are not necessarily smarter than everyone else, researchers have found. They may just make better use of their brains than most people do. Filtering Office Lights Eases Workers' Eyestrain Filtering fluorescent lights in offices to produce light similar to natural sunlight reduces workers' eyestrain, a California optometrist reported here Thursday at an American Optometric Association meeting. How Not to Look Your Age When you were young, you baked in the sun -- and now you're paying the price. You've noticed wrinkles around your eyes, blotchiness in your tone, a certain sagginess around the chin and mouth. So what's a former sun god or goddess to do? Dodge the Fat When Dining Out Many people go out for restaurant meals over the holidays, but eating out doesn't have to mean unhealthy eating. Hit the Gym Before You Hit the Slopes Shaping up before you start your ski season can help you ski better and avoid injuries. There are four basic components to downhill ski fitness, says information from the Medical College of Wisconsin. Go Easy on the Booze During the Holidays It's fine to hoist a glass of rum and eggnog or champagne to toast the festive season, but don't get carried away with your celebratory drinking over the holidays. Don't Gorge on the Christmas Goodies Trying to eat sensibly during the holiday party season can be especially challenging. Not only do you have to have an iron will to resist all that delicious food, you may be seen by others as being a bit of a downer. New Evidence That Diet Plays Role in Parkinson's Men--but not women--who eat a lot of dairy products appear to have a slightly higher risk of developing Parkinson's disease, but researchers cautioned that more study is needed to confirm the finding. Violence in Youth Ups Risk of Violence in Dating Children who experience sibling violence--either physical or psychological--are more likely to enter into dating relationships filled with violence, as well, new study findings report. Controlling AM Blood Pressure May Help Diabetics People with type 2 diabetes who consistently have elevated blood pressure in the morning may be more likely to suffer complications such as kidney disease, eye disease, heart disease and stroke, new study findings suggest. New Lung Cancer Warning for Women Who Smoke There's new evidence that the most common form of lung cancer in women is more closely associated with cigarette smoking than previously recognized. The Lowdown on Lupus Many doctors have little understanding of the devastating effects of lupus. And those physicians who are up to speed have few effective ways to combat the disease, in which the immune system turns on the body, a panel of experts said yesterday. The Top Fiber Foods and Why They Are Important Many of us may be afraid of fiber because of its reputation for sending those who eat it directly to the bathroom, but fiber has too may benefits to allow us to ignore this powerful disease-preventing food. Diet and Hair Loss Nutritional deficiencies can contribute to increased hair loss by weakening hair shafts that cause breakage to the hair and slow regrowth. Hair problems that are caused by nutritional deficiencies may be corrected with proper dietary habits. Eye Protein a Key Regulator of Body Clock New research in mice confirms that a light-sensitive protein in the retina called melanopsin is essential in setting the "body clock" in mammals. Scientists say the protein now stands as a potential target of therapy to normalize disturbed day/night schedules. Work Out and Stay Alive Being a couch potato is more life-threatening than being overweight or obese. That's the sobering conclusion of an American study in the current issue of the Annals of Epidemiology. Green Tea May Protect Against Heart Attack New research from Japan suggests that drinking green tea every day may be good for the heart. Although people in the study who drank one or more cups of green tea were no less likely to have artery disease than people who did not drink tea, they were much less likely to have a heart attack. Peptic Ulcer Linked to Anxiety Disorder Peptic ulcer disease and generalized anxiety disorder may have a common psychiatric/psychological link. So says a study in the November/December issue of Psychosomatic Medicine. Pediatricians, Family Docs Treat Kids Differently Pediatricians and family physicians appear to adopt different approaches to treating children, according to new study findings based on doctors' responses to imaginary scenarios. Net Porn Filters May Block Online Health Info Does software designed to block teenagers from viewing Internet pornography also keep them from valuable online health information?The answer is a qualified no � and yes. An Overview of Sleep Behavior Disturbances in Children Problems with sleep behaviors in children are very common, and these disturbances can affect not only the child, but the whole family. Chickenpox Vaccine Doesn't Ensure Protection An outbreak of chickenpox among a group of children in New Hampshire shows that the virus that causes chickenpox can be highly infectious even among those who have been vaccinated, according to a new report. Women Waiting Longer to Become Moms Women, on average, are having their first child at about age 25, almost 3 years later than the 1970 average for first-time moms, according to a study released Wednesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Music Soothes Lung Patients, Promotes Exercise Getting an earful of music can motivate patients with severe lung disease to go the extra mile--make that four extra miles--while exercising to improve their health, according to a new report. Smoking May Erode Acid-Reflux Defense Smoking may dull a reflex in the throat thought to protect the airways from stomach-acid reflux, the results of a small study suggest. The SAD Season Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a form of depression that usually starts in late fall as the days get shorter. It subsides as spring approaches and there are more hours of daylight. Obesity Linked to Increased Risk of Stroke in Men Men who are obese are twice as likely as their leaner peers to suffer a stroke, researchers report. Obesity Ups Cataract Risk: Study On top of all the other problems related to being very overweight, researchers now report that obesity can increase the risk of developing cataracts, the world's leading cause of blindness. Hysterectomy: The Operation Women May Not Need Imagine you're sick and you have two health-care options. The first involves a non-surgical treatment, and the second requires major surgery removing several organs. Considering that either option would take care of your problem equally well, the choice seems obvious. Not if you're a woman. A Spark of Hope for Spinal Cord Injuries Brain areas that control movement and feeling can stay healthy and active in people paralyzed by severe spinal cord injuries, say researchers from the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Smokers Say No Sex Easier Than No Cigarettes Most smokers in Europe would find it easier to give up sex for a month than cigarettes and many view even bungee jumping or parachuting as less difficult than kicking the habit. Routines Improve Mental And Physical Health Routines and rituals are alive and well -- and keeping people well in the process. That's the contention of a review of 50 years of research that appears in the December issue of the Journal of Family Psychology. Think Child Safety This Holiday Season Parents looking for the perfect gift for their children this holiday season should think safety first. Some toys are toxic, others may be a threat to eyes, and some can pose choking or noise hazards. Coffee's Jolt Tied to Genes People with two linked genetic variations are far more likely to suffer caffeine-induced anxiety than other people, says a study, which was presented at the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology's annual meeting Canadian Provinces Seek Health Cash Without Strings Canadian health ministers met on Friday to discuss the best way to overhaul a creaking state-funded health care system, with the powerful provinces seeking more federal cash but resisting Ottawa's efforts to tell them how to spend it. Zinc's Cold-Curing Power Sniffling again? Perhaps you should try zinc supplements, which have been shown in certain trials to cut the duration of a cold in half. Some researchers have even heralded the element as the long-sought "silver bullet" for treating the common cold. Heart Disease Knows No Gender Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women in the United States, according to the American Heart Association. In sheer numbers, more women than men will die of heart disease this year. Snowboard Safely Like many other fun, popular sports, snowboarding does have certain risks. To minimize those dangers, the Medical College of Wisconsin offers some safety advice. Keep Pets Warm and Cozy in Winter Dogs, cats, birds and other pets are just as affected by cold weather as their human companions and need appropriate protection, says information from Mississippi State University. Memories Don't Always Match Real Life Many older people remember experiencing the happiest and most important events of their lives during their 20s, while their saddest and most traumatic memories seem to have been created from more recent events, study findings show. Caregivers Who Juggle Responsibilities Neglect Themselves Many women in the prime of their life are often caring too much for others and not enough for themselves, a new British study suggests. Extra B Vitamin May Keep Mind Sharp in Old Age Elderly people who get relatively low amounts of the B vitamin niacin in their diets may be more likely to develop Alzheimer's within the next few years than others, according to preliminary research. Cold Weather Blues Linked to Sunlight, Serotonin Levels of serotonin, a chemical that is low in the brains of people with depression, also dip during the cold and dark months in the brains of healthy people, according to researchers. Vaginal Infection Tied to 2nd Trimester Miscarriage The common vaginal infection bacterial vaginosis does not appear to greatly increase a woman's risk of miscarriage in her first trimester of pregnancy but may substantially raise the risk of miscarriage in the second, British investigators report. Shovel Safely Shoveling is rigorous aerobic exercise that places great physical demands on the body, and you need to be properly prepared to do it, advises the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Infant Brain Makes Sense of Language A baby's brain can process language as early as 3 months of age, a French study suggests. Arthritis Pain, Disability Has Daily Cycle Many people with arthritis in their hands experience a daily fluctuation in pain, stiffness and dexterity, and tend to feel best in the afternoon, according to researchers. Seniors Who Expect to Feel Bad Don't Seek Care Seniors who believe that normal aging is always accompanied by increasing aches and pains and depression may be less likely to seek help for these and other medically treatable conditions, a team of California researchers reports. Oven Fries Beat Deep Fried Chips for Health, Safety Convincing more people to choose oven-ready fish and chips over the traditional deep-fried version could have a major impact on public health. Swaddling Infants May Bring Them Better Sleep Adopting the ancient practice of swaddling, or tightly wrapping babies in cloth before putting them to sleep, may help them sleep better, new research suggests. Stopping the Spread of Tuberculosis Screening and treating new immigrants from developing nations for the latent stage of tuberculosis would produce substantial public health benefits, a new study from Toronto suggests. Can Mammograms Spot Heart Disease? Mammography makes headlines as a screening test for breast cancer, but the technology may do double duty as a predictor of heart disease. Back Healthy Sleeping Habits W. C. Fields once joked that the best cure for insomnia is to get a lot of sleep. But lack of sleep is no joke - not only can it make you feel cranky and tired each day, it can also cause your brain to function improperly, making it impossible to perform even the simplest of everyday tasks. Why Do Strength Training? Strength training not only improves your muscular strength and endurance, it also increases your range of motion, improves your posture and helps prevent injuries. Hand weights, thera-bands, and fitness balls are some of the tools you can use to tighten and tone your muscles. Study Suggests Vegetarian Cheese Cuts Cholesterol Eating cheese made from vegetable oils rather than milk fat can reduce cholesterol levels in some people, a study from Finland shows. Skin of Newborns Has Natural Antibiotic Barrier Newborn babies are equipped with an antibacterial skin defense that protects them against infection in the very early stages of life, researchers have found. Hormonal Stress May Cause Your Fatigue A breakdown in the system that helps the body respond to stress may play a role in chronic fatigue syndrome, says a study in the November/December issue of Psychosomatic Medicine journal. Early Pill Use Can Up Cancer Risk Taking the pill at an early age or before 1975 significantly increases the risk of breast cancer for women with a gene mutation that already places them at high risk of the disease, a new study shows. Extramarital Sex Hazardous to Health Extramarital sex can increase your risk of having a heart attack, a British cardiologist has told a congress on sexual health in the German city of Hamburg. Dealing With Breast Cancer The stress of being diagnosed with breast cancer may make the disease worse, but women who have good coping styles may help their treatment and outcome. Man's Age May Play Role in Pregnancy Complication The age of a woman's mate can be a factor in whether she develops high blood pressure during pregnancy, new research suggests. Family Violence Carries from Youth to Adulthood Boys and girls who grow up either witnessing or being subjected to violence in their childhood homes appear to be more likely to suffer from or bring such violence into their own homes as adults--perpetuating, researchers say, a cycle of violence. Vigorous Exercise May Cut Preterm Birth Risk Vigorous leisure activity in the first two-thirds of a woman's pregnancy may help lower her risk of delivering early, researchers suggest. Veggies, Nuts and Grains Can Beat Heart Disease A Canadian study found a combination diet of vegetables, nuts, soy proteins, and oats and barley can cut bad cholesterol by 29 percent, a reduction that matches the results of some drug treatments for high cholesterol. Unsupervised Teens Have More Sex The less after-school supervision teens have, the more likely they are to have sex, new research says. Funerals, Prayers and Hope Mark World AIDS Day Millions of people around the globe marked World AIDS Day on Sunday with marches, prayers and hope amid grim statistics that show the epidemic outpacing all efforts to control it. Health Watcher Says No to Privatization, Yes to More Federal Funding for Medicare It's No to more privatization and Yes to more and guaranteed federal funding, says the man who has been studying Canada's health-care system for more than a year. Improve HIV/AIDS Surveillance Now, says WHO The HIV/AIDS epidemic in Pacific island countries will escalate out of control unless the epidemic is vigorously tackled now, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned.