Monthly News Archives



		Genes Seen as Key to Understanding Obesity Changes in diet and a sedentary lifestyle have fueled an obesity epidemic, but genetics also play a role and could explain why some people put on weight more easily than others, a leading obesity expert said on Friday. Europeans Nations Failing Obese Patients No country in Europe is providing a satisfactory level of care for obese patients, although an estimated 135 million people may need professional advice on how to lose weight, doctors said on Friday. Menorrhagia: When Your Time of the Month is Too Much For most women, the average loss of blood during a menstrual period is a little more than one ounce. But millions of women lose much more because they suffer from a condition called menorrhagia. And most don't realize there are treatments that can help ease the problem. More Evidence Diabetes Can Run in the Family Some children born to mothers with type 1 diabetes may be predisposed to developing the far more common type 2 diabetes as adults, according to a report released Thursday. Vinegar Good Medicine for Some Burns Vinegar can minimize alkaline burn injuries caused by household cleaners, plumbing products and industrial grade solvents. A study in the May issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery says vinegar and other weak acids can neutralize alkaline burns faster than water and significantly reduce damage to skin and tissue. Laziness Makes for Dangerous Fat Everyone knows that lazing around can lead to a growing potbelly, but U.S. researchers say that couch potatoes build up dangerous pockets of fat more quickly than anyone thought. Obesity Epidemic Set to Get Worse Obesity has spiraled into a worldwide epidemic affecting 250 million adults but a leading nutritional expert believes the worst is still to come. Childhood Obesity Often Missed Despite the increased focus on childhood obesity in the United States, few doctors or other health-care professionals are diagnosing obesity and related health problems in young patients. Indoor Pools May Cause Childhood Asthma Indoor swimming pools could be a major source of childhood asthma. That's the conclusion of a new study by Belgian scientists who found that exposure to a byproduct of chlorine used to disinfect pools damages the lungs and could be associated with an increased risk of asthma in children who swim a lot. Smoking Speeds Up Memory Loss in Middle Age Cigarette smokers who continue the habit through middle age may see their memory suffer as a result, according to new study findings released. Breastfeeding Counters Harm of Smoking in Pregnancy New research suggests that the benefits of breastfeeding on infants' mental development might offset some of the harm posed by smoking during pregnancy. Exercising for Fun Better for the Heart Engaging in exercise in your leisure hours can decrease your risk of a heart attack by as much as 60 percent, a German study has found. Young Children Served Large Portions May Overeat Giving young children meals that outsize their age may lead to overeating -- but when left to their own devices, kids tend to choose age-appropriate serving sizes, new study findings show. Angry Children Hurt Their Heart Health Hostile children may end up aggravating their health, says a new U.S.-Finnish study. Premarital Sex Doesn't Doom the Union When it's limited to the future husband, premarital sex doesn't increase the risk of divorce for women. That's what researchers from Western Washington University found, whose study appears in the May issue of the Journal of Marriage and Family. Diabetics' Education Level May Sway Death Risk Type 2 diabetics with a college degree may have a lower risk of premature death than those with only a high school diploma, a new study suggests. Full-Term Fetus Knows Mom's Voice New study findings suggest that shortly before birth, a fetus may be able to distinguish mom's voice from others. Youthful Hostility Linked to Adult Heart Disease Children and adolescents who approach the ups and downs of life with a hostile attitude might be at a heightened risk of developing health complications that can progress to adult heart disease, according to U.S. and Finnish researchers. Pamphlet with Your Pasta? Consumers wondering how much fat is in the fettuccine Alfredo they ordered will soon find that information easier to come by. Handling the Heat When You Have Heart Pain As the summer season unofficially kicks off today, the millions who have angina need to be aware that hot weather can spell trouble for them. Soccer Players May Need Protective Eyewear An analysis of eye injuries in soccer players suggests that players could benefit from protective eye gear, researchers report. Bolster Your Memory Lapses in memory may be annoying, but temporary forgetfulness is one of the changes that naturally happen as we age, notes Alzheimer's expert Dr. George Grossberg, director of geriatric psychiatry at Saint Louis University School of Medicine. Ear Pain on Airplanes Even on the smoothest of flights, a discomfort most flyers can count on is ears that pop as the plane is landing. The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery reports that ear problems are the most common medical complaints of airplane travelers. Dry Eye Syndrome If your eyes feel irritated, dry or scratchy on windy days, it may be a sign that you have dry eye syndrome. It's a condition in which your eyes fail to produce enough tears or produce tears that don't have the proper chemical composition, says the Saskatchewan Association of Optometrists. If It's Not Colic, It Might be GERD GERD occurs when a valve in the esophagus malfunctions, allowing the acidic contents of the stomach to flow back into the esophagus. Babies may also be diagnosed with GERD if Colic has been ruled out. Milk-Based Baby Formula Linked to Blood Pressure Babies fed a dairy-based formula grew up to have higher blood pressure than babies who were breast-fed, according to British researchers. Their study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, supports several others that show substituting cow's milk for breast milk might promote heart disease later in life. The Virus Behind the Bacteria A virus that infects and destroys bacteria may be responsible for spreading strep and some other infectious diseases. That's the conclusion of a Rockefeller University study in the June issue of the journal Infection and Immunity. DASH Diet Halts Hypertension You may be able to DASH your way to lower blood pressure. The good news comes from a study just released online in the journal Hypertension. New Insights into Preventing Deadly Strokes They're called subarachnoid strokes, and they're about as deadly as strokes come. They also tend to strike young and middle-aged adults. Yet, new research shows they can be prevented. Laughter at Dinner Cuts Blood Sugar in Diabetics A small study shows that diabetics may be better able to process the sugar they consume during meals if they order a side of laughter with their food. Fish-Heavy Diet May Prevent Pregnancy Blues Omega-3 essential fatty acid, a beneficial oil found in certain kinds of seafood, may significantly reduce the risk of depression in pregnancy, new research claims. Health System Failing Disabled Canadians Canadians with disabilities are falling through cracks in the health care system, with many not receiving essential medication or other care, according to data released by the Canadian Council on Social Development (CCSD). More Meals Per Day May Up Men's Colon Cancer Risk For reasons that remain unclear, men -- but not women -- who eat more frequently during the day are at higher risk of colon cancer compared with men who eat less frequently, researchers report. Antibacterials Not the Best Germ Fighters A Tufts University School of Medicine microbiological survey of homes found little difference in levels of bacteria or antibiotic resistance between homes that used antibacterial cleaning products and those that didn't. Kids Who Live with Smokers Miss School More Often New study findings show that fourth-graders who live with at least one smoker are more likely than those who don't to miss school because of a respiratory illness. Studies Find High-Fiber Diet Lowers Colon Cancer Risk Two new studies suggest fiber does have a role in protecting against colon cancer. The findings are intriguing because several previous large, well-conducted studies have found no such link. Meditation Shown to Light Up Brains of Buddhists Using new scanning techniques, neuroscientists have discovered that certain areas of the brain light up constantly in Buddhists, which indicates positive emotions and good mood. This happens at times even when they are not meditating. Lyme Disease Awareness Month It's been more than 30 years since scientists first identified the tick-borne illness now known as Lyme disease. While much has been learned about this rarely fatal condition that can cause chronic physical pain and mental distress, questions remain. Backpacks Getting Bad Rap While they may be crammed with everything but the kitchen sink, those heavy backpacks your children lug to school don't cause back pain. That surprising finding comes from a new University of Michigan Health System study. Dogs Are Pet Peeve to Asthmatic Lungs More people are allergic to cats than dogs. However, a new study shows dog allergens are more ferocious irritants to asthmatics than cat dander, cockroaches, mold and dust mites. Finding Clues to Rheumatic Diseases Four hundred families with twins or pairs of close brothers or sisters are being sought to take part in a study examining the causes of rheumatic diseases. Ulcer Bug May Protect Against Cancer of Esophagus By lowering levels of stomach acid, a common bacterium responsible for ulcers and many stomach cancers may, conversely, cut the risk of another killer -- cancer of the esophagus. Activity Boosts Fitness In Elderly Patients Primary care physicians have an important role to play in encouraging older adults to get fit, according to a study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. WHO Agrees to Anti-Tobacco Convention The World Health Organization gave preliminary approval Tuesday to a landmark anti-tobacco treaty, with speaker after speaker saying it will save millions of lives. Chewing Gum After Meals May Fight Reflux Researchers say smacking on a piece of gum for about a half-hour after each meal can give some relief from acid reflux. Blood Pressure Diet May Act as Diuretic A low-fat diet rich in fruits and vegetables may lower blood pressure by acting as a diuretic, Japanese and U.S. researchers say. Physical Therapy Can Help Reset Brain Physical therapy changes the way body parts are represented in the brain, a finding researchers hope will lead to improved therapies. Expectant Moms Battle Depression More Than Thought One in five pregnant women may suffer symptoms of depression, but few get treatment for it. That's the finding of a University of Michigan study in the Journal of Women's Health. Weight Training Benefits Prostate Cancer Patients Exercise has been shown to help people with several types of cancer cope with the fatigue and functional decline that often result from the treatment for the disease. Now a new study shows for the first time that men with advanced prostate cancer can also reap some of these benefits. Exercise Linked to Lowered Risk of Gallstones A daily run or swim could put real distance between you and painful, debilitating gallstones, according to a new study. How to Prevent Tennis Elbow A repetitive motion with just about any part of your body will typically backfire on you with stress-related pain, and the elbow is no exception. That's why you don't necessarily have to be a tennis player to get the condition known as tennis elbow -- but it probably helps. Women are the Hardier Sex... The debate over who can really stand more pain, men or women, has been one of the more interesting battles of the sexes, spanning generations. Millions Face Arthritis Daily It can begin with stiffness in the joints you use most -- your hips, knees, lower back or fingers. Soon, however, you may start to experience real pain. The problem is osteoarthritis and if you've just turned 50, you might be experiencing your first bout with this common problem. Eating Fish in Pregnancy Does Not Harm Fetus Despite concerns that mercury in fish might endanger a developing fetus, the amount of fish a mother eats appears to pose no harm to the future mental health of her child, according to study findings released Thursday. Rheumatoid Arthritis Tied to Birth Weight A Swedish study finds a relationship between high birth weight and development of rheumatoid arthritis later in life. Prostate Cancer's Hidden Danger When prostate cancer spreads, or metastasizes, its destination site is nearly always bone. A staggering 90 percent of men with prostate cancer eventually experience bone metastases, and though cancer in the bone introduces the risk of fracture, spinal compression and pain, it often goes unnoticed until malignancy is fairly well established. Green Tea Gives Skin Healthy Glow The skin-healing properties of green tea may help scientists develop new treatments for skin disease and wounds, say researchers at the Medical College of Georgia. Even Short Walk Reduces Deadly Clot Risk in Obese Obese people who are relatively inactive may have trouble dissolving potentially deadly blood clots, but moderate exercise a few times per week appears to help restore that ability, according to new research. A Drink a Day Improves Overall Heart Health People who drink one drink a day -- wine, beer or hard liquor -- show significantly better elasticity of their body's arteries, an important measure of cardiovascular health, results of a new study suggest. Starting Exercise May Help Older Women Live Longer Embracing physical activity beyond age 65 may help women live longer lives, recent study findings suggest. Genetics Play Part in Hardening of Arteries Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions researchers have identified a common gene variant that's a potent risk factor for early-onset atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries. Baby's Gender Affects Mom's Future Marital Status Equality of the sexes hasn't trickled down to the womb, according to a University of Washington study that found a single mother is 42 percent more likely to marry the child's father if she has a son rather than a daughter. Fen-Phen Gone, but Other Diet Drugs Still Popular Despite growing safety concerns at the time, the use of a weight loss drug combo known as "fen-phen" continued to soar until the Food and Drug Administration removed two of the medications in 1997, an analysis of prescription records shows. However, anti-obesity drugs are as popular now as when fen-phen first took off in the early 1990s, with both old and new medications competing in their place. Study Looks at Chiropractic Treatment, Stroke Risk People who undergo chiropractic neck and spine adjustments may be at higher risk of having a stroke as a result of tiny tears in their arteries, researchers said Monday. Hope Springs Eternal �As Do Allergies While most people are happy to bid farewell to the cold and snow of winter, not everyone is equally excited to see spring and summer arrive. Do More Calories Help Colon Cancer Patients? High-calorie diets may actually protect you in a battle with colorectal cancer. That's the surprising result of a new study from French scientists, who say that energy intake before a diagnosis of colorectal cancer predicts the odds of surviving the disease over time. The Key to Vision? A University of Florida study offers the first photographic evidence that a protein crucial to vision moves inside eye cells in response to light. Inactivity Blamed for Teens' Weight Gains Over two decades, teenagers have been getting fatter because they have been exercising less, not because they have been eating more, a study says. Chronic Fatigue Costs UK Billions a Year Chronic fatigue syndrome, or as it is sometimes known, myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), costs the UK economy 3.5 billion pounds a year, according to a report by Sheffield University researchers. Sesame Oil Lowers Blood Pressure Using sesame oil instead of other cooking oils helps reduce high blood pressure and lower the amount of medication required to control high blood pressure, says a study by researchers in India. Muscles to Blame for Women's Knee Injuries Women who participate in jumping and pivoting sports, such as basketball, volleyball and soccer are eight times more likely to rupture a knee-stabilizing ligament than are men. One Way of Easing the Pain of Arthritis The program, like an aerobic workout in water, includes some swimming, a lot of movement, resistance work and stretching and limbering exercises. WHO Urges Food Chiefs to Join Fight for Better Diet The world's top health body told bosses of food and drink multinationals, including Coca-Cola and McDonald's, on Friday they could play a key role in shifting public taste in its campaign for healthier diets worldwide. Spirituality Protects Against End-Of-Life Despair Having a sense of spiritual well-being -- or an understanding of the meaning and purpose of life, regardless of religion -- appears to help terminally ill people avoid spending their last months of life in despair, according to a report released Thursday. Parents: Quit Smoking Before Your Child Turns 8 New research suggests that, for parents, quitting smoking before children turn eight or nine appears to steer them away from becoming teenagers who smoke. Older Women Need to Watch Their Step Foot and ankle fractures are the second most common kind of fractures in older women, second only to spinal fractures. That's what researchers at the University of Pittsburgh found, who report their study in the May issue of The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. Clinical Trials Need to Be More Culturally Sensitive A greater understanding of cultural sensitivity is important when designing clinical trials for black Americans. That's the opinion of a Duke University Medical Center study in the spring issue of Ethnicity and Disease. Health Chief Warns Fast-Food Joints to Shape Up Fast food joints may soon get singled out by the U.S. health department head if they don't shape up and stop feeding the country's obesity problem. Changing Schools Tough on Kids Children who experience frequent school changes are more likely to have behavior problems than children who have more stable schooling, says a Children's Hospital Medical Center of Cincinnati study. Racism Really Does Make You Stupid People who are racist may suffer a temporary lapse in mental capacity after interacting with people who are members of a racial minority. Depression: A Hidden Childhood Illness Depression may be considered a grown-up disorder, but actually it affects up to 2.5 percent of children and up to 8.3 percent of teens in the United States, according to the National Institutes of Mental Health. Many Women's Work Suffers to Care for Sick Child Mothers are more likely than fathers to care for sick children, often at the expense of their livelihood and perhaps careers, according to a survey from the Kaiser Family Foundation. Too Many Vitamin Pills Can Be Bad for You: Study Some vitamin and mineral supplements can be bad for you if you take too many for too long, Britain's food watchdog cautioned Thursday. Worldwide, Many Are Mentally Ill, but Few Treated Up to 29 percent of people living in the U.S. and other parts of the developed world are mentally ill, many of whom seriously so, new research show. However, between one- and two-thirds of people diagnosed with a serious form of mental illness are not getting treatment for their disorder, the authors note. Programs Reduce High-Risk Sexual Behavior in Teens Intensive programs designed to prevent HIV infection in teens can delay the onset of sexual activity, decrease the number of sex partners and increase the use of condoms, according to a review of studies conducted between 1985 and 2001. Can Daily Aspirin Therapy Save Your Life? There seems to be a lot of new attention focused on good ole' fashioned aspirin, so much so that it's recently been touted as a 'wonder drug.' Evidence is rapidly growing that supports aspirin's use in lowering the rates of heart attack, stroke, colon cancer and even Alzheimer's disease. Given its widespread benefits and extremely low cost, the question is raised, "is daily aspirin therapy for everyone?" People Don't Get the Picture on Heart Risk Simply telling someone that he or she is at high risk of heart attack or stroke is not enough to change behavior, even if that information comes in the vivid form of a picture of blood vessels on their way to serious trouble, a study finds. Young Insomniacs Often Drugged to Sleep Pediatricians frequently recommend various prescription and over-the-counter sleep aids to young insomniacs, a new survey has found. Home Not Always a Safe Haven for Children Home is where the injury is. Two studies by researchers at Children's Hospital Medical Center of Cincinnati found home is the single most common location for children to be injured in the United States. Survey Finds Americans Prefer Walking to Biking Many adults will hit the streets for a stroll this summer, but most will leave their bicycles at home, according to a survey by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Snapshots of Your Bowels A small capsule that holds a microscopic camera gives doctors with a better picture of the small bowel than standard X-rays. So claims a Beth Israel Medical Center study that was presented May 6 at the American Roentgen Ray Society's annual meeting in San Diego. Fruit Juice a Two-Edged Sword for Kids If you stock your refrigerator with fruit juices, you may be setting your kids up for a battle with obesity. That's the suggestion of a new study finding that overweight children consume 65 percent more of the calorie-laden juices than thinner kids. Type A People May Have Lower Quality of Life: Study People with "type A" personalities, characterized by irritability, hostility and impatience, seem to also have a lower quality of life, according to the findings of a small study. Sickest Patients Expose Health Systems' Flaws People with health problems in five English-speaking nations are experiencing "disturbingly high rates" of medical errors, lack of care coordination, poor communication with their doctors and barriers to accessing care, according to a study released Tuesday. Obesity Before Pregnancy Ups Risk of Birth Defects Women who are obese when they become pregnant appear to be more likely to give birth to babies with various birth defects than women of healthy weight, new research suggests. Moms Have Double Standard for Fat Sons, Daughters One in three mothers is likely to say that their overweight child is "about the right weight," a new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has found. Even Toddlers Are Obese, Study Shows Even toddlers in the United States are obese, and they are not only overweight, but are showing early signs of diabetes and other diseases associated with being fat, researchers said on Saturday. Canada Pledges $70 Million to Fight SARS The Canadian government said it would set aside $70 million this year to combat SARS, a deadly respiratory infection that has killed more than 400 people worldwide, including 23 in Canada. Study Looks at Sex, Romance in Older Women Women in their late 20s and late 50s who do not live with a romantic partner have some surprising similarities and differences when it comes to their sex lives, a researcher said here this week. Why Overweight Women Face Breast-feeding Problems There's no question that breast-feeding has important health benefits for both women and their babies. Now a new study offers important hope for at least one group of women who traditionally have met with lactation failure. Conquering Conjunctivitis Allergic conjunctivitis is often confused with other forms of the disorder, but if the eyes are itchy, it's likely due to an allergic reaction, reports the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. Diet High in Fiber Shown to Cut Bowel Cancer Risk Britons and the French get it from vegetables, the Dutch and Germans from cereals, and fruit provides it for Italians and Spaniards. But wherever it comes from, fiber reduces bowel cancer risk, scientists said on Friday. New Help for Seasonal Allergies While most people are happy to bid farewell to the cold and snow of winter, not everyone is equally excited to see spring and summer arrive. New Way to Help Predict Pregnancy Problems Several weeks before pregnant women show signs of a dangerous high blood pressure disorder, they have impaired blood flow in their arteries and elevated blood levels of a hypertension-promoting substance, new study findings indicate. Helping Seniors Sift Through Health News There's a new Web site for older adults to access health and medical research information of interest to them. Study Shows Exercise on Par with Viagra for Some A two-year research program at the Cologne University Medical Center in Germany suggests that specially designed physical exercises can be as effective as Viagra (sildenafil) in dealing with some causes of erectile dysfunction. Supplemented Formula Helps Blood Pressure Children fed formula supplemented with long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids have significantly lower blood pressure than those given unsupplemented formula. Estrogen Has Healing Powers Estrogen plays an important role in wound healing and age-related estrogen loss in both women and men results in an impaired ability to heal as we grow older. Study: Active Diabetic Men Live Longer Brisk walking may be a key to longevity for men with type 2 diabetes, new research suggests. Don't Forget What the Doctor Tells You Most patients forget as much as 80 percent of what their doctor tells them as soon as they leave the clinic, says a study in the May issue of the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine. Low-Fat-Diet Guru Swims Against Swelling Tide Dean Ornish, America's best-known advocate of a low-fat diet talks candidly about diet and the progress of a "fat nation". Men and Women Staying Sexually Active Through Old Age The majority of men and women are staying sexually active through old age, says a new survey from four countries. Bright Light May Boost Testosterone in Men An extra hour of bright light can lift the levels of a pituitary hormone that enhances testosterone in men, a new study shows.