Health News

Health News for 06/10/10

June 10, 2010

Not Smoking After Bone Surgery May Speed Healing

Smokers recover better from surgery to repair a broken bone if they quit smoking, according to Swedish researchers.

Health Tip: Know the Warning Signs of Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis is a very serious allergic reaction to a food, medication, material (such as latex) or insect sting. It could be life-threatening, and requires immediate medical attention.

Health Tip: Don't Suddenly Stop Antidepressants

Antidepressant medications shouldn't be stopped without a doctor's supervision. If the drugs are stopped suddenly, withdrawal-like symptoms of a condition called antidepressant discontinuation syndrome (ADS) may emerge.

New Potential Cause of Alzheimer's Disease Detected

Researchers have discovered that the mutation of a gene associated with early onset Alzheimer's may block a key recycling process necessary for brain cell survival -- a finding that points the way to possible treatment for the disease.

Common Cancer Drug Tied to Kidney Damage

The widely used cancer drug bevacizumab (Avastin) is associated with a more than fourfold increased risk of severe urinary protein loss, a new review finds.

Tiniest Babies Don't Hurt Family Health in Long Run

Families caring for extremely low birth weight babies generally face a higher chance of having to cope with developmental difficulties, but researchers who have tracked the tiniest babies have come upon some good news.

Staph Infection Risk Rises With Brain, Chest Surgeries

Post-surgical staphylococcus aureus infections occur most frequently among patients who've had major chest or head operations, a new study finds.

Violence on the Rise at U.S. Health Care Centers

More and more violent crimes are occurring in America's hospitals, clinics and other health care facilities, according to a new alert issued by the Joint Commission, an independent health care oversight group.

Quitting Smoking Before Pregnancy Could Save Babies' Lives

Women who quit smoking before they get pregnant may save their babies' lives, says a new study of more than 3 million births.

Exercise Helps Reduce Falls in Young and Old

Regular exercise reduces the risk of falls in both young and old, a new study shows.

Eye Exam May Someday Spot Multiple Sclerosis

A simple eye test may one day help diagnose multiple sclerosis in its earliest stages and enable researchers to assess the effectiveness of treatments, according to a new study.

Genes May Be a Source of Vitamin D Deficiency

Nutrition and sun exposure are both prime influences on an individual's vitamin D level, but a new study suggests that genetics could help determine a person's risk for vitamin D deficiency.

Depression Can Make Pain Worse

Being depressed can make real physical pain feel worse, British researchers have found.

Is It Safe to Go in the Gulf Coast's Water?

Now that oil and tar balls from the massive Gulf oil spill have begun washing up on the beaches of four states, many are wondering: What, if any, are the health risks to beachgoers and residents of the region?

Lack of Insurance Could Raise Inpatient Death Risk

A large new study suggests that surviving a hospitalization for heart attack, stroke or pneumonia may depend, at least in part, on the type of insurance you have.

Family Caregivers Share Experiences of Dying Patients

People who are taking care of a family member with lung cancer need support for the entire time that their loved one is terminally ill because they encounter tremendous stress during the dying process, a new study has found.

Health Highlights: June 10, 2010

Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by the editors of HealthDay:

Clinical Trials Update: June 10, 2010

Here are the latest clinical trials, courtesy of ClinicalConnection.com:

CDC Warns of Ecstasy Overdose 'Clusters' at Rave Events

What seems like a carefree night of revelry at a "rave" can quickly turn tragic when the club drug ecstasy is involved, finds a new report on one such event from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

FDA Panel Endorses 1st Oral Drug for Multiple Sclerosis

An expert advisory panel of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Thursday recommended that the agency approve an oral drug, Gilenia, as a first-line treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS).