Health News

Health News for 09/17/10

September 17, 2010

Medicines Pose Greater Threat to Kids Than Chemicals

Most parents these days are mindful of obvious poisoning risks to their children. They lock up household cleaners and keep chemicals and pesticides well out of the reach of youngsters.

Poison Experts Turn Phone Line Into a Lifeline

Trained as a registered nurse to work in emergency rooms and intensive care units, Hugh Rawls did just that until sidelined a decade ago by a back injury.

Health Tip: Are You Prone to Metabolic Syndrome?

Metabolic syndrome is a group of risk factors that are related to being overweight or obese. It increases the risk of serious health problems such as diabetes, heart disease and stroke.

Health Tip: Recognizing Hypothyroidism

The thyroid gland, found in the front of the neck just below the voicebox, produces a vital hormone that helps control your body's metabolism. When it doesn't produce enough of this hormone, the condition is called hypothyroidism.

Aggressive Kids With ADHD May Not Need Antipsychotic Meds

More and more children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) who act out aggressively are being given antipsychotic drugs in addition to stimulant medications to help control their volatile outbursts.

Same-Sex Couples May Feel Pressure to Raise Heterosexual Kids

Social pressure for gay parents to raise heterosexual children can cause stress for these families and make it harder for gay children of gay parents to get the support they need, says an expert.

Uninsured With Prostate Cancer Diagnosed With More Advanced Disease

Prostate cancer patients who are uninsured or on Medicaid at the time of their diagnosis tend to have more severe disease, likely because they have less access to medical care, U.S. researchers report.

Poor Diet, Inactivity May Lead to Metabolism-Induced Asthma

A poor diet and lack of exercise can cause an imbalance in metabolism that may increase a child's risk of developing asthma, a new study suggests.

Absent Father Might Mean Earlier Puberty for Higher-Income Girls

Girls growing up in higher-income homes without a biological father are likely to reach puberty earlier than others, new research finds.

Pregnant Women Urged to Get Flu Shot

As flu season approaches, a coalition of the nation's largest public health organizations are highlighting the need for pregnant women to protect themselves and their babies by getting immunized.

Discrimination Can Hurt Teens, Body and Soul

Discrimination experienced by U.S. teens from Latin American and Asian backgrounds can affect their grades and health, and is associated with depression, distress and reduced self-esteem, a new study has found.

More Maternal Education Saves Children's Lives

Increasing levels of education among women worldwide helped save the lives of millions of children a year, a new study shows.

More Evidence That Glucosamine, Chondroitin Won't Help Ailing Joints

Although millions take supplements containing glucosamine and chondroitin to relieve the pain of osteoarthritis in their hips and knees, there is no evidence that these supplements have any healing effect, finds a new analysis of large-scale studies.

No Evidence That Asthma Leads to Tooth Decay: Study

There's no link between asthma and tooth decay in children, according to a new analysis of studies on the issue.

For Ex-Smokers, Some Cigarette Cravings May Never Leave

New research suggests that the seductive power of smoking cues does not diminish over time for those who are trying to kick the habit.

Health Highlights: Sept. 17, 2010

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

Clinical Trials Update: Sept. 17, 2010

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

Three Cardiac Resynchronization Defibrillators Approved for New Use

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a new use for three cardiac resychronization therapy defibrillators (CRT-D) to treat people with a heart abnormality called left bundle branch block who also have mild cases of heart failure or heart failure with no symptoms.

New Drug Promising for Advanced Thyroid Cancer

A targeted drug called pazopanib could prove effective against difficult-to-treat cases of thyroid cancer cases, researchers say.