Health News

Health News for 10/26/10

October 26, 2010

Stillbirth Can Be Devastating, Unpredictable

Dr. Alexander Heazell and his then-wife were happily getting ready for the birth of their first child in 2001. They planned to name him Jack.

Health Tip: Moisten a Dry Mouth

Dry mouth is a common annoyance. But when it's chronic, it can indicate a serious health problem.

Health Tip: When to Wash Your Hands

Keeping your hands clean reduces your risk of contracting or spreading illness.

Use Anemia Drugs for Cancer Patients With Caution, Experts Say

Physicians need to use caution when giving a class of drugs called erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) to cancer patients who have anemia caused by chemotherapy, according to new medical guidelines.

Brain Deficits Higher in Seniors Who Survive Blood Poisoning

Older adults who survive severe sepsis are at increased risk for new physical limitations and problems with mental functioning, a new study indicates.

Childhood Cancer Survivors Risk Future GI Problems

Children who survive cancer face an increased risk for gastrointestinal complications later on, a new study suggests.

For Black Men, Haircuts Might Also Cut High Blood Pressure

Offering black men blood pressure checks while they're having their hair cut could help them keep hypertension at bay, a new study finds.

Primary Care MDs at Low End of Pay Scale, Study Finds

Primary care doctors earn the lowest hourly wages among physicians, and this may be one reason for U.S. medical students' declining interest in primary care, suggests a new study.

Ingredients in Red Yeast Rice Supplements Vary Widely: Study

There are widely inconsistent amounts of active ingredient in different formulations of popular red yeast rice supplements, a new study finds. The supplements are marketed as a way to lower cholesterol levels.

Scans Show How Hormone Levels Affect Female Brain

Hormone levels at certain phases of the menstrual cycle affect women's emotional responses, finds a new study.

New Polio Vaccine Shows Major Advantages: Study

A new bivalent oral vaccine that targets two deadly strains of polio -- types 1 and 3 -- triggers a stronger immune response than the existing trivalent vaccine and an immune response that's similar to monovalent vaccines, a new study shows.

Dietary Fats Seem to Affect Sperm Quality

Men who eat foods containing a lot of saturated fats -- think burgers and fries -- and monounsaturated fats may be harming their sperm, a new study by Harvard researchers suggests.

Cancer Risk From Radiation Doesn't Fade With Age

TUESDAY, Oct. 26 (HealthDay News) --Middle-aged adults may face as high a risk for developing cancer as a result of radiation exposure as younger adults and children, new research suggests.

Fish Oil Might Help Fight Gum Disease

Eating even moderate amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, typically found in foods such as salmon and other fatty fish, may help ward off gum disease, new research suggests.

Health Highlights: Oct. 26, 2010

Republican Senate Candidate Fiorina Hospitalized

Gene Mutations May Blunt Plavix's Effectiveness, Study Finds

People with certain gene variants who take the blood-thinning drug Plavix (clopidogrel) may be at increased risk for serious complications after coronary stent placement, a new study finds.

Clinical Trials Update: Oct. 26, 2010

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

Healthy Living Can Prevent Nearly 25% of Colorectal Cancers

As many as 23 percent of colorectal cancers could be prevented if people followed five simple healthy lifestyle recommendations, Danish researchers say.

New Insights on Who Should Take Erbitux for Colon Cancer

New research challenges previous assumptions about how to treat metastatic colon cancer in patients with a certain genetic mutation.