Health News

Health News for 11/29/10

November 29, 2010

Peripheral Arterial Surgery Outcomes Worse for Women: Study

Women have worse outcomes than men following surgery for peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in their lower extremities, a new study has found.

Health Tip: Managing Fatty Liver

Fatty liver occurs when liver cells accumulate too much fat, potentially impacting the liver's ability to function.

Health Tip: Does Your Child Have Mastoiditis?

When the mastoid bone in the skull becomes infected, it's called mastoiditis. Often it's triggered by an infection in the middle ear, and it's most common in children.

Genes Influence Vitamin D Levels, But Only in Winter: Study

Genetics influence a person's vitamin D levels during the winter while other factors have the greatest impact in the summer, the results of a new study indicate.

Don't Let the Bedbugs Bite, Allergist Warns

Think twice before hauling used furniture into your home because it may be infested with bedbugs, warns a Loyola University Health System allergist.

Shortage of On-Call Trauma Surgeons in U.S. Hospitals: Poll

Three-quarters of U.S. emergency department directors say they don't have adequate on-call trauma surgeon coverage and nearly one-quarter say their hospital's trauma center designation has been downgraded or lost, a new survey finds.

Trust in Doctor May Affect Reaction to Medical Error

Patients who trust that their doctor would tell them about a medical error are much more forgiving than those who doubt their physician would own up to the mistake, a new study finds.

CT Scan Use Surging in Hospital ERs

The use of CT scans as a diagnostic tool is surging in emergency departments across the United States, new research indicates.

Women With Breast Cancer History Should Consider MRI: Study

Women who have had breast cancer should consider annual screening with breast MRI in addition to an annual mammogram, new research indicates.

Heavy Smoking May Double Rheumatoid Arthritis Risk in Blacks

Smoking boosts the risk of rheumatoid arthritis in black Americans, and heavy smokers and those with a genetic risk factor for rheumatoid arthritis are among those most likely to develop the joint disease, a new study has found.

Scientists Find Way to Partially Reverse Aging in Mice

U.S. scientists say they have partially reversed age-related degeneration in mice, leading to new brain and testes growth, improved fertility and the return of lost cognitive function, or thinking skills.

Rate of Eating Disorders in Kids Keeps Rising

Eating disorders have risen steadily in children and teens over the last few decades, with some of the sharpest increases occurring in boys and minority youths, according to a new report.

Too Much Hygiene May Affect Immune System, Study Suggests

Children and teens who are overexposed to antibacterial soaps that contain the chemical triclosan may be at increased risk for hay fever and other allergies, a finding that suggests that being too clean can actually make people sick, researchers say.

Health Highlights: Nov. 29, 2010

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

'Love Hormone' May Boost Men's Memories of Mom -- Good or Bad

A study involving men and their mothers suggests a new function for the "love hormone" oxytocin in human behavior.

Kids Who Eat Fruits, Veggies May Cut Heart Risk

Children who eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables may be able to help ward off atherosclerosis in adulthood, a precursor of heart disease, a new study suggests.

Regular Walking May Slow Decline of Alzheimer's

New research suggests that walking about five miles a week may help slow the progression of cognitive illness among seniors already suffering from mild forms of cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's disease.

Clinical Trials Update: Nov. 29, 2010

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

Celebrex Shows Potential in Preventing Some Skin Cancers: Study

The prescription painkiller Celebrex might help prevent non-melanoma skin cancers, a small study suggests.