Health News

Health News for 12/08/10

December 08, 2010

Serotonin May Be the Key to SIDS

Sudden infant death syndrome, or SIDS, has for years had a reputation as a mysterious and terrifying killer of newborns.

Mother Talks of the Anger, Confusion and Grief of a SIDS Death

Allison Glover lost her baby boy, Garrett, to sudden infant death syndrome a little more than two months after she gave birth to him and his twin brother, Gordon.

Changes to Flex Spending Accounts Could Hurt Consumers

It's the time of year for holiday parties, gift shopping and open enrollment, when many employees have to make decisions about their employer-sponsored health-care plans.

Those Sweet Pet Treats May Foster Fatness

A not-so surprising ingredient is now appearing in those treats your pet craves.

Health Tip: Aggravating Psoriasis

Psoriasis is an immune system disorder that causes red, scaly patches of skin.

Health Tip: You May Have Sprained Your Neck

If you tear a ligament that joins the seven spinal bones in your neck to each other, it's considered a neck sprain. It often occurs when the neck is stretched to an extreme position during a motor vehicle accident or fall.

Secondhand Smoke May Put Kids at Risk for Diseases

Exposure to secondhand smoke greatly increases a child's chances of developing several invasive bacterial diseases, according to a new review of published studies.

Researchers Assess Gay Youths' Mental Health

One third of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) adolescents have attempted suicide in their lifetime, but most of them are mentally strong, new U.S. research suggests.

Marital Status May Affect Kidney Transplant Decision

Kidney failure patients who are married are more likely to receive a new kidney than those who are widows or widowers or have never married, finds a new study.

Farm Environment, Cats Help Kids Avoid Skin Disease

The children of mothers who were around farm animals and cats during pregnancy are less likely to develop atopic dermatitis in their first two years of life, new European research shows.

How MS Affects Kids May Differ by Race

A new U.S. study finds that multiple sclerosis impairs certain cognitive functions more severely in black children than white children.

Imitation the Quickest Way to Grasp a Foreign Accent

If you have trouble understanding people with regional or foreign accents, imitating their accent may help you understand what they're saying, a new study suggests.

Radiation After Surgery Lowers Chances of Breast Cancer's Return

Women with localized breast cancer are less likely to develop invasive cancer if they receive radiation after surgery, a new study finds.

Chinese Study Suggests New Way to Test for Genetic Diseases

A new test that requires only a tiny sample of a mother's blood to scan the genome of a fetus may offer a safer alternative to current methods of prenatal screening for genetic diseases, a new study suggests.

New Diet Pill Wins FDA Panel's Backing

An expert advisory panel recommended on Tuesday that Contrave, a new weight-loss pill that combines an antidepressant with an anti-addiction medication, be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Health Highlights: Dec. 8, 2010

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

Clinical Trials Update: Dec. 8, 2010

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

Weight-Lifting After Breast Cancer Won't Cause Lymphedema, Study Finds

Contrary to conventional wisdom, lifting weights doesn't cause breast cancer survivors to develop the painful, arm-swelling condition known as lymphedema, new research suggests.

Certain Formulations of Omega-3s Might Help With Depression

Omega-3 fatty acids may help alleviate depression but only when a particular type of fatty acid called DHA is used in the right ratio with another fatty acid known as EPA, a new study suggests.