Health News

Health News for 12/20/10

December 20, 2010

Health Tip: Recognizing Symptoms of Shingles

Shingles is caused by the herpes zoster virus, the same one that causes chickenpox.

Health Tip: Treating Sesamoiditis

Most bones connect to other bones. Bones that connect to tendons or muscles instead are called sesamoids.

Brain Imaging May Predict Dyslexia Gains

Brain scans of teenagers with dyslexia can identify with 90 percent accuracy which ones will improve their reading skills over time, a new study finds.

Positive Mood Seems to Boost Creativity

People who are seeking creative inspiration should try to look on the bright side, the results of a new study suggest.

Give Yourself the Gift of a Stress-Free Holiday

'Tis the season to be jolly, not stressed out, and an expert offers some tips on how to take care of yourself during the holiday rush.

Whole-Fat Dairy Products May Lower Type 2 Diabetes Risk: Study

New research suggests that whole-fat dairy products -- generally shunned by health experts -- contain a fatty acid that may lower the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Do Breast-Fed Baby Boys Grow Into Better Students?

Adding to reports that breast-feeding boosts brain health, a new study finds that infants breast-fed for six months or longer, especially boys, do considerably better in school at age 10 compared to bottle-fed tots, according to a new study.

Rash Due to Lung Cancer Drug May Be Linked to Better Survival

Lung cancer patients who develop a rash after treatment with the drug cetuximab (Erbitux) have better outcomes, according to a new study.

Psoriasis Linked to Raised Heart Risks

People with psoriasis are at increased risk for a cluster of cardiovascular risk factors known as metabolic syndrome, a new study has found.

Liver Cancer Survival Rates May Be Worse for Blacks

Black Americans with early-stage liver cancer are more likely to die of the disease than Asian, Hispanic or white patients, say researchers.

Speech, Swallowing Usually OK After Head & Neck Cancer Therapy

Most head and neck cancer patients can speak and swallow after undergoing combined chemotherapy and radiation treatment, but several factors may be associated with poor outcomes, researchers have found.

C-Sections Continue 12-Year Climb: U.S. Report

Continuing a 12-year climb, cesarean deliveries reached a record high in 2008, accounting for almost one-third of the births in the United States, a new report shows.

Heartburn Drugs May Raise Pneumonia Risk

Popular heartburn drugs, including proton pump inhibitors and histamine-2 receptor antagonists, may raise the risk of pneumonia, new research finds.

Health Highlights: Dec. 20, 2010

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

Echinacea No Cure for the Common Cold, Study Finds

The herbal remedy echinacea, believed by many to cure colds, is no better than a placebo in relieving the symptoms or shortening the duration of illness, a new study finds.

Tanning Beds Still Popular Despite Skin Cancer Risk

Tanning bed use remains popular among Americans, a new study shows, despite reported links to an increased risk of skin cancer and the availability of safe "spray-on" tans.

Clinical Trials Update: Dec. 20, 2010

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

Guidelines Eased for Patients With Irregular Heartbeats

Leading U.S. cardiac experts have relaxed the recommendations for strict heart rate control in patients with atrial fibrillation, an irregular heart rhythm that can lead to strokes.

Most Trauma Patients Not Transferred Within Mandated Time Frame in Illinois

Most trauma patients transferred between facilities in the state of Illinois don't make it to their final destination within the two hours mandated by the state.

Take Precautions Against Cholera if Headed to Haiti: CDC

People traveling to Haiti or the Dominican Republic over the holidays should take steps to protect themselves from cholera, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a bulletin issued Monday.