Health News

Health News for 01/18/11

January 18, 2011

New Devices Help Seniors Stay Longer in Their Own Homes

Seniors who want to remain in their homes despite illness and infirmity can get a high-tech assist these days.

Health Tip: Protect Yourself Against Cold Weather

Icy snow, wind and frigid temperatures are frequently in nature's plans for winter.

Health Tip: Suggestions to Manage Stress

Stress can bring you down emotionally, and it can also take a toll on your physical health.

Problem Drinkers Marry Later, Break Up Sooner: Study

In a study finding that may not surprise the families of problem drinkers, drinking can have a strong negative impact on how long it takes someone to get married and how long the marriage will survive.

Genetics Could Play Role in Teen Drinking

Genetics appear to play a role in teens' use of heavy drinking to cope with negative feelings, a new study suggests.

Donor Kidneys Travel Safely, Study Finds

Kidneys from live donors that are transported across town or across the country are as safe to use in transplants as a kidney from a donor in the same hospital as the recipient, says a new study.

Ovarian Cyst Syndrome May Raise Health Risks from Plastics Chemical

Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) appear to be more vulnerable to a chemical found in many consumer products than other women, a new study suggests.

Damage of 'False-Positive' Mammograms Overlooked: Study

Women should be made aware of the potential downsides of breast cancer screenings, a team of Dutch doctors urges, because false-positive results can prompt anxiety and seriously undermine a patient's quality of life.

More Evidence That TV, Computer Time Could Harm Heart

Spending hours in front of a TV or computer monitor -- known as "screen time" -- has been linked to signs that the heart needs longer to recover from exercise, an indication of poor heart health.

Predeployment Mental Health Screening May Help Troops

Stringent mental health screening before deployment appeared to reduce the rate of psychiatric and behavioral problems among U.S. Army soldiers in Iraq by 78 percent, a new study has found.

Vein-Opening Treatment for MS Stirs Controversy

Preliminary research and reports from patients suggest that a controversial treatment for multiple sclerosis can help relieve fatigue and other symptoms, but many physicians remain highly skeptical of the claims.

Many Surgeons Have Contemplated Suicide, Study Finds

A new study finds that as many as one in 16 U.S. surgeons harbored suicidal thoughts in the previous year, but few sought help from a mental-health professional.

Smoking Scenes in Movies Light Up Smokers' Brains

Seeing a character in a movie light up a cigarette triggers smokers' brains to plan the same motions, new research shows.

Stents Show Promise in Treating Brain Blockages

Stents, already used to open clogged heart arteries, might have another use: clearing arterial blockages in the brain after traditional stroke treatments fail.

One in 12 Fans Leaves Major Sports Events Drunk: Study

As the final round of the NFL playoffs approaches this weekend, consider this sobering fact from a new study: One in every 12 fans leaving major sporting events is intoxicated.

Progress Reported in Predicting Alzheimer's

Researchers report promising results for a scanning test that aims to reveal the presence of Alzheimer's disease, potentially allowing doctors to try to treat the illness in its early stages. Another study finds that blood tests could indicate higher risks of dementia later in life.

Rep. Giffords Continues to Improve

Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords continues her remarkable recovery after she was gravely wounded by an assassin's bullet to her brain nine days ago: On Sunday, her doctors upgraded her condition from critical to serious.

Health Highlights: Jan. 18, 2011

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

Clinical Trials Update: Jan. 18, 2011

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

Antidepressant Might Help Ease Hot Flashes

The antidepressant medication escitalopram (brand name Lexapro) reduced the frequency and severity of hot flashes in older women, according to new research.

Gene Test Might Predict Colon Cancer's Return

A genetic test seems able to identify which people with stage II colon cancer face a higher risk of recurrence, German researchers report.

Natroba Approved for Head Lice

Natroba (spinosad) Topical Suspension 0.9 percent has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat head lice in people aged 4 years and older.