Health News

Health News for 02/15/11

February 15, 2011

Alcohol Disrupts Women's Sleep More Than Men's: Study

Alcohol appears to cause more sleep problems in women than in men, a new study found.

Health Tip: Teach Children Safety Around Cars

Kids playing in the yard may be easily distracted and not notice an oncoming car. Busy drivers may also be focused elsewhere and not notice a child in danger.

Health Tip: Are You Getting Enough Vitamin D?

Vitamin D is essential for healthy bones and teeth. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, it can also help protect against chronic disease, including diabetes, heart disease and cancer.

Fear of Lawsuits May Be Leading to Extra Medical Tests

Medical imaging tests are often ordered by doctors to protect themselves against a lawsuit, a new study suggests.

Eating Breakfast May Lead Teen Moms to Better Health

Teenagers, generally not renowned for their good eating habits, tend to have healthier weights and snacking habits when they start the day with breakfast, researchers report.

Stress Fractures Hitting High School Athletes

Stress fractures linked to overuse may be more common than thought among high school athletes, especially among those who participate in running-related sports, a new study finds.

Calorie Labels Don't Affect Kids' Fast-Food Choices

Posting calorie counts of menu items at fast-food restaurants doesn't appear to inspire teenagers and parents of younger children to order less-fattening meals, new research finds.

Obesity Alone Raises Risk of Fatal Heart Attack, Study Finds

Obese men face a dramatically higher risk of dying from a heart attack, regardless of whether or not they have other known risk factors for cardiovascular disease, a new study reveals.

Kids Learn to Work Together Early, Study Finds

Some adults may want to take a lesson from young children who've demonstrated that even at the early age of 3, children have a sense of what's fair, researchers say.

Fluctuating Hormones Linked to More Severe Bipolar Symptoms

In women with bipolar disorder, premenstrual mood changes are associated with more depressive episodes and more severe symptoms, researchers have found.

Motorcycle Helmets Help Protect Against Spine Injury: Study

Motorcycle helmets reduce the risk of spine injuries, says a study that challenges a widely held belief that the weight of motorcycle helmets increases the risk of neck injuries.

Pedal Your Way to Better Health, at Work

A mini exercise bike that can be used while working at a desk could help improve the health of office workers and others with sedentary jobs, according to a new study.

Study Links MS to Brain Chemical Deficiency

Multiple sclerosis is associated with reduced levels of an important neurotransmitter, noradrenaline -- a shortage caused by damage to an area of the brain called the locus coeruleus (LC), researchers have found.

Popular Bone Drugs Linked to Reduced Colon Cancer Risk

People who take drugs called bisphosphonates to prevent bone loss may also reduce their risk of developing colorectal cancer by almost 60 percent compared to those not on the drugs, a new study suggests.

Experts Issue New Heart Disease Guidelines for Women

Preventing heart attacks and strokes is very similar in women and men, with a few small but important differences, according to new guidelines from the American Heart Association.

Health Highlights: Feb. 15, 2011

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

Clinical Trials Update: Feb. 15, 2011

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

Higher Levels of Blood Protein Linked to Lower Respiratory Risks

People whose blood levels of bilirubin are on the high side may have a lowered risk for lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and death from any cause, British researchers report.

Could Hair Loss at 20 Signal Higher Prostate Cancer Risk?

Men with prostate cancer may be twice as likely to have started showing signs of male pattern baldness at the age of 20 than those without prostate cancer, a new French study suggests.

Blacks Readmitted to Hospital More Than Whites: Study

After leaving the hospital for treatment of three common conditions, older black people are more likely to be readmitted within 30 days than older white people, a new study finds.

PSA Test Cut-off Could Signal Low-Risk Prostate Cancer

Men who have a low prostate-specific antigen (PSA) score when they're first tested may not need to be screened annually and probably don't need to undergo a biopsy, a new study suggests.

Zinc May Help Ease Common Cold: Analysis

A review of data from 15 trials suggests that the zinc supplements so many Americans pop at the first sign of a cold may, in fact, cut the length and severity of illness.