Health News

Health News for 02/22/11

February 22, 2011

Mammography Expertise May Improve With Practice

Radiologists who interpret large numbers of mammograms may not detect more breast cancers, but are better at identifying breast lesions that are not cancerous, a new study finds.

Health Tip: Keep Track of Asthma Symptoms

Keeping track of asthma symptoms each day can help your doctor devise a more effective treatment plan.

Health Tip: Cramp Got Your Leg?

A muscle cramp occurs when a muscle involuntarily contracts. It often occurs during a sport or other exercise, but a muscle can spasm even during sleep.

Speaking Several Languages Might Protect Memory

The ability to speak several languages not only looks good on a resume when you're young, it may have neurological benefits well after you pass retirement age.

High Triglyceride Levels Linked to Increased Stroke Risk: Study

Men and women with high triglyceride levels are at an increased risk of ischemic stroke, which typically occurs when blood flow to the brain is blocked by a build-up of fatty deposits within blood vessels, a new Danish study contends.

People With Bowel Disease at Higher Risk of Blood Clot in Lungs, Legs

People with inflammatory bowel disease have double the risk of developing a potentially deadly blood clot (venous thromboembolism) in the legs or lungs as do people in the general public, a new study finds.

Softening Water Does Not Seem to Ease Eczema

Despite suggestions that hard water may provoke the itchy and discomforting skin condition known as atopic eczema, a new British study has found that softening the water does nothing to relieve sufferers.

Induced Labor Linked to Raised Risks for First-Time Moms

The increasingly commonplace decision by pregnant women and their doctors to induce labor for convenience rather than for medical necessity entails some health risks to both mother and child, research suggests.

Brain's Electrical Activity May Help Spot Infants at High Risk for Autism

By analyzing patterns in the brain's electrical activity, researchers say they've been able to assess autism risk in children as young as 6 months of age.

Mammograms May Not Be Fool-Proof at Catching Second Cancers

In women who have had breast cancer, annual mammograms help detect second breast cancers, but they're not as effective in women who have never had the disease, new research suggests.

Cell Phones Affect Areas of the Brain, Study Shows

A one-hour cell phone conversation stimulates the areas of your brain closest to the phone's antenna, but experts say they still have no idea whether these effects pose any long-term health risk.

Plastics Chemical Affects U.S. More Than Canada: Study

Concentrations of bisphenol A -- a chemical commonly used in making plastics -- are much lower in Canadians than Americans, a new study has found.

COPD May Make Shingles More Likely

People with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, are more likely than others to develop shingles, according to a new study.

Health Highlights: Feb. 22, 2011

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

Nitroglycerin Ointment Might Strengthen Bones

Nitroglycerin ointment, usually prescribed to relieve chest pain, may also counter bone loss, a new study suggests.

Car Ignition 'Interlocks' Thwart Alcohol-Impaired Drivers

Ignition devices that prevent people from driving after drinking greatly reduce the number of new arrests of drivers who were previously arrested for drunk driving, U.S. researchers report.

Clinical Trials Update: Feb. 22, 2011

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

Supreme Court Rejects Vaccine-Safety Lawsuit

A U.S. law protects drug makers from lawsuits filed for serious side effects caused by childhood vaccines, the Supreme Court ruled Tuesday.

More Evidence Ties Moderate Drinking to Heart Health

Moderate alcohol consumption may help protect against heart disease, according to two new papers by Canadian researchers.