Health News

Health News for 03/10/11

March 10, 2011

Popular Baby Media May Not Actually Advance Learning

Parents who want to provide their babies a learning advantage these days often turn to what's been nicknamed "baby media" -- videos specifically designed to stimulate very young minds.

Health Tip: Avoid Outdoor Allergens

The great outdoors is rife with allergens that make your eyes itchy, red and watery.

Health Tip: Have a Dislocated Joint?

A dislocation occurs when two bones that meet at a joint become separated. The ADAM Encyclopedia says this may damage nearby ligaments, nerves and blood vessels.

Elderly Tend to Drive Slower to Make Up for Reaction Time

One reason that elderly people tend to be slower drivers than younger people is because they have a narrower field of vision and have more difficulty seeing pedestrians, according to a new study.

Kids With Cerebral Palsy May Have Asymmetric Pelvic Bones

Most children with severe cerebral palsy have asymmetric pelvic bones that surgeons should adjust for when they perform surgeries of the pelvis, spine and surrounding structures, say researchers.

Depression Seems to Increase Risk of Kidney Failure: Study

Depression appears to increase the risk of kidney failure, according to a new study.

Poor Diet in Pregnancy Tied to Disease in Offspring: Rat Study

You may have a higher long-term risk of disease if your mother ate poorly during pregnancy, a new study in rats suggests.

Humans Age at Same Pace as Other Primates, Study Finds

New research challenges the belief that humans age at a slower pace than other animal species.

New Drug May Trim Insulin Injections to Just 3 a Week

A preliminary study reports that people with diabetes were able to get injections of a new insulin drug just three times a week without major ill effects.

Home Genetic Tests May Need Doctor's Involvement: Report

Some genetic tests sold directly to consumers that might help to predict health risks may need to be supplied through doctors, a U.S. Food and Drug Administration official said Wednesday, Bloomberg News reported.

Image, Appearance Rank High Among Social Network Users

Women who base their self-worth on their looks tend to share more photos online and to maintain a larger number of friends on social networking Web sites, according to a new study.

Sexual Side Effects From Propecia, Avodart May Be Irreversible

Drugs frequently prescribed to treat hair loss or an enlarged prostate may contribute to irreversible sexual dysfunction in men, new research finds.

Animal Study May Explain Low Birth Weight-Obesity Link

Newborns with a low birth weight due to their mother's poor nutrition during pregnancy may be "programmed" to eat more, research in animals suggests.

FDA Approves 1st New Lupus Drug in More Than 50 Years

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday gave lupus patients their first new treatment option in more than 50 years when it approved Benlysta as a way to ease the painful symptoms of this debilitating autoimmune disorder.

Fat Alone, Not Where It Sits, May Be Key to Heart Problems

In a finding that contradicts earlier research, an international study suggests that being obese boosts the likelihood of a heart attack or stroke regardless of where the excess fat is stored in the body.

Can Coffee Cut a Woman's Stroke Risk?

Women who have at least one cup of coffee -- or even five cups -- daily may be reducing their risk of stroke by as much as 25 percent, new Swedish research shows.

Benlysta Approved for Lupus

Benlysta (belimumab) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat lupus, the first medication sanctioned for the condition in the United States since 1955.

Health Highlights: March 10, 2011

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

Almost 12 Million Cancer Survivors Living in U.S., Report Shows

The number of cancer survivors in the United States climbed to 11.7 million in 2007, government health officials reported Thursday.

Clinical Trials Update: March 10, 2011

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

Many Find Solace in Charlie Sheen Drama, Expert Contends

Charlie Sheen's apparent public meltdown has all the elements of a made-for-TV drama that has riveted millions of Americans -- and that could, ironically, provide a healthy diversion for some people, at least one expert contends.