Health News

Health News for 04/05/11

April 05, 2011

Severe Weight Gain After Breast Cancer May Threaten Health

Extreme weight gain increases breast cancer survivors' risk of cancer recurrence and death, but moderate weight gain has no effect on outcomes, a new study finds.

Health Tip: Getting My Child to Go to Sleep

Your growing child needs a good night's rest, and a consistent bedtime routine can make putting your youngster to bed a little less challenging.

Health Tip: Cut Down on Sodium

Most people get much more sodium (salt) in their diet than their body needs. This causes the body to retain water, increasing the risk of high blood pressure and other cardiovascular problems.

As CT Scans of Kids Soar, Experts Urge Oversight

The substantial increase in computed tomography (CT) examinations of children in U.S. hospital emergency departments between 1995 and 2008 highlights the need for appropriate use and interpretation of these exams, say researchers.

Girls in Some Sports Face Raised Risk of Stress Fractures: Study

Girls involved in high-impact activities such as running, basketball, gymnastics and cheerleading are at increased risk for stress fractures, a new study finds.

Soy Foods OK After Breast Cancer: Study

Some breast cancer survivors fear that eating foods containing soy will increase the risk of a cancer recurrence, but new research suggests that those worries appear to be unfounded.

Can the Dukan Diet Do It?

No doubt timed to coincide with the collective angst about the upcoming swimsuit season, a best-selling book detailing a trendy new diet made famous by the French is due out in the United States later this month.

U.S. Vets' Heart Failure Death Rates Seem to Be Improving

Elderly U.S. veterans are far less likely to die after hospitalization for heart failure than they were in the late 1990s, a new study indicates.

Sudden Cardiac Death More Common in Young Athletes Than Thought

Sudden cardiac death kills more young athletes in the United States than previously estimated, according to a new study.

Patients on Higher Doses of Prescription Painkillers More Apt to Overdose

Patients who are prescribed higher doses of opioid painkiller drugs (such as Oxycontin or Vicodin) are at increased risk of death from overdose than those given lower doses, a new study finds.

Inner Ear Can 'Store' Recent Sounds, Study Finds

The inner ear can actually "store" sounds, according to a new study.

Blood Marker Suggests Severity of Alzheimer's Disease

New research shows that levels of a particular protein can indicate the severity of Alzheimer's disease, but it doesn't serve as an early warning sign of the illness.

Health Highlights: April 5, 2011

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

Babies Born to Obese Moms Face Higher Death Risk: Study

Babies born to mothers who were obese in early pregnancy have a much greater risk of dying before, during, or up to one year after birth, a new British study says.

Implantable Device May Lower Tough-to-Treat Hypertension

For people with hard-to-control blood pressure, a new implantable device shows promise, researchers report.

Two Different Heart Drugs May Work Equally Well for High-Risk Patients

People with high blood pressure and impaired glucose tolerance seem to fare equally well when given two separate types of heart drugs, new research suggests.

Risks of Estrogen Hormone Therapy Seen to Fade After Treatment Ends

In the latest analysis from the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) study, researchers report that risks to postmenopausal women who were taking estrogen-only hormone therapy faded rapidly after they ended the treatment.

U.S. Teen Birth Rate Hits Record Low

Over the last two decades teen births have dropped 37 percent in the United States and are now at a record low, government health officials report.