Health News

Health News for 04/07/11

April 07, 2011

Health Tip: These Factors May Trigger Muscle Cramps

It's common to have muscles that tighten and cramp, especially if you're an avid exerciser. One of the primary triggers for muscle cramps is overuse, the ADAM Encyclopedia says.

Health Tip: Protect Your Skin After Hair Loss

People who lose their hair -- temporarily from chemotherapy or disease, or permanently -- are more vulnerable to sunburn and skin cancer on the scalp and face.

For Young Women, 'Controlling' Partner Often Abusive, Too

Young women whose intimate partners try to control them are at increased risk for physical and sexual domestic violence, a new study finds.

Doctors Most Trusted Source of Vaccine Information, Study Finds

For American parents, doctors are the most trusted source of information about the safety of children's vaccines, a new study indicates.

Study Finds Strong Smoking-Asthma Link

The link between smoking and asthma may be even stronger than previously suspected, a new study finds.

Early Response to Alcohol May Predict Later Drinking Behavior

A young adult's early response to alcohol may predict future drinking problems, researchers say.

Racial Disparities Remain for Health Care for Vets

Gaps in care for black and white U.S. veterans have been reduced over the past decade as the VA Health Care System improved access to screenings and treatment of high-risk conditions among all patients. But major disparities persist in control of cholesterol, diabetes and high blood pressure, a new study says.

Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria in India Could Spread, Experts Say

A gene that helps bacteria resist nearly all antibiotics is present in bacteria in public water supplies in New Delhi, India, researchers have found.

Report: Hospital Errors May Be Far More Common Than Suspected

A new method for identifying medical errors contends that as many as 90 percent of hospital mistakes are overlooked.

Could Stomach 'Pacemaker' Be New Weight-Loss Tool?

Silke Zeigler was fed up with "yo-yo" dieting in her struggle to maintain a healthy weight.

'Retail Therapy' Might Really Work

A shopping trip-a-day may help keep the doctor away, not to mention the Grim Reaper, a new study from Taiwan suggests.

Long-Term Ecstasy Users at Risk for Brain Damage, Study Warns

Long-term users of the illegal drug ecstasy are at risk for brain damage, warns a new study.

Scientists Use Computer to 'Read' Human Thoughts

After hooking up a computer to human brains, scientists were able to program the computer to "read" the thoughts of disabled patients, thereby enabling them to control the cursor on the screen.

Certain Diabetes Drugs Better for Heart Health, Study Finds

The commonly used oral diabetes drug metformin not only helps stabilize blood sugar levels, it also may offer protection against heart disease, researchers say.

Only 1.2% of Alcohol Abusers Know They Need Help: Report

A new report reveals that 98.8 percent of the more than 7.4 million American adults aged 21 to 64 with untreated alcohol abuse disorders don't believe they need treatment.

Health Highlights: April 7, 2011

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

Travelers Bringing Measles Back to U.S., CDC Says

Measles was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000, but cases continue to occur among U.S. residents who return from trips to other countries, as well as among foreign visitors to the United States, says a new government report.

Vandetanib Approved for a Rare Thyroid Cancer

Vandetanib has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as the first drug to treat a rare form of thyroid cancer in its latter stages.

Horizant Approved to Treat Restless Legs Syndrome

Horizant extended release tablets (gabapentin enacarbil) have been approved as a once-daily treatment for restless legs syndrome (RLS), a disorder that causes a strong desire to move the legs.

Video Games Might Aid in Stroke Rehab

Playing video games while recovering after a stroke appears to promote arm strength and function, Canadian researchers find.