Health News

Health News for 04/13/11

April 13, 2011

Health Tip: Help Foot Ulcers Heal

People with diabetes may develop sores (ulcers) on the feet that may not heal quickly or easily.

Health Tip: Is My Child Lactose Intolerant?

People who are lactose-intolerant can't digest a sugar found in milk.

Aerobic Exercise May Curb Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Report

Aerobic exercise may slow the progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in obese people, finds a new study.

'Best' Places to Live With Autism All in Major Metro Areas: Survey

After their 4-year-old daughter was diagnosed with autism last December, Kristen Paurus and her husband, Bill, sought out doctors and therapists who could help.

Wearing a Cast? Be Careful How You Scratch That Itch

Bouts of near-intolerable itching are a common problem for people who have to wear a cast for a broken bone, but you need to be careful how you scratch that itch, says an expert in the field.

Abusive Head Trauma in Infants Doubled During Recession: Study

Recession-related stress may have triggered an alarming increase in non-accidental head injuries among infants, new research suggests.

Certain Genes Could Add to Alcoholism Risk

People with certain variations in a gene called GABRA2 have an increased risk for alcoholism, a new study has found.

Artery Plaque Forms in Short Time Span, Scientists Say

In most people, plaque formation in arteries occurs during a relatively short period of time later in life, according to a new study.

Many Smokers Still Deceived by Cigarette Labeling

Many smokers in western nations still incorrectly believe that certain types of cigarettes, such as "mild" and "low tar" brands, are less of a health risk than others, a new study shows.

Hormone Helps You Sniff Out Food, Study Finds

A hormone called ghrelin enhances the nose's ability to sniff out food, researchers report.

Scientists Complete Detailed Map of Human Brain

The world's first anatomically and genetically detailed map of the human brain has been completed by U.S. scientists, who said their achievement might lead to new treatments for a number of brain diseases.

Youth Football Injuries on the Rise, Study Finds

New data shows that youth football injuries are on the rise.

Brain May Shrink in Decade Before Alzheimer's Symptoms Appear

The brains of people diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease start shrinking up to a decade before symptoms appear, a new study finds.

Experts Call for Twist on Football Helmet Design

A new report suggests that researchers should explore ways to redesign football helmets to reduce the risk of brain hemorrhage after a collision, a rare occurrence but one that could kill a player.

Use of Dietary Supplements Keeps Climbing: CDC

More than half of U.S. adults take dietary supplements, such as multivitamins and calcium, and their use jumped dramatically over a recent 20-year period, according to a new government report.

Health Highlights: April 13, 2011

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

Studies Highlight Challenge of Controlling Resistant Bacteria in Hospitals

Two new studies highlight the complexities hospitals face in controlling and containing the spread of potentially lethal bacteria that are resistant to many antibiotics.

Donor Lungs Kept Alive Outside Body

Using a technique that looks like it could have been pulled from a science fiction thriller, transplant surgeons can now keep lungs alive outside of the body, giving them time to heal and allowing surgeons to better assess the health of the lungs before transplant.

Obesity, Disparities in Care Help Drive U.S. Stillbirths: Studies

While the rate of stillbirths in the United States has dropped over the past few decades, this tragic outcome is still a reality for far too many couples, experts say.

New RX for Large Brain Aneurysm

A new option to repair a difficult-to-manage bulging artery in the brain has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.