Health News

Health News for 05/02/11

May 02, 2011

Health Tip: Prepare a Diabetic Child for Insulin Shots

For a child with diabetes, blood glucose checks or insulin shots can be major sources of anxiety, especially at the beginning. Parents and caregivers may be no less fearful and guilt-stricken.

Health Tip: Signs That You May Have a Herniated Disc

A spinal disk becomes herniated when the inside contents bulge out from a weakened portion of the disk and put pressure on surrounding nerves.

Location of Body Fat May Predict Stiff Arteries: Study

A new study finds that different patterns of fat distribution in black and white women may predict increased arterial stiffness, which is associated with cardiovascular disease.

Aspirin's Clot-Prevention Ability Blunted by Dietary Fat: Study

Aspirin's ability to prevent potentially deadly blood clots may be hindered by elevated levels of fatty acids in the bloodstream, a new study suggests.

Mom's Exposure to Plastics Chemical Tied to Baby's Wheeze

Children born to women exposed to bisphenol A (BPA) during the early part of pregnancy may be more likely to experience wheezing early in life, according to a new study.

Exercising While Learning Boosts Test Scores, Study Finds

Exercising while learning might improve kids' test scores, a new study finds.

Breast-feeding May Influence Long-Term Health: Study

Infants who aren't breast-fed may experience long-term health consequences, a new study suggests.

Young Kids' Prescriptions Not Always on the Mark

After reviewing more than 50,000 prescriptions for narcotic-containing drugs given to kids up to age 3, researchers found that about 4 percent were given an overdose.

Study Questions Giving Babies Botanical Supplements, Teas

The use of botanical supplements and teas for infants is a surprisingly common practice, new research finds, but experts warn that such products might not be safe for babies.

Secondhand Smoke Boosts Boys' Blood Pressure

Boys who are exposed to secondhand smoke tend to have higher blood pressure levels than other boys, placing them at increased risk of developing hypertension when they grow up, a new study has found. But the reverse was true for girls.

Religion Doesn't Help Lower Blood Pressure, Study Suggests

Although faith in a higher power may bring you great comfort, leading a religious life won't help reduce high blood pressure, a small study suggests.

Family Meals Keep Kids Slimmer, Healthier, Study Finds

Eating meals with their families helps keep kids slimmer and healthier, a new study finds.

Extra Sleep in Infants Seems to Signal Growth Spurts

Increased bursts of sleep in infants are linked with growth spurts, new research indicates.

Belly Fat + Heart Disease Can Be Deadly: Study

Even normal-weight people with belly fat and heart disease have an increased risk of death compared to folks whose fat is concentrated elsewhere, a large, new study reports.

Less-Than-Optimal Sleep May 'Age' the Brain

For middle-aged adults, sleeping less than six or more than eight hours a night is associated with a decline in brain function, British researchers contend.

Autism Tests for Preemies May Be Faulty, Study Suggests

Doctors are erroneously diagnosing autism spectrum disorder in many 18-month-old toddlers who were born extremely premature, a small new study suggests.

Survey Finds Many Young Adults Oblivious to Heart Health

A new U.S. survey finds that nine out of 10 college-age adults think they're living a healthy lifestyle, even as experts warn that that's not the case and current lifestyles will have consequences for health down the road.

Soaring Costs Deprive Some Children of Medical Care

Because of soaring health care costs in the United States, some parents are reluctant to take their children to the doctor or to buy prescription drugs, according to a new study.

Obese Pregnant Women May Have Tougher Time Fighting Infections

Obese pregnant women may have a harder time fighting off infections than leaner women do, new research suggests.

Kids Specializing in One Sport More Likely to Get Hurt: Study

Kids who focus on one sport to the exclusion of others end up getting injured more often, new research suggests.

Health Highlights: May 2, 2011

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

Brains of Autistic Kids Still Larger at Age 4, 5

The brains of 4- and 5-year-old children with autism are larger than the brains of normally developing children, and the difference probably occurs several years earlier, a new study suggests.

Bin Laden's Death Brings Comfort, but Not an End to Anxieties

The long-awaited demise of the world's most wanted man, 9/11 terror mastermind Osama bin Laden, comes as a welcome relief to most Americans.

Frequent Business Travel Tough on the Heart, Study Finds

American workers forced to travel often on business aren't doing their hearts any favor, a new study suggests.

Extra Pounds at Midlife May Boost Dementia Risk Later

Being overweight during middle age may increase your risk of developing dementia later on, a new Swedish study suggests.

Tradjenta Approved for Type 2 Diabetes

Tradjenta (linagliptin) tablets, combined with diet and exercise, has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to control blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes, the agency said Monday.