Health News

Health News for 05/03/11

May 03, 2011

Health Tip: Taking a Home Pregnancy Test

Home pregnancy tests are designed to detect a certain hormone that's present in a woman's blood and urine when she's pregnant.

Health Tip: Risk Factors for Peripheral Artery Disease

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) occurs when thick plaque accumulates in the arteries (most often in the legs) and restricts blood flow to the heart, brain, other organs and limbs.

Expert Suggests Skipping Pelvis When Scanning for Clots

A new study suggests that eliminating the pelvis from areas of the lower body that are scanned when looking for blood clots would not lessen the effectiveness of the test but would significantly reduce the exposure to radiation.

MRIs Can Tell Endometrial, Cervical Cancer Apart: Study

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can distinguish between endometrial and cervical cancer in most cases where a biopsy fails to do so, a new study says.

Many Consumers Don't Know What's in Over-the-Counter Painkillers: Study

Few Americans bother to read the labels on over-the-counter pain relievers, nor do they pay much attention to the drugs' ingredients, a new study says.

Women Often Deprived of Life-Saving Heart Procedures: Study

Women are less likely than men to receive lifesaving surgical interventions if they have a heart attack, according to a new study that finds large disparities in the treatment and outcomes of female and male patients in U.S. hospitals.

Care for Irregular Heartbeat Costs U.S. Billions: Study

It costs $26 billion a year to treat U.S. patients with the heart rhythm disorder known as atrial fibrillation, according to a new study.

TVs Common in Daycare Centers, Flouting Guidelines

More than two-thirds of daycare centers included in a new U.S. study have TVs available for children to watch, and nearly 60 percent of the centers ignored the American Academy of Pediatrics' guidelines for television exposure in young kids.

Military Personnel With Mental Woes Before Deployment at Higher PTSD Risk

Military personnel who have a psychiatric disorder prior to deployment or who've been injured during combat are more likely to develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after they return home.

Survey Shows Dangers of Tanning Not Hitting Home

Although studies have shown that indoor tanning raises your risk of the deadly skin cancer melanoma by a staggering 75 percent, a new survey reveals that young women continue to use tanning beds at an alarming rate.

Heart Bypass Surgery Rates Drop Dramatically, Study Finds

The number of heart patients getting bypass surgery fell by nearly 40 percent between 2001 and 2008, new U.S. research finds.

Bright Side of Paying More at the Pump? Fewer Car Crashes

Americans are feeling the pain of spending more at the filling station, but research from Mississippi has found a potential silver lining: Traffic accidents seem to go down -- even ones because of drunken driving -- as gas prices go up.

Obese People Have Less Satisfying Sex Lives: Study

Obesity may lower levels of sexual satisfaction, especially for women, a new study shows.

Health Highlights: May 3, 2011

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

Study Challenges Link Between Salt and Heart Disease

The prevailing wisdom that high salt intake raises cardiovascular risks is being challenged by a new European study that suggests the opposite.

Tumors Spotted Between Mammograms Often More Aggressive: Study

Breast tumors that are detected in between regular screening mammograms tend to be more aggressive and fast-moving than those found during scheduled screenings, indicating that better screening methods are needed, researchers say.

Number of Americans With Asthma Keeps Rising

The number of Americans suffering from asthma continues to rise, jumping more than 12 percent between 2001 and 2009, U.S. health officials said Tuesday.

U.S. Officials Take Aim at Questionable STD Products

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Federal Trade Commission are cracking down on manufacturers of over-the-counter products that claim to treat, cure or prevent sexually transmitted diseases.

Structured Exercise Programs Help Lower Blood Sugar, Study Finds

A structured exercise program helped people with type 2 diabetes lower their blood sugar level more effectively than just receiving advice about getting more physical activity, according to a new review of data.