Health News

Health News for 05/13/11

May 13, 2011

U.S. Pushes School Cafeterias Toward Healthier Offerings

School lunches have long served as the punch line of jokes, prompting chuckles about "mystery meat" and angry lunch ladies.

School Systems Struggle With Lunchroom Costs

Every day, Carol Chong oversees the serving of about 300,000 meals to hungry students in the fourth-largest school district in the United States.

Health Tip: Dealing With Anxiety

Anxiety can quickly spiral out of control and interfere with daily life.

Health Tip: Boost Your Immune System

The immune system helps your body fight off germs, protecting you from getting sick.

For Some Women, Knowing About Heart Failure Spurs Worry

Being well-informed about their disease may lead to depression in women with heart failure who repress their anger and other emotions about their condition, according to new research.

Fat Cats, Dogs Developing Diabetes, Report Finds

Like all good pet owners, Christine Wong didn't hesitate to go to a veterinary clinic near her home in Austin, Texas, when her cat, Kiki, wasn't feeling well.

Teens Follow Mom's Lead on Tanning Beds

Many white teen girls and young women in the United States who use indoor tanning beds have mothers who also use tanning beds, a survey finds.

Teens Who Drink Seem Drawn to Social Networking Sites

Teenagers who drink are more likely to spend extra hours at their computers for activities not related to their schoolwork, a new study shows.

Family Medical History Murky for Many

Doctors rely on a patient's knowledge of his or her family medical history in assessing cancer risk, but these recollections are not always dependable.

Chiropractic Spinal Manipulation Won't Cause Chest Injuries, Study Contends

Chest compressions during chiropractic spinal manipulation result in little or no risk of chest injury, according to new research.

Teaching Kids to Make Healthier Choices May Pay Off

A program to boost heart health in students at a middle school in Michigan was so successful that it's being expanded to about 20 middle schools in the state, researchers say.

Older Caregivers at Greater Risk for Cognitive Decline

Caring for a loved one who is ill is always stressful, but older people caring for a spouse who has dementia may face an increased risk for cognitive problem or dementia themselves, researchers report.

Gene Variant Linked to Sudden Cardiac Death Risk in Blacks

A common gene variant among black people may be linked to the development of life-threatening heart arrhythmias (when the heart beats too fast, too slow or irregularly), according to a new study.

Eat Less, Live Longer?

People who cut their daily caloric intake by 25 percent or more may live longer than those who do not, a new study suggests.

Brain Surgery for Mary Tyler Moore to Remove Benign Tumor

Representatives for veteran TV sitcom star Mary Tyler Moore report that she entered a facility for surgery to remove a meningioma -- a type of tumor, usually benign, that can occur on the meninges, the brain's protective outer membrane.

Musical Instruments a Breeding Ground for Germs: Study

Learning to play a musical instrument has many well-known advantages, but sharing wind instruments can spread disease-causing bacteria and other germs, researchers warn.

Health Highlights: May 13, 2011

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

FDA Approves New Drug to Fight Hepatitis C

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration late Friday gave approval to Victrelis (boceprevir), one of a new class of drugs aimed at fighting chronic hepatitis C infection.