Health News

Health News for 05/20/11

May 20, 2011

Health Tip: Don't Let the Bedbugs Bite

Bedbugs feed on human blood, leaving annoying itchy bites in their wake. They may hide in places such as in and around the bed, in crevices behind chair and couch cushions, and in the folds of curtains.

Health Tip: Signs That You May Have Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease refers to a group of problems that affect the spaces between the gums and teeth. Proper and consistent oral hygiene can help prevent the disease.

Psoriasis, High Blood Pressure May Be Linked

People who have psoriasis and hypertension are more likely to have more severe high blood pressure, requiring more medications to control it, a new study suggests.

Kids of Deployed Parents May Face Mental Health Risks

Children whose parents are deployed in Afghanistan or Iraq face a higher risk of psychiatric problems requiring hospitalization, a new study indicates.

Infants' Cries May Predict Later Language Development

The level of complexity of infants' cries may help to predict which babies are at risk for language delays, new research suggests.

Are All Those Handshakes at Graduation Hazardous to Your Health?

One graduation ceremony may include thousands of handshakes, but new research shows this casual contact is not likely to increase your risk of exposure to harmful bacteria.

Treating Back Pain May Reverse Its Impact on Brain

Treating chronic lower back pain can reverse pain-related changes in brain activity and function, according to a new study.

Home Births Jump 20 Percent in 4 Years: U.S. Report

The number of home births in the United States has jumped 20 percent in recent years, a new government study shows.

Study Sees Link Between Psoriasis, Obesity in Kids

The prevalence of psoriasis -- a chronic, inflammatory disease of the skin -- is significantly higher among overweight and obese kids, researchers have found.

Experts Say Cholesterol Screenings Should Start in Childhood

All children should be screened for high cholesterol when they're 9 to 11 years old, according to new guidelines from the National Lipid Association.

Teen Abstinence May Not Stop Later Risky Sex

Teens who choose to practice abstinence or delay having sex may still engage in sexual risk-taking as adults, according to a new study.

Straight or Gay? Vowels in Speech May Give it Away

For the average listener, the vowel sounds in an unfamiliar voice quickly give away the speaker's sexual orientation, a new study finds.

Robotic Surgery Oversold on Hospital Websites, Study Contends

Many hospitals tout the benefits of robotic surgery on their websites without solid scientific evidence to back up those claims, Johns Hopkins researchers report.

Driving Skills Do Ebb With Age: Study

Even healthy seniors with safe driving records and no history of dementia tend to make more potentially dangerous errors, such as forgetting to check a blind spot, according to a new study.

Spinal Stimulation Helps Paralyzed Man Regain Movement

A patient completely paralyzed below the chest after an road accident has been able to stand up by himself, move his legs and feet and take some assisted steps on a treadmill, thanks to electrical stimulation of his lower spinal cord.

Study Suggests Supplement May Protect Against Preeclampsia

Though a new study suggests that a dietary supplement could lower the likelihood that high-risk pregnant women will develop preeclampsia, the jury is still out over whether it actually works and a specialist recommends that women not try it yet.

Sleep Disorder Linked to Heart Rhythm Problems

People with an implantable cardiac defibrillator and a breathing disorder that occurs during sleep are at greater risk for potentially deadly heart problems during the night, new research suggests.

Health Highlights: May 20, 2011

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

Edurant Approved To Treat AIDS Virus

Edurant (rilpivirine), in combination with other antiretroviral drugs, has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat HIV-1 infection in adults who haven't taken any prior HIV therapy

New Test Sanctioned to Detect Q Fever in Overseas Soldiers

The first test to detect Q fever in soldiers and other members of the military serving overseas has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.