Health News

Health News for 05/25/11

May 25, 2011

Health Tip: Prepare for Your Check-Up

Regular medical checkups are essential to stay healthy and prevent illness.

Health Tip: Recognize the Signs of Food Allergy

Food allergy reactions range from mild to life-threatening, depending on the person.

Being 'Born-Again' Linked to More Brain Atrophy: Study

Older adults who say they've had a life-changing religious experience are more likely to have a greater decrease in size of the hippocampus, the part of the brain critical to learning and memory, new research finds.

Capacity for Commitment May Start in Early Childhood

The ability of men and women to have staying power and a strong level of commitment in their romantic relationships can be traced back to their early childhood and adolescence, a new study finds.

Childhood Cancer Therapies Tied to Gastrointestinal Issues

Children who are successfully treated for cancer are at greater risk of developing mild to severe gastrointestinal problems down the road, a new study finds.

Illegal Drugs Easy to Buy on the Internet, U.K. Study Finds

The Internet has put the world at people's fingertips, but in some cases it has also allowed banned or controlled substances to slip within their grasp, British researchers warn.

'Fat Transfer' Gets Early Safety OK in Breast Reconstruction

A procedure commonly used in breast reconstruction but lacking evidence as to its safety does, in fact, appear to be safe and unlikely to increase the chances of breast cancer returning, a new study has found.

Skin Cancer Foes Declare May 27 'Don't Fry Day'

This Friday, the start of the Memorial Day weekend, is also "Don't Fry Day," a time for skin-safety experts to remind Americans about the hazards of overexposure to sunlight.

Study Finds Almost 1 in 5 Young Adults Has High Blood Pressure

About 19 percent of U.S. adults aged 24 to 32 have high blood pressure, but many of them are unaware that they have the potentially life-threatening condition, new research reveals.

Study Finds Aspirin Still Best at Preventing 2nd Stroke

A new drug that had shown promise in animal testing is not better than aspirin in preventing a second stoke in someone who's already had one, a new study has found.

With Calcium, More May Not Be Better

Getting enough calcium for bone health is essential, but getting more than that doesn't appear to confer any additional benefit, Swedish researchers have found.

Could 'Extreme' Low-Cal Diets Bring Longer, Healthier Life?

Science has shown that diets that veer close to starvation can make everything from mice to monkeys live longer.

Combo of Paxil, Pravachol May Raise Blood Sugar

Taken in combination, two commonly prescribed drugs, the antidepressant Paxil and the cholesterol-lowering medication Pravachol, appear to significantly raise blood sugar levels, a new study finds.

Scientists Find Molecular Similarities in Brains of Those With Autism

The symptoms and severity of autism vary widely, but new research shows remarkable similarities at the molecular level in the brains of people with the disorder.

Health Highlights: May 25, 2011

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

Stroke Patients May Regain Function Just as Easily at Home

Home-based exercise managed by a physical therapist is just as effective at restoring stroke patients' walking ability as a formal rehabilitation program using a specialized treadmill, a new study indicates.

CDC Report Shows Bacterial Meningitis Cases on the Decline

The incidence of bacterial meningitis dropped by 31 percent between 1998 and 2007, new government research shows.

Daily Four-Drug Combo Pill Halves Heart Disease Risk: Study

A cheap, once-daily, four-drugs-in-one medication, dubbed a "polypill," appears to cut users' odds for heart disease and stroke by 50 percent, a new international study finds.