Health News

Health News for 05/31/11

May 31, 2011

Health Tip: Overdoing Dieting or Exercise

Some athletes focus too much on being thin, pushing exercise and dieting to the extreme.

Health Tip: Recognize Signs of Asperger Syndrome

Asperger syndrome is an autism spectrum disorder, an umbrella term for a number of related conditions characterized by problems with communicating and language, and with repetitive thoughts and speech.

Native American Children Have More Tooth Decay

Native American children in the United States and Canada have three times the rate of untreated cavities compared to other kids, according to a new policy statement from a pediatricians group that recommends doctors pay more attention to the oral health of those patients.

Stress Doesn't Boost Risk for Multiple Sclerosis

Although stress can exacerbate multiple sclerosis (MS), it doesn't actually increase a person's risk for developing the disease in the first place, new research indicates.

Study Suggests Special MRI Might Help Diagnose Autism

At the moment, a diagnosis of autism is based on subjective evaluations, but a new way of using MRI might be an objective way of spotting the disorder, Columbia University researchers report.

Help Your Children Eat Well During Summer Vacation

With summer vacation fast-approaching, parents should take an active role in promoting routine healthy eating among their kids, advises the American Dietetic Association (ADA).

Parents Should Screen Kids' Summer Web Surfing: Expert

As the school year wraps up, many kids will replace class time with cyber time -- a trend leading one researcher to caution parents to watch out for online hazards such as "sexting" and cyberbullying.

Pediatricians Group Raps Energy and Sports Drinks for Kids

Although sports drinks and energy drinks are marketed heavily toward children and teens, a leading association of pediatricians is sounding the alarm about these beverages for kids.

Flu Shot May Lower Odds for Preemie Delivery

Getting a flu shot during pregnancy appears to offer some protection from premature births and low birth weight babies, a new study finds.

Longer Maternity Leave Ups Breast-Feeding Rates

Women who stay home longer after having a baby are more likely to breast-feed their babies, a new study indicates.

Psychotherapy Linked to Healthier Stress Hormone Levels

As a component of depression treatment, psychotherapy not only reduces anxiety, but also improves patients' stress hormone levels, new research shows.

Violent Video Games Linked to Increased Aggression

Violent video games trigger aggression among those who play them, according to a new University of Missouri study.

Transplant Surgery No Riskier at Night: Study

Surgeon fatigue has been blamed for adverse outcomes among patients operated on at night, but new research finds that time of day has no effect on the survival rates of patients undergoing heart and lung transplants.

Health Highlights: May 31, 2011

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

In Diabetics, Good Scores on Bone Tests May Not Rule Out Risk

Although many older diabetics have good bone density scores, they are as prone to fractures as people with osteoporosis, a new study finds.

Tie Between 'Biomarkers,' Disease Often Overstated, Scientists Say

A bevy of studies linking genes, proteins and other so-called "biomarkers" with certain diseases has vastly overrated the connections, new research suggests.

Dificid Approved to Treat C. diff Diarrhea

Dificid (fidaxomicin) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat diarrhea associated with Clostridium difficile infection.

Corticosteroids May Speed Pneumonia Recovery in Some

Patients with an inflammatory lung condition known as community-acquired pneumonia appear to recover faster when treated with corticosteroids in addition to the standard regimen of antibiotics, Dutch researchers say.

U.S. Makes It Easier to Get Insurance With Pre-Existing Conditions

U.S. health officials announced Tuesday that a reduction in premiums and an easing of standards for the federally administered Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan will allow more Americans to get health insurance.

Solesta Gel Approved for Fecal Incontinence

Solesta gel has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat fecal incontinence in adults after other therapies have failed.

Cell Phones May Cause Brain Cancer, WHO Experts Say

Cell phones may cause brain cancer, a panel of experts reporting to the World Health Organization (WHO) announced Tuesday.

Studies Refute Virus' Link to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

A virus identified two years ago as a possible cause of chronic fatigue syndrome now turns out not to be the culprit, new research says.