Health News

Health News for 06/06/11

June 06, 2011

Too Much Work, Food, Media May Be Hurting Health

America may be seen as a land of plenty, but some experts are beginning to believe that plenty may have become too much.

Reading Arabic or English May Tax Brain Differently

A new study suggests that the brain's left and right sides interpret Arabic words in different ways.

Health Tip: Factors That May Contribute to Prostate Cancer

Only about 5 percent to 10 percent of prostate cancer cases can be attributed to cell changes that men inherit from their parents, the American Cancer Society says.

Health Tip: Have You Sprained Your Wrist?

Your wrist hurts after a fall. Is it a sprain, or another type of injury?

Weight-Loss Surgery Linked to Rise in Fracture Risk

The risk of fractures after weight-loss surgery may be even higher than previously thought, a new study suggests.

Exercise Helps Men Battling Diabetes and Sleep Apnea

Men who have type 2 diabetes in addition to obstructive sleep apnea seem to benefit from a regular exercise regimen, a new study has found.

Excess Pounds May Lower Odds of Surviving Breast Cancer

Breast cancer patients who were overweight or obese before and after the diagnosis have a lower chance of surviving, a new study suggests.

Weight-Loss Surgery May Lower Risk of Alzheimer's in Diabetics

While the finding isn't conclusive, a new study suggests that weight-loss surgery in obese diabetics could lower their risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.

Could a Woman's Wrinkles Predict Risk of Fractures?

As if facial wrinkles didn't have a bad enough rap, a new study suggests that the worse a woman's wrinkles are in early menopause, the lower her bone density.

Eating Dirt Has Long, Maybe Healthy, History

While the notion of deliberately eating dirt may be unappetizing to most people, the practice has a long history and may actually be seen by some as healthy, a new study finds.

Cognitive Therapy Helps Depressed Drug Abusers

A new study suggests that cognitive behavioral therapy -- a type of therapy oriented toward problem-solving -- may help the depressed in residential treatment programs for drug and alcohol abuse.

Forgetfulness About Paperwork, Medicines Might Herald Cognitive Decline

A new study finds that older people with mild cognitive impairment -- sometimes a precursor to Alzheimer's disease -- have a harder time remembering important dates and medications than those without cognitive problems.

Study Finds Ovarian Screening Tests Don't Improve Survival

New research finds that the only two tests available to screen for ovarian cancer don't reduce the average woman's risk of dying from this "silent killer."

After Colon Cancer Surgery, Early Chemo May Pay Off

For patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer, a new study suggests that the sooner chemotherapy starts following the operation, the better the prognosis.

Epilepsy Drugs' Risk of Birth Defects May Be Dose-Dependent

Four of the most frequently prescribed epilepsy drugs appear to increase the risk of serious birth defects when taken early in pregnancy, a new study finds.

Jury Still Out on Radiation for Early Prostate Cancer

There's too little evidence to say definitively whether treating early, localized prostate cancer with radiation is a better option than "watchful waiting," new research finds.

Aromasin Reduced Breast Cancer Risk in Postmenopausal Women

The anti-estrogen drug Aromasin appears to cut the odds of breast cancer by 65 percent in high-risk postmenopausal women, new research has found.

Cancer Drug Avastin Makes Inroads Against Ovarian Tumors

Two new studies indicate that a common cancer drug, Avastin, may benefit both early stage ovarian cancer patients and women whose cancer has recurred.

Two Drugs Shown to Prolong Survival in Advanced Melanoma Cases

Two new drugs prolong the lives of patients with advanced melanoma, one of the deadliest forms of skin cancer and one that is notoriously difficult to treat, let alone cure.

Flaxseed Fails as Treatment for Hot Flashes

The search for a safe remedy for menopausal hot flashes has been foiled again, with flaxseed the latest in a long line of compounds that apparently don't reduce the incidence of the unpleasant symptoms.

Taking Chemo Drug Continuously Delayed Lung Cancer's Return

While most patients with advanced lung cancer only take four courses of two chemotherapy drugs and then stop until recurrence occurs, continuing treatment with one of those drugs may delay return of the deadly disease, new research suggests.

Weight Loss May Help Sleep Apnea Symptoms

Many people who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea could eliminate the condition by losing a significant amount of weight, a new study suggests.

Boys Who Bully May Grow Up to Be Abusive Men

Though it's not clear whether one type of violence directly leads to the other, a new study says that men who bully others during childhood are more likely to grow up and abuse their wives and girlfriends.

Health Highlights: June 6, 2011

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

More Risky Behaviors Among Gay, Bisexual High School Students: CDC

One of the first and largest national studies of the behaviors of American high school students finds that those who identify as gay, lesbian or bisexual are more likely than their heterosexual peers to take unhealthy risks.

Parkinson's Disease May Boost Melanoma Risk: Study

People with Parkinson's disease may have twice the risk of developing the deadly skin cancer melanoma, a new report confirms.

Heart-Healthy DASH Diet May Help Teen Girls Stay Slim

An eating plan originally touted to reduce high blood pressure in adults has been found to keep adolescent girls trimmer between the ages of 9 and 19.