Health News

Health News for 06/13/11

June 13, 2011

Health Tip: Prevent Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

Your baby's teeth can decay from going to bed with a baby bottle or poor oral hygiene.

Health Tip: What May Cause Facial Pain

When your face throbs or you feel a dull ache, there are a number of possible causes to consider.

Few Anesthesiologists Monitor Key Heart Signal

During high-risk surgery, only about one-third of anesthesiologists measure oxygen flow throughout their patient's body, even though this heart function can significantly affect recovery, according to a new survey.

Poll Finds Little Support for GOP Plan to Privatize Medicare

A new poll finds little support for privatizing Medicare, even though most people agree the government-sponsored health insurance program for older Americans needs major changes if it is to survive.

Child Care Can Help Kids With Depressed Moms

Young children whose moms suffer from depression are at heightened risk for behavioral troubles, but a new study shows that day care may help ease the risk.

Breast-feeding May Shield Against Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Breast-feeding appears to reduce the risk of SIDS by up to 73 percent, especially when babies are exclusively breast-fed, a new study suggests.

Sleep-Deprived People May Crave High-Calorie Foods

People who are sleepy by day may be unable to resist calorie-laden comfort foods, new research shows.

When Wives Can't Sleep, Marriage May Suffer

When wives can't fall asleep, that tends to trigger marital tensions the next day, a new study suggests, whereas the sleep issues of husbands barely impact spousal relationships.

Scientists Identify Genes Linked to Migraines

Researchers have identified three genes linked to migraine headache and found that people who inherit any one of these genes have a 10 to 15 percent greater risk for the condition.

Spending on Glaucoma Meds Rising in U.S., Study Finds

Spending on medications for Americans with the eye disease glaucoma has increased overall and especially among certain groups of patients, a new study finds.

Weight-Loss Surgery May Not Lower Death Risk: Study

Weight-loss surgery doesn't decrease the risk of death among severely obese middle-aged adults, a new study says.

Hey, Batter: Your Sleep Habit May Affect Your Swing

A batter's best chance of hitting it out of the park may depend on the time of the game, and whether or not that batter is a morning person or a night owl.

Heart Attack Victims Face Greater Risk of Dying When Ambulances Are Diverted

Heart attack patients whose ambulances are diverted from the nearest ER to another one further away are at greater risk of dying -- not just soon after the heart attack, but for up to a year after the intervention, a new study finds.

Early Exposure to Pets Won't Up Kids' Allergy Risk: Study

Exposure to pets in infancy and childhood probably won't increase a child's risk of developing an allergy to cats and dogs, and may actually protect against such allergies, new research suggests.

Training via Video Game Shown to Boost Kids' Brain Power

Playing a memory-straining video game can help children solve problems more easily, a goal that can be difficult to achieve through so-called cognitive training, a new study suggests.

Health Highlights: June 13, 2011

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

Medical Groups Update Heart, Blood Pressure Care Guidelines

Patient-focused outcomes are emphasized in 10 updated performance measures for people with coronary artery disease and hypertension that were released Monday by a trio of major U.S. medical groups.

Diabetics May Be at Greater Risk for Second Stroke

After suffering a first stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), people with diabetes are at greater risk of having another stroke or a heart attack, a new study confirms.

Potiga Approved for Adult Epileptic Seizures

Potiga (ezogabine) tablets have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat partial epileptic seizures in adults, the agency said Monday.

Could a Diet Help Prevent Alzheimer's?

The low-fat, low-glycemic diet often promoted for general health and well-being may lower the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease if adopted early in life, researchers say.