Health News

Health News for 08/29/11

August 29, 2011

For Kids, Natural Disasters Can Whip Up Worries

Hurricanes. Earthquakes. Floods. Tornadoes. Tsunamis. Terrorism. War. Predictions of Rapture and Armageddon.

Some Older Americans Overwhelmed by Medicare Options, Study Says

Although older Americans have many Medicare options to choose from, they may not be making good decisions about their coverage, according to a new study.

Health Tip: Why Do I Have High Cholesterol?

High cholesterol may be triggered by a number of factors, many of which you can control.

Health Tip: Skin Changes With Age

Boomer alert: Changes in the skin are a natural part of aging, and the changes can extend beyond wrinkles.

Troubled Teens Spotted in Routine School Screenings: Study

Routine high school mental-health screenings can successfully identify high-risk students and help them receive needed care, according to a new study.

Simple Safety Steps Can Make Back to School a Breeze

Along with buying new clothes and classroom supplies, parents need to think about health and safety as they prepare their children to return to school.

Mobile Devices Dangerous for Pedestrians, Too

Crossing the street while answering texts or enjoying tunes can be hazardous business, a new study shows.

Many Use ER for Routine Follow-Up Care After Hospital Discharge

Many uninsured and publicly insured trauma injury patients who are discharged from U.S. hospitals return to the emergency department for routine follow-up care that could be handled at an outpatient clinic, a new study finds.

Use Caution in Ending Life Support for Brain-Injured, Experts Say

Caution is required when deciding whether to stop life support for patients with traumatic brain injuries, a new study suggests.

Toddler's Dust Mite Sensitivity May Predict Later Asthma

Toddlers with a sensitivity to house dust mites have an increased risk of developing asthma by the time they're 12, new research suggests.

For Women, Active Sex Life May Mean Better Aging

Sexual satisfaction in older women is associated with successful aging and a better quality of life, a new study finds.

Is Shape of CEO's Face a Measure of Power?

The width of a CEO's face may predict how well a company performs, according to a new study.

Could Lots of Chocolate Lower Your Heart Risk?

People who eat chocolate regularly may not only be feeding their sweet tooth, but lowering their risk for heart disease, a new study suggests.

Pediatric Groups Want to KO Boxing for Kids

Boxing isn't appropriate for children and teens, and parents should encourage their kids to find sports that don't focus on delivering blows to the head and face.

New Blood Thinner May Outperform Warfarin for Irregular Heartbeat

An experimental drug, apixaban (Eliquis), appears better than the old standby warfarin in preventing strokes in people with the abnormal heart rhythm called atrial fibrillation, a new study finds.

Poor Sleep, High Blood Pressure?

If you sleep poorly, your chances of developing high blood pressure may increase, new research suggest.

Health Highlights: Aug. 29, 2011

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

'Gimme' Kids Often Grow Into 'Gimme' Adults

Kids who have trouble resisting temptation are more likely than patient preschoolers to grow into adults who lack self-control, a new study suggests.

Xalkori Approved for Advanced Lung Cancer

Xalkori (crizotinib) and a companion diagnostic test have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with a certain genetic abnormality, the agency said in a news release.