Health News

Health News for 09/26/11

September 26, 2011

Health Tip: Binge Drinking's Risks

Binge drinking occurs when the number of alcoholic drinks consumed in a short period raises a person's blood alcohol level to 0.08 grams percent or above, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Breast-Feeding Boost: Fewer Hospitals Handing Out Free Formula

Fewer U.S. hospitals send new mothers home with free infant formula, but the overwhelming majority still engage in the practice, to the dismay of breast-feeding proponents, a new survey finds.

Cardiac Rehab May Help Heart Patients Live Longer

People with heart disease who undergo cardiac rehabilitation can improve their heart's ability to return to a normal rate after exercise, a new study suggests.

Broccoli, Cabbage, Other Veggies May Protect Against Colon Cancer

Eating fruits and vegetables may reduce the risk of some colorectal cancers, according to a new study.

Could Too Little Vitamin B-12 Shrink the Aging Brain?

Too little vitamin B-12 may be associated with smaller brain size and more problems with thinking skills as people age, new research suggests.

Hip Fracture May Raise a Woman's Risk of Earlier Death

Older women who break a hip are more likely than others to die within a year because of the fracture, not an underlying health condition, a new study finds.

Experts Revise Guidelines for Whooping Cough Vaccination

Revised recommendations for the use of Tdap vaccine to protect against pertussis ("whooping cough") in older children and adults have been released by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

More Frequent Doctor Visits May Benefit Diabetes Patients

Diabetes patients who visit a primary care doctor every few weeks achieve quicker control of their blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol levels, researchers have found.

Certain Antidepressants With Blood Thinners May Pose Risk for Heart Patients

Heart attack patients who take both selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants and antiplatelet drugs such as aspirin or Plavix have a higher risk for bleeding than those who take anti-clotting drugs only, a new study finds.

Couples Counseling Boosts Sex Lives After Prostate Cancer

The side effects of prostate cancer treatments, including surgery and radiation, can seriously disrupt a couple's sex life.

Asthma Can Complicate Diabetes Care in Kids

Children hit with the double whammy of type 1 diabetes and asthma have an especially tough time keeping their blood sugar under control, a new study finds.

Check Plastic Surgeon's Credentials or Risk Tragic Results, Experts Warn

"I was in shock," recalled 40-year old Dinora Rodriguez. "It was a nightmare."

Health Highlights: Sept. 26, 2011

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

Remicade Approved for Ulcerative Colitis in Children

Remicade (infliximab) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat moderate-to-severe active episodes of ulcerative colitis in children aged six and older who haven't responded to other therapies.

Lots of Coffee Might Lower Depression Risk: Study

Coffee lovers, take heart: Women who drink four or more cups of caffeinated coffee daily seem to have a lower risk of depression than those who don't drink java or stop at one cup a day, a new study suggests.

Many Doctors Think Patients Get Over-Treated, Study Says

When it comes to medical care, nearly half of U.S. primary care physicians believe their own patients are over-treated.

Newer Contraceptive Pills Could Raise Clot Risk, FDA Warns

U.S. health officials issued a cautionary note Monday about an increased risk of blood clots in women taking newer forms of birth control pills, such as Yaz or Yasmin.

Childless Men May Face Higher Heart Disease Risk

Men who do not have children appear to face a higher risk of dying from heart disease than those who become fathers, a new study suggests.