Health News

Health News for 10/17/11

October 17, 2011

Health Tip: Don't Drive When Drowsy

If you've got a case of heavy eyelids while you're driving, pull over as soon as possible and get some rest.

Health Tip: Make Calorie-Sparing Substitutions

You don't have to make big changes to your diet to see noticeable results.

Kids' Sledding Mishaps Can Cause Serious Head Trauma

Head injuries are a major cause of children's hospitalizations due to sledding crashes, a new study finds.

Too Many Kids Injured in ATV Crashes, Study Finds

Fast speeds, lack of helmet use and multiple riders piling into the same vehicle are among the reasons why thousands of American children are injured in all-terrain vehicle (ATV) crashes annually, according to new research.

Blood Type May Affect Survival After Heart Bypass

How well you fare after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery may depend on your blood type, a new study finds.

Fewer Than Half of Kids Hurt in Car Crashes Wearing Seat Belts

Fewer than half of U.S. children injured in car crashes between 2002 and 2006 were wearing seat belts, and minority children had the lowest rates of seat-belt use, a new study finds.

Gun Injuries to U.S. Kids Likely Underestimated: Study

The number of gun injuries suffered by children in the United States is significant, and most of those kids are shot intentionally, a new study finds.

Many Don't Believe Their Obesity is Unhealthy: Study

Many overweight and obese patients seen in hospital emergency departments don't believe their weight poses a risk to their health, and many say doctors have never told them otherwise, a new study finds.

Healthier Diet, Stronger Sperm?

For years, nutritionists have rallied around the notion that "you are what you eat."

Shift Work May Put Teens at Risk for Multiple Sclerosis

Working overnight or odd shifts may increase teenagers' risk of developing multiple sclerosis, according to the results of an observational study.

Profanity on TV Linked to Foul-Mouthed Kids

Is TV turning our kids into fountains of four-letter words? Maybe so, says a new study that finds a link between foul-mouthed inner-city children and profanity-ridden shows and video games.

It's Easy to Mistake Medicine for Candy

When it comes to telling the difference between candy and some medications, teachers are almost as likely to make an error as kindergartners, according to new research conducted by two enterprising elementary schoolers.

New ADHD Guidelines Include Preschoolers, Older Teens

In new guidelines released Sunday, the American Academy of Pediatrics has expanded the age range for the diagnosis and treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) to children as young as 4 and as old as 18.

Low-Birthweight Babies at Much Higher Autism Risk

Low-birthweight babies are five times more likely to develop autism than normal-weight babies, a new study says.

Social Phobia in Teens Goes Beyond Shyness

Social phobia is not simply shyness that has been exaggerated by psychiatrists and drug makers, according to a new study that compared rates of shyness and social phobia among American teens.

Less Frequent Mammograms May Lower False-Positive Results

Women who undergo mammograms every two years instead of every year have fewer false-positive results, but the trade-off is a slightly higher risk of being diagnosed with late-stage breast cancer, new research finds.

Health Highlights: Oct. 17, 2011

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

Skin Cancer Check May Come With New Hairdo

A trusted hairdresser may be privvy to your deepest secrets -- your age, your real hair color and maybe even the name of your plastic surgeon. Your stylist also may be the first to spot the telltale signs of deadly skin cancer.

Pap Test Still Best for Cervical Cancer Screening, Experts Say

MONDAY, Oct. 17 (HealthDay News) --Human papillomavirus (HPV) testing isn't likely to replace conventional Pap tests as a cervical cancer screening tool among women older than 30, a new report suggests.

Excessive Drinking Costs U.S. Billions, CDC Reports

The public health price tag on excessive drinking in the United States comes to almost $2 a drink, a new government report shows.