Health News

Health News for 10/20/11

October 20, 2011

Health Tip: Keep Your Teeth and Gums Healthy

Your diet can play a major role in the health of your teeth and gums.

Health Tip: Health Tip: Managing Pain After Surgery

It isn't necessary to live with constant pain after surgery. Many types of medicines are available to help ease pain and make you feel more comfortable.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease Tied to Higher Risk of Post-Op Blood Clots

Researchers report that following surgery, people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may be at increased risk for blood clots known as deep vein thromboses and pulmonary embolisms.

Music Aimed at Teens Often Promotes Drinking: Study

American teens hear a lot of references to alcohol brand names in popular music, a new study finds.

Robins Are 'Super-Spreaders' of West Nile Virus, Expert Says

Robins play a major role in the transmission of West Nile virus because the bird is a favorite meal for mosquitoes that carry the virus, new research finds.

Afraid to Do the Math?

The key to easing math anxiety may be less about improving calculation skills and more about controlling negative emotions that make it difficult to focus on doing the work, new research suggests.

Flu Shots for Pregnant Women Also Protect Newborns

Getting a seasonal flu vaccination while pregnant protects newborns from the flu for months after birth and won't cause a miscarriage.

Hospital Programs to Reduce Antibiotic Resistance Working: Studies

Hospital programs to lessen the overuse of antibiotics are helping to reduce antibiotic resistance and costs, but too few hospitals have fully implemented such programs, according to new research.

Breast Radiation After Lumpectomy Saves Lives: Study

Women with breast cancer who undergo radiation after a lumpectomy have significantly fewer recurrences and, consequently, greater odds of survival than women who forgo radiation, new research says.

Unvaccinated Kids Behind Largest U.S. Measles Outbreak in Years: Study

The largest U.S. outbreak of measles to occur in 15 years -- affecting 214 children so far -- is likely driven by travelers returning from abroad and by too many unvaccinated U.S. children, according to new research.

Car Crash Injury Risk Greater for Women Drivers: Study

Female drivers are more likely than males to be injured in motor vehicle crashes, possibly because of a lack of vehicle safety features tailored to women, a new report suggests.

Rise in Vulvar Precancers Leads to New Guidelines

The number of American women with precancerous cells of the vulva increased more than fourfold between 1973 and 2000, and the increase has led to the release Thursday of new treatment guidelines by two major medical groups.

Cell Phones Don't Raise Brain Cancer Risk, Study Says

The 5 billion people worldwide who chat away on cell phones shouldn't worry about an increased risk of brain cancer, new Danish research contends.

Food Nutrition Labels Must Be Made Simpler, Experts Say

U.S. agencies should revamp the labels on the front of food and beverage packages to make it as simple as possible for consumers to figure out how nutritious a product really is, a new Institute of Medicine report concludes.

Health Highlights: Oct. 20, 2011

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

Suicide Rates Vary by Region: CDC

There's a suicide every 15 minutes in the United States, and for every person who takes his or her own life there are many more who think about, plan or attempt suicide, according to a federal report released Thursday.

U.S. Diet Still Has Too Much Salt, CDC Warns

Most Americans consume too much sodium, and new strategies and stronger efforts are needed to reduce the amount of dietary salt, according to a new study by federal government researchers.

Teen Drivers Prone to 'G-Force' Errors, Researchers Say

Crash experts studying why newly licensed teenagers have many more accidents than adults have zeroed in on the elevated gravitational forces, or "g-forces," caused by braking late, swerving abruptly and other common new-driver mistakes.

Foreclosure Crisis Threatening Americans' Health: Study

A new study finds that falling behind on your mortgage payments hurts more than just your finances, as the stress and financial strain that come with the struggle can also harm your physical and psychological health.