Health News

Health News for 11/17/11

November 17, 2011

Health Tip: Giving Kids Medicine

It's often a challenge to convince kids to take much-needed medicine when they're sick.

Health Tip: Getting Ready for Childbirth

Creating a birth plan means making a list of your preferences for labor and delivery.

Antisocial Personalities May Find Social Niche in Gangs

Most people who join gangs have an "extreme antisocial personality," according to a new study that challenges previous research suggesting gang membership is driven by fear, intimidation or peer pressure.

Mom-to-Be's Mental State May Affect Child's Development

A fetus is sensitive to, and can be affected by, the expectant mother's mental state, a new study suggests.

Talking About Size, Shape May Aid Math Skills

Learning how to describe the size and shape of objects at a young age helps children develop their spatial skills, researchers say.

Ovary-Saving Hysterectomy Linked to Early Menopause

Younger women who have a hysterectomy that spares the ovaries are almost twice as likely to go through early menopause as women who do not have their uteruses removed, according to a new study.

Routine Head Hits in Sports May Injure Brain, Experts Warn

Young athletes who routinely take hits to the head could experience brain injury -- even if they do not suffer a concussion, according to the results of a new preliminary study.

Sunken Chest Demands Prompt Evaluation, Expert Says

Children with sunken chest require prompt evaluation to rule out more serious underlying conditions and to plan corrective surgery if necessary, according to experts.

Bipolar Kids May Focus on Different Facial Features

Children with bipolar disorder and a similar condition called severe mood dysregulation spend less time looking at the eyes when trying to identify facial features, compared to children without the psychiatric disorders, researchers say.

Cancer Doctors Still Not Great With Patients' Pain

Oncologists think they are good at managing cancer patients' pain, but a new survey shows otherwise.

Smokeout Day: The Best Ways to Quit

As thousands of smokers across the United States try to kick their bad habit as part of the Great American Smokeout on Thursday, experts agree that a two-pronged strategy is the best bet for success.

One in 12 Teens Engages in Self-Harm: Report

One in 12 teens deliberately harm themselves, but 90 percent give up the behavior by the time they're young adults, a new study shows.

C-Section Rate Drops for First Time in a Decade in U.S.

For the first time in more than a decade, the rate of cesarean deliveries has dropped, a new U.S. government report shows.

Does Psoriasis Thwart the Benefits of 'Good' Cholesterol?

Inflammation caused by psoriasis may trigger changes in a person's cholesterol, including weakening the function of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), the "good" cholesterol, new research suggests.

Health Highlights: Nov. 17, 2011

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

Fewer Diabetic Vision Problems Reported: CDC

People with diabetes are reporting fewer vision problems, a new U.S. government report shows.

19 Million New STD Infections Reported Annually, CDC Says

The 19 million new cases of syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia diagnosed in the United States each year cost the nation's health care system $17 billion annually, according to an annual report released Thursday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

More Americans Living to 90, U.S. Census Finds

More Americans are living to 90 and beyond, and by 2050 their ranks could reach almost 9 million, a new U.S. Census Bureau report finds.