Health News

Health News for 12/13/11

December 13, 2011

Health Tip: Find Time for You

If you're the type of person who is always doing things for others, you need to find time for yourself, experts say.

Health Tip: Help Protect Against Blood Clots

Dangerous blood clots can develop if you spend too much time sitting still.

'Body Clock' Might Affect Women's Dementia Risk

An older woman's sleep/wake cycle and levels of physical activity may affect her risk of developing dementia, a new study suggests.

Want to Cut Chocolate Cravings? Take a Walk

A short walk can cut the amount of chocolate and other snacks you eat while at work, a new study suggests.

Obesity Less Harmful to Self-Esteem in Black Women: Study

Obese black women have a better weight-related quality of life than white women with the same weight, according to a new U.S. study.

Cancer Outpatients at Greater Risk for Blood Clots

Cancer patients receiving chemotherapy most often develop blood clots after they are discharged from the hospital, according to a large new study.

Loss of Health Insurance Much Likelier for Adults This Recession

About 9.3 million American adults lost health insurance coverage due to higher unemployment rates in the 2007-2009 recession, nine times more than in the 2001 recession, according to a new study.

Study Sheds Light on Preemies' Higher SIDS Risk

Babies who are born prematurely are known to be at higher risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), and new research now suggests that's because their underdeveloped nervous systems can't control drops in blood pressure as needed during sleep.

Type of Muscular Dystrophy Linked to Raised Cancer Risk

People with a certain type of muscular dystrophy have twice the risk of being diagnosed with cancer as the general population, although the actual risk is relatively low, a new study finds.

Procedure May Lower Complications After Leg Clots

A procedure in which doctors use a catheter to help reduce complications after deep vein thrombosis (DVT) appears beneficial, a new Norwegian study finds.

Chronic Fatigue Tied to Extended School Absences

Undiagnosed chronic fatigue syndrome may account for up to 1 percent of children who are absent from school for extended periods of time and are not truant or known to have another illness that would explain why they're out of school, a new study reveals.

Birth Defects Seem Rare in Kids of Childhood Cancer Survivors

Children of parents who survived childhood cancer are unlikely to suffer from birth defects, finds a new study that should allay some concerns about long-term effects of treatment.

Chewing Khat Raises Heart Disease, Death Risk: Study

Chewing the green leaves of the khat plant for its amphetamine-like effect appears to raise the risk for both stroke and death among heart patients, according to a large new study from the Middle East.

Health Highlights: Dec. 13, 2011

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

Many Toddlers Wind Up in ER After Accidental Overdose

Each year in the United States, one of every 150 two-year-olds visits an emergency room for treatment of an accidental medication overdose, a new government report shows.

Working Moms Happier, Healthier Than Stay-at-Home Peers: Study

Working mothers have better health and fewer symptoms of depression than stay-at-home moms, a new study indicates.

'Ecstasy' May Cause Long-Term Changes in Brain Chemistry

Recreational use of the illegal drug known as ecstasy is associated with long-term changes in brain chemistry, a small, new study reveals.

Angioplasty Safe at Hospitals Without On-Site Surgery: Review

Despite current guidelines, many people who have angioplasty to open blocked heart arteries can safely undergo these procedures in hospitals that don't have on-site cardiac surgery capabilities, according to a new review of 15 studies.

Some Causes of Stillbirth May Be Avoidable: Studies

Stillbirth has long been a mysterious and devastating pregnancy complication. But two new studies are uncovering more about what causes stillbirth and the factors that may raise a woman's chances of having a stillbirth -- at least some of which are avoidable.

U.S. Safety Board Urges Nationwide Ban on Drivers' Use of Cellphones

In the aftermath of a deadly crash in Missouri that killed two and injured 38, the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board is recommending a nationwide ban on drivers' use of cellphones and other personal electronic devices, except in emergencies.