Health News

Health News for 12/14/11

December 14, 2011

Health Tip: At Risk for Hip Fracture?

Hip fractures are common among seniors, and their risk increases with age.

Health Tip: Protect Teeth From Decay

Even baby's gums and teeth can decay, potentially leading to future problems with permanent teeth.

Med Students Need Hand Holding on Hand Washing

A new study finds that two out of three medical students don't know when to clean their hands.

Drunk Driving-Related Deaths Surge During the Holidays

During the holidays, alcohol-related car accidents claim more lives than at any other time of the year, according to U.S. government experts.

Headaches May Plague Many With HIV/AIDS

Headache affects 50 percent of HIV/AIDS patients in the United States, and many of those headaches are severe, a new study says.

Walking While Drunk Can Lead to Deadly Accidents: Expert

Most everyone knows the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol. With the holidays approaching, an expert warns that walking under the influence of alcohol can also have deadly consequences.

Could Statins Help Those Hospitalized With Flu?

Statins, the drugs that can dramatically lower cholesterol levels, may one day also prove useful in combating serious cases of the flu.

Health Highlights: Dec. 14, 2011

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

Electronic Cigarette Makers Must Prove Safety of Products: Report

A new report details exactly what kind of scientific proof the U.S. Food and Drug Administration should require from the makers of electronic cigarettes and tobacco lozenges to show that what they are selling is not harmful to the overall public health.

Injuries Linked to Holiday Decorating on the Rise

Decking the halls (and elsewhere) for the holidays may be getting more dangerous, a new government report finds.

Magnetic Brain Stimulation Might Help Some Stroke Patients

Stroke patients suffering from a condition that prevents them from sensing or reacting to anything happening to their left -- whether it's noticing food on a plate or recognizing a person sitting to that side -- may recover faster with magnetic stimulation to the nerve cells in their brain, Italian researchers report.

Higher Hospital Admissions Equal Higher Readmissions: Study

Efforts to reduce costly hospital readmissions have focused on improving patient care just after discharge. But much of the readmission problem may be due to an overuse of inpatient hospital services in the first place, a new study suggests.

Facebook Launches Service to Help Prevent Suicide

Facebook is using its social-networking prowess to help prevent suicides in the United States and Canada.

Apnea Treatment Might Reduce Signs of Heart Disease Risk

Along with helping people with obstructive sleep apnea get a better night's sleep, machines that help keep the airways open during sleep can also help improve the symptoms of metabolic syndrome, according to new research.

Millions of Americans Are Victims of Sexual Violence: CDC

Every minute in the United States, 24 people are victims of rape, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner, according to an estimate from a new federal report.

Alcohol Use Down, Pot Use Up Among U.S. Teens

Alcohol use by American teens has dropped to historic lows, but more of them are using marijuana and don't believe it's a dangerous drug, according to an annual national survey conducted by the U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse and the University of Michigan.