Health News

Health News for 01/24/12

January 24, 2012

Health Tip: Exercise for Healthier Bones

Want to keep your bones strong and healthy? Make sure you get plenty of exercise to help ward off problems such as osteoarthritis, osteoporosis and pain affecting the joints and lower back.

Health Tip: Food Can Affect Sleep

What you eat and drink can have a big impact on your ability to fall or stay asleep. Many foods can make you feel drowsy, while others can cause trouble sleeping.

Lack of ZZZs May Fuel Appetite

Getting too little sleep can make you hungrier than normal and may lead to weight gain, a small study suggests.

How Did Generation X Respond to the H1N1 'Swine' Flu Epidemic?

Only about one in five American adults aged 36 to 39 got a flu shot during the H1N1 swine flu epidemic of 2009-2010, even though about 65 percent were at least moderately concerned about the disease and nearly 60 percent claimed to follow the issue moderately or very closely.

Ob-Gyns Should Screen for Domestic Abuse: Experts

Obstetricians and gynecologists should screen all patients for intimate partner violence, including during prenatal visits, according to new recommendations from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

Can Low Birth Weight Raise Autism Risk?

After studying data on more than 3,700 pairs of identical twins, researchers from Northwestern University found that low birth weight was associated with more than triple the risk for autism spectrum disorder among twins in which autism only affected one of the children.

CT Scan Dye Containing Iodine May Affect Thyroid

Iodinated contrast media (ICM), a substance commonly used in imaging procedures such as CT scans and cardiac catheterization, may affect patients' thyroid function, according to a new study in the Jan. 23 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.

Baltimore Deemed U.S. City With Most Top-Ranked Hospitals

Baltimore is the top U.S. city for hospital care, according to a new report that examined patient death and complication rates at nearly 5,000 hospitals across the nation.

Enriched Skim Milk Good for Gout, Study Suggests

If you have gout, drinking enriched skim milk may help reduce the frequency of painful flare-ups, new research suggests.

Drug May Slow Early Prostate Cancer: Study

New research suggests that Avodart, a drug used to treat an enlarged prostate gland, may help slow the progression of early stage prostate cancer, reducing the need for aggressive treatment in some men.

Gene Mutations May Boost Ovarian Cancer Survival: Study

Genetic mutations known as BRCA1 and BRCA2 raise the risk of getting ovarian cancer, but new research shows that those same mutations may boost a woman's odds of surviving the deadly disease.

Even With Insurance, Unemployed Have Worse Health Outcomes

People without jobs who have health insurance are less likely to get medical care or prescription drugs than people with jobs who have such coverage, U.S. health officials reported Tuesday.

Health Highlights: Jan. 24, 2012

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

Frying With Olive, Sunflower Oil OK for Heart, Study Finds

Researchers in Spain have some good news for people who enjoy eating fried food: Cooking in olive or sunflower oil is not linked to heart disease or premature death.

Could 'Magic' Mushrooms Ease Depression?

Psychedelic mushrooms may point to new ways to treat depression, suggest two small brain imaging studies that seem to show how psilocybin -- the active ingredient in such mushrooms -- affects the brain.

Rate of Leg, Foot Amputations Among Diabetics Drops: CDC

The rate of leg and foot amputations among diabetes patients aged 40 and older fell by 65 percent between 1996 and 2008, a new U.S. government study shows.

Heartburn Meds Won't Help, May Harm Kids With Asthma

Children with asthma who don't have heartburn and other signs of gastroesophageal reflux don't get additional asthma control from acid-reducing medications, according to new research.

Common Household Chemicals Might Harm Kids' Immunity

Exposure to high levels of a group of common household chemicals may impair children's immunity, a new study suggests.