Health News

Health News for 02/20/12

February 20, 2012

Health Tip: Never Leave Kids in the Car

Kids left in the car, either accidentally or not, can be at risk for hyperthermia, a potentially dangerous elevation of body temperature. This can happen even in mild weather and in a short period of time.

Health Tip: How to Lower Your Risk of Stroke

When it comes to stroke prevention, a healthy lifestyle is your best bet.

Mexican-Americans' Diets Suffer as They Abandon Traditional Foods: Study

Obesity becomes more common as successive generations of Mexican-American teens turn their backs on the eating habits of their native country, according to a new study.

Monitoring Spinal Cord During Certain Surgeries May Prevent Complications

The spinal cord should be monitored during spinal surgery and certain chest surgeries -- such as procedures to repair narrowing of the walls of the aorta -- to help prevent paralysis or loss of muscle function, says an updated guideline from the American Academy of Neurology.

Female Cancer Survivors Report Worse Health Habits: Survey

Female cancer survivors are more likely to smoke and have other unhealthy behaviors than women who have never had cancer, a new study finds.

Autism Diagnosis Often Occurs Later for Black Children

Black children with autism tend to be diagnosed later than white children with the disorder, and this delay can lead to longer and more intensive treatment, researchers say.

Gene Might Boost Risk for Obesity

A new animal study suggests that a genetic mutation could put certain people at higher risk for becoming obese if they eat high-fat diets.

Many Americans Support Lower Nicotine Levels in Cigarettes

Most American adults support reducing nicotine in cigarettes to prevent people, especially children, from becoming addicted to smoking, a new study finds.

National Guard Deployment May Sometimes Trigger Alcohol Abuse

U.S. National Guard soldiers have a high risk of developing alcohol abuse during and after deployment, and this risk is associated with post-traumatic stress disorder and depression, researchers say.

Fewer Melanoma Deaths in Counties With More Dermatologists

Counties with more dermatologists have lower rates of deaths from melanoma, a new study finds.

Gender Identity Issues Can Harm Kids' Mental Health: Study

New studies show that children struggling with their gender identity also face higher risks for abuse and mental health problems, including post-traumatic stress disorder.

Some Kids' Surgery Should Include Staph Screening: Study

Screening and treatment for antibiotic-resistant bacteria benefits children undergoing open-airway surgery, according to a new study.

Mom's Nicotine Patch May Raise Baby's Risk for Colic

Infants of mothers who smoke or use nicotine replacement therapy during pregnancy are more likely to have colic, a new study finds.

Pregnancy Complications May Predict Heart Trouble Later

Certain complications during pregnancy appear to raise the mother's risk of cardiovascular disease during middle age, a new study has found.

Bird Flu Studies Can Be Published After All: WHO

Research on a mutated, more contagious form of the bird flu virus can be published in full, the World Health Organization announced Friday, despite concerns that bioterrorists could use the information to start a pandemic.

Study Links Colic in Infants to Migraines in Moms

Experts are beginning to believe some that some non-headache health problems in childhood -- such as vomiting and vertigo -- might be linked to migraines later in life. Now, a new study suggests a connection between mothers with migraines and colic in infancy.

Face Lifts Erase an Average of 7 Years Off Age, Study Finds

A small, new study finds that people who had facial plastic surgery looked an average of seven years younger than they did before the procedure.

Health Highlights: Feb. 20, 2012

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

Korlym Approved for Cushing's Syndrome

Korlym (mifepristone) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat endogenous Cushing's syndrome, a disabling disorder caused by overproduction of the so-called "stress hormone," cortisol.

15% of U.S. Surgeons Report Drinking Problems in Survey

Alcohol use disorders are a significant issue among U.S. surgeons, a new national survey reveals.

Fructose No Worse Than Other Sugars for Weight Gain: Study

The common food and beverage sweetener fructose often gets a bad rap when it comes to causing weight gain, but a new study suggests that it may not be any worse for putting on pounds than other sugars.

Hepatitis C Now Kills More Americans Than HIV

Deaths from hepatitis C have increased steadily in the United States in recent years, in part because many people don't know they have disease, a new government report says.