Health News

Health News for 02/28/12

February 28, 2012

Health Tip: Are You at Greater Risk for Pneumonia?

Pneumonia is a lung infection caused by a bacterium, virus or fungus. Often, the lungs' air sacs fill with fluid or pus, making it difficult to breathe.

Health Tip: Preventing Back Pain Among New Moms

Back pain is common among new moms, who always seem to be lifting and carrying their newborns.

Drug-Free Housing Helps Heroin, Oxycontin Addicts Recover

Drug-free recovery housing and day treatment programs greatly improve the chances that those addicted to opioids who have gone through detoxification will be able to kick the habit, a new study shows.

BPA Exposure May Raise Risk of Heart Disease

Exposure to bisphenol A (BPA), a controversial chemical commonly used to make plastics, increases a person's risk of developing heart disease later in life, a new study suggests.

Hearing Loss Triples Risk of Falling: Study

Hearing loss is associated with an increased risk of falling, according to a new study.

Parents Often Right to Bring Kids With Fever to the ER: Study

Many parents who bring their children to the emergency room with fevers are making the right decision, Dutch investigators report.

Family Tree May Aid Treatment of Inherited Heart Disorders

Researchers who used family trees dating back to 1811 to estimate the death risk for people with inherited heart rhythm disorders say their findings can help doctors determine when to screen and treat today's patients with these disorders.

Many Gaps in Fast-Food Nutrition Information

Even when fast-food restaurants list calorie counts for menu items, diners may still have a hard time using the information to make healthy meal choices, researchers report.

Many Vegetarians Unaware of Animal-Derived Gels in Pills

Vegetarians and others who avoid eating meat for religious or cultural reasons may unknowingly be consuming gelatin derived from animal products when they take prescription medications, a new study found.

Disabled Adults More Apt to Be Victims of Violence: Study

Disabled adults are at higher risk of being victims of violence than adults who aren't disabled, new research finds.

Vitamin D3 Might Ease Menstrual Cramps

Menstrual cramps are the bane of many women, but new research suggests that a form of vitamin D may one day be added to the meager list of pain relievers for the sometimes disabling condition.

Teens May Fare Worse After Concussion Than Children or Adults

Teenagers who suffer a concussion are more sensitive than adults or children to its aftereffects, Canadian researchers report.

Sleeping Pills Linked to Raised Risk of Death, Cancer: Study

Prescription sleeping pills may help you get some much needed rest at night, but using them routinely might also make it more likely that you will die or develop certain types of cancer, research suggests.

Ecstasy Use During Pregnancy May Harm Fetus: Study

Taking the hallucinogen ecstasy during pregnancy may harm the health of the fetus and lead to poorer motor control in infants, a new study suggests.

New Flu Discovered in Guatemalan Fruit Bats

A new influenza A virus has been discovered in Guatemalan fruit bats, according to scientists at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Poor Patients Less Likely to Sue Doctors, Analysis Shows

Poor people are less likely to sue their doctor than patients with more money are, a new study shows.

Health Highlights: Feb. 28, 2012

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

Selenium Supplements May Help -- or Harm

While getting the right amount of selenium in your diet can boost your immune function and lower your risk of death, you can get too much of a good thing. Higher-than-normal levels of selenium may contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes, hair loss and certain cancers, a new review of evidence finds.

FDA Adds Safety Warnings to Statins

The popular cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins will now come with revised labels warning of a slight increased risk of elevated blood sugar levels, which could lead to type 2 diabetes, as well as a warning on rare cases of confusion and memory loss, U.S. drug regulators said Tuesday.

Autoinjector Version of MS Drug Approved

A pen-delivery version of the multiple sclerosis drug Avonex has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, drug manufacturer Biogen Idec said Tuesday.