Thursday, October 21, 2004

Health Headlines - October 21

More Nasal Spray Flu Vaccine Coming

Another 1 million doses of a nasal spray influenza vaccine will be available in the United States this year, Bush administration officials said on Thursday as they sought to calm concerns about a flu shot shortage.

Study Backs Link Between Father's Age, Schizophrenia

Children born to older fathers have a higher than normal risk of developing schizophrenia later in life, Swedish scientists said on Friday.

Height Treatment Could Reduce Fertility

Estrogen treatment given to tall adolescent girls to reduce their height can lead to fertility problems, Australian scientists said on Friday.

Record Number of Pool-Related Diseases in U.S.

The number of Americans who got sick from swimming or bathing in tainted pools, spas and other facilities jumped 21 percent to a record high during 2001 and 2002, the government said on Thursday.

Some Supplements Can Damage Eyes

Many herbal remedies and nutritional supplements can damage the eyes, including some alternative therapies that are used by people trying to correct eye problems, new research reports.

U.S. Military Short of Flu Vaccine Too

The U.S. military will give flu shots to troops in Iraq and other key areas overseas and to high-risk family dependents, but thousands of others will go unprotected this year, the Pentagon said on Thursday.

Interferon Injections May Improve Penile Curvature

A course of injections of alpha-interferon (Intron-A) seems to improve penile curvature and sexual satisfaction in men with Peyronie's disease.

Annan Backs Stem Cell Studies, Differing with Bush

U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Thursday endorsed scientific research involving the cloning of human embryos, differing with the Bush administration's push for a treaty to ban such studies.

Texas Charges Flu Vaccine Distributors with Gouging

Texas charged two distributors of the scarce influenza vaccine on Thursday with price gouging, saying they hiked the price of the medicine by more than 1,000 percent.

Syphilis Through Oral Sex on the Rise

Many people mistakenly believe that oral sex is safe, unaware that they can readily catch or pass on syphilis in this manner, according to a report put out by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

More Nasal Mist Flu Vaccine Coming

A Maryland manufacturer will provide an additional 1 million doses of its FluMist vaccine, making a total of 3 million doses of the nasal spray available, Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson said Thursday.

Size May Matter When It Comes to Sperm

Beer bellies may take a toll on men below the belt, not just around it.

Gene Mutation Linked to Illness Clusters

A study of a closely knit family with several members suffering from a rare illness is providing what researchers say may be important clues to the cause of diseases ranging from high blood pressure to high cholesterol and even obesity and insulin resistance.

New Weight-Loss Device to Be Tested

Portland has been chosen as one of three nationwide sites where doctors will begin testing new weight-loss surgery technology designed to reduce weight without dramatic changes to digestive systems.

Bush Signs Youth Suicide Prevention Law

President Bush on Thursday signed into law a bill authorizing $82 million in grants aimed at preventing suicide among young people.

Study: Pill Cuts Cancer, Coronary Risks

Women on the birth control pill had surprisingly lower risks of heart disease and stroke and no increased risk of breast cancer, according to the largest women's health study ever done.

Black Coaltion to Target Drug Policies

For years, many of the nation's leading black legislators, attorneys and social scientists complained that the nation's war on drugs was both ineffective and unfair.

New Hope for Leaky Bladders

An implanted pacemaker that stimulates the sacral nerve and helps regulate the bladder offers a new treatment option for leaky bladders, a common problem of aging.

Antipsychotics Tied to Insulin Problems in Kids

Prescription drugs commonly used to treat children and teens with aggression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia may lead to insulin problems, in turn boosting the risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease later in life.

Study: Breast Milk Is Best When Fresh

Breast milk is better than formula, but a new study says it loses some of its best properties once it's refrigerated.

Gene Passed by Mom Tied to Metabolic Syndrome

Genetic mutations passed down from mother to child may increase the chances for metabolic syndrome in adulthood, researchers report.

No comments: