Wednesday, November 24, 2004

Health Headlines - November 24

UK Pledges Extra Funding for Surge in Sexual Diseases

The British government pledged on Thursday to put 300 million pounds aside to combat a surge in sexual diseases as health experts revealed record numbers of people in the UK living with HIV and other sexual diseases.

Laser Technique Used to Treat Bad Breath

If brushing and mouthwash don't improve bad breath, an Israeli scientist may have the solution -- laser treatment.

Pseudoephedrine Tied to Heart Attack in Young Man

If a recently reported case is a reliable indicator, the over-the-counter medication pseudoephedrine can cause a heart attack -- even in healthy young adults.

Turkey Can Stick in Your Craw, Really

Besides the usual increases in cases of heartburn, emergency room workers see a Thanksgiving surge of people with food stuck in their esophagus, according to an expert.

A Racing 'Holiday Heart' Can Spook You Out

There are many holiday traditions that are not so good for the heart, but here's one that may cause a real scare: festive binge drinking can temporarily speed up your heart rate, causing a condition known as "holiday heart," according to an expert.

Protein Helps Fix Heart Attack Damage in Mice

Scientists in the United States said on Wednesday they had identified a protein produced by the heart during development which they believe could help the organ repair itself after a heart attack.

Cord Blood Effective for Adult Leukemia

Blood from a newborn's umbilical cord, often thrown away but rich in cells that may rebuild the body's blood production system, is safe to treat leukemia in adults, two studies released on Wednesday show.

Lawmaker Calls for FDA Whistleblower Inquiry

A U.S. lawmaker called on Wednesday for a probe of reports that Food and Drug Administration officials tried to discredit a veteran scientist who testified over Merck & Co. Inc.'s withdrawal of Vioxx.

Morning-After Pill Well Tolerated by Teen Girls

Levonorgestrel, a pill that is used for emergency contraception after unprotected sexual intercourse, is well tolerated by females aged 13 to 16 years and side effects are minor, according to researchers in the US and Switzerland.

Medicaid Patients Fare Worse After Cancer Surgery

Low-income patients covered by Medicaid have more complications and higher death rates after colon cancer surgery than patients with private insurance, a U.S. study suggests.

Florida OKs Three-Strikes Malpractice Law

Florida voters this month approved a three-strikes law unlike any other state's — a measure aimed not at killers and thieves but at doctors who foul up.

CDC: Flu Season Is Off to a Slow Start

The flu season in the United States is off to a slow start, with only Delaware and New York reporting significant outbreaks — a relief to government health authorities, given the U.S. vaccine shortage.

Flame Retardant Found in Lake Michigan

Concentrations of a flame retardant banned by many European countries have been found in Lake Michigan and are increasing, adding to concerns over previous findings that the chemicals were showing up in supermarket foods and women's breast milk.

Tests Negative on Suspected Mad Cow Case

A five-day mad cow disease scare that briefly rattled the cattle markets and raised concerns among some beef eaters has been put to rest after sophisticated chemical tests on a suspected animal showed no sign of the brain-wasting ailment.

Girl Survives Rabies With Drug Treatment

A unique combination of drugs has made a 15-year-old girl the first known human to survive rabies without vaccination, doctors said.

States Fill Federal Void on Drug Safety

As Congress and others lobby to create an independent board to review the safety of prescription drugs, a dozen states have been doing just that.

Help Older Adults Enjoy the Holidays

In all the excitement of the holidays, families can overlook the fact that the more frail and elderly among them are no longer able to take part in traditional holiday tasks, such as decorating or cooking.

Health Tip: When a Person's in Shock

For someone who's suffered a grievous physical illness or injury, the shock to the body can prove as lethal as the wound or illness itself.

Health Tip: Social Phobia

If you have a persistent fear of being watched and judged by others, you might have a social phobia, also called social anxiety.

Microwave Technology Steadies Irregular Heartbeat

A new kind of minimally invasive heart surgery based on microwave technology helps control atrial fibrillation, a dangerous heart condition, according to a researcher at Duke University Medical Center.

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