Wednesday, January 19, 2005

Health Headlines - January 19

Folic Acid May Prevent High Blood Pressure

Folic acid supplements, widely used by women to prevent birth defects, also may fight hypertension in women, perhaps because they relax blood vessels, researchers said on Tuesday.

Diabetes Linked to Reduced Risk of Prostate Cancer

Men with type 2 diabetes seem to be less likely to develop prostate cancer, overall, a new study indicates.

Study: Parent Notification Laws Won't Stop Teen Sex

Laws aimed at forcing teens to get their parents' permission before getting contraception will do nothing to scare youngsters off having sex and may in fact increase rates of teen pregnancy, U.S. researchers reported on Tuesday.

U.S. Blacks Get Less Treatment for Cancer

Black esophageal cancer patients in the United States are half as likely as whites to get surgery that can help them live longer and often do not even see a surgeon, researchers reported on Tuesday.

New Virus May Cause Childhood Diseases

A newly discovered virus related to the SARS virus may cause several mysterious childhood ailments, including Kawasaki disease, U.S. researchers reported on Tuesday.

Studies Cite Poor CPR Methods in Restarting Hearts

Many caregivers perform CPR incorrectly and fail to restart stopped hearts by not adhering to strict guidelines governing the frequency and force of chest compressions, a pair of studies said on Tuesday.

Raising HDL May Limit Heart Disease Progression

For people with low levels of "good" (HDL) cholesterol and coronary disease, treatment aimed at increasing HDL levels is worthwhile, researchers report.

New Plan Could Speed AIDS Vaccine Development

The Global HIV/AIDS Vaccine Enterprise, an international alliance of independent organizations supporting HIV vaccine research, has issued a roadmap to speed the development of a vaccine by promoting new collaboration, resources, and strategic focus.

Radiation Ups Long-Term Breast Cancer Survival

The addition of radiation therapy to chemotherapy after breast cancer surgery "substantially" improves survival, according to a 20-year followup analysis of a British Columbia trial.

Companies Seek Recipes Without Trans Fat

The nation's food companies are stirring up new recipes for everything from Oreos to SpaghettiOs to get rid of trans fat, the artery-clogging ingredient that must be listed on food labels next year.

Fertility Clinics Have Differing Policies

They'll check her ovaries and her bank account, but few U.S. fertility clinics have policies for determining a woman's emotional or mental fitness to have a child, let alone whether it's OK to help one who is past menopause, a new survey reveals.

Texas Lawmaker Unveils Child Obesity Bill

Texas school districts would be required to include the body mass index of students as part of their regular report cards under a bill introduced Tuesday by a lawmaker seeking to link healthy minds with healthy bodies.

CDC Overstated Obesity-Related Deaths

Blaming a computer software error, the government says it overstated the nation's weight problem in a widely reported study last year that said obesity was about to overtake smoking as the No. 1 cause of death in the United States.

Two Doctors Suspended for Bootleg Botox

Two Florida doctors were suspended for allegedly using bootleg Botox on their patients.

Health Tip: Avoid Chewing Aspirin

Aspirin may relieve pain and protect against heart disease, but habitual users who chew it could pay a hefty price, according to the American Dental Association.

Daily chewing of aspirin over time can cause significant damage to both the hard and soft tissues of the mouth, according to researchers from the University of Maryland Dental School in Baltimore.

The scientists noted two cases of enamel erosion that were attributed to daily chewing of aspirin tablets on a long-term basis. Both patients needed extensive dental treatment.

Health Tip: A Safe Shave

Shaving is by far the most common method of hair removal for both men and women, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says.

Men have been shaving their beards and mustaches for thousands of years, but cosmetic hair removal in women was uncommon in the United States until after World War I.

The keys to a safe shave are a clean razor with a sharp blade. Also, never shave on dry skin; wet hair is soft, pliable and easier to cut.

And contrary to what many believe, shaving does not change the texture, color or rate of hair growth.

Experimental Stent Could Revolutionize Treatment of Artery Disease

Belgian researchers are reporting a successful first trial that could change the definition of a stent -- the metal tube that is implanted to keep an artery open.

Vitamin Intake During Pregnancy May Affect Respiratory Health of Kids

In a new study that seems to raise more questions than it answers, Scottish researchers report that a high intake of vitamin C during pregnancy might raise the risk of an infant developing wheezing problems.

Treating Sleep Apnea in Children Improves Behavioral Problems

Children who are treated for obstructive sleep apnea show improvements in behavioral and emotional problems, says a study in the January issue of the Archives of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery.

Mobile Surgical Units Making Difference in Iraq

New mobile military surgical units provide faster treatment for injured U.S. Marines and Iraqis, says a study in the January issue of the Archives of Surgery.

HRT Increases Risk of Gallstone Trouble

In yet another piece of bad news for hormone replacement therapy, researchers report that postmenopausal women taking estrogen therapy face an increased risk of gallbladder disease and surgery.

No comments: