Saturday, April 09, 2005

Health Headlines - April 9

Puerto Ricans Top Survey on Satisfaction

Puerto Ricans have ranked highest in the world in one survey of how satisfied people are with their lives, but the result is drawing head-shaking on the Caribbean island, where some say islanders have plenty of personal problems and psychologists estimate nearly one in three are at risk of mental illness.

Health Tip: Infertility's Emotional Toll

(HealthDayNews) - Infertility often is a complicated medical problem that can trigger many emotions. The experience can spark reminders of unresolved emotional issues, and may launch a major assault on a person's self esteem.

Health Tip: Avoiding Obesity

You can eat healthy when dining out if you know how, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute says in its obesity guidelines.

Researchers Spot Proteins Key to Cancer's Spread

Researchers say they've identified several key proteins on the surface of cancer cells that help these cells spread.

School Bus Fumes Worst for Kids on Board

Toxic gases produced by diesel school buses are far worse for those riding inside than for passers-by, new findings suggest.

Your Eyes, Not Your Stomach, Count Calories

It seems your eyes really can be bigger than your stomach.

Mercury Fillings in Moms Don't Lead to Small Babies

In good news for expectant moms with cavities, a new study suggests pregnant women aren't threatening their newborn's birth weight by getting mercury-based silver amalgam fillings.

Heart Transplants in Babies Not Limited by Blood Type

Babies under the age of 1 can receive heart transplants from donors with different blood types without risk of organ rejection, says a study in the current issue of Nature Medicine.

Doctors Take Issue With Bextra Withdrawal

Medical professionals expressed surprise and concern at Thursday's FDA announcement that the prescription painkiller Bextra would be withdrawn from the market, and that a host of other effective analgesics will now come with tough "black box" labeling warning of their potential cardiovascular and gastrointestinal risks.

Newer Schizophrenia Drug Stems Loss of Gray Matter

The new antipsychotic drug olanzapine prevents the loss of gray matter in the brains of schizophrenia patients, but the older drug haloperidol doesn't offer the same protection, according to research in the latest issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry.

Lasers Can Repair Most Causes of Varicose Veins

Laser therapy zaps unsightly and painful varicose veins by attacking the most common cause of the disease -- a weakening of the great saphenous vein in the legs.

New Sealant Protects Brain After Surgery

A new sealant to protect against leakage of cerebrospinal fluid after brain surgery has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Electroacupuncture May Ease Blood Pressure

In a study in rats, acupuncture that also delivers mild electric stimulation lowered blood pressure by as much as 50 percent.

Food Fact: Apple insider

Shake the right tree, and your weight loss plan will be more fruitful.

Fitness Tip of the day: Highway to health

Wellness doesn't have to be expensive -- walking is an economical first step.

FAQ of the day: Will drinking water make me less hungry?

Water quenches thirst, not hunger. When volunteers in a study at Penn State University drank water with dinner, they consumed just as many calories as when they had nothing to drink. But when they were served water-rich foods, like fruits and vegetables, or broth-based soups, they spontaneously consumed fewer calories. So eat a lot of water-rich foods, and drinking water instead of high-calorie soft drinks is always a plus, but don't try to drown out your hunger.

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