Health Headlines - May 20

Group Urges More to Check Vascular Health

A doctor's group is hoping to persuade more Americans to check on the health of their arteries and veins. While most know heart disease is the leading cause of death among Americans, and many Americans regularly check their blood pressure, less attention is paid to vascular disease.

Colon Cancer Test Misses Growths in Women

A widely used screening tool for colon cancer, sigmoidoscopy, misses precancerous growths in almost two-thirds of women — a disturbing failure rate twice as high as the one seen in men, a government-backed study found.

Type 2 Diabetics Battle Blood Sugar Woes

A dismal two-thirds of the nation's 18 million Type 2 diabetics don't have their blood sugar under control, putting them at high risk of the disease's nastiest complications, even death. Yet most are unaware they're doing so poorly, frustrated diabetes specialists said Wednesday.

Mass. Lawmakers Reject Stem Cell Ban

Lawmakers Thursday rejected Gov. Mitt Romney's amendments to a stem cell research bill — including a proposed ban on using cloned embryos for the purpose of obtaining stem cells to use in treating disease.

Health Tip: Working on Occupational Asthma

Occupational asthma is generally defined as a lung disorder caused by inhaling fumes, gases, dust or other potentially harmful substances while "on the job." Up to 15 percent of asthma cases in the United States may be job-related.

Health Tip: Avoid Getting Sick from Pet Turtles

Did you know that the sale of most turtles less than four inches long has been banned in the United States since 1975?

Drug Helps Target Prostate Biopsies

The drug dutasteride, currently used to treat enlarged prostate, may improve the accuracy of prostate biopsies, researchers report. It may even help doctors reduce the number of biopsies needed for diagnosis in patients suspected of having prostate cancer.

Beating Cancer Brings New Battles

For some of the 10 million Americans who have survived cancer, life can be bittersweet. Their everyday concerns focus not just on whether the disease will recur, but also on psychological issues, fears about sexual impairment and financial worries.

Science Sniffs Out the Secrets of Scent

A rose by any other name would smell as sweet -- or would it?

Vitamin E May Ward Off Parkinson's

Leafy greens, whole grains, nuts and other foods rich in vitamin E may help prevent Parkinson's disease, according to a new review of eight studies.

Blacks Have Higher Death Rate from Stroke

Racial and regional disparities in stroke prevalence and stroke-related death persist in the United States, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

New Embryonic Stem Cell Lines Created

In a scientific triumph as notable for its ethical implications as its novelty, researchers in South Korea have used DNA from people suffering from injury or disease to create 11 embryonic stem cell lines that can now be used to study human frailties in the laboratory.

Obesity Ups Risk for Colon, Throat Cancers

Obesity is associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer, while obesity and smoking both raise the odds for throat malignancies, two new studies find.

Food Fact:
Rind-boggling.

Juicy, red watermelon is not only delicious, it may help men avoid prostate cancer. As long as you spit out the seeds, watermelon is the biggest supplier among fresh fruits and vegetables in the antioxidant lycopene, which is believed to play a big role in the prevention of the killer disease. Antioxidants such as lycopene work in your body by disarming free oxygen radicals, which are thought to contribute to the development of many cancers. A 2-cup serving of watermelon contains 15 - 20 milligrams of this vital plant pigment. Other sources include tomatoes, red grapefruits and guavas.

Fitness Tip of the day:
Drink up.

By the time you feel thirsty during a workout, you may already be dehydrated! Your body requires constant hydration during exercise. Drink at least 8 oz. of water every 15 minutes while you are exercising.

FAQ of the day:
Do I need fiber in my diet?

While psyllium-based supplements can help relieve constipation, and have been shown to reduce high blood cholesterol, dietary changes have the same benefits. Better yet, if you get your fiber from whole foods -- whole grains, fruits and vegetables -- you'll get hundreds of health-protective compounds that your fiber supplement won't provide.