Health Headlines - May 28

Blood Breakthrough Might Improve Cancer Care

Boosting the supply of oxygen to tissues in need could help improve wound healing, lead to better blood substitutes, and even help with cancer treatments. Now a team of Duke University researchers believe they've found a safe way of doing just that.

Nicotine Patch Giveaway Helps Smokers Quit

A pioneering program that gave a free nicotine patch to any New Yorker who asked for one has helped a lot of smokers to quit, New York City health officials say.

Gene Could Cause Rare, Fatal Epilepsy

In what could be an important discovery, scientists say mutations in a gene regulating the protein laforin can cause Lafora disease, a severe, inherited form of epilepsy that results in death by age 30.

Does Size Matter? Most Romantic Partners Say 'No'

A survey of 50,000 American adults finds 70 percent of female respondents desiring more ample or rounder breasts -- even though the majority of male respondents say they are perfectly happy with their partner's breast size.

FDA Probes Reports of Vision Loss Linked to Impotence Drugs

U.S. health officials said Friday that they were investigating rare reports of vision loss among men using the impotence drugs Viagra, Cialis and Levitra.

Virtual Vehicles Teach Teens Highway Safety

Could time spent in a high-tech "driving simulator" help teens become safer drivers?

Chronic Coughing Takes Emotional Toll

Coughing that can last for months or years is strongly linked to depression, researchers report.

Subliminal Smiles Can Sway You

Subliminal images of smiling faces may make consumers more willing to try new things, new research suggests.

Kidney Disease Drug Approved in Capsule Form

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug to treat a common complication of chronic kidney disease.

Non-Surgical Treatment Boosts Liver Cancer Survival

Radiofrequency ablation therapy, a minimally invasive treatment that uses a tiny needle to fry or freeze tumors, is helping extend the survival of patients with inoperable liver cancer, researchers report.

New Hope Against Chronic Pelvic Disease

Researchers say they've identified protein biomarkers for the chronic, painful pelvis disorder interstitial cystitis (IC), a finding that could lead to the first definitive test for this disease, and also to new treatments.

Feds Looking Into Blindness-ED Drug Link

Federal health officials are probing reports of blindness among dozens of men who used Viagra and other impotence drugs - but at the same time cautioning that the vision loss can be linked to the same illnesses that lead to impotence.

Alabama May Ban Unhealthy Food in Schools

The chicken legs won't be so crispy at the cafeteria, forget about the bubbly sodas to wash them down - and don't even think about skipping gym class.

Food Fact:
Miso hungry!

This fermented soybean paste packs a lot of flavor in a very small quantity. The Japanese staple is usually made from a combination of soybeans and rice, although additional soybeans or barley may be used in place of the rice. Miso is usually sold in pint-sized recloseable plastic tubs at large supermarkets, whole foods stores and Asian markets. Refrigerated miso will keep for several months. Miso is very high in sodium, so use it sparingly in soups, marinades and salad dressings.

Fitness Tip of the day:
Don't discount fitness.

Can't fit exercise into your schedule? Here's how to exercise when you shop, and buy a little extra time! Mall walking makes exercise feel less like a chore and more a part of daily life. When the weather is bad walk laps with a friend around your area mall -- a great cardiovascular workout. To find a mall-walking program in your area, contact the management office of your local mall.

FAQ of the day:
Do I really need a "cooldown" after a workout?

Cooling down after a workout is even more important than the preworkout warm-up. During a cooldown, blood slowly returns from the extremities to the heart, capillaries return to normal dilation, and your respiration and heart rate slow down. If you skip your cooldown, you risk light-headedness and muscle spasms. It's also harder on your heart to go suddenly from 60 to zero. Walk slowly at the end of a run, do a few slower minutes on the stair climber or bike, and remember to stretch.