Health Headlines - May 6

Study: Treat Depression, Chronic Pain Separately

Recurrent pain and depression often go hand-in-hand, and doctors have long puzzled over whether treating one will get rid of the other. But a new study of brain patterns on MRI tests suggests the two problems should be treated separately, even when they co-exist.

Anger Can Be a Heartbreaker

The adrenaline released in outbursts of anger may place individuals with a history of irregular heartbeat at heightened risk for cardiac arrest, a new study suggests.

Gene Yields Clues to Chronic Kidney Disease

Researchers say they've identified a gene responsible for a form of chronic kidney disease.

Cellular Antioxidant Extends Mice's Life Span

Mice genetically engineered to produce a specific antioxidant molecule deep within their cells live about 20 percent longer than normal mice, a new study finds.

Defibrillators Help Newly Diagnosed Heart Patients

Implantable cardiac defibrillators can help protect people recently diagnosed with weak hearts unrelated to coronary artery disease just as much as they help patients with longer-term, established disease, researchers report.

Blow to Chest Won't Restore Normal Heartbeat

Conventional medical wisdom has held that pounding a heart attack victim's chest with your fist -- called a precordial thump -- might restore normal heart function, but new research appears to rule it out as an optimal solution.

Blood Samples Reveal Abnormalities in Autistic Children

Children with autism have proteins in the blood as well as immune-system components that differ significantly from children without the disorder, researchers report.

Requip Treats 'Restless Legs'

GlaxoSmithKline's treatment for moderate-to-severe restless legs syndrome was approved Thursday by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Three-Drug Combo May Best Protect Heart

A combination of three drugs -- aspirin, blood pressure-lowering beta-blockers and cholesterol-lowering statins -- improves survival for coronary heart disease patients much more than taking any one of those drugs alone, researchers report.

Ex-Smokers' Weight Gain Can Impact Lung Function

Smokers who quit should make an extra effort to avoid gaining weight because those extra pounds can hurt lung function, new European research indicates.

Study: Autism Treatment Could Be Earlier

Infants who make little eye contact, have trouble smiling and aren't very active may be showing signs of autism, Canadian researchers report in a small study that suggests autism could be spotted earlier than it is.

FDA to Implement Gay Sperm Donor Rules

To the dismay of gay-rights activists, the Food and Drug Administration is about to implement new rules recommending that any man who has engaged in homosexual sex in the previous five years be barred from serving as an anonymous sperm donor.

Dozens Contract Illness From Small Pets

Furry "pocket pets" like hamsters, mice and rats have sickened up to 30 people in at least 10 states with dangerous multidrug-resistant bacteria, health officials are warning.

South Africa Defends AIDS Progress

Stressing the benefits of olive oil, garlic and beet root, South Africa's health minister insisted Thursday that good nutrition was just as important as anti-retroviral medicines for people infected with the AIDS virus and said her government would not be pressured into meeting U.N. treatment targets.

Food Fact:

"Bell" epoque.

Here's a trick for bringing out the rich sweetness in bell peppers. Blacken the peppers under the broiler or on the grill. After broiling or grilling, peel off the pepper skins with a paring knife and use the pepper in sandwiches, pasta sauces, or as an accompaniment to chicken or fish. Whether they're red, green or yellow, bell peppers are a good source of vitamin C -- and a great source of fat-free culinary excitement. Sliced fresh peppers add crunch and color to salads.

Fitness Tip of the day:

Change the pace.

A few simple steps can make your walking routine a better cardio workout. The trick is to break from your usual pace with bursts of fast walking. For example, walk fast for one minute, then resume your usual speed for the next three minutes. Over time, shorten the slow intervals to two minutes and then one minute.

FAQ of the day:

If I have diabetes, should I avoid sugar?

The Nutrition Guidelines of the American Diabetes Association say that reasonable amounts of sugar are OK for people with diabetes, and are no different than any other type of carbohydrate for regulating blood sugar levels. The rise in blood sugar after eating bread, potatoes or rice is actually very similar to what happens after eating an equal amount of carbohydrate as sugar. The presence of protein, fat and soluble fiber will slow the rise in blood sugar from carbohydrates; that's why a mixed meal, say peanut butter on oat-bran bread, is better for regulating blood sugar than jelly on white bread. Keeping a handle on total calories is even more important.