Health Headlines - June 1

Health Tip: Dealing With Post-Traumatic Stress

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a very real illness. People may get it after living through a terrible and scary experience such as rape or sexual abuse; assault by a family member; an airplane or car crash; a natural disaster such as hurricane, tornado, or fire; a war; or any event that may have put them in danger of being killed or seriously injured.

New Clues to the Roots of Dyslexia

A problem in basic sensory perception may be at the root of dyslexia -- a learning disorder that causes reading and spelling problems -- according to a new study.

Experts Weigh in On the Better Bypass

Whether patients undergoing coronary bypass surgery do better if their hearts keep beating or if a heart-lung machine takes over is a long-running debate that should end, at least as far as the American Heart Association is concerned.

Chronic Diseases Pushing Doctor Visits Beyond Limits

Overburdened primary-care physicians are becoming even more overburdened.

Too Few At-Risk Heart Patients Offered Statins

Too few patients at a moderate-to-high risk of heart attack are being prescribed cholesterol-lowering statin drugs, a new study suggests.

Complicated Grief Complicated to Treat

Sadness and feelings of loss are normal parts of the grieving process, but for some people the death of a loved one triggers a phenomenon dubbed complicated grief, which resembles both major depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Key Factors Raise Clogged Artery Risk

People with metabolic syndrome -- a constellation of risk factors for heart disease -- and moderate levels of calcium in their coronary arteries are at increased risk of developing blockages in those arteries, researchers report.

Early Environmental Exposure May Set Stage for Cancer

Researchers think they have discovered why some people who are genetically prone to cancer develop the disease, and some do not.

Cancer Survivors Face Higher Dementia Risk

Cancer survivors have an increased risk of long-term cognitive dysfunction and dementia, says a University of Southern California study in the June 1 issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

Aspirin, Ibuprofen Might Boost Risk of Certain Breast Cancers

Daily use of aspirin for at least five years increases the risk of one type of breast cancer but reduces the risk of another, California researchers report.

Doctors' Legal Woes Changing U.S. Health Care

The current legal climate surrounding medical malpractice in the United States is affecting delivery of health care in several ways.

Many Americans Can't Get Quick Injury Treatment

Almost 47 million Americans don't have rapid access to specialized trauma treatment centers should they get hurt in a serious accident, a national survey finds.

Doctors' fear of lawsuits may hurt care - US study

Doctors admit ordering unnecessary diagnostic tests or avoiding troublesome patients for fear of malpractice lawsuits, perhaps harming care in the process, a survey released on Tuesday said.

Food Fact:
Go mango.

Nature packs a lot of vitamins A and C into these low-calorie appetizers. Half a medium-sized mango supplies 40% of the vitamin A and 50% of the vitamin C that most of us need daily. All for a mere 67 calories. And it tastes great!

Fitness Tip of the day:
Want strong bones?

All it takes is 20 minutes of the right weight-bearing exercise three days per week. Activity such as walking will stimulate bone growth and prevent bone loss throughout life. Strength training, such as weight lifting, fortifies bone and can reduce your risk of developing osteoporosis.

FAQ of the day:
Is it true grapefruit juice and prescription medications don't mix?

Amazingly, grapefruit juice can interfere with some prescription medications. Grapefruit and its juice contains a phytochemical that inhibits the enzyme needed to break down antihistamines, calcium-channel blockers, immunosuppressants, sedatives and protease inhibitors (treatments for AIDS), among others. As a result, blood levels of those drugs stay higher than expected, with potentially serious side effects. If you drink grapefruit juice regularly and are prescribed medication, mention it to your health care provider.