Health Headlines - July 14

Celebrex Lung Cancer Trial Resumes

Researchers believe the controversial drug can help prevent malignancy.

Hospitals Show Heart-Failure Treatment Gap

Study finds wide variance on 4 key indicators.

Menopause Symptoms Can Rebound After HRT

Some women may need to seek out alternative remedies, experts say.

Many Elderly Not Aware of Hospice Value

Providing information can enhance end-of-life experience, a new study finds.

Vaccination Tames Hepatitis A Infection

U.S., Israeli studies find inoculating children lowers incidence in entire population.

Many U.S. Newborns Missing Key Tests

Report finds 27 states fall short in screening infants for hidden disorders.

Weight-Loss Surgeries Skyrocketing

Study found number of procedures quadrupled from 1998 to 2002.

Cell Phone Use Quadruples Car Crash Risk

And it doesn't matter whether drivers use handheld or hands-free models, study finds.

Brain Region May Govern Resilience to Trauma

Study could explain why some people react severely to emotional stress.

Men at Much Higher Eye Injury Risk

Their risk is double that for women, research shows.

Get Fit to Fight Metabolic Syndrome

The condition is a precursor to diabetes, heart disease.

Lorenzo's Oil Lives Up to Its Billing

Treatment effective against genetic disorder called ALD, study finds.

Study Questions Statins' Value Against Alzheimer's

This conflicts with other research that found the drugs were effective.

Dangerous Aortic Ruptures Often Misdiagnosed

One of these events killed actor John Ritter in 2003.

Some Parkinson's Drugs May Trigger Compulsive Gambling

Finding could offer insights into addictive behaviors, researchers say.

NSAID Painkillers May Raise Urinary Retention Risk

But experts disagree about the seriousness of the problem.

Diabetes Spurred By Adult Lifestyles

Study casts doubt on 'fetal-environment' theory.

Curry Spice Shuts Down Melanoma

In the lab, high doses of curcumin killed melanoma tumor cells.

Genes Take Some Blame for Poor Cholesterol

Twins study finds similar responses from high-fat diets.

Newborns' Stroke Risk as High as Elderly's

Many of these disabling events go unnoticed, however.

Food Fact:
Broccoli vs. cancer.

The veggie's green pigment makes it a potent disease-fighter. Substances called isothiocyanates, found in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, stimulate our bodies to break down potential carcinogens. Plus, ounce for ounce, broccoli contains as much calcium as milk. Vegetables in the crucifer family range widely in color, shape and flavor, from squat purple turnips to lanky, leafy nappa cabbage. Most crucifers are strong-flavored and require an assertive seasoning to bring out their best.

Fitness Tip of the day:
Meltdown meditation.

Everything's coming at you at once. Don't explode -- try a little yoga trick that can calm you down in an instant. Place one hand on your belly and breathe deep; exhale slowly. Relax your shoulders. As you breathe, gently push your belly out so your hand rises as you inhale and falls as you exhale.

FAQ of the day:
Will carbs make me fat?

It certainly hasn't worked that way for traditional Asian societies, where carbohydrates can make up as much as 80% of the diet and obesity is rare. Excess calories from any source will lead to weight gain. As for carbohydrates, the key for weight control is to limit consumption of refined grains and sugars, which pack a lot of calories in a portion, and emphasize whole grains rich in fiber, and whole fruits and vegetables, which are very low in calories.