Health Headlines - July 20

Abortion pill maker alerts doctors to five deaths

Five women who took the abortion pill RU-486 have died from bacterial infections since its U.S. introduction nearly five years ago, the manufacturer reported.

Another reason to eat chocolate -- blood pressure

Dark chocolate can not only soothe your soul but can lower blood pressure too, researchers reported.

Medical device monitoring needs work - report

U.S. health officials need a better system for tracking the safety of medical devices after they are approved for the sale, especially ones used to treat children, a report released said.

Ducks may silently pass along bird flu - study

The bird flu virus that experts fear will jump from birds to humans seems to be mutating yet again, and may be able to hide in healthy-looking ducks, thus putting both other birds and people at risk, experts said.

SIDS linked to nitrogen dioxide pollution

High outdoor levels of nitrogen dioxide apparently raise the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), according to California-based researchers.

Teen girls have healthier stress response than boys

Adolescent girls may be better protected against the effects of stress than teenage boys, according to a team of Georgia researchers. In a study of teenagers' responses to mental stress, they found that girls did not exhibit the same increase in blood pressure as did their male peers.

Stroke prevention surgery safe for 90-year-olds

Carotid endarterectomy (CEA), a type of surgery that may help prevent strokes, can be safely performed in elderly individuals, new research suggests.

Risk of common infections elevated in diabetics

People with diabetes are at increased risk for urinary tract infections, pneumonia and other common infections, Dutch researchers report in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases.

Dark chocolate lowers high blood pressure

Eating dark chocolate may help lower blood pressure, boost normal responses to insulin to keep blood sugar levels down, and improve blood vessel function in patients with high blood pressure, according to new research findings.

Inactivity may be main factor in girls' obesity

Waning exercise levels, even more than overeating, may be a major reason that many U.S. girls become overweight as teenagers, new study findings suggest.

Food Fact:
Fennel club.

Seeds of this parsley kin can be a life saver if you have stomach pain. Fennel has long been part of folk remedies for indigestion, colic, bloating and heartburn, and modern research has shown that fennel seeds are rich in anethole, a compound that relaxes the smooth muscles of the stomach and acts as an anti-spasmodic. When shopping for fennel bulbs, avoid any that have droopy tops, are brownish or look dry. At home, store them in a plastic bag in the refrigerator, and sprinkle lemon juice on sliced fennel to prevent browning. Fennel has an affinity for fish. It's particularly good with grilled mackerel and sardines.

Fitness Tip of the day:
Hit that perfect beat.

Dancing raises your pulse -- a key to a healthy heart. Running and biking will do the same. Regular physical activity has many other disease-fighting benefits. It reduces your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, lowers your risk of developing cancer, and helps you prevent bone loss (osteoporosis), and maintain mobility and independence in later years.

FAQ of the day:
What are the fattiest foods?

The worst offenders are stick margarine, solid vegetable shortening and commercially baked products, including donuts, cookies, cakes, pies and pastries. Foods that seem a little more wholesome, such as toaster waffles and wheat crackers, can also contain significant amounts of trans fats. A general rule of thumb: The higher the total fat in a product, and the higher hydrogenated oils appear in the ingredient list, the more trans fat it contains.