Health Headlines - July 21

Health Tip: Your Child May Need Glasses

Not being able to see the chalk board in class is not the only clue that your child may have problems with his vision, according to the University of Iowa Health Care consumer Web site.

You should have your child's eyes tested if he:

* Rubs his eyes excessively.
* Squints or covers one eye.
* Holds objects close to his eyes.
* Blinks frequently when doing close work.
* Complains that his eyes itch or burn.
* Complains of headaches or dizziness when doing close work.
* Complains of blurred or double vision.

Health Tip: A Compulsion to Work

Are you a workaholic or merely a hard worker? And do you know the difference?

According to Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, compulsive over-workers:

* Are usually in a hurry.
* Have a need to control.
* Expect perfection of themselves and others.
* Have difficulty in relationships.
* Can't relax and have fun.
* Are usually impatient and irritable.
* Often do several things at the same time, such as eat breakfast while listening to voice mail messages, or return phone calls while on the computer.
* Seldom delegate.

If these characteristics sound familiar, try introducing more balance into your life. Work addictions can affect your health and your relationship with your family.

Cosmetic surgery firm's stunt riles Spanish nurses

Spain's nurses have told a cosmetic surgery firm to apologize after it paraded 50 mini-skirted models, sporting uniforms and stethoscopes, onto the stock market for its share launch.

U.S. warns Abbott, Cytogen on 'misleading' ads

U.S. regulators warned Cytogen Corp. and Abbott Laboratories Inc. about promotional materials that overstated prescription drugs' effectiveness and understated risks, according to letters released on Tuesday.

US health officials try to head off autism debate

Federal health officials affirmed the safety of vaccines on Tuesday in an unusual news conference called to counter a growing movement alleging that vaccines can cause autism.

NY gov, officials propose Medicaid fraud crackdown

New York Gov. George Pataki on Tuesday unveiled a plan to fight Medicaid fraud, while a U.S. congressman and a state senator called for an audit of the $93 million spent to prevent Medicaid abuse in New York.

Very small newborns face hurdles, study says

Babies who weigh only 2.2 pounds (1 kg) or less at birth are much more likely than those with normal weight to develop chronic physical and mental problems by age eight, researchers said Tuesday.

DuPont sued in Teflon class action case

Two Florida law firms said on Tuesday they had filed class action lawsuits against DuPont Co., charging the giant chemicals producer hid the potential health hazards of its Teflon nonstick cookware coatings.

Testicular cancer patients can have children

Most testicular cancer patients who try to father children after completing their treatment succeed, scientists said Tuesday.

Change rules to battle health racism, group says

Unconscious racism is so entrenched in U.S. medical system that the only way to eliminate disparities is to change the rules, according to a new report released on Tuesday.

Good news for dark chocolate-lovers

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

Food Fact:
No freezer burn!

Some frozen veggies may actually be a better bet than fresh. Produce headed for the freezer case usually goes directly from the field or orchard to the processing plant. It doesn't languish in railroad cars or tractor trailer trucks, waiting to be shipped cross-country to end up at your supermarket a week later. The nutrient levels in frozen fruits and vegetables are nearly as high as fresh-picked and are often better than in produce that has undergone temperature changes, exposure to light and other rigors of travel. Some favorites include baby peas, edamame, collard greens, mango pieces and blackberries.

Fitness Tip of the day:
Lose 5 lbs. a year without dieting.

One simple change in your daily routine can help you burn extra calories and shed excess pounds. Anything you do every day to burn an extra 50 calories will save you the equivalent of five extra pounds over the course of a year. It can be as easy as parking your car a mere five minutes further from your office each morning and then walk briskly to your desk and back again after work. That's easy weight loss in just 10 minutes a day!

FAQ of the day:
Which oil should I use?

Each has advantages. Olive oil is highest in heart-healthy monounsaturated fatty acids (about 84%); canola oil has less (about 60%), but it contains omega-3 fatty acids and less saturated fat than olive oil. All fats contain varying amounts of saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids; they are usually referred to according to the type of fatty acid that predominates. Omega-3s are a special type of polyunsaturated fat that's been shown to support a healthy heart.