Health Headlines - April 30

Appeals Court Reverses Stem Cell Research Funding Ban

Stem cell research proponents welcomed Friday's U.S. federal appeals court decision overturning a district court judge's order that would have prevented taxpayer funding for human embryonic stem cell research.

"We're thrilled with this decision and look forward to allowing federally funded scientists to continue with their work without political constraints," Sean Tipton, a spokesman for the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, told the Associated Press.

In a 2-1 decision, a panel of the U.S. court of appeals in Washington reversed U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth's opinion that embryonic stem cell research likely violates a 1996 law that prohibits the use of taxpayer dollars in research that harms a human embryo.

Lamberth's ruling involved a lawsuit by two scientists who said the Obama administration's rules permitting taxpayer dollars to be used for embryonic stem cell research threatened their ability to gain government funding for research using adult stem cells, the AP reported.

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Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Labs: CDC

U.S. health officials say a nationwide salmonella poisoning outbreak that's left one person dead and put at least 10 in hospital is linked to clinical and teaching microbiology laboratories.

Since August, about 73 people in 35 states have been sickened by salmonella bacteria, and some of those cases involve a strain of Salmonella typhimurium sold commercially to laboratories, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, msnbc.comreported.

The first illness occurred in late August and the most recent cases were reported March 8, the CDC says. The patients include employees and students of the laboratories, as well as children in the homes of people who work or study at the labs.

Salmonella can be transmitted via contaminated items such as lab coats, car keys, pens, and notebooks, CDC officials said, msnbc.com reported.

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Food Companies Should Push Healthy Foods for Kids: U.S. Government

Food makers should voluntarily replace child-targeted ad campaigns for unhealthy products such as chips, soda and candy with healthier foods, says a proposal released Thursday by several U.S. government agencies.

American children need to consume less sugar, sodium, saturated fat and trans fat, and eat foods that "make a more meaningful contribution to the diet," according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration, the Department of Agriculture and the Federal Trade Commission, the Wall Street Journalreported.

"The proposed voluntary principles are designed to encourage stronger and more meaningful self-regulation by the food industry and to support parents' efforts to get their kids to eat healthier foods," the agencies said in a joint new release. "While the goals they would set for food marketers are ambitious and would take time to put into place, the public health stakes could not be higher."

The agencies noted that about one-third of children in the U.S. are overweight or obese, the Wall Street Journal reported.

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Episiotomies Decline in U.S.: Report

Episiotomies in the United States decreased 60 percent between 1997 and 2008, according to a federal government report released Thursday. Episiotomy is a surgical incision to widen the vaginal area during childbirth.

During the same period, the use of forceps during child delivery fell 32 percent, from 14 percent to 10 percent, and the proportion of hospital stays of women who delivered via cesarean section rose by 72 percent, according to the latest News and Numbers from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

Between 2007 and 2008, the number of hospital stays for childbirth fell from 4.5 million to 4.2 million, after increasing an average of 2 percent a year since 1999.

Of all childbirth hospital stays in 2008, 36 percent were in the South, 26 percent were in the West, 23 percent in the Midwest and 16 percent in the Northeast.

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Cheaper Drug as Good as Costly One for Eye Disease: Study

A cheaper drug is as effective as a more expensive drug for treatment of an eye disease that's a leading cause of vision loss in elderly people, according to a new study.

Researchers compared patients with wet macular degeneration who received monthly shots of Avastin ($50 per treatment) or Lucentis ($2,000 per treatment) for one year. Lucentis is approved in the United States for treatment of wet macular degeneration, while Avastin is a cancer drug used off-label by many doctors to treat the eye disease, the Associated Press reported.

Vision improvement was the same for both groups of patients, the study said.

The findings were published online Thursday in the New England Journal of Medicine and will be presented at a meeting this weekend, the AP reported.

Health Tips for April 30

Health Tip: Turn Baby's Head to Prevent Flat Spots

For years, new mothers have been told to position babies on their backs during sleep, to help lessen the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). That's extremely important advice.

But as a result of continually sleeping in the same position, babies may develop a flat spot on their heads, a condition some experts call "flattened head syndrome."

The experts say baby should still be placed on the back. But parents may opt to gently reposition baby's head during sleep, and during activities while baby is awake.

The Cleveland Clinic offers these suggestions for minimizing "flattened head syndrome:"

• Regularly change the direction in the crib in which you put your child down.
• Alternate the side of the head that baby sleeps on each night.
• After baby falls asleep, gently turn the head. If one side of the head already appears somewhat flatter, gently turn baby's head to the other side.
• If baby can turn the head without your assistance, hang a mobile facing the side of baby's bed in the direction you want baby to turn.

Health Tip: Getting My Child to Go to Sleep

Your growing child needs a good night's rest, and a consistent bedtime routine can make putting your youngster to bed a little less challenging.

The American Academy of Pediatrics offers these suggestions:

• Make the time before bed "quiet time," with a bath, book or soft music.
• Have your child go to bed at the same time each night.
• Let your child choose a favorite blanket or stuffed animal to take to bed. Just make sure there are no choking or strangulation hazards.
• Take care of your child's preferences before bedtime, such as leaving the door slightly ajar, having a night light or having a drink of water.
• Your child should sleep in his own room, not yours.
• Don't make a habit of going back into your child's room each time the child cries or calls for you.
• Be patient if the child wakes at night or has trouble falling asleep.

Health Headlines - April 29

Food Companies Should Push Healthy Foods for Kids: U.S. Government

Food makers should voluntarily replace child-targeted ad campaigns for unhealthy products such as chips, soda and candy with healthier foods, says a proposal released Thursday by several U.S. government agencies.

American children need to consume less sugar, sodium, saturated fat and trans fat, and eat foods that "make a more meaningful contribution to the diet," according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration, the Department of Agriculture and the Federal Trade Commission, the Wall Street Journalreported.

"The proposed voluntary principles are designed to encourage stronger and more meaningful self-regulation by the food industry and to support parents' efforts to get their kids to eat healthier foods," the agencies said in a joint new release. "While the goals they would set for food marketers are ambitious and would take time to put into place, the public health stakes could not be higher."

The agencies noted that about one-third of children in the U.S. are overweight or obese, the Wall Street Journal reported.

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Episiotomies Decline in U.S.: Report

Episiotomies in the United States decreased 60 percent between 1997 and 2008, according to a federal government report released Thursday. Episiotomy is a surgical incision to widen the vaginal area during childbirth.

During the same period, the use of forceps during child delivery fell 32 percent, from 14 percent to 10 percent, and the proportion of hospital stays of women who delivered via cesarean section rose by 72 percent, according to the latest News and Numbers from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

Between 2007 and 2008, the number of hospital stays for childbirth fell from 4.5 million to 4.2 million, after increasing an average of 2 percent a year since 1999.

Of all childbirth hospital stays in 2008, 36 percent were in the South, 26 percent were in the West, 23 percent in the Midwest and 16 percent in the Northeast.

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Cheaper Drug as Good as Costly One for Eye Disease: Study

A cheaper drug is as effective as a more expensive drug for treatment of an eye disease that's a leading cause of vision loss in elderly people, according to a new study.

Researchers compared patients with wet macular degeneration who received monthly shots of Avastin ($50 per treatment) or Lucentis ($2,000 per treatment) for one year. Lucentis is approved in the United States for treatment of wet macular degeneration, while Avastin is a cancer drug used off-label by many doctors to treat the eye disease, the Associated Press reported.

Vision improvement was the same for both groups of patients, the study said.

The findings were published online Thursday in the New England Journal of Medicine and will be presented at a meeting this weekend, the AP reported.

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Blushing Makes People More Likely to Forgive Mistakes: Study

If you blush after you make a mistake or social gaffe, people are more likely to be more forgiving, a new study suggests.

It included 196 college students who played an online game with a virtual opponent who cooperated in the first round and shared the winnings, but later defected and earned a larger prize than the participants, msnbc.com reported.

After each round, the participants were shown photos of their virtual female opponent with one of four expressions: neutral, neutral with a blush, embarrassment, and embarrassment with a blush.

The participants judged the opponent less harshly when she blushed and believed she was less likely to defect again. Blushing even prompted some participants to give the opponent more prize money and a higher honesty rating, msnbc.com reported.

"After you do something wrong, people like you more when you blush," said lead author Corine Dijk, an assistant professor of psychology at the University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands.

The study was published in the April issue of the journal Emotion.

Health Tips for April 29

Health Tip: Are You at Risk for Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis occurs when the thick tissue that connects the heel to the toes becomes irritated, inflamed and painful.

The ADAM Encyclopedia mentions these potential risk factors for plantar fasciitis:

• Having either high arches or flat feet.
• Being obese.
• Exposing the feet to repetitive stress, from activities such as running long distances, running on an uneven surfaces or running downhill.
• Gaining weight rapidly.
• Having tightness in the Achilles tendon.
• Wearing shoes that don't offer good arch support or have soft soles.

Health Tip: Why Does My Heel Hurt?

Heel pain may stem from repetitive stress or another type of injury, but an underlying health problem also may be to blame.

The American Podiatric Medical Association says these conditions may lead to heel pain:

• Various forms of arthritis, including gout.
• Bursitis -- an inflammation of a fluid-filled sac called the bursa.
• Haglund's deformity, characterized by an enlarged bone toward the back of the heel.
• Inflammation of the Achilles tendon.
• A heel spur, bone bruise or stress fracture.

Health Headlines - April 28

Giffords Flies to Florida for Husband's Shuttle Launch

Rep. Gabrielle Giffords traveled by plane from Houston to Florida Wednesday to watch her husband's space shuttle launch Friday.

The trip represents another important milestone in Giffords' long recovery from the bullet wound to the head she suffered in an assassination attempt nearly four months ago, theAssociated Press reported.

Gifford's husband Mark Kelly is commander of the space shuttle Endeavour, which is scheduled to lift off from Cape Canaveral at 3:47 p.m. Friday. President Barack Obama will also attend the launch.

Kelly said his wife's attendance at the launch is "something she's been looking forward to for a long time," the AP reported. "She's been working really hard to make sure that her doctors would permit her to come. She's more than medically ready to be here, and she's excited about making this trip."

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One-Fourth of U.S. Children Live in Single-Parent Families: Report

The United States has a higher percentage of children being raised by a single parent than other developed nations, according to a report released Wednesday by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

The OECD looked at 27 industrialized countries and found that 25.8 percent of children in the U.S. are being raised by a single parent, compared to an average of 14.9 percent in the other nations, the Associated Press reported.

After the U.S., the next highest rates were in Ireland (24.3 percent) and New Zealand (23.7 percent). The lowest percentages were in Greece, Spain, Italy and Luxembourg.

The study also found that single parents in the U.S. are more likely to have jobs than those in other countries (35.8 percent vs. an average of 21.3 percent), but also have higher rates of poverty, the AP reported.

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Chronic Illnesses Are World's Leading Cause of Death: WHO

Chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer are the leading causes of death worldwide, accounting for more than 36 million deaths in 2008, says a World Health Organization report.

It said that 80 percent of the deaths occurred in low and middle income countries and that chronic illnesses pose a greater threat than infectious diseases such as HIV, tuberculosis and malaria, BBC News reported.

Policies that promote healthier diets and restrict or ban smoking could prevent many of these deaths, according to the WHO.

"The rise of noncommunicable diseases presents an enormous challenge," said WHO Director General Margaret Chan, BBC News reported. "For some countries, it is no exaggeration to describe the situation as an impending disaster; a disaster for health, for society, and most of all for national economies."

Health Tips for April 28

Health Tip: Taking a Cruise?

Each year, millions of passengers embark from North American ports on cruise vacations.

Traveling on cruise ships exposes passengers to contained quarters and lots of other people. This means conditions may be ripe for transmission of germs, either from contaminated food or water, or more commonly through person-to- person contact.

The National Center for Environmental Health suggests these tips to help prevent the spread of illness:

• Wash your hands -- before and after eating or smoking; after touching your face or going to the bathroom, and when your hands are simply dirty.
• Leave the area if you see someone get sick (vomiting or diarrhea). Report the problem to cruise staff, if they haven't already been notified.
• Take care of yourself. Get plenty of rest and drink lots of water. Resting helps rebuild your immune system. Drinking water helps prevents dehydration.
• Be considerate of other people's health. If you're ill before taking a cruise, call the cruise line to determine if you can reschedule, and if there are alternatives to losing your deposit or fare.

Health Tip: Pack a First Aid Kit


A first aid kit may come in handy when you're traveling, so stash one in your car or bag before you leave home.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests what to include in your kit:

• A reference card that includes first aid instructions.
• A few basics, such as an Ace bandage, gauze, tweezers, scissors, antiseptic and cotton-tipped swabs.
• Moleskin to put on blisters.
• Aloe vera gel for sunburn.
• A digital thermometer.
• Packets of oral rehydration solution.
• A copy of your health insurance card.

Health Headlines - April 27

Doctors Perform Second U.S. Full-Face Transplant

The second full-face transplant in the United States was performed last week by surgeons at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston.

The transplant was performed on 30-year-old Mitch Hunter of Indiana, who suffered serious facial injuries from a high-voltage electrical wire following a car crash in 2001, theAssociated Press reported.

The procedure took more than 14 hours and went smoothly, according to lead surgeon Dr. Bohdan Pomahac.

The first full-face transplant in the U.S. was performed last month at the same hospital. The patient was a Texas construction worker, the AP reported.

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Ban Latex Medical Gloves: Group

Surgical and patient examination gloves that are made of natural rubber latex or have cornstarch on them pose a serious threat to patients and health care workers and should be banned, says the advocacy group Public Citizen.

In a petition filed Monday with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the group notes the availability of safer alternatives such as powder-free, non-latex gloves.

"For health care workers, the major risk posed by the gloves is allergic reactions to latex, some of which can be serious or life-threatening. These allergic reactions can occur when health care workers wear latex gloves or when they inhale cornstarch powder bound to latex proteins that has been released from latex gloves worn by others. Breathing in cornstarch powder bound to latex proteins can cause acute asthma attacks and anaphylactic shock in health care workers sensitized to latex," a Public Citizen news release said.

"For patients, the danger is also grave. Patients can experience the same types of allergic reactions that occur in health care workers. Also, when cornstarch is deposited in tissues during surgery, it can promote infections, delay healing and cause inflammation, among other injuries," the release said.

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Doctors' Prescription Data Case Being Heard by U.S. Supreme Court

The issue of free speech may prove important in a legal fight over the sale of doctors' prescribing habits being heard by the U.S. Supreme Court.

The case pits the state of Vermont against companies that sell individual doctors' prescribing information to drug companies, which use the data to personalize their sales pitches to doctors, the Associated Press reported.

Vermont passed a law that bans the sale of prescribing information without a doctor's permission. The Vermont law was struck down by a federal appeals court and the case then moved to the Supreme Court.

At one point, Chief Justice John Roberts said the Vermont law seemed to be "censoring" what doctors could hear, the AP reported.

Similar laws in Maine and New Hampshire have been upheld by a federal appeals court.

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Meningitis Vaccine OK'd for Use in Toddlers

U.S. approval for the bacterial meningitis vaccine Menactra has been expanded to include children ages 9 to 23 months.

The Food and Drug Administration decision was announced Monday by Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines division of Sanofi-Aventis, the Associated Press reported.

This is the first U.S. approval for a bacterial meningitis vaccine for children ages 9 to 23 months, according to the company. Menactra was already approved for patients ages 2 to 55 years old.

Bacterial meningitis is rare in the U.S. but those who get can die within days and survivors can suffer paralysis, hearing loss and mental disabilities, the AP reported. The virus spreads through sneezing, coughing and kissing.

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Electronic Cigarettes to be Regulated as Tobacco Products: FDA

Electronic cigarettes marketed for non-therapeutic use will be regulated as tobacco products rather than drugs, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says.

The proposal is outline in a letter posted on the agency's website, Bloomberg Newsreported.

In December, the U.S. Court of Appeals ruled that the FDA can only regulate e-cigarettes as a tobacco product if they aren't marketed for therapeutic use. The ruling gave the FDA the power to oversee sales of the controversial products.

E-cigarettes include a battery, heating element and a cartridge that contains a liquid suspension with nicotine obtained from tobacco plants. When a person uses an e-cigarette, the liquid is heated and a vapor is emitted, Bloomberg reported.

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New Drug Appears Effective Against Hepatitis C: FDA

A new hepatitis C drug called boceprevir appears to cure more patients in less time than current drugs but there are questions about how the drug should be used with older medicines for maximum benefit, according to a U.S. Food and Drug Administration review.

The agency posted the review on its website in advance of a public meeting next week to consider whether the drug should receive FDA approval, the Associated Press reported.

Two studies submitted by Merck & Co. found that patients had undetectable levels of hepatitis C six months after they completed treatment with boceprevir, the FDA said.

Hepatitis C infects about 3.2 million people in the U.S., according to the AP.

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Utah Health Officials Trying to Contain Measles Outbreak

A single unvaccinated person with measles may have infected hundreds of people at two community events in Utah earlier this month, health officials say.

So far, nine measles cases in the state have been linked to exposure to the unvaccinated person who contracted the disease in Poland, according to the Salt Lake Valley health department, the Associated Press reported.

As many as 1,000 people were exposed to the infected person at the two community events, according to epidemiologists.

State health officials are asking people who attended either event to contact the Utah Poison Control Center to determine if they've been properly vaccinated against the measles, the AP reported.

In addition, people who attended the first event are being asked to stay home until April 29 and those who attended the second event are being asked to stay home until May 1.

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Some Adults Fake or Exaggerate ADHD Symptoms: Study

Nearly one-quarter (22 percent) of American adults who seek treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may be exaggerating or faking their symptoms, according to a new study.

The analysis of the medical records of 268 patients found that some of those who exaggerated their symptoms did have ADHD but wanted to ensure they were diagnosed with the condition, msnbc.com reported.

Others who faked their symptoms didn't have ADHD but were having difficulty dealing with their workloads and lives, said the study published in the journal The Clinical Neuropsychologist.

"A lot of people think they have it because they are struggling, but it's not because of ADHD. Often times, it's simply depression, anxiety or lack of sleep," said lead author and clinical neuropsychologist Paul Marshall, msnbc.com reported.

Other patients fake ADHD symptoms to get stimulant medications, he added.

Health Tips for April 27

Health Tip: Eyeing Macular Degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in the United States and many European countries. The neovascular or "wet" form of the disease is responsible for 90 percent of cases of severe vision loss.

Cigarette smoking, sun exposure, high blood pressure and high cholesterol are thought to increase a person's risk of macular degeneration. In addition, says the Macular Degeneration Network, certain dietary staples can reduce your risk.

Antioxidant-rich foods such as kale, spinach, celery, broccoli, green beans, peas and peppers can help prevent the condition and the onset of its symptoms. Dietary supplements of vitamins C, E, beta carotene and zinc can also help protect the retina from macular degeneration.

Health Tip: Symptoms That May Indicate Cataracts

A cataract occurs when the eye's lens becomes cloudy.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine says these visual warning signs could indicate cataracts:

• Seeing double.
• Having increased sensitivity to glaring light.
• Seeing a halo that surrounds light.
• Having vision that appears cloudy, blurry or seeing as if your eye were covered in a film.
• Having trouble seeing in the dark or without bright light.
• Not seeing colors sharply.
• Having difficulty differentiating shapes and colors from a background.

Health Headlines - April 26

Supreme Court Won't Fast-Track Health Care Law Challenge

A request to fast-track Virginia's challenge to the new federal health care law has been rejected by the U.S. Supreme Court.

In a one-line order released Monday, the court did not provide any reasons for the decision and there was no mention of dissenting votes, The New York Times reported.

A number of federal trial courts across the nation have issued different decisions about the constitutionality of a key part of the new health care law that makes health insurance mandatory for the majority of people. Appeals of those decisions will be heard by appeals courts in the coming months.

Virginia's attorney general wanted the Supreme Court to consider the matter as soon as possible, instead of waiting for the appeals courts to make their decisions. It's now expected that cases involving the health care law won't reach the Supreme Court until the term that begins in October.

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Testosterone Therapy Doesn't Fuel Prostate Cancer: Study

Giving testosterone to prostate cancer patients does not encourage tumor growth, a new study finds.

It included 13 men with mildly to moderately aggressive prostate cancer who had low testosterone levels. They received testosterone therapy for an average of two and a half years, The New York Times reported.

None of the men's prostate cancers progressed or spread to other organs, even though they all initially chose watchful waiting rather than treatment.

The study appears in the April issue of The Journal of Urology.

These and other recent findings suggest that the risks of testosterone therapy in prostate cancer patients may have been exaggerated, said lead author Dr. Abraham Morgentaler, an associate clinical professor of surgery at Harvard, The Times reported.

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ADHD Said to Increase Risk of Substance Use

Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are at increased risk for substance use when they're teens or young adults, a new study suggests.

Researchers analyzed 27 long-term studies that included a total of 4,100 children with ADHD and 6,800 children without ADHD. Some of the studies followed the children for 10 years or more, USA Today reported.

The review authors found that children with ADHD were up to three times more likely than those without ADHD to use, abuse or become dependent on nicotine and illegal drugs such as marijuana and cocaine when they're teens or young adults. They also found that teens with ADHD were more likely to experiment with nicotine and illegal drugs at an earlier age than those without ADHD.

The reasons for the increased risk aren't clear, but the researchers said drugs may provide temporary relief from ADHD-related stress, anxiety and social dysfunction, USA Today reported.

The study appears online in the journal Clinical Psychology Review.

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Extremely Obese Teens Engage in Risky Behaviors: Study

Extremely obese teens are as likely as other teens to engage in risky behaviors such as unsafe sex, smoking and drug and alcohol use, according to U.S. researchers.

They analyzed data from 410 extremely obese teens and 8,669 healthy weight teens who took part in a nationwide survey conducted in 2007. Both groups had similar behaviors, CNN reported.

"Not only are they at health risk (from obesity), but they also are typical teens and they're struggling with the same things that potentially other teens are struggling with," said senior study author Meg Zeller, an associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine.

"We need to be talking about safe sex, drugs and alcohol with every teen and not assuming that this (extremely obese) population is somehow not engaging in those behaviors," Zeller said, CNN reported.

The study appears in the journal Pediatrics.

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Cucumbers Recalled Due to Salmonella Fears

Possible salmonella contamination has prompted the recall of cucumbers distributed by L&M Companies Inc. of Raleigh, N.C.

The recalled cucumbers were in 1,590 bulk cartons shipped between March 30 and April 7 to Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, New York, Tennessee, Texas and Wyoming, CNN reported.

The carton's are labeled Nature's Delight and have the Lot # PL-RID-002990 on the side.

In mid-April, U.S. Food and Drug Administration inspectors discovered salmonella on cucumbers in a cooler at Four Seasons Produce of Central Florida, CNN reported.

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Carob Products Recalled

Carob products in four states have been recalled because their labels fail to mention that milk is an ingredient.

The "Carob Brown Rice Crunch Squares" and "Carob Mint Miniatures" were packaged and distributed by Simple Foods of Tonawanda, N.Y., and shipped to health food stores in New York, New Hampshire, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, the Associated Press reported.

The products can cause serious or life-threatening illness in people allergic to milk, said New York health officials.

The products can be returned to the stores where they were bought, the AP reported.

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Rep. Giffords to Attend Astronaut-Husband's Shuttle Liftoff

Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, shot in the head by a gunman's bullet Jan. 8, will attend the liftoff Friday of her astronaut-husband's space shuttle mission, according to published reports.

Expected to attend the blastoff of the second-to-last space shuttle mission are the Obama family, many of Giffords' congressional colleagues, and an estimated 40,000 other NASA guests. In addition, hundreds of thousands of spectators are expected to fill surrounding beaches and roadways, the Associated Press reported.

Until recently, it had been unclear whether astronaut Mark Kelly would command the April mission of the space shuttle Endeavour, but Giffords continues to make remarkable progress. Her husband attributes her recovery to previous good health, great care "and maybe a little bit of luck."

"Or maybe people really thinking about her and praying for her," added Kelly, who's aunt is a Catholic nun. Pope Benedict XVI is expected to make the first papal call to space during Endeavour's flight, the AP reported.

Giffords was shot in the head Jan. 8 while she hosted a political event outside a grocery store in Tucson, Ariz. The attacker killed six people and wounded 12 others. She has been recovering at TIRR Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston.

Health Tips for April 26

Health Tip: Health Conditions May Cause Paleness

Though fair skin may simply be a sign that you protect your skin from the sun, paleness may indicate a health problem that needs to be addressed.

The ADAM Encyclopedia lists these health conditions and problems that may cause pale skin:

• Anemia, or insufficient red blood cells.
• Insufficient blood flow to the skin from being cold, having low blood sugar or fainting.
• Shock.
• Frostbite.
• Chronic disease such as cancer or infection.

Health Tip: Help Prevent Anemia

Anemia occurs when a person has too few red blood cells or insufficient amounts of a vital blood protein called hemoglobin. This means your blood may not be carrying enough oxygen to all parts of your body.

Some types of anemia are preventable, the National Women's Health Information Center says. It offers these suggestions:

• Eat plenty of iron-rich foods, such as tofu, green and leafy vegetables, lean red meat, lentils, beans and iron-fortified cereals and breads.
• Eat and drink vitamin C-rich foods and drinks.
• Avoid drinking tea or coffee with your meals, as they can affect iron absorption.
• Get enough vitamin B12 and folic acid in your diet.

Health Headlines - April 25

Mysterious Health Problems in Some Gulf Residents: Doctor

A variety of mysterious health problems are occurring in some Gulf Coast residents and clean-up workers one year after the BP oil spill disaster, a Louisiana doctor says.

"I'm dealing with a wide array of people and the symptoms are almost identical in all of them," Dr. Mike Robichaux, an ear, nose and throat doctor, told CNN.

"What's really unique about it is that patients have come in with a severe amount of memory loss," he said. "Very high blood pressure -- blood pressures that are going sky high and then coming down to normal, and then blood sugar levels that are fluctuating. Lastly would be some pulmonary problems and some fairly serious (gastrointestinal) problems."

Robichaux, based in Raceland, La., said he's treated about 60 people with some combination of these symptoms but believes there are many more with similar health problems, CNN reported.

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Measles Outbreak in Europe

Failure to vaccinate all children is responsible for a major measles outbreak in Europe, says the World Health Organization.

More than 6,500 cases of measles have been reported in 33 European nations between March and January, including 4,937 cases in France alone, the Associated Press reported.

Children and teens ages 10 to 19 haven't been getting immunizations as they should, said Rebecca Martin, head of WHO's Copenhagen, Denmark office for vaccine-preventable diseases and immunization.

"There's been a buildup of children who have not been immunized over the years," she told the AP. "It's almost like a threshold. When you have enough people who have not been immunized, then outbreaks can occur."

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BP Agrees to Advance Payment of $1 Billion for Gulf Restoration

BP will provide an advance payment of $1 billion for early efforts to repair damage to coastal marshes, beaches, barrier islands and ocean habitat in the Gulf of Mexico caused by last year's offshore drilling platform explosion and oil spill disaster.

The voluntary agreement with the U.S. government and five states is the largest of its kind in an oil pollution case. It was announced by the company and government officials Thursday, The New York Times reported.

The agreement does not absolve BP of legal liability for the disaster, or from the costs of any additional economic and environmental damages.

A review to assess the full amount of damage to the gulf habitat and to develop a plan for restoring it is being conducted by federal and state officials, The Times reported.

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Botox Reduces Ability to Read Emotions: Study

Botox reduces a person's ability to understand other people's emotions, according to a new study.

Botox paralyzes certain facial muscles, impairing the ability to make some expressions. This is important because people read others' emotions partly by mimicking their facial expressions, lead author David Neal told USA Today.

The study compared participants who used Botox and others who used a gel that boosts muscular signals. They were asked to identify emotions on computer images of faces.

"When the facial muscles are dampened, you get worse in emotion perception, and when the facial muscles are amplified, you get better at emotion perception," said Neal, a psychology professor at the University of Southern California, USA Today reported.

The study was published in the journal Social Psychology and Personality Science.

Health Tips for April 25

Health Tip: Keep Skin Smooth

Aging skin often means wrinkled skin. But there are steps you can take to minimize blemished, wrinkled skin.

If you want to help keep skin smoother, more supple and less wrinkled as you age, the University of Maryland Medical Center offers these suggestions:

• Eat a diet rich in fresh vegetables, fruits and whole grains.
• Include healthy oils, such as olive oil, in your diet.
• Get plenty of regular exercise.
• Don't smoke, and avoid exposure to secondhand smoke.
• Don't drink alcohol within three hours of going to bed.
• Wash your face with a gentle cleanser, and use a moisturizer daily.
• On the other hand, don't wash with tap water too often, which can wind up drying out your skin. Once a day should be enough.
• Wear sunscreen daily. Avoid direct sunlight between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun's ultraviolet rays are strongest.

Health Tip: Body Piercing Poses Health Risks

Body piercings are increasingly popular, but they also come with potential health risks.

The Journal of the American Medical Association says possible risks from body piercing include:

• The wound may not heal properly.
• You may have pain.
• Nearby tissue may swell.
• You may have an allergic reaction to the metal.
• A scar may develop.
• Piercings in and around the mouth may damage the teeth.

Health Headlines - April 24

Happy Easter!

Mysterious Health Problems in Some Gulf Residents: Doctor

A variety of mysterious health problems are occurring in some Gulf Coast residents and clean-up workers one year after the BP oil spill disaster, a Louisiana doctor says.

"I'm dealing with a wide array of people and the symptoms are almost identical in all of them," Dr. Mike Robichaux, an ear, nose and throat doctor, told CNN.

"What's really unique about it is that patients have come in with a severe amount of memory loss," he said. "Very high blood pressure -- blood pressures that are going sky high and then coming down to normal, and then blood sugar levels that are fluctuating. Lastly would be some pulmonary problems and some fairly serious (gastrointestinal) problems."

Robichaux, based in Raceland, La., said he's treated about 60 people with some combination of these symptoms but believes there are many more with similar health problems, CNN reported.

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Measles Outbreak in Europe

Failure to vaccinate all children is responsible for a major measles outbreak in Europe, says the World Health Organization.

More than 6,500 cases of measles have been reported in 33 European nations between March and January, including 4,937 cases in France alone, the Associated Press reported.

Children and teens ages 10 to 19 haven't been getting immunizations as they should, said Rebecca Martin, head of WHO's Copenhagen, Denmark office for vaccine-preventable diseases and immunization.

"There's been a buildup of children who have not been immunized over the years," she told the AP. "It's almost like a threshold. When you have enough people who have not been immunized, then outbreaks can occur."

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BP Agrees to Advance Payment of $1 Billion for Gulf Restoration

BP will provide an advance payment of $1 billion for early efforts to repair damage to coastal marshes, beaches, barrier islands and ocean habitat in the Gulf of Mexico caused by last year's offshore drilling platform explosion and oil spill disaster.

The voluntary agreement with the U.S. government and five states is the largest of its kind in an oil pollution case. It was announced by the company and government officials Thursday, The New York Times reported.

The agreement does not absolve BP of legal liability for the disaster, or from the costs of any additional economic and environmental damages.

A review to assess the full amount of damage to the gulf habitat and to develop a plan for restoring it is being conducted by federal and state officials, The Times reported.

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Botox Reduces Ability to Read Emotions: Study

Botox reduces a person's ability to understand other people's emotions, according to a new study.

Botox paralyzes certain facial muscles, impairing the ability to make some expressions. This is important because people read others' emotions partly by mimicking their facial expressions, lead author David Neal told USA Today.

The study compared participants who used Botox and others who used a gel that boosts muscular signals. They were asked to identify emotions on computer images of faces.

"When the facial muscles are dampened, you get worse in emotion perception, and when the facial muscles are amplified, you get better at emotion perception," said Neal, a psychology professor at the University of Southern California, USA Today reported.

The study was published in the journal Social Psychology and Personality Science.

Health Tips for April 24

Health Tip: Give Acne the Boot

Acne and blemishes on the skin can affect self-esteem, but there are ways to keep skin clear and acne at bay.

The Womenshealth.gov website lists these tips to ward off acne:

• Each morning and each night (and after sweating), wash skin with a gentle cleanser -- avoid abrasive scrubs, scrubbing pads and harsh soaps.
• Wash your hair regularly, particularly if you have oily hair.
• If you do get a pimple, keep your hands off -- avoid picking and squeezing.
• Protect skin from sunburn with a hat, protective clothing and sunscreen.
• Stick to cosmetics and hair products labeled as "non-comedogenic," "oil-free" or "non-acnegenic," as they are less likely to cause acne.
• Avoid friction on the skin from items like backpacks or helmets.
• Take any acne medications and use any prescribed treatments as your doctor recommends, and let your doctor know about other medications that you take that could worsen acne.

Health Tip: Factors That May Aggravate Acne in Women

Acne, the most common skin disease, is not a dangerous condition. But it can lead to permanent scarring.

Womenshealth.gov says these factors can trigger bouts of acne in women:

• Changes in hormone levels during puberty.
• Changes in hormone levels during menstruation, or after discontinuing birth control pills.
• Taking certain medications, including some antidepressants and epilepsy drugs.
• Wearing makeup.
• Friction or pressure applied to the skin.

Health Headlines - April 23

Mysterious Health Problems in Some Gulf Residents: Doctor

A variety of mysterious health problems are occurring in some Gulf Coast residents and clean-up workers one year after the BP oil spill disaster, a Louisiana doctor says.

"I'm dealing with a wide array of people and the symptoms are almost identical in all of them," Dr. Mike Robichaux, an ear, nose and throat doctor, told CNN.

"What's really unique about it is that patients have come in with a severe amount of memory loss," he said. "Very high blood pressure -- blood pressures that are going sky high and then coming down to normal, and then blood sugar levels that are fluctuating. Lastly would be some pulmonary problems and some fairly serious (gastrointestinal) problems."

Robichaux, based in Raceland, La., said he's treated about 60 people with some combination of these symptoms but believes there are many more with similar health problems, CNN reported.

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Measles Outbreak in Europe

Failure to vaccinate all children is responsible for a major measles outbreak in Europe, says the World Health Organization.

More than 6,500 cases of measles have been reported in 33 European nations between March and January, including 4,937 cases in France alone, the Associated Press reported.

Children and teens ages 10 to 19 haven't been getting immunizations as they should, said Rebecca Martin, head of WHO's Copenhagen, Denmark office for vaccine-preventable diseases and immunization.

"There's been a buildup of children who have not been immunized over the years," she told the AP. "It's almost like a threshold. When you have enough people who have not been immunized, then outbreaks can occur."

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BP Agrees to Advance Payment of $1 Billion for Gulf Restoration

BP will provide an advance payment of $1 billion for early efforts to repair damage to coastal marshes, beaches, barrier islands and ocean habitat in the Gulf of Mexico caused by last year's offshore drilling platform explosion and oil spill disaster.

The voluntary agreement with the U.S. government and five states is the largest of its kind in an oil pollution case. It was announced by the company and government officials Thursday, The New York Times reported.

The agreement does not absolve BP of legal liability for the disaster, or from the costs of any additional economic and environmental damages.

A review to assess the full amount of damage to the gulf habitat and to develop a plan for restoring it is being conducted by federal and state officials, The Times reported.

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Botox Reduces Ability to Read Emotions: Study

Botox reduces a person's ability to understand other people's emotions, according to a new study.

Botox paralyzes certain facial muscles, impairing the ability to make some expressions. This is important because people read others' emotions partly by mimicking their facial expressions, lead author David Neal told USA Today.

The study compared participants who used Botox and others who used a gel that boosts muscular signals. They were asked to identify emotions on computer images of faces.

"When the facial muscles are dampened, you get worse in emotion perception, and when the facial muscles are amplified, you get better at emotion perception," said Neal, a psychology professor at the University of Southern California, USA Today reported.

The study was published in the journal Social Psychology and Personality Science.

Health Tips for April 23

Health Tip: Skin Disorders Affecting the Elderly

Skin problems are common among the elderly. Some are considered a normal part of aging, while others may indicate an underlying health problem.

The ADAM Encyclopedia says the following medical conditions could spur changes in an elderly person's skin:

• Having arteriosclerosis or another disease of the blood vessels.
• Being diabetic.
• Having heart disease or liver disease.
• Being malnourished.
• Being obese.
• Having a reaction to medication.
• Being under stress.

Health Tip: Seniors, Focus on Nutrition

It's important to eat properly at any age, particularly for seniors.

The American Academy of Family Physicians says malnutrition in seniors can lead to a range of additional health problems:

• Unintended weight loss.
• Fatigue.
• Muscle weakening and lack of strength.
• Feeling depressed.
• Memory loss.
• Compromised immunity from infection.
• Anemia.

Health Headlines - April 22

FDA Warns Companies About Hand Cleaner Health Claims

Four companies have been sent warning letters telling them to stop making claims that their over-the-counter (OTC) hand sanitizers and other products prevent infection from methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus (MRSA) bacteria, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Wednesday.

Labeling and marketing materials for the products also claim that they can prevent infection from other disease-causing germs and viruses, and some claim to protect against E. coli and the H1N1 swine flu virus. There is no proof to support these claims and the companies are marketing them in violation of federal law, the FDA said.

The warning letters were sent to:

• Tec Laboratories for Staphaseptic First Aid Antiseptic/Pain Relieving Gel
• JD Nelson and Associates for Safe4Hours Hand Sanitizing Lotion and Safe4Hours First Aid Antiseptic Skin Protectant
• Dr. G.H. Tichenor Antiseptic Co. for Dr. Tichenors Antiseptic Gel
• Oh So Clean, Inc dba CleanWell Company for CleanWell All-Natural Foaming Hand Sanitizer, CleanWell All-Natural Hand Sanitizer, CleanWell All-Natural Hand Sanitizing Wipes, and CleanWell All-Natural Antibacterial Foaming Handsoap.

The companies were given 15 days to correct the violations. Failure to do so may result in legal action, including seizure and injunction, the FDA said.

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Cussing Eases Pain: Study

Swearing actually helps soothe pain, a new study finds.

U.K. researchers had volunteers hold their hand in cold water for as long as they could while repeatedly cursing. They then did it again while repeating nonswear words. The participants were able to hold their hand in the cold water longer when they were swearing, msnbc.com reported.

The Keele University study appears in the journal Neuroreport.

The researchers found that participants' heart rates increased after they swore, which suggests activation of their fight-or-flight response. This may be because swearing can boost feelings of aggression, msnbc.com reported.

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Feeding Crucial After Traumatic Brain Injury: Report

Immediate and adequate feeding immediately after a soldier suffers a traumatic brain injury helps reduce the severity of damage and improve patients' chances of survival, according to a U.S. Institute of Medicine report.

In the first 24 hours after traumatic brain injury, patients need to be given at least 50 percent of their normal calorie intake, but a higher-than-normal amount of protein. This reduces inflammation and swelling of the brain and gives the brain the energy it needs to make repairs, says the report, the Wall Street Journal said.

The intensive feeding program needs to be maintained for at least two weeks, says the report, which was commissioned by the U.S. Defense Department.

The recommendations also have implications for civilians who suffer severe head injuries in situations such as traffic crashes and sports, the Wall Street Journal said.

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Hospital Outpatient Care Pricier Than Doctor's Office Visits: Report

Only five percent of all ambulatory doctor visits in the United States in 2008 were to doctors in hospital outpatient departments, but these types of visits accounted for more than 20 percent of the $309 billion spent on that type of care, says a federal government report released Wednesday.

The average cost of a hospital outpatient doctor visit was $1,275, compared to $199 for a visit to a doctor's office, according to the latest News and Numbers from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

The average cost of a hospital emergency department in which a patient was seen by a doctor was $922. This type of visit accounted for only four percent of all ambulatory visits but 14 percent of the total amount spent on ambulatory doctor care.

Patients who received hospital outpatient care from a doctor were about seven times more likely to have surgery than patients seen in a doctor's office and four times more likely than patients seen by a doctor in a hospital emergency department, the report said.

In cases where patients didn't have surgery, the average expense per visit for physician care was 44 higher in the hospital emergency department than in the outpatient department -- $821 vs. $569.