Health Headlines - December 21

Naproxen Risk Deals Third Blow to Pain Patients

U.S. health regulators warned on Monday of heart risks connected to over-the-counter painkiller naproxen, creating additional confusion over the safety of similar drugs after recent warnings for two other painkillers.

Analysts Bet Celebrex Won't Be Withdrawn

Some analysts are betting Pfizer Inc. won't have to withdraw its arthritis drug Celebrex but they do expect sales to fall after a study of the drug in cancer patients showed it increased the risk of heart attacks.

Exercise Before Fatty Meal May Curb Bad Effects

People gearing up for an indulgent holiday feast may want to make time for some pre-meal exercise. A small study out Monday suggests that a long walk before a fatty meal can lessen the effects of high fat intake on blood vessel function.

Acupuncture Improves Osteoarthritis, Trial Shows

Acupuncture added to conventional therapy for osteoarthritis of the knee improves function and reduces pain, according to a clinical trial conducted at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore.

Medicare HMOs Don't Show Hoped-For Savings

The costs of colon surgery for enrollees in Medicare health maintenance organizations (HMOs) are no lower than those of similar patients participating in traditional Medicare, according to Tampa-based researchers.

Bullying Hurts Kids with Hormone Disorders

Getting teased at school can be especially damaging to kids with endocrine problems, and may cause them to put their health at risk, according to new study findings.

Mobile Phone Radiation Harms DNA, New Study Finds

Radio waves from mobile phones harm body cells and damage DNA in laboratory conditions, according to a new study majority-funded by the European Union, researchers said on Monday.

Women, Latinos Not Getting Colon Cancer Tests

A survey of older Californians shows that many -- especially women and Latinos -- are not being screened for colorectal cancer as they should be.

Canadian Man Jailed for Role in E. Coli Outbreak

Two brothers involved in a deadly tainted-water scandal that killed seven people in the small Ontario town of Walkerton were sentenced on Monday, one to a term in jail and the other to house arrest.

Heart Group Urges Home Blood Pressure Monitoring

The American Heart Association has updated its 1993 guidelines on blood pressure (BP) measurement, putting more emphasis on home monitoring.

Companies Team Up for All-In-One HIV Pill

Two drug companies announced Monday they will collaborate on developing the first all-in-one, one-a-day pill to treat HIV infection — a long-sought goal that would make it much easier for patients to stick with their medication.

Study: Computer Records Bring Better Care

Health providers that adopt computerized records and tracking systems do a better job of getting patients the care they need, a study suggests.

Study: Acupuncture May Ease Arthritis Pain

The ancient Chinese therapy of acupuncture can help ease pain and improve movement for people with arthritis of the knee, a new study concludes.

New Menus Causing Calorie Sticker Shock

For the past year, many of the nation's chain restaurants have trumpeted their efforts to give consumers helpful details about the food they serve — from calories to carbs.

Baby Weighing 8.6 Oz. at Birth Doing Well

A baby who weighed less than a can of soda when she was born by Caesarean section three months ago is nearly ready to be released from the hospital. She is believed to be the smallest baby in the world ever to survive.

Hardee's Introduces New Chicken Sandwich

A month after debuting its Monster Thickburger, Hardee's is offering customers a new sandwich with 1,050 fewer calories and 103 fewer grams of fat.

Lung Cancer Linked to Gulf War Fires

Veterans of the 1991 Persian Gulf War exposed to pollution from oil well fires, exhausts and other sources may face an increased risk of lung cancer, a government advisory group reported Monday.

Experts Say Low-Carb Craze May Be Over

Americans appear to be losing their appetite for low-carb foods. After a glut of protein-heavy cookbooks and advertising in recent years, the latest diet trend may have run its course.

Waistline Can Be a Tummy Fat Warning

Measuring your waistline can help you determine if you have too much abdominal fat, which puts you at increased risk for a number of serious health problems, including heart disease and diabetes.

Gleevec a Cost-Effective Treatment

The high price of the leukemia drug Gleevec is offset by the expected increase in survival rates among patients who take it, say two Duke University studies in the December issue of Cancer.

Embryonic Stem Cells Keep Heart Beating

Researchers say they have transformed embryonic stem cells into heart cells that could someday replace the electronic pacemakers now implanted to keep hearts beating normally.

Study Finds VA Health Care Improving

A new study finds that patients who use the Department of Veterans Affairs health system get better preventive care, particularly for chronic conditions, than patients in the private sector.