Health Headlines - December 22

Smelling Citrus Oils Prevents Asthma in Rats

A key ingredient in the aroma from citrus fruits such as oranges and lemons appears to protect rats from the symptoms of asthma, new research shows.

Study Finds Genetic Link to Lung Cancer

Lung cancer appears to run in families, researchers said on Tuesday, though exposure to tobacco smoke is still the dominant cause of the disease even for those who may be genetically predisposed.

False Perception About Holidays and Dying

The common perception that terminally ill people try to hang on until after a major event like their birthday or a big holiday isn't true, according to a study published on Tuesday.

FDA: Options Open on Naproxen, Celebrex

The head of the U.S. drug safety agency on Tuesday said the United States was keeping "all regulatory options open" as it studied data showing increased heart risks from some painkillers.

Safe Drug Imports Would Be Difficult

Importing cheaper prescription medicines would require costly safety measures and save U.S. consumers little money, a government task force said on Tuesday in a report that lawmakers and others criticized as echoing drug industry scare tactics.

Poor Sleep in Late Pregnancy Tied to Tougher Labor

First-time mothers who get little sleep late in pregnancy may have a longer labor and higher odds of a cesarean section than women who are more well-rested, a new study suggests.

Knowing Metabolic Rate May Help Dieters

Devices that measure metabolic rate can tell dieters how many calories they need to eat each day to lose weight, according to experts.

Many Kids with ADHD Not Followed After Diagnosis

Children with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) who are prescribed stimulant medication rarely receive optimal follow-up care, the results of a new study suggest.

Rare Pneumonia Found Among U.S. Soldiers in Iraq

A rare and sometimes deadly pneumonia has hit 18 U.S. soldiers deployed in Iraq, and Army medical investigators are at a loss to explain the cause, according to a study published on Tuesday.

Asthma Therapy Compliance Poor in Many Patients

Despite the high risk of exacerbation and even death, high-risk patients discharged after asthma hospitalizations often prematurely stop using prescribed corticosteroids.

Diet Soda Could Soon Outsell Regular

Still think the cola wars are about Coke vs. Pepsi? These days the carbonated beverage battleground is diet vs. regular, and it's looking increasingly as though the lightweight could flatten its full-calorie cousin.

Teen Drug Use Down, but Inhalant Use Up

Fewer teenagers are smoking cigarettes or using illegal drugs, but a survey released Tuesday shows a troubling increase in the use of inhalants by younger adolescents.

Study Using Pain Reliever Aleve Halted

An Alzheimer's disease prevention trial was suspended after researchers said there were more heart attacks and strokes among patients taking naproxen, an over-the-counter pain reliever in use for 28 years and commonly known under the brand name Aleve.

World's Tiniest Baby Doing Well in Chicago

A premature infant believed to be the smallest baby ever to survive was called "a great blessing" Tuesday by her mother, who is preparing to take the little girl and her twin sister home from the hospital.

Iodine deficiency still threatens two billion people worldwide

Two billion people worldwide do not consume enough iodine despite a 50 percent drop in the number of countries where iodine deficiency, which can cause brain damage, is a public health problem, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said.