Health Headlines - January 31

FDA Experts Recommend Banning Darvon

Darvon, a decades-old painkiller chiefly marketed as Darvocet, should be banned by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, an expert panel advising the agency recommended Friday.

The advisory panel voted 14-12 to recommend withdrawing Darvon, first approved in 1957. Earlier Friday, the agency said it was reviewing the drug after critics charged it provided little relief and posed a risk for overdose and suicide, the Associated Press reported. The full FDA usually follows the recommendations of its expert panels, but isn't bound to do so.

Darvon, which includes a dose of acetaminophen, is among the top prescribed medications. More than 20 million prescriptions were written in 2007, the wire service said. Xanodyne Pharmaceuticals and Qualitest/Vintage Pharmaceuticals, two firms that market Darvocet, called the medication safe and effective when used as directed.

But critics complained that the government review was too long in coming. "[The drug] has unique risks and no unique advantages," Dr. Sidney Wolfe, a drug safety expert with the consumer group Public Citizen, told the AP. "It has been a big drug of abuse for quite a long time." Public Citizen first sought a ban on Darvon in the 1970s, and the United Kingdom banned its version in 2005, the AP said.

Besides an outright ban, the FDA's other options include requiring stiffer warnings, additional studies or education efforts to alert doctors and patients of potential misuses, the AP reported.

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Octuplets' Mom has 6 Other Children, Family Says

The woman who gave birth to octuplets this week in Southern California already has six other young children at home, her family told the Associated Press on Friday.

On Thursday, Angela Suleman, the woman's mother, told The Los Angeles Times that her daughter took fertility treatments but did not expect to give birth to eight babies. She and the children's grandfather told the AP that the mother, who has requested her name be kept confidential, now has a total of 14 children, the wire service reported.

Meanwhile, the babies, who are expected to remain in the hospital for at least seven more weeks, are doing fine and are receiving nutrition and fluids intravenously, the AP said. The woman gave birth on Monday.

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U.S. Senate Passes Children's Health Insurance Bill

A bill to provide health insurance to more than four million uninsured children in the United States was passed by the Senate in a 66 to 32 vote Thursday. It's expected that President Barack Obama will be quick to sign the bill, which advances the goal of providing insurance for all children and eventually all Americans, The New York Times reported.

Two weeks ago, the House passed a nearly identical bill, by a vote of 289 to 139.

Under the bill, states would be able to provide coverage for more than four million uninsured children by 2013, while continuing coverage for seven million children. The increased spending, estimated at more than $32 billion over four and a half years, would be offset by higher tobacco taxes.

The bill is "needed now more than ever," because tens of thousands of children are losing health insurance as their parents lose their jobs, Cindy Mann, executive director of the Center for Children and Families at Georgetown University, told The Times.

While Democrats support the expansion of the child health program, many Republicans say they're concerned it's part of a long-term campaign to replace private health insurance with government insurance.

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New Blood Thinner Appears Closer to FDA Approval

A new blood thinner called prasugrel appears more effective than the current leading blood thinner Plavix, according to a U.S. Food and Drug Administration review that suggests the agency may be moving closer to approving the new drug.

Next week, an FDA panel of independent cardiology experts is scheduled to give their opinion about the benefits and risks of prasugrel, which was developed by Eli Lilly and Japanese drugmaker Daiichi Sankyo, the Associated Press reported.

Since prasugrel was submitted for approval last January, the FDA has twice put off making a decision due to concerns about its safety. While the drug reduces life-threatening heart problems, it increases the risk of internal bleeding. One study showed that for every 24 serious heart problems it prevented, prasugrel caused 10 bleeding side effects.

But the new FDA document, posted online, seems to indicate the agency believes the drug's lifesaving benefits clearly outweigh its risks, the AP reported. The agency will ask experts whether the bleeding side effects of prasugrel could be minimized by restricting its use in certain patients.

Health Tips for January 31

Health Tip: Risk Factors for Anorexia

Anorexia is an eating disorder in which a person becomes obsessed about gaining weight and severely limits food or starves to feel more in control. Most people with anorexia are female.

There's no single cause of anorexia, but there are a number of contributing factors. The National Women's Health Information Center offers this list:

• Anorexia may be caused by hormonal changes or chemical changes in the brain.
• A family history of anorexia can increase a person's risk of developing the disorder.
• Stressful or traumatizing experiences, including major life changes or violent crime, can make a person more prone to developing anorexia.
• Having a perfectionist personality, or having extremely high standards for one's self, also are risk factors.
• Exposure to a culture with an emphasis on thinness and looks is an additional risk factor.

Health Tip: Feeling Hungry?

Feeling particularly hungry is a common symptom -- with many possible causes.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine offers this list:

• Stress or anxiety.
• Premenstrual syndrome.
• A side effect of taking certain medications, including some corticosteroids or antidepressants.
• Bulimia.
• Graves' disease
• Hyperthyroidism.
• Diabetes.
• Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

Health Headlines - January 30

U.S. Soldier Suicides Reach New High

The number of American soldiers who committed suicide increased again in 2008, reaching almost a three-decade high, according to military officials.

They told the Associated Press that at least 128 soldiers killed themselves in 2008, but also said the final count is expected to be higher because more than a dozen other suspicious deaths are still being investigated.

There were 115 suicides among U.S. soldiers in 2007, 102 in 2006, and 64 in 2004. The 2008 figure of 128 is the highest since record-keeping began in 1980 and works out to a rate of 20.2 per 100,000 soldiers. That means the suicide rate among soldiers is higher than the adjusted civilian rate for the first time since the Vietnam War, the AP reported.

The military officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the data will be formally released at an Army news conference later Thursday.

Repeated and long tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan are putting troops under tremendous and unprecedented stress, officials say. In an attempt to halt the rise in suicides, the Army has increased training, prevention programs, and psychiatric staff, the AP reported. Additional measures are expected to be announced at the news conference.

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Stem Cells Used to Clone Dogs

In what's believed to be a world-first, a South Korean biotech company said it used stem cell technology to clone two puppies born this week.

Seoul-based RNL Bio said the puppies were cloned using fat tissue from a female beagle, the Associated Press reported. The company plans to commercialize the technology so that clients can store their dogs' stem cells to treat their pets' health problems or clone them after they die.

The technology may also benefit people, said RNL Bio chief Ra Jeong-chan. Human disease-related genes can be put into dogs' stem cells in order to create clones that can be used to study human diseases such as diabetes and arthritis.

The stem cell cloning of the dogs was done in cooperation with a team of Seoul National University scientists, led by Lee Byeong-chun. Lee was a key aide to disgraced scientist Hwang Woo-suk, who reported stem cell research breakthroughs that were later shown to be false.

While this may be the first time stem cells have been used to clone dogs, other researchers have used stem cells to clone mice, pigs and deer, the AP reported.

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Nicotine May Boost Risk of Mood Disorders: Study

Nicotine exposure during the teen years may increase the risk of mood disorders such as depression, suggests a Florida State University study.

For 15 days, researchers gave adolescent rats twice daily injections of either nicotine or saline. In subsequent experiments, the rats were put in stressful and pleasurable situations, United Press International reported.

The rats exposed to nicotine showed depression- and anxiety-related behaviors, such as repetitive grooming, decreased consumption of rewards, and freezing in stressful situations, instead of trying to escape. These symptoms eased when the rats were given more nicotine or antidepressant drugs.

Adult rats exposed to the same levels of nicotine didn't show the same depression- and anxiety-like traits, UPI reported.

The findings, published in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology, may also be true for humans, the researchers said.

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Multiple-Virus Flu Vaccine Developed in Japan

A flu vaccine that works against multiple viruses has been developed by Japanese researchers, who said the vaccine could help prevent a deadly bird flu pandemic caused by mutating viruses.

The vaccine is based on common, rarely changing types of protein inside flu viruses. Current flu vaccines utilize a protein on the surface of viruses, but the protein commonly mutates and renders vaccines ineffective, Agence France Presse reported.

Tests on mice implanted with human genes showed that the new vaccine is effective even when flu viruses mutate, said Tetsuya Uchida, a researcher at Japan's National Institute of Infectious Diseases.

Uchida told AFP the research team needs to confirm the vaccine's safety with further experiments on mice and possibly large animals before they can test it on humans. That means it could be several years before the vaccine is available for use.

Health Tips for January 30

Health Tip: Is Your Child Getting Too Much Sugar?

Too much sugar in a child's diet can contribute to weight and dental problems.

The Baylor College of Medicine offers these suggestions for limiting the amount of sugar your child gets:

• When baking, cut sugar down to two-thirds of what the recipe says.
• Sweeten cookies and other baked goods with dried fruits instead of candy or chocolate.
• Instead of offering your child a muffin or a doughnut for breakfast, serve a bagel.
• Serve natural, unsweetened fruit juice instead of sodas or other sugar-laden beverages.
• Save candy for a special treat. Only allow your child candy once or twice a week.

Health Tip: Take it Easy After You Give Birth

After you've had a baby, your body needs time to heal, so you shouldn't expect to immediately resume normal physical activity.

The University of Michigan Health System offers these suggestions for new moms:

• Go easy on your body. Resume your normal schedule and activities gradually.
• Lift your baby, and that's about it. Avoid lifting anything heavy, even grocery bags or loads of laundry.
• Don't drive a car for about two weeks, or until your doctor says it's OK.
• Walking is great. Start out going for regular short walks.
• Limit stair climbing for at least the first week. Be careful using the stairs, and only climb long staircases once or twice each day.

Health Headlines - January 29

Diet Pills Contain Potentially Harmful Chemical: FDA

The weight-loss pill "Venom Hyperdrive 3.0" contains a significant amount of a chemical called sibutramine, which increases blood pressure and heart rate and puts people at risk for addiction, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned.

The agency said consumers should stop taking the product and contact their doctor if they're suffering any adverse health effects, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Venom Hyperdrive 3.0 is marketed by California-based Applied Lifescience Research Industries Inc. The company, which launched a recall of the product late last year after the FDA raised concerns, is replacing Venom Hyperdrive 3.0 with a newer version.

Charles Weller, general counsel for Applied Lifescience Research, told the Journal that the company hasn't pinpointed how sibutramine got into the original product, but said contaminated raw materials from China may be to blame.

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Short, Intense Exercise Improves Metabolism: Study

The body's ability to process sugars can get a big boost from regular high-intensity, three-minute workouts, which could reduce the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease, according to researchers in Scotland.

They had 16 sedentary male volunteers use exercise bikes to perform quick sprints at their highest possible intensity, United Press International reported.

"What we have found is that doing a few intense muscle exercises, each lasting only about 30 seconds, dramatically improves your metabolism in just two weeks," researcher James Timmons, Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, said in a news release.

He added that doing any kind of high intensity workout a few days a week should achieve the same protective metabolic improvements, UPI reported.

While regular physical activity can reduce the risk of diabetes and heart disease, many people simply don't have the time to follow current exercise guidelines, Timmons noted. These findings suggest a way around that time problem.

The study appears in the journal BMC Endocrine Disorders.

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Brain Damage Found in Sixth NFL Player Who Died Young

The debate about head injuries in pro football players has intensified with the revelation Tuesday that a sixth deceased former National Football League player age 50 or younger had brain damage commonly associated with boxers.

A condition called chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) was found in the brain of Tom McHale, an NFL lineman from 1987 to 1995. He was 45 when he died in May 2008. Tests on McHale's brain were conducted by doctors at Boston University's School of Medicine, The New York Times reported.

CTE, a progressive condition that results from repetitive head traumas, can cause dementia in people in their 40s or 50s. CTE has been identified in all six NFL veterans who died between the ages of 36 and 50 and were tested for the condition, the newspaper said.

"This is a medically significant finding," Dr. Daniel P. Perl, director of neuropathology at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City, told the Times. "I think with a sixth case identified, out of six, for a condition that is incredibly rare in the general population, there is more than enough evidence that football is clearly strongly related to the presence of this pathology."

However, a neurologist at Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New York said there's still no firm link between football and CTE.

"I think that there are many questions that still are out there as to whether there is a kind of traumatic encephalopathy associated with football. I think we don't know. I think that there is not enough scientific evidence to say that there is," Dr. Ira Casson, a co-chairman of the NFL committee that has studied concussions since 1994, told the Times.

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High Folate Levels Seen in Children With Bowel Disease

Surprisingly high folate levels have been found in the blood of children newly diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a finding that questions the theory that IBD patients are prone to folate deficiency, U.S. researchers say.

IBD, which includes Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, can cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, bleeding and nutritional deficiencies. Previous studies found that adult IBD patients often have lower folate levels than those without the condition, United Press International reported.

"However, pediatric inflammatory bowel disease appears to be somewhat different from the adult form, and before this study very little was known about folate levels in newly diagnosed children with the disease," study senior author Nina Holland said in a news release.

"This is exciting work that opens the door to additional research into the role of folic acid and its genetic basis in the development of inflammatory bowel disease, especially in young patients," added study co-author Dr. Melvin Heyman, UPI reported.

The study appears in the February issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Health Tips for January 29

Health Tip: Be Wary of Fad Diets

If you're looking to help kick start your weight loss program, it's important to carefully research a diet plan before you commit to one.

Look for these warning signs of an unhealthy fad diet, courtesy of the American Academy of Family Physicians:

• A diet that promises very fast weight loss -- anything more than a pound or two per week.
• A diet that promises weight loss without changing diet habits or engaging in an exercise program.
• A diet that is promoted by "scientific" testimonials and pictures of "before" and "after" success stories.
• A diet that involves expensive seminars, medications, or pre-made meals.
• A diet that focuses on very few acceptable foods, and doesn't focus on a healthy, balanced diet.
• A diet that points to simple explanations drawn from confusing research.

Health Tip: Problems With a Picky Eater?

If your child is a picky eater and refuses to eat or try new foods, the University of Maryland Medical Center offers these suggestions:

• Set an example by eating various healthy foods yourself.
• Fix foods that are attractive. Decorate your child's plate with bright, colorful foods with different consistencies.
• If your child isn't hungry, don't force the issue. When children are hungry enough, they will eat.
• Stay away from sugary treats. Instead, offer fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
• Make healthy eating a tradition. Start early by offering a variety of baby foods when the child is as young as 6 months.

Health Headlines - January 28

California Octuplets in Stable Condition

Southern California octuplets delivered by Caesarean section Monday are in stable condition and breathing on their own, doctors at Kaiser Permanente Bellflower Medical Center said Tuesday.

Two of the eight infants (six boys and two girls) were initially put on ventilators, but their breathing tubes have been removed, the Associated Press reported. The babies weighed between 1.8 pounds and 3.4 pounds when they were born with the help of 46 doctors, nurses and assistants.

The unidentified mother checked into the hospital seven weeks ago, when she was in her 23rd week of pregnancy. Hospital officials wouldn't reveal whether she'd used fertility drugs.

This is only the second time in recorded history that octuplets have survived more than a few hours. According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, the world's first live octuplets were born in March 1967 in Mexico City, but all of them died within 14 hours.

In 1998, octuplets were born in Houston, Texas, but the smallest of those babies died a week after birth. The surviving siblings turned 10 in December, the AP reported.

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Few Postal Workers Took Anthrax Vaccine: Study

Fears about being "guinea pigs," disagreements among public health experts, and a belief that they had a low risk of infection are among the reasons why most U.S. postal workers decided not be vaccinated against anthrax when the deadly germ was sent through the mail in 2001.

Physician advice and conflicting media reports were other reasons cited in a University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health study that included postal workers in Trenton, N.J., New York City and Washington, D.C., United Press International reported.

During the attacks, which caused five deaths, a two-month dose of antibiotics was given to 10,000 postal workers and others known or suspected to have been exposed to anthrax. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention then advised that people who failed to complete the regimen, or those at high risk for exposure, should take antibiotics for an additional 40 days with or without a supplemental anthrax vaccine.

But the researchers found that only 11. 5 percent of postal workers who took the additional 40-day dose of antibiotics also decided to receive the anthrax vaccine, UPI reported.

The study appears in the journal Biosecurity and Bioterrorism: Biodefense Strategy, Practice, and Science.

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Non-White Americans Getting Happier: Study

Since the early 1970s, the happiness gap between white and non-white Americans has decreased by two-thirds, according to University of Pennsylvania researchers who analyzed 1972 to 2006 data collected by the University of Chicago's General Social Survey.

The analysis revealed that, overall, Americans are no happier than they were three decades ago. However, the gap between happy and unhappy people has narrowed significantly, United Press International reported.

In 2006, non-whites were much happier than they were in the early 1970s, while whites were a bit less happy. Women have become less cheerful, while men are a bit more chipper. The study appears in the Journal of Legal Studies.

"Americans are becoming more similar to each other in terms of reported happiness. It's an interesting finding because other research shows increasing gaps in income, consumption and leisure time," study co-author and economist Betsey Stevenson said in a news release, UPI reported.

While it's difficult to determine the reason for the narrowing happiness gap, money doesn't appear to be a factor, the researchers said.

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Mixed Reactions to Medicare's Coverage of Off-Label Cancer Treatments

Medicare's decision to pay for unapproved drugs to treat cancer is being met with both praise and criticism.

Cancer doctors demanded the move because it enables cancer patients to receive the most up-to-date care and, in some cases, these off-label treatments may represent a patient's last hope, The New York Times reported.

Supporters of the decision, announced late last year, also say it will improve understanding of which treatments work against various types of cancer.

However, critics contend the use of drugs not approved by the Food and Drug Administration may waste money and needlessly expose cancer patients to side effects without offering them any benefits.

A cost analysis of the changes was canceled by Medicare, so it's difficult to determine how much the new policy will add to the $2.4 billion Medicare paid in 2007 for cancer drugs, the Times reported.

Health Tips for January 28

Health Tip: Managing Neck Pain

If you've sustained a minor injury to your neck, there are things you can do to get the pain under control.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine offers these suggestions:

• Use an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
• Apply an ice pack for the first two or three days, followed by a few days of applying heat, such as by taking a hot shower or using a heating pad.
• Gently exercise and stretch the neck, with up-and-down and side-to-side motions.
• Have someone lightly rub or massage your neck.
• Use a neck pillow or no pillow at all when you sleep. A firm mattress will help, too.

Health Tip: Help Manage Back Pain

When you begin to feel back pain, resist the urge to stay in bed for a prolonged period. It's better to remain active, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC).

As long as you don't have a serious underlying medical problem that's causing your pain, the UMMC offers these suggestions for how to tame it:

• For the first few days, take it easier, but only for a few days. After that, gradually become more active until you're back to your regular routine.
• Apply either heat or ice to your sore back -- whichever feels better. You can also alternate between the two, starting with ice for the first two or three days, followed by muscle-relaxing heat beginning the next day.
• If it's OK with your doctor, take an over-the-counter pain reliever such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
• Take a warm bath before bed to soothe your back and help you sleep.
• Sleep with a pillow between your legs (if on your side), or under your knees (if on your back).

Health Headlines - January 27

Heartburn Drugs May Neutralize Plavix

U.S. health officials are studying reports that the action of the popular blood thinner Plavix can be neutralized by some heartburn medications, the Associated Press reported.

Plavix, used to prevent deadly blood clots, has been prescribed to more than 90 million people worldwide. Because it can upset the stomach, Plavix (generic name clopidogrel) is often prescribed with heartburn drugs called proton pump inhibitors.

A few months ago, researchers reported that patients taking Plavix and these heartburn drugs had a significantly increased risk of hospitalization for chest pain, heart attack or stroke. The heartburn drugs may interfere with a liver enzyme need to metabolize Plavix, the researchers suggested.

In a statement, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said it's important to fully understand the interaction between Plavix and proton pump inhibitors. The FDA also said there's no evidence that another family of heartburn drugs called H2 blockers interfere with Plavix, the AP reported.

For now, patients should continue taking Plavix but doctors should be cautious when prescribing heartburn drugs to patients taking the blood thinner, the FDA said.

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Imported Diet Pills May Contain Amphetamines: Study

Consumers and doctors need to know that illegal diet pills from South America may contain amphetamines, warns a U.S. physician.

The majority of amphetamine-based diet suppressants have been banned in the United States, but many are still prescribed in South America and other parts of the world, said Dr. Pieter Cohen, of Cambridge Health Alliance and the Harvard Medical School, United Press International reported.

He said many American doctors aren't aware of these diet pills and need to know about the number of serious side effects they can cause in order to identify and treat patients with unexplained symptoms, such as chest pains, palpitations, headaches and insomnia.

In his study, Cohen reviewed two case reports of patients who took illegal diet pills that contained amphetamines. In one case, a woman's mysterious symptoms stopped after she stopped taking imported diet pills. The second case involves a man suspended from work after testing positive for amphetamines he ingested while taking imported diet pills, UPI reported.

The study appears in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.

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Drug Giant Pfizer to Buy Rival Wyeth

Pfizer Inc., the world's largest pharmaceutical company, has announced an agreement to buy one of its rivals, Wyeth, for $68 billion, the Wall Street Journal reports.

Wyeth's biggest over-the-counter seller is the pain medication Advil (ibuprofen), which is the largest OTC ibuprofen brand sold in America. Its prescription drugs include the anti-depressant Effexor, acid reflux inhibitor Protonix, the pneumococcal vaccine Prevnar and the female hormone replacement drug Premarin.

Pfizer's drugs also often dominate the market and include Benadryl for allergies, Celebrex for pain, Lipitor for cholesterol control, Glucotrol for type 2 diabetes, Viagra for erectile dysfunction and Zoloft for depression.

While this one of the largest buyouts among pharmaceutical companies on record, it isn't the biggest, the Journal reports. In 2000, Glaxo Wellcome PLC acquired SmithKline Beecham PLC for $76 billion.

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Fifth Victim Dies From Avian Flu in China

An 18-year-old man died from bird flu Monday in southern China, the fifth human death from the virus in the country this year, according to state media reports.

But, according to the Associated Press, the country's Health Ministry said after the earlier deaths this month that there is no evidence of a large-scale outbreak of bird flu. It called the illnesses isolated and unrelated.

The fourth victim, a 31-year-old woman from the western part of the country, died Friday, Associated Press reported.

Both victims died from the H5N1 strain of bird flu, the same strain that has caused the deaths of 251 people since the World Health Organization (WHO) started keeping statistics in 2003.

The other three deaths appear not to be related, AP reported, coming in three different geographic regions. As in all other human cases reported by WHO, this incident of bird flu appeared to be contracted by contact with poultry or fowl and not transmitted from human to human.

Scientists have been carefully monitoring avian flu outbreaks, in which millions of birds have been put to death, to see whether the H5N1 virus has mutated. The fear is that a mutation causing human-to-human infection could lead to a worldwide influenza pandemic.

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Study Supports Safety of Vaccine Ingredient Thimerosal

A new study offers more proof that thimerosal -- a mercury-based preservative once used in many vaccines -- poses no threat to children's brains. There has been intense debate about whether thimerosal causes autism, a link repeatedly discounted in scientific studies.

The new study included 1,403 Italian children who were given vaccines in the early 1990s and underwent brain function tests 10 years later. Those tests showed no signs of problems and only one case of autism was identified, the Associated Press reported.

The findings appear in the February issue of the journal Pediatrics.

"Put together with the evidence of all the other studies, this tells us there is no reason to worry about the effect of thimerosal in vaccines," said lead author, Dr. Alberto Tozzi of Bambino Gesu Hospital in Rome, the AP reported.

The study was welcomed by outside experts.

"It's yet another well-done, peer-reviewed research study that has demonstrated there is no risk of any neurodevelopmental outcomes associated with thimerosal in vaccines," University of Pennsylvania epidemiologist Jennifer Pinto-Martin told the AP.

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Sexual Activity Linked to Prostate Cancer Risk: Study

The more sexually active a man is in his 20s and 30s, the greater his risk of prostate cancer, suggests a U.K. study that included 400 prostate cancer patients and 409 men without the disease.

The men were questioned about their sexual behaviors while younger. About 40 percent of the prostate cancer patients had had at least six female sexual partners, compared with less than a third of the cancer-free men, BBC News reported.

The Nottingham University study found that 40 percent of the prostate cancer patients were sexually active (masturbation or sex) at least 20 times a month or more in their 20s, compared with 32 percent of those without prostate cancer.

It's possible that higher levels of sex hormones could be the cause of a higher sex drive and increased prostate cancer risk, said the researchers. The study appears in the journal BJU International.

While the study is useful, more research is needed, John Neate, chief executive of The Prostate Cancer Charity in the U.K., told BBC News.

"The role of sexual activity is becoming an increasing focus for prostate cancer research, but unfortunately this study does little to offer any practical advice to men wishing to reduce their risk of the disease," Neate said.

Health Tips for January 27

Health Tip: Symptoms of Computer Strain

Frequent computer use -- especially when it involves poor posture or keystroke repetition -- can damage nerves, muscles, tendons or ligaments.

Here are common symptoms of computer-related injury, courtesy of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons:

• Numbness of the fingers.
• Pain or soreness in the lower back, neck, shoulders or wrists.
• Headache.
• Dryness, redness and soreness of the eyes, or blurred vision.

Health Tip: Sit Properly at the Computer

Stretching your neck and working your wrists at a computer for hours at a time can strain much of the body.

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons offers these suggestions to help reduce computer pain and discomfort:

• Sit up straight, with your ears lined up with the top of your shoulders, and your shoulders lined up with the hips.
• Relax your upper arms, and hold them close to your body. Keep your hands and wrists straight in front of your arms.
• Keep your hands and fingers relaxed when typing or clicking on the mouse.
• Take regular breaks and relax your hands and fingers.
• Give your eyes a rest and look away from the computer every so often. Also, try to position your screen to reflect the least glare.
• Place your computer monitor about an arm's length in front of you, and right at eye level so you don't have to look up or down to view the monitor.

Health Headlines - January 26

Protein's Removal from Platelets May Help Control Harmful Clotting

Laboratory results from British scientists at the University of Bristol have found a possible way to prevent arterial blood clots, which can cause heart attacks.

According to BBC News, the researchers were able to remove the protein PKC alpha from blood platelets in laboratory mice, and this prevented clots from developing. PKC alpha is an essential element in clot formation.

Eventually, this method may be a reasonable alternative to anti-clotting medicines, which run the gamut from aspirin to prescription drugs, BBC News reports.

Lead researcher Alastair Poole told the BBC that one surprising result was that not having PKC alpha in a person's blood may not prevent normal bleeding control: "... we have also found that absence of PKC alpha doesn't seem to impair the normal control of bleeding, unlike some current anti-clotting medicines," Poole said.

The study appears in the current issue of the Journal of Clinical Investigation.

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Fourth Human Avian Flu Victim Dies in China

Avian flu has claimed a fourth death in China this year.

The Associated Press reports that a 31-year-old woman from a far western region in China died Friday from the H5N1 strain of bird flu, the same strain that has caused the deaths of 251 people since the World Health Organization (WHO) started keeping statistics in 2003.

The other three deaths appear not to be related, the wire service reports, coming in three different geographic regions. In all, 22 people in China have died from this strain of flu since 2003, the A.P. reports. As in all other human cases reported by WHO, this incident of bird flu appeared to be contracted by contact with poultry or fowl and not transmitted from human to human.

Scientists have been carefully monitoring avian flu outbreaks, in which millions of birds have been put to death, to see whether the H5N1 virus has mutated. The fear is that a mutation causing human-to-human infection could lead to a worldwide influenza pandemic.

Chinese officials are increasing their monitoring of bird flu outbreaks, the A.P. reports, because the Lunar New Year holiday will be celebrated next week, and there will be more contact with chickens and ducks as holiday meals are prepared.

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Obama Overturns International Abortion Funding Ban: Report

President Barack Obama signed an executive order Friday overturning the ban on using federal funds for international groups promoting or performing abortion, CNN reported.

The so-called "Mexico City Policy" banned U.S. taxpayer money from going to international family planning groups that either offer abortions or provide information, counseling or referrals about abortion. It is also known as the "global gag rule," because it prohibited taxpayer funding for groups that even talk about abortion if there is an unplanned pregnancy, the Associated Press said.

The policy was instituted by President Ronald Reagan in 1984, overturned by President Bill Clinton in 1993, and re-instituted by President George W. Bush in 2001, according to ABC News.

Most presidents acted on the ban on Jan. 22, the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, but Obama held off on that move, thinking it too combative, ABC reported.

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Drug Maker to Seek Approval for MS Pill

The first pill to treat multiple sclerosis shows promise, and drug maker Merck Serono says it will submit cladribine tablets for registration in the United States and Europe later this year.

MS patients taking the pills had an almost 60 percent lower relapse rate than those taking a placebo, according to a two-year study that included more than 1,300 patients, the Associated Press reported. The study was paid for by Merck.

"This is promising news," said Dr. Lee Dunster, head of research for the Multiple Sclerosis Society in the United Kingdom.

Dunster, who wasn't involved in the study, said the findings suggest cladribine is twice as effective as current primary treatments for MS, the AP reported.

There is no known cure for MS. Current MS treatments must be given by injections and have varying success rates. Known side effects of caldribine, currently used to treat leukemia, include fatigue, anemia and increased risk of infections.

Health Tips for January 26

Health Tip: Symptoms of a Drug Allergy

Some drugs cause unpleasant side effects in many people, including nausea, dizziness or fatigue.

But if you're allergic to a drug, you can have a reaction that ranges from mild to life-threatening. Penicillin and other antibiotics are among the most common causes of drug allergy.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine lists these warning signs of an allergic reaction to a medication:

• Hives.
• Skin rash.
• Itchiness of the skin or eyes.
• Wheezing or difficulty breathing.
• Swollen lips, eyes or tongue.

Health Tip: Coping With Pet Allergies

If being near a pet makes you sniffle, sneeze, and your eyes water, you may not have to live a pet-free life.

The American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology offers these suggestions:

• Always wash your hands after you touch a pet. And avoid kissing or hugging your furry friend.
• Keep cat litter boxes away from vents, and try to limit your exposure to them.
• Give your pet a bath each week to reduce dander. And try to have a person who isn't allergic regularly brush your pet outdoors.
• Don't allow pets on upholstered furniture. If necessary, cover the furniture in plastic.
• Make sure your pet is on a healthy diet to help reduce shedding.
• Try to eliminate rugs and carpets from your home, and use a double filter or micro-filter bag in your vacuum.
• Ask your doctor about getting allergy shots to control symptoms.

Health Headlines - January 25

Fourth Human Avian Flu Victim Dies in China

Avian flu has claimed a fourth death in China this year.

The Associated Press reports that a 31-year-old woman from a far western region in China died Friday from the H5N1 strain of bird flu, the same strain that has caused the deaths of 251 people since the World Health Organization (WHO) started keeping statistics in 2003.

The other three deaths appear not to be related, the wire service reports, coming in three different geographic regions. In all, 22 people in China have died from this strain of flu since 2003, the A.P. reports. As in all other human cases reported by WHO, this incident of bird flu appeared to be contracted by contact with poultry or fowl and not transmitted from human to human.

Scientists have been carefully monitoring avian flu outbreaks, in which millions of birds have been put to death, to see whether the H5N1 virus has mutated. The fear is that a mutation causing human-to-human infection could lead to a worldwide influenza pandemic.

Chinese officials are increasing their monitoring of bird flu outbreaks, the A.P. reports, because the Lunar New Year holiday will be celebrated next week, and there will be more contact with chickens and ducks as holiday meals are prepared.

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Obama Overturns International Abortion Funding Ban: Report

President Barack Obama signed an executive order Friday overturning the ban on using federal funds for international groups promoting or performing abortion, CNN reported.

The so-called "Mexico City Policy" banned U.S. taxpayer money from going to international family planning groups that either offer abortions or provide information, counseling or referrals about abortion. It is also known as the "global gag rule," because it prohibited taxpayer funding for groups that even talk about abortion if there is an unplanned pregnancy, the Associated Press said.

The policy was instituted by President Ronald Reagan in 1984, overturned by President Bill Clinton in 1993, and re-instituted by President George W. Bush in 2001, according to ABC News.

Most presidents acted on the ban on Jan. 22, the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, but Obama held off on that move, thinking it too combative, ABC reported.

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Drug Maker to Seek Approval for MS Pill

The first pill to treat multiple sclerosis shows promise, and drug maker Merck Serono says it will submit cladribine tablets for registration in the United States and Europe later this year.

MS patients taking the pills had an almost 60 percent lower relapse rate than those taking a placebo, according to a two-year study that included more than 1,300 patients, the Associated Press reported. The study was paid for by Merck.

"This is promising news," said Dr. Lee Dunster, head of research for the Multiple Sclerosis Society in the United Kingdom.

Dunster, who wasn't involved in the study, said the findings suggest cladribine is twice as effective as current primary treatments for MS, the AP reported.

There is no known cure for MS. Current MS treatments must be given by injections and have varying success rates. Known side effects of caldribine, currently used to treat leukemia, include fatigue, anemia and increased risk of infections.

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CDC Gets New Acting Director

The Obama administration on Friday named Dr. Richard Besser, who headed the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's public health emergency preparedness and response functions, acting director of the CDC. He succeeds Dr. Julie Gerberding, who stepped down after six years heading the agency, The Wall Street Journal reported.

An e-mail to CDC employees said that Besser would serve as acting director, but it wasn't clear if he would be Gerberding's permanent successor. Gerberding stepped down when President Barack Obama was sworn in this week. Her place was to have been temporarily taken by William Gimson III, the CDC's chief operating officer, but sources told the newspaper that since Gimson isn't a medical doctor, Besser was named instead.

Besser, 49, is a CDC veteran who served in the CDC's Epidemic Intelligence Service, dealing with foodborne and infectious disease issues, the newspaper reported. A pediatrician by training, he also spearheaded a national campaign to prevent overuse of antibiotics and had been director of the Coordinating Office for Terrorism Preparedness and Emergency Response.

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More Americans Unable to Afford Prescription Drugs

The number of Americans under age 65 who went without prescribed medicines because they couldn't afford them increased from one in 10 in 2003 to one in seven in 2007, according to a study released Thursday by the nonprofit Center for Studying Health System Change.

Three in 10 low-income Americans, almost one in four adults on Medicaid or state insurance programs, and one in 10 working-age people with employer-sponsored coverage said they had problems affording drugs in 2007, The New York Times reported.

Overall, about 36.1 million children and adults under age 65 didn't have prescriptions filled in 2007 due to cost.

The current number of people who can't afford prescription drugs may be even higher due to the economic meltdown, according to study lead author Laurie E. Felland, a senior health researcher at the center.

"Our findings are particularly troublesome given the increased reliance on prescription drugs to treat chronic conditions," she told The Times. "People who go without their prescriptions experience worsening health and complications."

The study findings are based on an analysis of data from 10,400 adults under age 65 who took part in the 2007 national Health Tracking Household Survey.

Health Tips for January 25

Health Tip: Boost Your Energy

If you often feel out of breath or seem to tire easily, you probably should better pace yourself.

Here are suggestions to help boost your energy, courtesy of National Jewish Health:

• Work slower, and take short, frequent breaks. Don't rush yourself.
• Find the most efficient way to perform everyday tasks. Don't make yourself work harder than you have to.
• Break out strenuous tasks into smaller projects, with breaks in between.
• Breathe slowly and deeply, and avoid short, jerky breaths.
• Plan your activities, schedule time for them, and relax.

Health Tip: Keep Stress at Bay

Some stress is unavoidable, but there are things you can do to prevent stress from taking over your life and making health problems worse.

The Cleveland Clinic offers these suggestions:

• Stick to a healthy diet, get plenty of exercise, avoid smoking and limit the amount of alcohol you drink.
• Don't allow others to make demands or set expectations for you. Say no, and don't be afraid to stand up for yourself.
• Take time every day just to relax.
• Set realistic goals and expectations for yourself, but understand that you can't control everything.
• Figure out what causes you stress in your life. Eliminate what you can, and learn how to manage other sources of stress.
• Remind yourself of what you do well and successes that you've had.

Health Headlines - January 24

Obama Overturns International Abortion Funding Ban: Report

President Barack Obama signed an executive order Friday overturning the ban on using federal funds for international groups promoting or performing abortion, CNN reported.

The so-called "Mexico City Policy" banned U.S. taxpayer money from going to international family planning groups that either offer abortions or provide information, counseling or referrals about abortion. It is also known as the "global gag rule," because it prohibited taxpayer funding for groups that even talk about abortion if there is an unplanned pregnancy, the Associated Press said.

The policy was instituted by President Ronald Reagan in 1984, overturned by President Bill Clinton in 1993, and re-instituted by President George W. Bush in 2001, according to ABC News.

Most presidents acted on the ban on Jan. 22, the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, but Obama held off on that move, thinking it too combative, ABC reported.

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Drug Maker to Seek Approval for MS Pill

The first pill to treat multiple sclerosis shows promise, and drug maker Merck Serono says it will submit cladribine tablets for registration in the United States and Europe later this year.

MS patients taking the pills had an almost 60 percent lower relapse rate than those taking a placebo, according to a two-year study that included more than 1,300 patients, the Associated Press reported. The study was paid for by Merck.

"This is promising news," said Dr. Lee Dunster, head of research for the Multiple Sclerosis Society in the United Kingdom.

Dunster, who wasn't involved in the study, said the findings suggest cladribine is twice as effective as current primary treatments for MS, the AP reported.

There is no known cure for MS. Current MS treatments must be given by injections and have varying success rates. Known side effects of caldribine, currently used to treat leukemia, include fatigue, anemia and increased risk of infections.

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CDC Gets New Acting Director

The Obama administration on Friday named Dr. Richard Besser, who headed the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's public health emergency preparedness and response functions, acting director of the CDC. He succeeds Dr. Julie Gerberding, who stepped down after six years heading the agency, The Wall Street Journal reported.

An e-mail to CDC employees said that Besser would serve as acting director, but it wasn't clear if he would be Gerberding's permanent successor. Gerberding stepped down when President Barack Obama was sworn in this week. Her place was to have been temporarily taken by William Gimson III, the CDC's chief operating officer, but sources told the newspaper that since Gimson isn't a medical doctor, Besser was named instead.

Besser, 49, is a CDC veteran who served in the CDC's Epidemic Intelligence Service, dealing with foodborne and infectious disease issues, the newspaper reported. A pediatrician by training, he also spearheaded a national campaign to prevent overuse of antibiotics and had been director of the Coordinating Office for Terrorism Preparedness and Emergency Response.

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More Americans Unable to Afford Prescription Drugs

The number of Americans under age 65 who went without prescribed medicines because they couldn't afford them increased from one in 10 in 2003 to one in seven in 2007, according to a study released Thursday by the nonprofit Center for Studying Health System Change.

Three in 10 low-income Americans, almost one in four adults on Medicaid or state insurance programs, and one in 10 working-age people with employer-sponsored coverage said they had problems affording drugs in 2007, The New York Times reported.

Overall, about 36.1 million children and adults under age 65 didn't have prescriptions filled in 2007 due to cost.

The current number of people who can't afford prescription drugs may be even higher due to the economic meltdown, according to study lead author Laurie E. Felland, a senior health researcher at the center.

"Our findings are particularly troublesome given the increased reliance on prescription drugs to treat chronic conditions," she told The Times. "People who go without their prescriptions experience worsening health and complications."

The study findings are based on an analysis of data from 10,400 adults under age 65 who took part in the 2007 national Health Tracking Household Survey.

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Vitamin D May Help Maintain Seniors' Brain Health

Vitamin D may help fight age-related mental decline, according to a study that included 2,000 people aged 65 and older. Those with the lowest vitamin D levels were more than twice as likely to have cognitive problems than those with the highest levels of the vitamin, BBC News reported.

People with impaired cognitive function are more likely to develop dementia, noted the U.K. and U.S. authors of the study, which will be published in the Journal of Geriatric Psychology and Neurology.

Sources of vitamin D include fish and exposure to sunlight. But older people absorb less vitamin D from sunlight than younger people, said study co-author Dr. Iain Lang, of the Peninsula Medical School in the United Kingdom, BBC News reported.

"One way to address this might be to provide older adults with vitamin D supplements," Lang said. "This has been proposed in the past as a way of improving bone health in older people, but our results suggest it might also have other benefits."

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Kentucky Has Highest Smoking Death Rate: CDC Report

Kentucky has the country's highest death rates from smoking, according to a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study released this week.

Smoking death rates were tallied using death certificate data from 2000 through 2004, focusing on lung cancer and 18 other diseases caused by cigarette smoking, according to the report, published in the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, the Associated Press said Thursday.

West Virginia and Nevada ranked second and third among U.S. states with the highest smoking mortality rates, with Utah and Hawaii showing the lowest smoking death rates.

Kentucky had about 371 deaths out of every 100,000 adults age 35 and older, almost one-and-a-half times higher than the national median of 263 per 100,000, and almost three times the rate for Utah, which was 138 per 100,000.

Smoking deaths among males were higher than among females, the report said, but smoking rates dropped for men in 49 states since the late 1990s, while they declined for women in only 32 states.

Terry Pechacek, a CDC senior scientist for tobacco-related issues, told AP that smoking, especially when combined with obesity and another risk factors for heart disease, "is like gasoline on the fire." Kentucky and West Virginia also had the highest smoking rates in 2004 as well, according to the CDC report.

Health Tips for January 24

Health Tip: Triggers for PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder is a severe anxiety condition that can follow a life-threatening or very frightening experience.

The American Academy of Family Physicians says these people are at greater risk of developing PTSD:

• People who are victims of rape, other physical assault or terrorism.
• People who have been in a car accident, natural disaster, flood or fire.
• People who have participated in war or other combat.
• People who have lost a family member or other loved one.
• People who have been diagnosed with a fatal disease.
• People who are rescue workers, such as firefighters or police officers.

Health Tip: Taking ADHD Medications

Medications prescribed to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may effectively manage symptoms, but they can also cause a number of side effects.

The American Academy of Family Physicians offers these suggestions to minimize side effects caused by ADHD drugs:

• Take only the minimal dose necessary to control your symptoms. Speak with your doctor about determining the right dose for you.
• If you have stomach upset, take your ADHD meds with food.
• As long as your doctor says it's OK, consider the weekend "drug-free days" when you can skip your medication.
• If ADHD meds cause undesired weight loss, add healthy snacks to the day's menu.

Health Headlines - January 23

Kentucky Has Highest Smoking Death Rate: CDC Report

Kentucky has the country's highest death rates from smoking, according to a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study released this week.

Smoking death rates were tallied using death certificate data from 2000 through 2004, focusing on lung cancer and 18 other diseases caused by cigarette smoking, according to the report, published in the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, the Associated Press said Thursday.

West Virginia and Nevada ranked second and third among U.S. states with the highest smoking mortality rates, with Utah and Hawaii showing the lowest smoking death rates.

Kentucky had about 371 deaths out of every 100,000 adults age 35 and older, almost one-and-a-half times higher than the national median of 263 per 100,000, and almost three times the rate for Utah, which was 138 per 100,000.

Smoking deaths among males were higher than among females, the report said, but smoking rates dropped for men in 49 states since the late 1990s, while they declined for women in only 32 states.

Terry Pechacek, a CDC senior scientist for tobacco-related issues, told AP that smoking, especially when combined with obesity and another risk factors for heart disease, "is like gasoline on the fire." Kentucky and West Virginia also had the highest smoking rates in 2004 as well, according to the CDC report.

Short-Term Hormone Therapy Safe: Canadian Experts

Women have been needlessly scared away from using hormone-replacement therapy (HRT) during menopause, the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada says.

The society, which is changing its advice about the use of HRT, says evidence shows that fears about short-term use of HRT drugs were unfounded, theCanadian Press reported. The drugs are a viable and safe option for women experiencing troublesome menopause symptoms, according to a panel of experts that developed the revised guidelines for the society.

However, the experts recommended that the use of HRT drugs should start early in menopause and only be used short term.

In 2002, a large U.S. study found that the use of HRT drugs increased the risk of heart attack and stroke. But that study incorrectly concluded that the increased risk seen in older women applied to all women who use the drugs, said the Canadian expert panel, the CP reported.

Death Sentences Handed Out in Chinese Milk Scandal

Three people have been sentenced to death by a Chinese court for their role in the tainted milk scandal that sickened about 300,000 children and killed at least six.

Another person was sentenced to life in prison and three more were given prison terms of five to 15 years for their role in making and selling dairy products that contained the toxic chemical melamine, The New York Times reported.

The harsh sentences given to dairy company executives and middlemen are part of the Chinese government's efforts to manage a scandal that resulted in a global recall of Chinese dairy products and seriously damaged the country's dairy industry.

But the stiff penalties handed out Thursday won't satisfy some lawyers and parents of children who were sickened by tainted dairy products. They believe government officials who failed to properly regulate the nation's dairy industry should be held accountable, the Times reported.

Zimbabwe's Cholera Death Toll Rises 20 Percent in One Week

The number of people who've died in Zimbabwe's cholera epidemic increased 20 percent during the last week, from 2,200 to more than 2,700, the World Health Organization sayd.

Nearly 50,000 people have been infected with the preventable disease and the start of the rainy season could lead to a sharp increase in cases as water sources become contaminated, BBC News reported.

The WHO says all 10 of Zimbabwe's provinces have reported cases of cholera and the aid agency World Vision says new outbreaks are occurring in rural areas.

"Rapid deterioration of Zimbabwe's health system, lack of adequate water supply and lack of capacity to dispose of solid waste and repair sewer blockages have all been the main drivers of the current spread of cholera," World Vision said in a statement, BBC News reported.

Cholera has also spread to neighboring South Africa.

Health Tips for January 23

Health Tip: Save Your Back at Work

After a long day at work, your back may be chock full of aches and pains from standing on your feet or sitting at a desk. The University of Maryland Medical Center offers these suggestions to help alleviate back pain while you're at work: Pay attention to your posture, whether you're standing or sitting. Make sure your ears, shoulders and hips all line up. Avoid standing for long periods. If you must stand, use a stool and alternate resting each foot on it. Wear comfortable, cushioned shoes without heels if you walk a lot. Choose a straight-backed, adjustable chair with armrests and a swivel seat for your desk chair. Prop your feet up below your desk, so your knees are elevated above your hips. Roll up a towel or place a pillow at your lower back while sitting at your desk. Health Tip: Help Manage Back Pain When you begin to feel back pain, resist the urge to stay in bed for a prolonged period. It's better to remain active, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC). As long as you don't have a serious underlying medical problem that's causing your pain, the UMMC offers these suggestions for how to tame it: For the first few days, take it easier, but only for a few days. After that, gradually become more active until you're back to your regular routine. Apply either heat or ice to your sore back -- whichever feels better. You can also alternate between the two, starting with ice for the first two or three days, followed by muscle-relaxing heat beginning the next day. If it's OK with your doctor, take an over-the-counter pain reliever such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Take a warm bath before bed to soothe your back and help you sleep. Sleep with a pillow between your legs (if on your side), or under your knees (if on your back).

Health Headlines - January 22

Kennedy Released From Hospital After Inaugural Collapse

Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) was released from hospital Wednesday morning after collapsing at President Barack Obama's inaugural luncheon in the Capitol on Tuesday.

Media reports said he was in "good spirits" on his release and was urged by his doctors to get some rest.

Tests at Washington Hospital Center late Tuesday showed that Kennedy, who was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor last spring, had suffered a seizure as a result of "simple fatigue," his doctor said, according to the Boston Herald.

Dr. Edward Aulisi, chairman of neurosurgery at the hospital, said late Tuesday night, "Sen. Kennedy is awake, talking with family and friends, and feeling well. He will remain. . . overnight for observation."

Sen. Jay Rockefeller, (D-W. Va.), told reporters that at the Congressional luncheon, Obama noticed when Kennedy, 76, became ill, and rushed over to his table, the Associated Press reported.

"There was a call for silence throughout the room," Rockefeller said. "The president went over immediately. The lights went down, just to reduce the heat, I think."

Obama then spoke briefly of Kennedy's latest health problem in his remarks to the luncheon guests, the New York Times reported. "Right now, part of me is with him," Obama said. "This is a joyous time, but also a sobering time. Our prayers are with him and his wife, Vicki."

Kennedy had been outside all morning to attend the swearing-in and listen to Obama's inaugural address.

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Many Children Have Mild Autistic Symptoms: Study

A new U.K. study says many children have mild autistic traits, such as difficulty communicating with peers and teachers, but their problems aren't severe enough to attract special attention.

But these mild traits could impair development, said the authors of the study, which included 8,000 children, BBC News reported.

The findings suggest "that drawing a dividing line between those with autism and the rest of the population involves making an arbitrary decision," said Prof. David Skuse, one of the study authors.

"Clinicians and those involved in education need to be aware that there are children who do not have autism but who nevertheless have somewhat elevated levels of autistic traits -- our research suggests that these children are at slightly greater risk of developing behavioral and emotional problems," Skuse told BBC News.

The study appears in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

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Early Pregnancy Drinking Boosts Pre-Term Birth Risk

Heavy drinking early in pregnancy greatly increases a woman's risk of premature delivery, says a study that included more than 4,700 Australian women.

Those who drank heavily in the first third of pregnancy and then stopped had an almost 80 percent higher risk of premature delivery. There was no evidence of increased risk for women who drank low levels of alcohol throughout pregnancy, BBC News reported.

"The risk of pre-term birth is highest for women who drink heavily or at binge levels," said study leader Dr. Colleen O'Leary, of the University of Western Australia. "Women should be advised that during pregnancy, drinking alcohol above low levels increases the risk to the baby and that the safest choice is not to drink alcohol during pregnancy."

A sudden halt to drinking may trigger inflammation that could harm the developing fetus in some way, the researchers suggested.

The study was published in the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

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China Reports Third Bird Flu Death This Year

A 16-year-old male student in central China's Hunan province died of bird flu Tuesday, the third bird flu death in the country this year.

A provincial government official told the Xinhua news agency Monday that the student fell ill two weeks ago in Guizhou, the provincial capital. He tested positive for the H5N1 strain of avian influenza, and reportedly had had contact with poultry.

The teen is one of four confirmed human bird flu cases in China so far this year.

On Saturday, officials said a 27-year-old woman in east China's Shandong province died of the virus, while a two-year-old girl was infected in northern Shanxi province.

The girl is in the hospital in critical condition, the Associated Press reported. Her family members and others who came in close contact with her were under medical observation.

The first victim of the year, a 19-year-old woman, died in Beijing earlier this month, after being in contact with ducks in a market, the wire service said.

The AP said that World Health Organization (WHO) statistics show this strain of bird flu has killed 248 people worldwide since 2003, when it was first reported to have infected humans. Twenty-one of those deaths have been in China, with a total of 32 cases reported.

None of these cases has been found to be spread by human-to-human contact, according to WHO medical experts, but rather by close contact with different species of birds, especially poultry and fowl.

Health Tips for January 22

Health Tip: If You've Got GERD

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) occurs when stomach contents back up into the esophagus, often causing a feeling of heartburn.

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons offers these suggestions to help tame GERD symptoms:

• Lose weight. Most people are helped "substantially" when they lose significant weight, the society says.
• Wear loose clothing.
• Eat meals at least several hours before bed time, giving the stomach some time to empty.
• Keep the head of the bed about 6 inches to 8 inches higher than the foot of the bed.
• Steer clear of smoking, high-fat foods, spicy foods, caffeine, chocolate and peppermint.
• Talk to your doctor about medications to help control GERD. And while on the subject of medications, ask your doctor if anything you're taking could actually be making your symptoms worse.

Health Tip: Is GERD Causing Sleep Problems?

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can cause symptoms during the night that can prevent a good night's sleep.

The National Sleep Foundation offers these suggestions to keep GERD symptoms calm at night:

• Be careful of the foods you eat from late afternoon until bedtime. Try to avoid spicy foods, onions and chocolate.
• Eat a larger meal at lunch, and have a small, light dinner.
• Don't eat anything after two or three hours before you plan to go to bed.
• Don't drink alcohol or smoke before bed.
• Sleep on a pillow or two, with your head and shoulders elevated.
• Try sleeping on your left side.

Health Headlines - January 21

Kennedy Collapses at Obama Inaugural Lunch

Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.), who was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor last spring, collapsed at President Barack Obama's inaugural luncheon in the Capitol on Tuesday and was taken to a Washington, D.C., hospital by ambulance.

Kennedy was awake and talking at Washington Hospital Center, the Associated Press reported. With him were his wife, Victoria, and his son, Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-R.I.). He will be held for observation and will undergo testing, a hospital official said.

Sen. Christopher J. Dodd, (D-Conn.), told reporters that Kennedy appeared to have a seizure but seemed fine as he was put into the ambulance at around 3 p.m. ET, The New York Times reported.

"The good news is, he's going to be fine," Dodd said, according to the Times.

Kennedy, who will be 77 next month, had been seated at the same table with another of the Senate's elder statesmen, Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.), 91. There were conflicting reports about Byrd, who also left the luncheon early after witnesses said he appeared ill. But his office later said his health was not the reason for the early departure, the AP reported.

Sen. Jay Rockefeller, (D-W. Va.), told reporters that Obama noticed when Kennedy became ill, and rushed over to his table, the AP reported.

"There was a call for silence throughout the room," Rockefeller said. "The president went over immediately. The lights went down, just to reduce the heat, I think."

Obama then spoke briefly of Kennedy's latest health problem in his remarks to the luncheon guests, the Times reported. "Right now, part of me is with him," Obama said. "This is a joyous time, but also a sobering time. Our prayers are with him and his wife, Vicki."

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China Reports Third Bird Flu Death This Year

A 16-year-old male student in central China's Hunan province died of bird flu Tuesday, the third bird flu death in the country this year.

A provincial government official told the Xinhua news agency Monday that the student fell ill two weeks ago in Guizhou, the provincial capital. He tested positive for the H5N1 strain of avian influenza, and reportedly had had contact with poultry.

The teen is one of four confirmed human bird flu cases in China so far this year.

On Saturday, officials said a 27-year-old woman in east China's Shandong province died of the virus, while a two-year-old girl was infected in northern Shanxi province.

The girl is in the hospital in critical condition, the Associated Press reported. Her family members and others who came in close contact with her were under medical observation.

The first victim of the year, a 19-year-old woman, died in Beijing earlier this month, after being in contact with ducks in a market, the wire service said.

The AP said that World Health Organization (WHO) statistics show this strain of bird flu has killed 248 people worldwide since 2003, when it was first reported to have infected humans. Twenty-one of those deaths have been in China, with a total of 32 cases reported.

None of these cases has been found to be spread by human-to-human contact, according to WHO medical experts, but rather by close contact with different species of birds, especially poultry and fowl.

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Trials Test Stem Cell Treatments for Stroke, Blindness

In two separate trials to be launched this year, researchers in Scotland will examine whether stem cell therapy can help treat stroke patients and people with corneal blindness, Agence France Presse reported.

This month, a two-year trial involving 20 patients with corneal blindness will begin in Edinburgh and Glasgow. Stem cells of deceased adult donors will be cultivated and then transplanted onto the cornea's surface.

Another team of researchers in Glasgow plans a study in which they'll inject fetal stem cells into the brains of stroke patients in order to determine if the cells can regenerate damaged areas and improve patients' quality of life, AFP reported.

That study, which will test a treatment developed by a British company called ReNeuron, still has to be approved by an ethics committee.

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'Conscience Rule' Gets Legal Challenge

The Conscience Rule, one of the last items on President George W. Bush's health agenda, has been challenged in U.S. District Court.

The Washington Post reports that a lawsuit was filed Jan. 15 in Connecticut by that state's attorney general, Richard Blumenthal, seeking to block a new federal regulation that protects health workers if they refuse to perform medical services to which they object. The rule went into effect in December.

Blumenthal's suit included the states of California, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oregon and Rhode Island, the Post reported. Separate lawsuits were also filed by Planned Parenthood and the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of the National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association.

Central to the Conscience Rule, the newspaper reports, is that it stops federal funding to any health organization -- public or private -- if it doesn't allow health professionals the right to refuse to perform or take part in any health care services they consider objectionable on ethical, moral or religious grounds.

"On the way out, the Bush administration has left a ticking political time bomb that is set to explode literally on the day of the president's [Barack Obama] inaugural and blow apart women's rights," the newspaper quotes Blumenthal as saying.

Rebecca Ayer, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), told the Post that HHS would defend its actions in court. "The department followed appropriate procedures to put the regulation in place, and the regulation is fully supported by law," the newspaper quotes her as saying.

Health Tips for January 21

Health Tip: Oh, Those Aching Muscles

If you've been working out a bit too hard, or if you're just getting into exercise, you might have minor muscle soreness.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine offers these suggestions to help manage minor muscle pain:

• Allow your muscles to rest. Don't engage in any heavy exercise while they recover.
• Take acetaminophen or ibuprofen to ease pain.
• For the first few days, ice the area. After the first two to three days, apply heat to the sore muscles.
• As you recover, try low-impact exercises such as swimming, biking and walking. Gradually work your way up to longer and tougher exercises.
• Sleep, stretch and avoid stress.

Health Tip: Clogged Ears On a Plane?

Changes in altitude, such as those you experience when flying, can cause an uncomfortable "clogged" feeling in your ears.

If you try to relieve the pressure by blowing your nose too hard, you could perforate the eardrum or force bacteria into the deeper parts of the ear.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine offers these suggestions to help you safely relieve pressure in the ears when flying:

• About an hour before your flight is scheduled to leave, take a decongestant.
• Try yawning to gently relieve pressure as altitude changes.
• Keep swallowing to help unclog ears.
• Chew a piece of gum while the plane ascends and descends.
• If your ears still feel clogged, inhale, hold your nose, and very gently exhale with your mouth closed until you feel relief. Be very careful not to do this with too much force.

Health Headlines - January 20

4th Human Bird Flu Case Reported in China

A 16-year-old male student in central China's Hunan province is now the fourth victim of human bird flu in the country this year.

A provincial government official told the Xinhua news agency Monday that the student fell ill two weeks ago in Guizhou, the provincial capital, and is in critical condition.

He tested positive for the H5N1 strain of avian influenza, and reportedly had had contact with poultry.

On Saturday, officials said a 27-year-old woman in east China's Shandong province died of the virus, while a two-year-old girl was infected in northern Shanxi province.

The girl is in the hospital in critical condition, the Associated Press reported. Her family members and others who came in close contact with her were under medical observation.

The first victim of the year, a 19-year-old woman, died in Beijing earlier this month, after being in contact with ducks in a market, the wire service said.

The AP said that World Health Organization (WHO) statistics show this strain of bird flu has killed 248 people worldwide since 2003, when it was first reported to have infected humans. Twenty-one of those deaths have been in China, with a total of 32 cases reported.

None of these cases has been found to be spread by human-to-human contact, according to WHO medical experts, but rather by close contact with different species of birds, especially poultry and fowl.

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Trials Test Stem Cell Treatments for Stroke, Blindness

In two separate trials to be launched this year, researchers in Scotland will examine whether stem cell therapy can help treat stroke patients and people with corneal blindness, Agence France Presse reported.

This month, a two-year trial involving 20 patients with corneal blindness will begin in Edinburgh and Glasgow. Stem cells of deceased adult donors will be cultivated and then transplanted onto the cornea's surface.

Another team of researchers in Glasgow plans a study in which they'll inject fetal stem cells into the brains of stroke patients in order to determine if the cells can regenerate damaged areas and improve patients' quality of life, AFP reported.

That study, which will test a treatment developed by a British company called ReNeuron, still has to be approved by an ethics committee.

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'Conscience Rule' Gets Legal Challenge

The Conscience Rule, one of the last items on President George W. Bush's health agenda, has been challenged in U.S. District Court.

The Washington Post reports that a lawsuit was filed Jan. 15 in Connecticut by that state's attorney general, Richard Blumenthal, seeking to block a new federal regulation that protects health workers if they refuse to perform medical services to which they object. The rule went into effect in December.

Blumenthal's suit included the states of California, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oregon and Rhode Island, the Post reported. Separate lawsuits were also filed by Planned Parenthood and the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of the National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association.

Central to the Conscience Rule, the newspaper reports, is that it stops federal funding to any health organization -- public or private -- if it doesn't allow health professionals the right to refuse to perform or take part in any health care services they consider objectionable on ethical, moral or religious grounds.

"On the way out, the Bush administration has left a ticking political time bomb that is set to explode literally on the day of the president's [Barack Obama] inaugural and blow apart women's rights," the newspaper quotes Blumenthal as saying.

Rebecca Ayer, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), told the Post that HHS would defend its actions in court. "The department followed appropriate procedures to put the regulation in place, and the regulation is fully supported by law," the newspaper quotes her as saying.

Health Tips for January 20

Health Tip: Log Your Headache Pain

If you frequently suffer from significant headache pain, it may help to document the circumstances during which it occurs and any potential triggers.

Logging the details of your headaches could become an invaluable tool for you and your doctor.

The University of California, San Francisco Medical Center suggests what to document:

• The duration of each headache.
• How badly your head hurt, and exactly where the pain occurred.
• The day of the week and time of day that the headache occurred.
• Anything you ate or drank before the headache started.
• Activities you did before the headache began.
• Any medication, herb, or other remedy that you took for headache pain.
• How you felt during your headache, including symptoms such as nausea or seeing an aura.
• How headaches have affected your life, including any activities you are forced to miss or no longer feel like doing.

Health Tip: Health Tip: Wine Could Benefit the Heart

Excessive drinking offers no benefits whatsoever, but having a single glass of red wine each day could help the heart, the U.S. Library of Medicine says.

The flavonoids found in red wine (also in grapes and grape juice) are thought to be the heart-healthy components.

Women, however, should consume no more than one drink each day, and no more than two drinks each day for men, says the NLM, which equates a drink of wine to four ounces' worth.

Other ways to help boost heart health include getting regular exercise, eating a healthy diet, avoiding tobacco, and maintaining a proper body weight.

Health Headlines - January 19

Second Human Bird Flu Case Reported This Month in China

A second case this month in China of a human contracting a deadly form of avian flu has been reported.

According to the Associated Press, a 2-year-old girl in northern China has tested positive for the H5N1 bird flu virus, the type that health experts worry could some day mutate into a human worldwide pandemic.

The girl, from the Hunan province, is in the hospital in critical condition, the wire service reported. Her family members and others who came in close contact with her were under medical observation, the A.P. quotes Chinese officials as saying.

A 19-year-old woman died in Beijing earlier this month, after being in contact with ducks in a market, the wire service said.

The A.P. cites World Health Organization (WHO) statistics that say this strain of bird flu has killed 248 people worldwide since 2003, when it was first reported to have infected humans. Twenty-one of those deaths have been in China, with a total of 32 cases reported.

None of these cases has been found to be spread by human-to-human contact, according to WHO medical experts, but rather by close contact with different species of birds, especially poultry and fowl.

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'Conscience Rule' Gets Legal Challenge

The Conscience Rule, one of the last items on President George W. Bush's health agenda, has been challenged in U.S. District Court.

The Washington Post reports that a lawsuit was filed Jan. 15 in Connecticut by that state's attorney general, Richard Blumenthal, seeking to block a new federal regulation that protects health workers if they refuse to perform medical services to which they object. The rule went into effect in December.

Blumenthal's suit included the states of California, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oregon and Rhode Island, the Post reported. Separate lawsuits were also filed by Planned Parenthood and the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of the National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association.

Central to the Conscience Rule, the newspaper reports, is that it stops federal funding to any health organization -- public or private -- if it doesn't allow health professionals the right to refuse to perform or take part in any health care services they consider objectionable on ethical, moral or religious grounds.

"On the way out, the Bush administration has left a ticking political time bomb that is set to explode literally on the day of the president's [Barack Obama] inaugural and blow apart women's rights," the newspaper quotes Blumenthal as saying.

Rebecca Ayer, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), told the Post that HHS would defend its actions in court. "The department followed appropriate procedures to put the regulation in place, and the regulation is fully supported by law," the newspaper quotes her as saying.

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FDA Lax in Review of High-Risk Medical Devices: Report

From 2003 to 2007, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved some 228 medical devices -- some of them for sensitive uses -- without a full scale review, a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report said Thursday.

The report found that two dozen distinct types of devices -- such as metal hip joints, external defibrillators to assist heart attack victims, and electrodes for pacemakers -- were approved without close scrutiny, the Associated Press said.

Some devices approved have been recalled because of malfunctions and other problems, according to the consumer group Public Citizen. "It all adds up to less-than-rigorous device review, and it's placing tens of thousands of Americans at risk," Peter Lurie, deputy director of Public Citizen's health research group, told the news service.

While the report did not look into whether any patients were harmed as a result of the approvals, it does highlight calls for closer scrutiny of the FDA's medical device approval process, which has been subject to charges that scientists were pressured to OK some medical machinery against their professional judgment, the AP said.

In 1976, Congress established a three-tiered classification system for these devices, which include everything from tongue depressors to silicone breast implants to pacemakers, the AP said. Low-risk devices such as bandages could be cleared by notifying the FDA before going to market, while high-risk devices such as pacemakers would face tighter scrutiny. Manufacturers were required to provide evidence of safety and effectiveness, but subsequent gains in technology have increased not only the number of devices coming to market but also the number of upgraded products coming up for review, the news service said.

"In general, we agree with the conclusions and recommendations," FDA spokeswoman Karen Riley said. "We are considering legal and procedural options to accomplish this objective."

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Health Care Reform Near Top of Public's Wish List for 2009

When it comes to what the American public wants its political leaders to attack first in the coming year, health care reform is near the top of the list, a new survey shows.

As President-elect Barack Obama prepares to take office next Tuesday, researchers from the Kaiser Foundation and the Harvard School of Public Health report that finding ways to help the newly unemployed afford basic health insurance was outranked only by efforts to help businesses generate new jobs while preserving old ones as the most pressing political mandates for the future.

While improving the economy is overwhelmingly the top priority -- three-quarters of those surveyed said that should be the first business for the new Administration -- 43 percent view health care as a top concern, ranking it third just behind fighting terrorism, at 48 percent. Health care was of greater concern than reducing the federal budget deficit (39 percent), improving public schools (37 percent), working to create more clean energy sources (36 percent) and dealing with Iraq (35 percent). More than 60 percent of Americans believe that in light of the overwhelming economic problems facing the country, "it is more important than ever to take on health reform now."

"The economic crisis has created an unprecedented window of opportunity for health reform. But we are in the early happy talk stage on health reform, and the window could close if policymakers cannot move fairly quickly to take advantage of the opportunity they have," Kaiser President and CEO Drew Altman said in a news release.

A key health reform idea that draws support from both liberals and conservatives is more regulation of health insurance companies and more consumer protections.

That's not to say that members of each political party hold the same opinion on how to do that.

"We can see the framework of a winning package of health reform proposals from the public's perspective," said Robert J. Blendon, a professor of health policy and political analysis at the Harvard School of Public Health. But there are some distinct differences among partisans that will pose a challenge to policymakers, he added, "with the key split being how to pay for health care reform."

Conducted last December among a nationally representative random sample of 1,628 adults aged 18 and over, the survey involved phone interviews that were done in both English and Spanish.

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Pneumonia Vaccine for Young Children Works: CDC

A pediatric pneumonia vaccine introduced in 2000 has led to a significant drop in hospitalizations for young children with the respiratory disease, U.S. health officials reported Thursday.

In 2006, the rate of hospitalizations for pneumonia among children 2 years old or younger was 8.1 per 1,000 children -- 35 percent lower than the rate before the vaccine was introduced. This reduction means there were an estimated 36,300 fewer pneumonia hospitalizations in 2006, compared to pre-vaccine levels, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The bacteria streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) is a leading bacterial cause of childhood pneumonia, which accounts for an estimated 8 percent of all childhood hospital admissions, the CDC said.

Routine childhood immunization with the PCV7 vaccine began in 2000 and substantial declines in hospital admissions for pneumonia in young children were previously reported through 2004, the CDC said in its Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

The updated results confirm that pneumococcus is a leading cause of pneumonia in children, and they show the need for continued monitoring of the immunization program's effects on pneumonia hospitalizations among children, the CDC said.

Health Tips for January 19

Health Tip: Help Stop Thumbsucking

Many children suck their thumbs, but it can cause dental problems if children continue to suck their thumb beyond age 4.

Most children stop on their own, but continued thumbsucking could be a sign of a behavioral problem, such as anxiety or depression.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine offers these suggestions to help your child quit the habit:

• Ask your pediatrician about having your child use a thumb guard.
• Apply a bitter-tasting material on your child's thumb. But always check with the child's doctor to make sure it's safe.
• Make a deal with your child. If he or she agrees to stop sucking the thumb, offer a reward.
• Offer praise and attention when you notice that your child isn't thumbsucking.
• If your child's teeth have been affected by thumbsucking, talk to the child's dentist about what can be done to correct it.

Health Tip: Braces Basics

Braces require special care to help keep them functioning properly and prevent tooth damage.

The American Association of Orthodontists offers these suggestions for taking care of your teeth and braces:

• Brush and floss your teeth each day. Infrequent brushing can lead to more trips to the dentist or orthodontist.
• The cleaner and healthier teeth are, the faster they will move, the AAO says.
• If you play a sport, you may need to wear a mouth guard.
• Never chew on pens, pencils, erasers or fingernails.
• Stay away from foods that are very hard or crunchy, sticky or chewy.