Health News

Health News for 11/15/10

November 15, 2010

Health Tip: Identify Symptoms of Cirrhosis

Cirrhosis, often the result of a viral disease or chronic alcoholism, occurs when liver cells are damaged and cannot fix themselves.

Health Tip: Understanding Risk Factors for Gangrene

Gangrene occurs when a portion of bodily tissue dies due to lack of blood supply to the area.

When Romance and Allergies Don't Mix

The course of true love may not run smoothly for some people with highly sensitive allergies, experts say, since kissing or other intimate contact can pose risks for sometimes serious reactions.

Among Cell-Phone Junkies, Rash on the Rise

If you're an incessant cell phone user and a mysterious rash appears along your jaw, cheek or ear, chances are you're allergic to nickel, a metal commonly used in cell phones.

Video Games Not Harmful to Most Teens: Study

Most teens who play video games don't fall into unhealthy behaviors, but an "addicted" minority may be more likely to smoke, use drugs, fight or become depressed, a new Yale University study suggests.

Multifocal Contact Lens Not Ideal for Night Driving

People who wear multifocal contact lenses have more difficulty driving at night than those who wear glasses, a new study finds.

For Some, Care May Be Withdrawn Too Soon After Cardiac Arrest

For people stricken with sudden cardiac arrest, doctors often resort to a brain-protecting "cooling" of the body, a procedure called therapeutic hypothermia.

CPR Guidelines May Lower Out-of-Hospital Death Rate

When implemented, the American Heart Association's 2005 guidelines on cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can dramatically boost survival rates among people being treated outside a hospital setting, according to an expert report.

Study Urges Teens to Cut Down on Salt

Teens who eat less salt lower their long-term risk for high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke, new research indicates.

Vitamin D Shortage Not Tied to Stroke Deaths in Blacks: Study

New research suggests that vitamin D deficiency does not boost stroke death rates among black patients, even though it appears to double the risk for whites.

Death of Loved One May Trigger Elevated Heart Rate

In the months following the death of a spouse or a child, the surviving spouse or parent may face a higher risk of heart attack or sudden cardiac death due to an increased heart rate, new research suggests.

Cholesterol on Eyelids Might Point to Heart Risk

Could cholesterol deposits on or around people's eyelids help doctors assess cardiovascular risk?

Pacemakers May Help Predict Strokes

Doctors may be able to monitor stroke risk in pacemaker recipients by tracking the incidence of a type of irregular heartbeat called atrial fibrillation, new research suggests.

Warfarin Patients Often Unaware of Risks from Herbs, Supplement Use

Warfarin patients who use herbal and dietary supplements are often unaware that combining them with the blood thinner may make it ineffective and even dangerous, new research suggests.

School Programs for Cardiac Arrest Saving Lives

MONDAY, Nov. 15 (HealthDay News) --School-based programs that teach CPR and the proper use of automated external defibrillators (AED) boost survival rates from sudden cardiac arrest, new research reveals.

Universal Health Care May Lessen Income's Impact on Heart Disease

In Australia, where universal health care is available to all, heart disease is not much more prevalent among poor citizens than it is among the rich, a new study has found.

Having Relative With Atrial Fibrillation Raises Own Risk

People who have a first-degree relative with atrial fibrillation are at increased risk themselves for the potentially deadly heart rhythm disorder, a new study finds.

Brain Organizes Itself for Introspection as Children Age: Study

As children mature, increased synchronization between specific areas of the brain alter how they view themselves and others, a new study suggests.

Device Improves Survival of Heart Failure Patients: Study

Canadian researchers report that an implantable device called a resynchronization therapy-defibrillator helps keep the left side of the heart pumping properly, extending the life of heart failure patients.

Early 'Pot' Use May Harm Brain More: Study

People who started smoking marijuana at a young age did much worse on tests of executive brain function than those who started smoking when they were older, a new study shows.

Antibody Linked to Allergies on the Rise

It's a common belief that as you get older, your allergy symptoms will wane, but a new study suggests it's possible that even more older people will be experiencing allergies than ever before.

For Teens With Autism, Handwriting Problems May Persist

Poor handwriting among children with autism tends to persist well into the teen years, a new study finds.

Minneapolis Study Points to Sharp Drop in Smoking Rates

The Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul saw a sharp decline in the number of adult smokers over the last three decades, perhaps mirroring trends elsewhere in the United States, experts say.

Omega-3 Supplements Won't Fight Irregular Heartbeat

Omega-3 fatty acid supplements don't cut back on recurrences of atrial fibrillation, a type of irregular heartbeat that can cause stroke, new research suggests.

Stressful Jobs May Raise Women's Heart Attack Risk, Study Finds

Women who have taxing jobs with little control over their busy days are at higher risk for heart attacks or the need for coronary bypass surgery, new research suggests.

A Little Alcohol May Help the Heart: Studies

Moderate drinking may be good for your health -- better, in fact, than not drinking at all, according to a trio of studies presented Sunday at the American Heart Association annual meeting in Chicago.

External Defibrillators Not Much Help in Hospitals

Although automated external defibrillators have been found to reduce heart attack death rates in public places such as restaurants, malls and airplanes, they have no benefit and, paradoxically, seem to increase the risk of death when used in hospitals, a new study suggests.

Health Highlights: Nov. 15, 2010

Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by the editors of HealthDay:

New Blood Thinner a Promising Alternative to Warfarin

A new blood thinner might be a viable alternative to warfarin (Coumadin), the standard for decades to treat patients with the dangerous heart rhythm disorder known as atrial fibrillation.

Clinical Trials Update: Nov. 15, 2010

Here are the latest clinical trials, courtesy of ClinicalConnection.com:

Vyvanse Approved for Adolescent ADHD

Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate) capsules have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) among adolescents aged 13 to 17, maker Shire Pharmaceuticals said Monday.

Sponges, Surgical Tools Sometimes Left in Kids After Operation

It rarely happens, but that's little comfort for those involved: Sometimes surgical instruments and sponges are left inside children undergoing surgery, according to researchers from Johns Hopkins University.

Steep Co-Pays May Cause Some to Abandon Prescriptions

In these tough economic times, even people with health insurance are leaving prescription medications at the pharmacy because of high co-payments.

Few Make Lifestyle Changes that Could Keep Their Heart Healthy

New research shows that few Americans make the simple lifestyle changes that experts say could prevent most cases of heart disease.

Halaven Approved for Late-Stage Breast Cancer

Halaven (eribulin mesylate) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat metastatic (spreading) breast cancer among people who have had at least two prior chemotherapy treatments for late-stage disease.