Health News

Health News for 07/12/11

July 12, 2011

Health Tip: Insufficient Sleep Can Be Dangerous

A good night's sleep does much more than help you stay awake through a long day. It actually helps protect your health.

Health Tip: Understanding Dyslexia

Dyslexia, also called developmental reading disorder, is a condition in which the brain doesn't correctly process certain images, such as numbers and letters, says the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM). It's caused by a problem with the region of the brain that processes language and it hampers a child's ability to read.

Older Women at Greater Risk for Common STD, Study Suggests

The sexually transmitted disease trichomoniasis may be much more common among older women than those in their 20s, and researchers are recommending routine screening for sexually active women aged 40 and older.

Bladder Cancer Patients Not Getting Recommended Care: Study

Most patients with a certain type of bladder cancer don't get the recommended treatments, which greatly increases their risk of experiencing a recurrence of their disease, researchers say.

Individualizing Care Could Save Money, Experts Say

Cost-effectiveness is becoming an increasingly important aspect of medical treatment, and two researchers have found that individualizing therapies to smaller groups of patients may be one way to help control costs.

Tool to Spot Lung Infections in Cystic Fibrosis Patients Called Not Worth It

Using an invasive procedure to diagnosis lung infections in infants with cystic fibrosis does not improve their long-term outcomes, a new study finds.

Bed Sores Afflict More Blacks in Nursing Homes Than Whites: Study

Among nursing home residents at high risk for bed sores, black patients are more likely than whites to develop the potentially serious condition.

Contact Allergies Associated With Lower Rates of Some Cancers

The immune systems of people with contact allergies may be primed to protect against certain types of cancer, including breast and brain cancers, new research suggests.

Bettering Social Status Lowers High Blood Pressure Risk

Upward social mobility appears to help reduce the risk of high blood pressure in people who were born into poor or disadvantaged situations, according to a new study.

Physical Activity Levels Linked to Employment Status

People's employment status has an impact on how physically active they are during the workweek, but men and women are affected differently, new research shows.

Alzheimer's Brain Protein Scanning Moves Forward

The use of brain scans to diagnose Alzheimer's disease may have just taken a small step forward.

Family History of Cancer Needs to Be Updated as You Age

Family history remains one of the best ways to identify people at high risk for breast, prostate and colon cancer, and now new research suggests that updating your doctor between ages 30 and 50 about any close relatives who develop these cancers may lead to lifesaving changes in how and when you are screened.

Scientists Spot Possible Target in Ovarian Cancer

Researchers seeking a way to beat cancer have found that a particular gene, known as PAX8, is altered in a significant number of ovarian tumors, according to a new study.

Soaring Temps Can Pose Serious Health Risks

Scorching heat and oppressive humidity continued to grip much of the United States Tuesday, with temperatures exceeding 90 degrees -- and in some cases 100 degrees -- from the Southwest to the Northeast.

Health Highlights: July 12, 2011

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

More U.S. Men Die From Cancer Than Women: Study

Men in the United States are much more likely than women to die of cancer, a new report from the U.S. National Cancer Institute found.

Dental Care for Kids on Medicaid Varies by Fees Each State Sets

Low reimbursements to dentists from Medicaid make getting dental care difficult for children and adolescents covered by the government health plan, new research suggests.