Health News

Health News for 03/26/12

March 26, 2012

Health Tip: Watch for Choking Hazards

Once your baby starts eating solid food, it's important to avoid offering the child possible choking hazards.

Supreme Court Prepares to Tackle Affordable Care Act

The most ambitious government health-care initiative since the Medicare and Medicaid programs of the 1960s, and the legislative landmark of President Barack Obama's presidency, is about to face its biggest challenge.

Health Tip: Why You Need Aerobic Exercise

Aerobic exercise, also called cardiovascular exercise, helps improve your heart and lung health. Examples include walking, running, swimming, biking and hiking.

Legal Experts See a Close Win for Health-Reform Law

The U.S. Supreme Court seems likely to uphold the sweeping health-reform legislation known as the Affordable Care Act when it takes up the case next week, according to a small survey of legal experts.

Medicaid Expansion Is a Key Part of Affordable Care Act

The Medicaid program is bracing for an expansion that will bring an estimated 16 million more Americans into the health-care safety net, as required by the Affordable Care Act.

Analysts Debate Importance of the 'Individual Mandate' to Health-Reform Law

When the U.S. Supreme Court hears challenges to the national health-reform law starting Monday, it will then have to decide if the federal government has the authority to insist that people buy health insurance.

Don't Forget to Eat Your Fruits, Veggies ... and Popcorn?

Want a healthy snack? Consider passing the popcorn. A new study says the whole-grain treat contains more of the "good for you" antioxidants called polyphenols than some fruits or vegetables.

Few Young Women With Cancer Take Steps to Preserve Fertility

Very few young women with cancer take measures to preserve their fertility while undergoing cancer treatment, a new study says.

Bacteria From Mouth Can Lead to Heart Inflammation: Study

A type of bacteria from the mouth can cause blood clots and lead to serious heart problems if it enters the bloodstream, a new study indicates.

People With Autism May Be Better at Processing Information

People with autism have an enhanced ability to process information, which may explain the apparently higher-than-average percentage of people with autism who work in the information technology industry, British researchers say.

CT Scans Can Spot Heart Trouble Fast

Most people who go to the emergency room with chest pain aren't having a heart attack, but it can take hours or days to make a definitive diagnosis.

1 in 5 Pharmacies Hinders Teens' Access to 'Morning-After' Pill: Study

Nearly one in five U.S. pharmacies gave out misinformation to researchers posing as 17-year-old girls seeking emergency contraception, often saying that it was "impossible" for girls to get the pill, a new study finds.

Bed-Sharing, Smoking Play Role in Sudden Infant Death

Although the rate of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) dropped by more than 50 percent following the start of a U.S. campaign encouraging parents to put babies to sleep on their backs, new research suggests that risk factors other than "tummy sleeping" may explain why SIDS rates have not declined further.

Low-Dose Daily Aspirin Enough to Help Heart Attack Patients: Study

Heart attack patients who take either a high or low dose of aspirin daily have the same level of protection against another heart attack or other cardiovascular events such as stroke, according to a new study.

Stem-Cell Trial Failed to Treat Heart Failure

An innovative approach using patients' own bone marrow cells to treat chronic heart failure came up short in terms of effectiveness, researchers report.

Should Cystic Fibrosis Patients Get So Many Antibiotics?

Antibiotics can prolong cystic fibrosis patients' lives, but the drugs also help treatment-resistant bacteria thrive in their lungs, a new, small study suggests.

Showing Patients Images of Their Clogged Arteries a Powerful Wake-Up Call

Showing patients with clogged arteries evidence of their condition makes them more likely to stick with treatments such as weight loss and cholesterol-lowering statins, two related studies found.

Could Soy Help Lower Your Blood Pressure?

Isoflavones -- a compound found in foods such as soy milk, green tea, tofu and peanuts -- may help lower blood pressure in young adults, new research suggests.

'Freezing' Secondary Breast Cancer Tumors Shows Promise

In a small and preliminary study, researchers report that they successfully froze secondary tumors in patients with incurable breast cancer.

Both Too Little and Too Much Sleep Bad for the Heart: Study

When it comes to what's best for their hearts, people walk a fine line between getting too much and too little sleep, a new study suggests.

Low 'Bad' Cholesterol Levels May Be Linked to Cancer Risk

There may be a link between low levels of "bad" low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and increased cancer risk, according to new research.

Clot-buster Drug Injection Might Help Some Heart Attack Patients

Injecting a clot-busting drug directly into a blood clot caused by a certain kind of heart attack seems to save more heart muscle than extracting the clot does, a new study shows.

Weight-Loss Surgeries May Beat Standard Treatments for Diabetes

A new international analysis comparing weight-loss procedures to standard diabetes treatments contends that surgery is more effective at helping people combat type 2 diabetes.

Does Chocolate Help You Stay Slim?

Here's a sweet surprise for chocoholics: A new study finds that people who eat chocolate regularly are somewhat skinnier than folks who don't indulge their sweet tooth.

Ob/Gyn Visit a Good Time to Screen for Heart Disease: Study

Women should be screened for heart disease -- a leading cause of death among women in the United States -- during routine visits to obstetrics and gynecology clinics, a new study suggests.

Health Highlights: March 26, 2012

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

Teen Girl Drivers Likelier to Use Electronic Devices: Study

MONDAY, March 26 (HealthDay News) --Teen girls are twice as likely as boys to use cellphones and other electronic devices while driving, according to researchers who analyzed in-car video clips of American teen drivers' behavior.

Too Much Sitting Can Kill You, Study Suggests

For better health, try standing up more, a new study suggests. Those who spend 11 or more hours a day sitting are 40 percent more likely to die over the next three years regardless of how physically active they are otherwise, researchers say.

Supreme Court Begins Review of Affordable Care Act

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday began its review of the constitutionality of the controversial and massive health-reform initiative known as the Affordable Care Act. And the justices gave every indication that a little-known 19th century tax law wouldn't keep them from hearing the case.

New Injection Might Lower Tough-to-Treat Cholesterol

Researchers report that injections of a novel "monoclonal antibody" lowered LDL cholesterol levels in patients with high cholesterol by as much as 72 percent.