Health News

Health News for 05/22/13

May 21, 2013

Age, Other Illnesses May Make Prostate Cancer Treatment Unnecessary

Aggressive treatment for prostate cancer may not be warranted for many older patients with underlying medical conditions, a new study finds.

Removing Tonsils Helps Kids With Sleep Apnea, Study Finds

Swollen tonsils and adenoids are a major cause of sleep apnea in children, and while removing them did not improve attention, memory or learning for these kids, it did help them with sleep, behavior and quality of life, a new study finds.

Antidepressants May Be Helpful for Some Heart Patients: Study

Use of the antidepressant Lexapro appears to help prevent a potentially serious stress-related heart condition, a new study finds.

Study Supports Using Low-Dose CT Scans to Spot Early Lung Cancer

Finding early signs of lung cancer was once next to impossible, but a new study adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting that screening with low-dose CT scans may help spot the beginnings of disease in high-risk patients.

COPD Patients May Do Fine With Shorter Course of Steroids

Less is more when it comes to steroid therapy for patients having severe bouts of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to Swiss investigators.

Student Suicide May Spur Similar Thoughts in Teens

When a classmate commits suicide, teens are more likely to consider or attempt suicide themselves, according to a new study. This "suicide contagion" occurs regardless of whether the teens knew the deceased student personally, the researchers found.

Pain a Common Problem for People With COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients experience a significant amount of pain, new research suggests.

Americans Still Making Unhealthy Choices: CDC

The overall health of Americans isn't improving much, with about six in 10 people either overweight or obese and large numbers engaging in unhealthy behaviors like smoking, heavy drinking or not exercising, a new government report shows.

Depression May Raise Low Blood Sugar Risk in Diabetics

Depression can affect almost every aspect of life, but some of the changes brought about by the disorder can be downright dangerous for those with diabetes.

Weather Worries Can Threaten a Child's Mental Health

The monstrous tornado that devastated Moore, Okla., on Monday, killing dozens of adults and children, is a stunning example of violent weather that can affect a child's mental well-being.

Sleepless Nights May Hurt School Performance of Kids With Asthma

Urban elementary school children with poorly controlled asthma are likely to experience sleep problems and suffer academically, new research indicates.

Bed-Sharing Raises SIDS Risk Fivefold, Study Finds

The risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is five times higher when parents sleep with their infant, a new study finds.

Health Highlights: May 21, 2013

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

Long-Term Use of Antibiotic May Help Those With COPD

Thousands of Americans, many of them smokers or ex-smokers, suffer from the lung condition known as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Now a new study finds that patients placed on the common antibiotic azithromycin may be able to cut down on hospitalizations due to flare-ups of the disease.

Racial Disparities Seen in U.S. Lung Cancer Treatment

Racial disparities exist in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer among hospitals in the United States, according to a large new study.

Genes May Boost Woman's Risk of Postpartum Depression

Pregnant women with specific alterations in two genes may be at increased risk of suffering depression after giving birth, a small new study suggests.

Health Tip: Run Smart, Run Safe

The next time you go for a run or jog, staying safe should be your first concern.

Health Tip: Possible Causes of Dry Eye

You produce tears to help keep your eyes moist and protected from irritants. But dry eye can make your eyes vulnerable and uncomfortable.