A service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine 
National Institutes of Health
Health news from HealthDay and Reuters Health Information, plus recent press announcements from major medical organizations.
Preventing Blood Clots
Thursday, May 24
Thursday, May 24
Preventing Blood Clots
(HealthDay)
(HealthDay)Related MedlinePlus Topics: Blood Thinners, Deep Vein Thrombosis
Wednesday, May 23
But results of one small trial do not change clinical practice, expert says
Related MedlinePlus Topics: Blood Thinners, Deep Vein Thrombosis
Breast MRI Best at Tracking Response to Chemo (HealthDay)
It was better than clinical exam in determining if treatment was working before breast cancer surgery
Related MedlinePlus Topics: Breast Cancer, MRI Scans
Calcium Supplements May Be Bad for Your Heart (HealthDay)
Review says getting mineral from food is safer, but expert disagrees
Related MedlinePlus Topics: Calcium, Heart Attack
Study found some cope through physical, emotional distance as sadness becomes too much
Sooner is better, but window for using tPA may be longer than thought, study suggests
Related MedlinePlus Topics: Blood Thinners, Stroke
By age 3, Caesarean babies are more likely to be overweight, researchers found
Related MedlinePlus Topics: Cesarean Section, Obesity in Children
Health Tip: Avoiding Gluten (HealthDay)
A key task if you have celiac disease
Related MedlinePlus Topic: Celiac Disease
Health Tip: What Triggers Your Migraines? (HealthDay)
Lack of sleep is a common contributor
Related MedlinePlus Topic: Migraine
Long-Term Contraception More Effective Than Pills (Reuters Health)
A large real-life test of birth control methods found more U.S. women got pregnant while using short-acting methods such as pills, patches and vaginal rings -- and the failure rate was highest when they were used by women under 21.
Related MedlinePlus Topic: Birth Control
Use of drugs such as Tylenol, Percocet can exceed recommended daily dose, study finds
Related MedlinePlus Topics: Health Facilities, Pain Relievers
These systems coordinate emergency medical services and hospitals to speed patient care
Related MedlinePlus Topics: Emergency Medical Services, Heart Attack
Instilling a 'culture of care' can help, researchers say
Related MedlinePlus Topic: Nursing Homes
Study Shows How Immune Cells Change Wiring of the Developing Mouse Brain (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)
(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)Too Many People Get Angioplasties, Study Suggests (Reuters Health)
One out of every seven patients having a non-emergency angioplasty to clear a clogged artery in the heart didn't meet criteria for needing the procedure, in a new study from New York.
Related MedlinePlus Topic: Angioplasty
5 Surprising Summer Allergies… (HealthDay)
(HealthDay)Related MedlinePlus Topic: Allergy
Tuesday, May 22
Asthma Meds May Be Linked to Irregular Heartbeat (HealthDay)
Early study found more arrhythmias in young people on certain inhalers
These products could provide a target for regulation, researchers say
Related MedlinePlus Topics: Dietary Supplements, Liver Diseases
Colonoscopy May Detect Curable Cancer in Elderly (HealthDay)
Screening should be offered to healthy seniors who haven't been tested before, researchers say
Related MedlinePlus Topics: Colonoscopy, Seniors' Health
Death Rate Drops Among Americans with Diabetes-CDC (Reuters Health)
A 40 percent decline in the death rate of diabetic American adults from heart disease and strokes is a sign that patients are taking better care of themselves and receiving improved treatment, according to a government study released on Tuesday.
Related MedlinePlus Topics: Diabetes, Health Statistics
Do Bald Men Face Higher Risk of Prostate Cancer? (HealthDay)
Study finding is preliminary, and men with full heads of hair may still have equal risk
Related MedlinePlus Topics: Hair Loss, Prostate Cancer
FDA-Led Research Team Discovers an Autoimmune Mechanism for Serious Drug-induced Adverse Reactions (Food and Drug Administration)
Folic Acid Tied to Lower Child Cancer Risks (Reuters Health)
Rates of two rare childhood cancers declined after the U.S. began requiring grain products to be fortified with the B vitamin folic acid, a new study finds.
Related MedlinePlus Topics: Cancer in Children, Folic Acid
Health Tip: Eat a Healthy Diet When Nursing (HealthDay)
Include drinking plenty of fluids
Related MedlinePlus Topics: Breast Feeding, Nutrition
Health Tip: Take a Walk! (HealthDay)
But make sure you don't overdo it
Related MedlinePlus Topic: Exercise and Physical Fitness
Heart Disease and Stroke Deaths Drop Significantly for People with Diabetes (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
An additional 300,000 Americans could develop advanced liver disease from the virus by 2015
Related MedlinePlus Topics: Health Statistics, Hepatitis C
Injury-Linked Deaths Vary Widely Among States (HealthDay)
Report finds too few states require proven safety policies that would save lives
Related MedlinePlus Topics: Health Statistics, Injuries
Many Babies with Development Delays May Go Untreated (Reuters Health)
About one out of every three infants who scores well below average on a test of developmental skills -- and is therefore considered at a high risk of having delays -- does not get referred to early intervention services, according to a new study.
Related MedlinePlus Topic: Developmental Disabilities
New guidelines on prostate cancer screening don't supersede physician-patient relationship, experts note
Related MedlinePlus Topics: Laboratory Tests, Prostate Cancer
Type 2 disease linked with higher risk of precancerous lesions in those 40 to 49, study finds
Related MedlinePlus Topics: Colonic Polyps, Diabetes Type 2
Mom's Excess Pounds Key in Newborn Weight (Reuters Health)
For at least some moms-to-be, it's extra body fat -- and not blood sugar levels -- that may be key to their risk of having a big baby, a study published Tuesday suggests.
Related MedlinePlus Topics: Diabetes and Pregnancy, Obesity
No Progress in Reducing U.S. Motorcycle Deaths (HealthDay)
Recommendations include more helmet use, encouraging all drivers to share the road
Related MedlinePlus Topic: Motor Vehicle Safety
Patients Prefer More Invasive Form of Colon Scan (HealthDay)
They reported less pain with traditional colonoscopy than with 'virtual' imaging procedure
Related MedlinePlus Topics: Colonoscopy, CT Scans
Scientists Turn Skin Cells Into Beating Heart Muscle (Reuters Health)
Scientists have for the first time succeeded in taking skin cells from patients with heart failure and transforming them into healthy, beating heart tissue that could one day be used to treat the condition.
Related MedlinePlus Topic: Heart Failure
Sleep Apnea 'Mask' Might Also Help the Heart (HealthDay)
CPAP treatment was tied to lowered odds for high blood pressure, study found
Related MedlinePlus Topics: High Blood Pressure, Sleep Apnea
Sleepwalking Nation (HealthDay)
(HealthDay)Related MedlinePlus Topic: Sleep Disorders
Spider-Phobes May Get Quick Relief (HealthDay)
Single therapy session produced significant benefits, study says
Related MedlinePlus Topic: Phobias
Findings may help doctors diagnose and treat these problems, expert says
U.S. Liver Transplants Declining (HealthDay)
Some livers available for transplant are discarded because they're not healthy enough, study finds
Related MedlinePlus Topic: Liver Transplantation
U.S. Says Drug Abuse Needs Treatment, Not Just Jail (Reuters Health)
The United States sees drug abuse as a public health problem as much as a crime issue and is seeking to learn from countries in Europe and elsewhere about how to treat addiction as a disease, Barack Obama's drugs policy chief said on Tuesday.
Related MedlinePlus Topic: Drug Abuse
Monday, May 21
Concentrated Saline Therapy Not Effective in Young Children with Cystic Fibrosis (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute)
(National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute)Study didn't prove that weight loss lowers risk, but it did cut estrogen, which may help older women
Health Tip: Comforting Baby's Pain (HealthDay)
Direct contact may distract from the hurt
Related MedlinePlus Topics: Infant and Newborn Care, Pain
Health Tip: Use Proper Form When Running (HealthDay)
For starters, hit the ground with your heel
Related MedlinePlus Topic: Sports Safety
Hunter-Gatherers and Horticulturalist Lifestyle Linked to Lower Blood Pressure Increases, Atherosclerosis Risks (American Heart Association)
Keeping Your Family Safe from Dog Bites (HealthDay)
Medical, veterinary experts offer prevention tips
Related MedlinePlus Topics: Animal Bites, Pet Health
Managing Stress (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
May Is High Blood Pressure Education Month (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Bisphosphonates used for osteoporosis raise risk of rare fractures over time, study says
Not All ICUs Need a Specialist at Night (Reuters Health)
Among hospital intensive care units (ICUs) with a daytime physician specially trained in critical care, adding a specialist to cover the night shift does not improve patients' survival, according to a new study.
Study says they also were in the later stages, had more aggressive disease at diagnosis
Related MedlinePlus Topics: Obesity, Thyroid Cancer
"Pre-Diabetes," Diabetes Rising Among U.S. Teens (Reuters Health)
The percentage of U.S. teenagers with "pre-diabetes" or full-blown type 2 diabetes has more than doubled in recent years -- though obesity and other heart risk factors have held steady, government researchers reported Monday.
But it's not appropriate for most people, researchers say
Sleep Apnea Linked to Higher Cancer Death Risk (HealthDay)
Cancer compensates, spreads in search for oxygen, researcher suggests
Related MedlinePlus Topics: Cancer, Sleep Apnea
Staying Healthy on a Cruise (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Study Finds Sigmoidoscopy Reduces Colorectal Cancer Rates (National Cancer Institute)
(National Cancer Institute)Study Shows Poor Quality Malaria Drugs Pose Threat (Fogarty International Center)
(Fogarty International Center)Children aged 4 to 10 were at particular risk from exposure
Sudden Cardiac Death Higher in Men with Slower Electrical Impulses through Heart (American Heart Association)
Task Force Recommends Against Routine Prostate Cancer Screening (American Cancer Society)
But researchers say it's not clear how they're linked
The TV Diet (HealthDay)
(HealthDay)Related MedlinePlus Topics: Child Nutrition, Parenting
Tired Surgical Residents May Up Error Risk (Reuters Health)
A small study suggests surgeons in training are still tired enough to raise their risk of making significant errors, despite new guidelines limiting their work hours.
Related MedlinePlus Topics: Health Occupations, Patient Safety
Vigorous Exercise Might Keep Psoriasis at Bay (HealthDay)
But only intense activities seemed to lower risk in large study of women
Related MedlinePlus Topics: Exercise and Physical Fitness, Psoriasis
Friday, May 18
Antibiotics Prevent Urinary Tract Infections Better Than Probiotics (Reuters Health)
Antibiotics are still better than probiotics at preventing urinary tract infections, but at least "good bacteria" don't add to a person's antibiotic resistance, a new study concludes.
'Bad' Fat May Hurt Brain Function Over Time (HealthDay)
But researchers report that 'good' fat may help preserve thinking and memory
California Teens Eat Fewer Calories in School (Reuters Health)
High school kids in California, a state that limits the junk food sold in vending machines, eat fewer calories in school than kids in states without such regulations, according to a new study.
Inflammation of tissue lining the esophagus could be the cause, study says
Related MedlinePlus Topics: Esophageal Cancer, GERD
Diabetes Can Take a Toll on Your Emotions (HealthDay)
And this psychological component may make it harder to control the blood-sugar disorder, experts say
Related MedlinePlus Topics: Depression, Diabetes
Fish Oil Shows Little Effect on Tourette's Tics (Reuters Health)
Some parents swear by fish oil as a treatment for the "tics" caused by Tourette's disorder, but so far the research evidence is slim.
Related MedlinePlus Topics: Dietary Fats, Tourette Syndrome
Health Tip: Keep Cloth Grocery Totes Clean (HealthDay)
Wash them frequently to kill germs
Health Tip: Log Migraine Details in a Diary (HealthDay)
Including the day, time and duration
Related MedlinePlus Topic: Migraine
Healthy Dieting in Pregnancy May Be Helpful (HealthDay)
Review found fewer excess pounds and complications with healthy diet vs. exercise
Related MedlinePlus Topic: Pregnancy and Nutrition
Lose Weight, Lose a Risk (HealthDay)
(HealthDay)Melanoma a Big Threat to Older Men (HealthDay)
They're less likely than women to take sun precautions and check for growths, survey results show
U.S. service members no more likely to divorce than civilians, researchers say
Related MedlinePlus Topics: Divorce, Veterans and Military Family Health
One-Third of U.S. Homeless Population Is Obese (HealthDay)
They may rely on cheap, fattening foods to fill up, researchers say
Related MedlinePlus Topics: Homeless Health Concerns, Obesity
Test Baby Boomers for Hepatitis C, Says CDC (HealthDay)
Undetected disease can lead to cirrhosis, liver cancer, agency notes
Thursday, May 17
Athletes Really Do Play Through the Pain (HealthDay)
Study finds endurance and 'game athletes' have higher tolerance for pain than the rest of us
Related MedlinePlus Topics: Pain, Sports Injuries
Being Obese May Make Job Search Tougher (HealthDay)
'Employers' in study unknowingly rated same women higher after weight-loss surgery
Related MedlinePlus Topic: Obesity
Benefits of Widespread Statin Use Outweigh Risks (HealthDay)
Even among low-risk patients, cholesterol meds may slash risk for vascular event
Breastfed Babies May Gain Less Weight (Reuters Health)
Babies who are fed milk from their mothers' breasts gain less weight over their first year compared to babies fed milk -- breast or formula -- from a bottle, suggests a new study.
Related MedlinePlus Topics: Breast Feeding, Infant and Newborn Development, Infant and Newborn Nutrition
Swimming lessons can help protect toddlers, experts say
Related MedlinePlus Topics: Drowning, Water Safety (Recreational)
FDA Approves Generic Versions of Plavix (HealthDay)
Price of widely used blood thinner should drop for heart patients
Related MedlinePlus Topic: Blood Thinners
FDA Statement Regarding Azithromycin (Zithromax) and the Risk of Cardiovascular Death (Food and Drug Administration)
Fewer Girls Completing All Three HPV Shots (Reuters Health)
Among girls and women who get their first human papillomavirus, or HPV, vaccine, the percent who complete all three doses is dropping, according to a new study.
Related MedlinePlus Topics: Childhood Immunization, HPV
Fewer Young Americans Smoking, Survey Finds (HealthDay)
Rates have dropped since 2004, but 1 in 12 teens, one-third of young adults still light up
Related MedlinePlus Topics: Smoking, Smoking and Youth
Health spa practice is highly unhealthy, study reports
Related MedlinePlus Topics: Bacterial Infections, Foot Health
Genetic Test Results Do Not Trigger Increased Use of Health Services (National Human Genome Research Institute)
(National Human Genome Research Institute)Health Tip: Avoid Cross-Contaminating Food (HealthDay)
Store and handle different edibles separately
Related MedlinePlus Topic: Food Safety
Health Tip: Get the Most from Your Nap (HealthDay)
Don't sleep for more than 30 minutes
Related MedlinePlus Topic: Sleep Disorders
Restricting eating hours didn't cut calorie intake, yet the animals gained less weight
Related MedlinePlus Topic: Weight Control
'See no needle' may be good advice, researchers say
Many Pregnant Women May Not Get STD Tests (Reuters Health)
Despite recommendations that pregnant women have tests for certain sexually transmitted diseases, many may not be getting them, a new study suggests.
Related MedlinePlus Topics: Health Problems in Pregnancy, Prenatal Testing, Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Experts stress that information needs to be passed on after cancer treatment ends
Related MedlinePlus Topics: Cancer Chemotherapy, Talking With Your Doctor
NIH Study Finds That Coffee Drinkers Have Lower Risk of Death (National Cancer Institute)
(National Cancer Institute)But some disagree with researchers' conclusions
Related MedlinePlus Topic: Occupational Health
Many sleep in the same room or bed as their child because of worries about nighttime seizures
Sex, Age May Affect Athletes' Concussion Recovery (Reuters Health)
Female and high school athletes may need more time to recover from a concussion than their male or college counterparts, a new study finds.
Related MedlinePlus Topics: Concussion, Sports Injuries
Study Explores Distraction's Role in Pain Relief (HealthDay)
It found mental focus, bodily reactions work together
Related MedlinePlus Topic: Pain
Study Unpicks Gene Changes Behind Breast Cancer (Reuters Health)
Scientists have mapped the complete genetic codes of 21 breast cancers and created a catalogue of the mutations that accumulate in breast cells, raising hopes that the disease may be able to be spotted earlier and treated more effectively in future.
Related MedlinePlus Topics: Breast Cancer, Genes and Gene Therapy
Sun Safety: Save Your Skin! (Food and Drug Administration)
(Food and Drug Administration)Related MedlinePlus Topic: Sun Exposure
Toddler Threats (HealthDay)
(HealthDay)Related MedlinePlus Topics: Injuries, Toddler Health
Wednesday, May 16
CDC Lowers Lead-Poisoning Threshold for Kids (HealthDay)
Cutting the safe blood level of the metal in children is long overdue, advocates say
Related MedlinePlus Topics: Child Safety, Lead Poisoning
Some show subtle developmental delays, study finds
Related MedlinePlus Topics: Autism, Child Development
Education Is Key to Health (HealthDay)
Along with poverty, less schooling linked to more chronic disease, disability and shorter life
Related MedlinePlus Topic: Health Disparities
Genetic Test May Spot Raised Autism Risk (HealthDay)
Geared toward siblings of kids with the disorder, but experts question precision of the exam
Related MedlinePlus Topics: Autism, Genetic Testing
Some football, hockey players show postseason decline, study finds
Health Tip: When Physical Therapy Ends (HealthDay)
Don't neglect exercise
Related MedlinePlus Topics: Exercise and Physical Fitness, Rehabilitation
Health Tip: When Should I Wash My Hands? (HealthDay)
When preparing food and at other times
Related MedlinePlus Topic: Germs and Hygiene
Higher Education and Income Levels Key to Better Health (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Researchers say pediatricians also don't feel knowledgeable enough to guide families on treatments
NIH-Funded Research Provides New Clues on How ApoE4 Affects Alzheimer's Risk (National Institute on Aging, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)
(National Institute on Aging, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)Study found greater odds of developing atrial fibrillation
Related MedlinePlus Topics: Atrial Fibrillation, High Blood Pressure
Paralyzed Individuals Use Thought-Controlled Robotic Arm to Reach and Grasp (National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)
(National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)Retirement Savings (HealthDay)
(HealthDay)Revealing Brain Damage from Battlefield to Playing Field (Reuters Health)
Traumatic brain injury, the signature wound of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, is doubly cruel: it leaves many victims emotionally shattered and cognitively crippled. But because mild and moderate brain injuries do not show up on CT or other imaging, doctors and even family members are often skeptical that any real damage exists.
Some People Really Might Have 'Gaydar' (HealthDay)
If so, recognition of gay women is more accurate, study suggests
Related MedlinePlus Topic: Gay, Lesbian and Transgender Health
But the finding for azithromycin needs to be confirmed, expert says
Related MedlinePlus Topics: Antibiotics, Heart Diseases
Small number of Tysabri users develop rare but potentially fatal infection
Sunscreen Remains a Safe, Effective Form of Sun Protection (American Academy of Dermatology)
'Superbug' then spreads to regional facilities, Scottish study suggests
Related MedlinePlus Topics: Health Facilities, MRSA
U.S. Bests Canada, Europe in Drug Approvals (HealthDay)
Yale research shows FDA ahead of other regulators in the approval process
Related MedlinePlus Topics: Drug Safety, Medicines