In a move sure to stir controversy, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommended on Monday that a more aggressive approach to treating high cholesterol in children should be implemented, even if it means prescribing …
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Although rare, melanoma is one of the easiest forms of cancer for an individual to detect on his or her own. After all, it’s a form of skin cancer and can be easily seen by …
Beginning January 1, 2010, every plastic baby bottle and children’s sippy cup manufactured for the entire state of Minnesota will be free of bisphenol-A (BPA), the chemical that mimics the effects of estrogen and risks …
Two deaths in Delaware are linked to the premixed intravenous (IV) bags of heparin administered to them in recent days. A third patient suffered adverse effects, too, but has survived the ordeal, according to Erin …
Two years ago, Andrew Speaker gained worldwide attention when his wedding travels took him to several countries, in spite of the fact he was warned not to travel at all because he had just been …
In an about-face to their stance during the Clinton Administration, leaders of the nation’s healthcare industry have promised to cut prices in response to the Obama Administration’s vow to resolve the healthcare crisis and make …
On May 10, HBO began airing a four-part documentary series on Alzheimer’s disease. Maria Shriver, First Lady of California and a member of the Kennedy family, is co-executive producer of “The Alzheimer’s Project.” Her father, …
Young adults between the ages of 23 and 35 who have served time behind bars are more likely to develop high blood pressure and enlarged hearts than their peers who’ve never faced prison time. According …
At ages 2 and 4, autistic toddlers are more likely to have an abnormality of the amygdala, a part of the brain associated with facial recognition and emotion. This enlargement of the amygdala is in …
As US lawmakers become more deeply entrenched in negotiations to devise a public healthcare plan that will provide fair and effective health insurance coverage to all Americans, including the 50 million Americans now without any …
Monday, May 4, marks a new beginning for 57-year-old Jeff Kepner. He is the first person in the United States to receive a double hand transplant in just one 9-hour operation. The Augusta, Georgia, man …
Adolescents »
Childhood cancer survivors are at high risk for multiple tumors as they age
(MedHeadlines) - Findings from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study led by St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital investigators identify new cancer risks when survivors become adults; underscore the importance of regular cancer screenings.
The largest study yet of …
Alternative Medicine »
Americans Embrace Alternative Medicines, Especially for Pain
Close to 38% of the adult American population turns to complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) for treating what ails them and a growing number of parents allow their children to use them, too, according to …
Asthma »
Students Successfully ‘Kickin’ Asthma’ in Oakland Schools
The Oakland Unified School District educates 42,000 students, a good many of whom struggle with the energy-zapping symptoms of asthma. Its urban location and high number of low-income students made the Oakland school district a …
Breast Cancer »
Mammography screening reduces breast cancer mortality
(MedHeadlines) – Breast cancer screening with mammography results in a significant reduction in breast cancer mortality, according to long-term follow-up results of a large-scale Swedish trial. The results are published online in the journal Radiology.
Caffeine »
Coffee Today Keeps Dementia Away
The January issue of ‘The Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease’ features a study of long-term coffee drinking and its effect on age-related dementia. The findings suggest drinking coffee today keeps dementia away.
Cancer »
Compounds in mate tea induce death in colon cancer cells
(MedHeadlines) – Could preventing colon cancer be as simple as developing a taste for yerba mate tea? In a recent University of Illinois study, scientists showed that human colon cancer cells die when …
CDC »
All 50 US States Have Confirmed Swine Flu Cases
Schools all across the United States are on the verge of closing but, this time, it’s for the summer holidays and not the swine flu. That doesn’t mean swine flu is no longer cause for …
Children’s Health »
Childhood cancer survivors are at high risk for multiple tumors as they age
(MedHeadlines) - Findings from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study led by St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital investigators identify new cancer risks when survivors become adults; underscore the importance of regular cancer screenings.
The largest study yet of …
Diabetes »
350 million adults have diabetes
(MedHeadlines) – A major international study collating and analyzing worldwide data on diabetes since 1980 has found that the number of adults with the disease reached 347 million in 2008, more than double the number …
Diet »
Compounds in mate tea induce death in colon cancer cells
(MedHeadlines) – Could preventing colon cancer be as simple as developing a taste for yerba mate tea? In a recent University of Illinois study, scientists showed that human colon cancer cells die when …
Elderly Care »
Alcohol drinking in the elderly: Risks and benefits
(MedHeadlines) - The Royal College of Psychiatrists of London has published a report related primarily to problems of unrecognized alcohol misuse among the elderly. The report provides guidelines for psychiatrists and family physicians on how to …
Exercise »
100 Steps a Minute for Optimum Walking Benefits
It’s impossible to overlook the benefits of exercise but many people who do exercise don’t know if they’re doing enough. Walking is an excellent form of exercise suitable for most people and pedometers are great …
Family »
2007 Beginning of New Baby Boom?
There were more babies born in the United States in 2007 than were born in the busiest year of the World War II baby boom, leaving statisticians wondering if 2007 might be the beginning of …
Health Insurance »
Drop in physicians’ willingness to accept patients with insurance
(MedHeadlines) - As required under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, millions of people will soon be added to the ranks of the insured. However, this rapid expansion of coverage is colliding with …
Lifestyle »
Taking moments to enjoy life helps patients make better health decisions
(MedHeadlines) – The experience of daily positive affect — a mild, happy feeling — and self-affirmation helps some patients with chronic diseases, including coronary artery disease, high blood pressure and asthma, make …
Medical Research »
Alcohol drinking in the elderly: Risks and benefits
(MedHeadlines) - The Royal College of Psychiatrists of London has published a report related primarily to problems of unrecognized alcohol misuse among the elderly. The report provides guidelines for psychiatrists and family physicians on how to …
MedTech »
Lives Saved, Costs Lowered in ‘Paperless’ Hospitals
President Barack Obama is a staunch advocate of ‘paperless’ hospitals, where patient records, doctors’ orders, and other medical data are kept electronically rather than on paper. The Congressional Budget Office and other critics of the …
Odd MedNews »
Man Dies, Daughter in Coma, from Diseased Pet Parrot
On September 30, 2006, Amanda De La Garza purchased a cockatiel from a PetSmart store in Corpus Christi, Texas. She took the little Australian parrot to the home she shared with her father, Joe De …
Pain »
Rural America Painkiller Deaths Spike 550% in 5 Years
Recent issue of ‘JAMA,’ the ‘Journal of the American Medical Association,’ says abuse and deadly overdoses attributed to prescription painkillers is on the rise, with rural America leading the way. The study behind this alarming …
PMS »
UNC Testing Oral Contraceptives for Severe PMS
The University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill has been granted $3 million from the National Institute of Mental Health to undertake a five-year clinical trial of a low-dose contraceptive as treatment for premenstrual …
Pregnancy »
Pregnancy Safe in Multiple Sclerosis
(MedHeadlines) – Canadian researchers have found that maternal multiple sclerosis (MS) is generally not associated with adverse delivery outcomes or risk to their offspring. Full findings now appear in Annals of Neurology, a journal published by …