The best health news search engine - My Health News » The Seattle Times: Health » September 2010 - Bird flu, Avian influenza, Diabetes, Cholesterol, Caner, HIV

Nuns forming good habits through organic farming

Posted: September 30th, 2010, 11:16pm CDT

Sisters feed the poor and teach how to live in harmony with nature.

Exercise your brain

Posted: September 30th, 2010, 11:01pm CDT

Scientists are converging on what makes a brain-healthy lifestyle.

Merck to appeal $4.6M verdict in Mass. fraud case

Posted: September 30th, 2010, 7:31pm CDT

Drugmaker Merck & Co. plans to appeal a federal court verdict that a former subsidiary caused the commonwealth of Massachusetts to overpay pharmacists for a widely used asthma medication, the company said Thursday.

Novartis fined $422.5M in marketing, kickback case

Posted: September 30th, 2010, 5:14pm CDT

Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp. will pay $422.5 million in penalties for marketing an epilepsy medicine for unapproved uses and for paying kickbacks to doctors to prescribe it and five other drugs, federal officials announced Thursday.

Merck to appeal $4.6M verdict in Mass. fraud case

Posted: September 30th, 2010, 5:13pm CDT

Drugmaker Merck & Co. plans to appeal a federal court verdict that a former subsidiary caused the commonwealth of Massachusetts to overpay pharmacists for a widely used asthma medication, the company said Thursday.

J&J, FDA leaders take heat for 'phantom' recall

Posted: September 30th, 2010, 4:59pm CDT

Johnson & Johnson executives and the Food and Drug Administration both shouldered the blame Thursday for a secret recall in which hired contractors quietly bought up defective painkillers to clear them from store shelves.

New mammogram study stirs debate

Posted: September 30th, 2010, 4:12pm CDT

Researchers reported Wednesday that mammograms can cut the breast-cancer death rate by 26 percent for women in their 40s. But their results were greeted with skepticism by some experts who say they may have overestimated the benefit.

Washington potato official going on all-spud diet

Posted: September 30th, 2010, 4:10pm CDT

Chris Voight says he's going to eat nothing but spuds each day for 60 days.

CDC chief picks 6 'winnable battles' in health

Posted: September 30th, 2010, 3:21pm CDT

Where would you start if you were charged with keeping the nation healthy? Dr. Thomas Frieden, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has chosen six priorities - winnable battles, he calls them.

Walgreen starting medication disposal program

Posted: September 30th, 2010, 2:46pm CDT

Walgreen Co. said Thursday it will begin selling special envelopes to shoppers to help them dispose of medications they no longer need.

Cholera in Africa spreading at 'alarming' rate

Posted: September 30th, 2010, 1:01pm CDT

An alarming number of new cholera cases have been reported in the West African nations of Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria, an international aid agency said Thursday.

SAfrican AIDS orphans aging

Posted: September 30th, 2010, 7:31am CDT

When the Mohau children's home opened in 1997, orphans with AIDS died every other day. But these days, not one child has been lost in seven years - and as they age with the help of drugs they face the teen complexities of dating and sex.

Kids with ADHD more likely to have missing DNA

Posted: September 30th, 2010, 5:46am CDT

Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are twice as likely to have missing or extra chromosomes than other children - the first evidence that the disorder is genetic, a new study says.

Child nutrition bill stalls in House

Posted: September 30th, 2010, 4:46am CDT

First lady Michelle Obama's campaign for healthier school lunches has stalled in Congress after anti-hunger groups and more than 100 Democrats protested the use of food stamp dollars to pay for it.

Senate to take up food safety bill after elections

Posted: September 30th, 2010, 1:46am CDT

The Senate will consider a food safety bill after the November elections that would give the Food and Drug Administration more power to prevent foodborne illness.

A quiz on fruits and vegetables

Posted: September 29th, 2010, 11:31pm CDT

We need to consume more nutrient-rich foods.

Homefix: Keep an eye on radon levels

Posted: September 29th, 2010, 11:31pm CDT

Radon is estimated to be the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States.

Eyes are the prize

Posted: September 29th, 2010, 11:16pm CDT

Many of the major causes of vision impairment are preventable or treatable.

"PURPLE Tears" alert informs caregivers about crying syndrome

Posted: September 29th, 2010, 11:16pm CDT

Effort aims to educate caregivers when infants sob inconsolably for hours.

Live well with a chronic disease

Posted: September 29th, 2010, 11:16pm CDT

Learning to solve problems, communicate with doctors, relax, eat well, and manage emotions helps.

Navy journal from 1801: Tobacco smoke saves lives

Posted: September 29th, 2010, 8:16pm CDT

For some 19th-century British navy surgeons, reviving men who nearly drowned after falling overboard required what is now a rather unorthodox treatment: tobacco smoke.

Govt warns about sleep positioners

Posted: September 29th, 2010, 7:46pm CDT

Those soft fabric sleep positioners that parents put in the crib to keep babies safely sleeping on their backs could be dangerous, even deadly, for little ones, the government warned Wednesday.

New mammogram study stirs debate for women in 40s

Posted: September 29th, 2010, 7:31pm CDT

A new study from Sweden is stirring fresh debate over whether women in their 40s should get mammograms. It suggests that the breast cancer screening test can lower the risk of dying of the disease by 26 percent or more in this age group.

Drugs before surgery help women avoid mastectomies

Posted: September 29th, 2010, 7:16pm CDT

Taking hormone-blocking pills for a few months before breast cancer surgery can shrink tumors and allow many women to have just the lump removed instead of the whole breast, a new study suggests.

Summary Box: J&J CEO testifies on medicine recalls

Posted: September 29th, 2010, 6:46pm CDT

J&J APOLOGY: The chief executive of Johnson & Johnson plans to tell Congress his company "let the public down" with a string of quality problems that forced it to recall millions of medications in the past year.

J&J CEO says company "let the public down"

Posted: September 29th, 2010, 6:16pm CDT

The chief executive of Johnson and Johnson will tell Congress his company "let the public down" with a string of quality problems that have resulted in millions of recalled medicines.

Using Listerine to treat lice

Posted: September 29th, 2010, 4:21pm CDT

People's Pharmacy responds to queries about using head lice to treat lice; using pepper to stop bleeding from a cut; and digestive-tract upset caused by the antibiotic clindamycin.

12-step manuscript rare glimpse into early AA

Posted: September 29th, 2010, 12:45pm CDT

In 1939, about 5,000 copies of a book offering hopeless drunks a spiritual path to recovery through 12 steps were released by a fledgling fellowship of alcoholics.

Feds warn against using infant sleep positioners

Posted: September 29th, 2010, 11:42am CDT

The government is warning parents and caregivers to stop using infant sleep positioners - those soft fabric products that anxious parents put in the crib to keep babies safely sleeping on their backs.

White House gives out $60,000 for healthy apps

Posted: September 29th, 2010, 11:31am CDT

The White House is giving out $60,000 to University of Southern California students and other contest winners who created phone apps to encourage exercise and healthy eating.

Panel cuts 24-hour work shifts for rookie doctors

Posted: September 29th, 2010, 11:29am CDT

Sleep-deprived rookie doctors will be getting shorter work shifts, along with stricter supervision.

Malawi adopts UN guidelines on AIDS

Posted: September 29th, 2010, 10:39am CDT

Malawi's vice president says her AIDS-ravaged southern African country will adopt the latest U.N. health guidelines that call for putting HIV-positive people on drugs sooner.

'Savior sibling' raises a decade of questions

Posted: September 28th, 2010, 11:01pm CDT

Ten years ago a little girl made medical history when her parents and doctor used genetic screening to create a baby that could save her life. Today, the reproductive technologies they used to conceive and test their second child have become mainstream but ethical questions continue to be raised as that technology advances.

Staying active 20 years after heart transplant

Posted: September 28th, 2010, 11:01pm CDT

An 81-year-old woman shares her thoughts on staying active and helping others as she marks her 20th anniversary of receiving a heart transplant.

Long the butt of jokes, hospital gowns get makeovers

Posted: September 28th, 2010, 11:01pm CDT

A fashion designer, industrial design researchers and medical experts are working on ways to close the gap, so to speak, in patient wear.

Regence drops child-only health coverage

Posted: September 28th, 2010, 9:16pm CDT

Regence BlueShield, one of the state's largest health insurers, will no longer offer child-only individual plans, a move that state insurance officials fear may trigger other insurers to drop similar policies.

Exercise could cut womb cancer risk by 30 percent

Posted: September 28th, 2010, 8:16pm CDT

Women who regularly work up a sweat exercising have a 30 percent lower risk of developing endometrial cancer, a new study says.

Feds reopen probe into medical scanner approvals

Posted: September 28th, 2010, 6:01pm CDT

Federal inspectors have reopened an investigation into complaints by Food and Drug Administration scientists who say they were pressured by their managers to approve high-tech medical scanners that could pose harm to patients.

Australians set record for fastest stiletto race

Posted: September 28th, 2010, 3:47pm CDT

Four Australian women have nabbed the world record for the fastest relay race in stiletto heels.

More HIV care for pregnant women in poor countries

Posted: September 28th, 2010, 11:16am CDT

Just over half of HIV-infected pregnant women in poor countries received crucial AIDS drugs to protect their unborn children last year, the World Health Organization reported Tuesday - one of a list of improvements in the global fight against HIV.

Australians set record for fastest stiletto race

Posted: September 28th, 2010, 8:46am CDT

Four Australian women have nabbed the world record for the fastest relay race in stiletto heels.

Philippine church hits president on contraception

Posted: September 28th, 2010, 5:46am CDT

Just a few months into his tenure, President Benigno Aquino III has angered the powerful Catholic Church by expressing support for the right to contraception in a televised interview abroad.

How to widen the hunt for targeted cancer therapy

Posted: September 27th, 2010, 5:16pm CDT

Cancer is a tale of two sets of genetic code, your own and your tumor's - and tracing the unique areas of damage makes for a way to target treatment.

FTC says POM juice ads are deceptive about health

Posted: September 27th, 2010, 5:01pm CDT

Federal regulators filed complaints Monday against the makers of POM Wonderful Pomegranate Juice, saying there's no science to support claims that the products treat or prevent diseases such as prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction.

Dr. Francis Collins discovered genes that cause cystic fibrosis, Huntington's

Posted: September 27th, 2010, 2:12pm CDT

Scientist also comfortable on stage.

$93,000 cancer drug: How much is a life worth?

Posted: September 27th, 2010, 1:16am CDT

Cancer patients, brace yourselves. Many new drug treatments cost nearly $100,000 a year, sparking fresh debate about how much a few months more of life is worth.

$93,000 for cancer drug Provenge: How much is a life worth?

Posted: September 26th, 2010, 5:19pm CDT

Cancer patients, brace yourselves. Many new drug treatments cost nearly $100,000 a year, sparking fresh debate about how much a few months more of life is worth.

GOP calls for repeal of health law, but many in poll wish overhaul went further

Posted: September 25th, 2010, 9:12pm CDT

President Obama's health-care law has divided the nation, and Republicans believe their call for repeal will help them win elections in November. But the issue may not be that simple, a new poll shows.

Increased danger of head trauma in basketball

Posted: September 25th, 2010, 10:16am CDT

About 375,000 children and teens are treated in hospital emergency rooms each year for basketball-related injuries, and the proportion related to head trauma is on the rise.

Health insurer rule draft yields few surprises

Posted: September 24th, 2010, 5:31pm CDT

The framework for a key health care reform rule governing insurance companies wound up falling mostly in line with Wall Street expectations, according to a Leerink Swann analyst.

Medical liability costs $55 billion?

Posted: September 24th, 2010, 5:03pm CDT

Interview with Amitabh Chandra, professor of public policy at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government.

Co. recalls 190,000 ThermaCare HeatWraps Menstrual

Posted: September 24th, 2010, 4:51pm CDT

Pfizer Consumer Healthcare is recalling about 190,000 of its ThermaCare HeatWraps Menstrual products because they could leak components that could burn or irritate skin.

Correction: Sanofi insulin story

Posted: September 24th, 2010, 4:31pm CDT

In a story Sept. 20 about studies of a brand of insulin, The Associated Press reported erroneously that Sanofi-Aventis' drug Lantus is co-marketed by drugmaker Bristol-Myers Squibb. The drug is marketed by Sanofi-Aventis alone.

Exercisers debate stretching

Posted: September 24th, 2010, 3:49pm CDT

At least everyone agrees on "don't bounce."

Children conceived by IVF often score better than peers, study finds

Posted: September 24th, 2010, 3:12pm CDT

Doctors and scientists are still learning about what effects in vitro fertilization may have on the health of children.

Summary Box: Glass flakes prompt Amgen drug recall

Posted: September 24th, 2010, 3:01pm CDT

ABOUT THE RECALL: Some lots of the blockbuster anemia treatments Epogen and Procrit were recalled because the injected drugs may contain glass flakes. Those could cause blood clots, swelling of veins, immune system reactions and other problems.

Physician's lifestyle and training matter

Posted: September 24th, 2010, 3:01pm CDT

Study: Those most confident about counseling were more likely to exercise more than 150 minutes per week.

Too busy to sleep?

Posted: September 24th, 2010, 12:29pm CDT

Our disrespect for sleep has become a national epidemic.

Docs: Odds slim bugs in formula would harm baby

Posted: September 24th, 2010, 11:31am CDT

Worried parents have bombarded the maker of Similac with phone calls and peppered Facebook and Twitter pages over fears about insects in the top-selling baby formula after millions of cans were recalled.

CDC finds many gay men have HIV, don't know it

Posted: September 23rd, 2010, 11:42pm CDT

One in five gay men in the United States has HIV, and almost half of those who carry the virus are unaware that they are infected ...

Brain facts aren't always on the same page

Posted: September 23rd, 2010, 11:16pm CDT

A number of brain structures contribute to higher thinking.

Heiden: Get a doctor who treats you as an athlete

Posted: September 23rd, 2010, 11:16pm CDT

Getting a doctor who will listen is half the challenge.

More seniors have plastic surgery

Posted: September 23rd, 2010, 11:16pm CDT

Seniors face special concerns when undergoing elective procedures.

Project aims to break bad food habits

Posted: September 23rd, 2010, 11:01pm CDT

Effort wraps multiple solutions around families all at once.

As FDA limits diabetes drug Avandia, Europe suspends sales

Posted: September 23rd, 2010, 10:01pm CDT

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said Thursday that it will sharply limit access to Type 2 diabetes medicine Avandia because of concerns about an increased cardiovascular risk associated with the drug.

Parents bugged by Similac's recall over beetles

Posted: September 23rd, 2010, 8:46pm CDT

Worried parents have bombarded the maker of Similac with phone calls and peppered Facebook and Twitter pages over fears about insects in...

Timeline of events for diabetes pill Avandia

Posted: September 23rd, 2010, 7:01pm CDT

U.S. health regulators dealt a major blow to the controversial diabetes pill Avandia Thursday, requiring doctors and patients to sign consent forms before starting a prescription of the drug. At the same time, European regulators ordered it off the market. The split decision underscores lingering safety questions about a once-blockbuster drug taken by millions of patients over the last decade.

Bristol-Myers to cut about 840 jobs worldwide

Posted: September 23rd, 2010, 6:16pm CDT

Drugmaker Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. is cutting jobs again, this time eliminating about 3 percent of its positions in its latest effort to streamline operations.

Summary Box: US, Europe restrict Avandia use

Posted: September 23rd, 2010, 5:31pm CDT

SPLIT DECISION: U.S. health officials restricted access to the controversial diabetes pill Avandia Thursday, even as European regulators ordered it off the market based on heart attack risks.

Relationship: Rejection is protection

Posted: September 23rd, 2010, 4:12pm CDT

Learn to move on.

Scoring methods for gauging infant health

Posted: September 23rd, 2010, 3:22pm CDT

Here are the scoring methods for infant health (see related story): The Apgar score is given to all newborns immediately after birth, and...

New test for evaluating premature babies better than Apgar

Posted: September 23rd, 2010, 3:20pm CDT

Stanford University has developed new method for predicting health problems in premature babies.

Innovations change game in workout wear

Posted: September 23rd, 2010, 3:05pm CDT

Back in the day, a runner hit the pavement wearing cotton shorts and a cotton T-shirt.

Double-digit hikes for some Medicare drug plans

Posted: September 23rd, 2010, 2:52pm CDT

Millions of seniors face double-digit hikes in their Medicare prescription premiums next year unless they shop for cheaper coverage, a new analysis of government data finds.

44 pct of gay, bisexual men with HIV don't know it

Posted: September 23rd, 2010, 2:36pm CDT

One in five sexually active gay and bisexual men has the AIDS virus, and nearly half of those don't know they are infected, a federal study of 21 U.S. cities shows.

Bugs in baby formula? Parents worried about recall

Posted: September 23rd, 2010, 1:56pm CDT

Worried parents have bombarded the maker of Similac with phone calls and peppered Facebook and Twitter pages over fears about insects in the top-selling baby formula after millions of cans were recalled.

Congress changes intellectual disability wording

Posted: September 23rd, 2010, 1:56pm CDT

Disabilities advocates on Thursday applauded Congress for passing legislation that eliminates the term "mental retardation" from federal laws.

Study: 1 in 5 urban gay and bisexual men got HIV

Posted: September 23rd, 2010, 11:50am CDT

A government study found one in five sexually active urban gay and bisexual men is infected with HIV, and nearly half of those infected don't know they have the disease.

Number of fat people in US to grow, report says

Posted: September 23rd, 2010, 11:02am CDT

Citizens of the world's richest countries are getting fatter and fatter and the United States is leading the charge, an organization of leading economies said Thursday in its first ever obesity forecast.

Some families win under new health care provisions

Posted: September 23rd, 2010, 10:46am CDT

The nation's new health care law adds consumer protections that kick in Thursday, forcing insurers to meet new requirements. Coverage for children with pre-existing conditions is guaranteed. Lifetime dollar caps are eliminated. And insurers can no longer cancel policies retroactively for frivolous reasons when people get very sick.

VA defends Agent Orange, heart disease links

Posted: September 23rd, 2010, 10:45am CDT

Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki is defending an expensive proposal to extend automatic disability compensation to Vietnam veterans who develop heart disease, saying studies have shown a link between the ailment and the toxic defoliant Agent Orange.

FDA keeps diabetes pill with heart risks on market

Posted: September 23rd, 2010, 10:38am CDT

Federal health regulators will allow GlaxoSmithKline to continue selling a controversial diabetes pill but will restrict access to the once-blockbuster drug because of heart attack risks.

Obesity forecast: 3 of 4 Americans will be fat in decade

Posted: September 23rd, 2010, 10:28am CDT

A new study by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development warns that citizens of the world's richest countries are getting fatter and fatter, with the United States leading the charge.

Some families win under new health care provisions

Posted: September 23rd, 2010, 5:01am CDT

The nation's new health care law adds consumer protections that kick in Thursday, forcing insurers to meet new requirements. Coverage for children with pre-existing conditions is guaranteed. Lifetime dollar caps are eliminated. And insurers can no longer cancel policies retroactively for frivolous reasons when people get very sick.

Study backs new heart valve without cracking chest

Posted: September 22nd, 2010, 9:57pm CDT

Thousands of older Americans who need new heart valves but are too frail to survive the surgery might soon get a chance at an easier option - a way to thread in an artificial aortic valve without cracking their chests.

Genetically altered salmon? It doesn't stop there

Posted: September 22nd, 2010, 9:46pm CDT

We've always played with our food — even before we knew about genes or how to change them. For thousands of years, humans have ...

FDA approves the first pill to treat multiple sclerosis

Posted: September 22nd, 2010, 8:38pm CDT

Federal health regulators have approved the first pill to treat the underlying causes of multiple sclerosis, a debilitating nervous-system disorder that has traditionally been treated with injectable drugs.

Study: Routine mammograms of limited help in reducing breast-cancer deaths

Posted: September 22nd, 2010, 8:22pm CDT

Recent advances in breast-cancer awareness and treatment have made routine mammography less crucial in the detection of cancer and mitigated its value in reducing deaths, researchers reported Wednesday.

Health law brings preventive care without copays

Posted: September 22nd, 2010, 6:46pm CDT

New health insurance policies beginning on or after Sept. 23 must cover - without charge - preventive care that's backed up by the best scientific evidence. Most people will see this benefit, part of the Obama administration's health care overhaul, starting Jan. 1.

Insurers stop selling new child-only health plans

Posted: September 22nd, 2010, 6:31pm CDT

Several health insurers say they will stop selling new child-only individual insurance policies as they face a health care reform provision that will prevent them from excluding children with potentially costly pre-existing conditions.

People's Pharmacy: How to combat vitamin B-12 deficiency

Posted: September 22nd, 2010, 6:19pm CDT

People's Pharmacy addresses queries about combating vitamin B-12 deficiency; prune juice for constipation; and bars of soap for restless leg.

Study finds mammograms offer modest benefit

Posted: September 22nd, 2010, 4:05pm CDT

Mammograms don't help women over 50 as much as has been believed, new research suggests.

Quality of care up at US hospitals, report says

Posted: September 22nd, 2010, 4:03pm CDT

A report says treatment has improved substantially at U.S. hospitals for several ailments including heart attacks, pneumonia and children's asthma.

Swallowed batteries required fast treatment

Posted: September 22nd, 2010, 12:51pm CDT

The alkaline in the power cells can destroy tissue.

Why some want a redo of nose job

Posted: September 22nd, 2010, 12:40pm CDT

Despite how aesthetic plastic surgery is portrayed, there isn't always a happy ending.

On the lookout for tapeworms in pets

Posted: September 22nd, 2010, 12:17pm CDT

Parasitic worms sometimes live inside the intestinal tract of animals.

Novartis gains FDA approval for new MS drug

Posted: September 22nd, 2010, 10:36am CDT

Federal health regulators have approved the first pill to treat the underlying causes of multiple sclerosis, a debilitating nervous system disorder that has traditionally been treated with injectable drugs.

Health law kicks into 2nd gear; does it help me?

Posted: September 22nd, 2010, 4:16am CDT

The nation's new health care law turns 6 months old Thursday and starts delivering protections and dollars-and-cents benefits that Americans can grasp. But it won't affect all consumers the same way, which may cause confusion.

Parents, coaches on alert for head injuries

Posted: September 21st, 2010, 11:16pm CDT

There is growing concern and awareness about the impact concussions have on young people.

Lawmaker asks J&J for proof of recall agreement

Posted: September 21st, 2010, 7:46pm CDT

Scrutiny of drug and consumer product giant Johnson & Johnson ratcheted up Tuesday as a congressional chairman demanded the company provide proof of its claim that federal regulators cleared a plan to secretly buy up defective painkillers.

Reduced hours proposed for medical residents

Posted: September 21st, 2010, 4:03pm CDT

Studies show residents who work marathon overnight shifts make more errors.

Claims of speech supplement questioned

Posted: September 21st, 2010, 1:06pm CDT

Some speech-language experts say there is no good evidence the product works.

Premiums for Medicare private plans dip 1 percent

Posted: September 21st, 2010, 1:01pm CDT

Seniors enrolled in popular private health insurance plans through Medicare will pay a little less on average next year, the Obama administration said Tuesday.

Obesity hurts your wallet and your health

Posted: September 21st, 2010, 12:42pm CDT

Report: Annual cost of being obese is $4,879 for a woman and $2,646 for a man.

Circumcision: Age-old debate still going

Posted: September 21st, 2010, 12:22pm CDT

Number of boys getting circumcisions has been falling nationwide for many years.

UN sends crisis team to Nigeria after lead deaths

Posted: September 21st, 2010, 7:08am CDT

The U.N. says it has sent an emergency team to Nigeria after more than 200 children have died there this year from lead poisoning.

Alzheimer's brain tangles offer clue to worsening

Posted: September 21st, 2010, 4:16am CDT

That sticky gunk coating Alzheimer's patients' brains gets all the notoriety, but another culprit is gaining renewed attention: Protein tangles that clog brain cells and just might determine how fast patients go downhill.

Report: Global cost of dementia is soaring

Posted: September 21st, 2010, 2:31am CDT

The global cost of dementia will likely exceed $604 billion this year, or 1 percent of the world's gross domestic product, a new report says.

Weight loss 'Day by Day, meal by meal'

Posted: September 20th, 2010, 11:31pm CDT

Woman lost 244 pounds.

Nutrition Quiz: Portion size guidelines

Posted: September 20th, 2010, 11:16pm CDT

How do you know what qualifies as 4 ounces of steak?

Fragile teen is saved by caring and luck

Posted: September 20th, 2010, 11:16pm CDT

Mom did everything she could think of to help her 14-year-old daughter navigate the stormy waters.

How to be good to your gut

Posted: September 20th, 2010, 11:16pm CDT

Your digestive system protects you from germs and releases hormones.

Breast cancer patient claims discrimination

Posted: September 20th, 2010, 11:16pm CDT

Agent apparently tells woman that her breast cancer medications could make her incapable of understanding and signing a one-year lease.

Home remedies find new converts

Posted: September 20th, 2010, 11:01pm CDT

Many who practice alternative medicine combine the old and new.

Less invasive surgery OK for breast cancer

Posted: September 20th, 2010, 8:16pm CDT

Some breast cancer patients may do just as well with a less invasive surgery to remove selected lymph nodes rather than the aggressive operation normally used to remove them all, a new study says.

Seek the fine print on household products touting 'green' credentials

Posted: September 20th, 2010, 6:08pm CDT

It's to replace that grease-attacking dishwashing solution.

Toy recall, report signal small-battery dangers

Posted: September 20th, 2010, 5:16pm CDT

Swallowing button batteries can be fatal or cause serious harm, and research suggests that severe injuries in children, though relatively scarce, are on the rise.

Strategies to cool domestic violence

Posted: September 20th, 2010, 3:17pm CDT

Incidents of family members turning on each other are increasing.

Kids without food in Pakistan floods face death

Posted: September 19th, 2010, 8:21pm CDT

Suhani Bunglani fans flies away from her two baby girls as one sleeps motionless while the other stares without blinking at the roof of their tent, her empty belly bulging beneath a green flowered shirt.

Spiriva as good as Serevent in asthma study

Posted: September 19th, 2010, 4:31pm CDT

Researchers say they've found a possible new treatment for adults with hard-to-control asthma. Their discovery, however, came at a price.

Listen up: Protect hearing; turn down sound

Posted: September 19th, 2010, 4:16pm CDT

Studies in the Journal of the American Medical Association estimate one in five teenagers has hearing loss.

Agency to weigh if 'old age' causes death

Posted: September 19th, 2010, 1:01am CDT

Should "old age" under some circumstances be considered a cause of death, equal to lung cancer, leukemia and diabetes? Those questions are becoming increasingly important as more and more people die at very advanced ages.

Debate over controlled drug trials escalates

Posted: September 19th, 2010, 12:46am CDT

Controlled trials have for decades been considered essential for proving a drug's value before it can go to market, but the continuing trial of the melanoma drug, PLX4032, has ignited an anguished debate among oncologists about whether a controlled trial that measures a drug's impact on extending life is the best method for evaluating hundreds of genetically targeted cancer drugs being developed.

FDA delays decision on breast-cancer drug Avastin

Posted: September 19th, 2010, 12:16am CDT

Drugmaker Roche said U.S. health regulators will take more time to review its drug Avastin for breast cancer, a use that has generated vigorous debate among cancer specialists and patients.

A Q&A with 'Slim Calm Sexy Yoga' author Tara Stiles

Posted: September 18th, 2010, 11:01pm CDT

A Q&A with Tara Stiles, Deepak Chopra's personal yoga instructor, about her new book, "Slim Calm Sexy Yoga," which details the three major benefits of developing a practice and explains how to tap into them in as little as 15 minutes.

People's Pharmacy: A link between calcium supplements and heart attacks?

Posted: September 18th, 2010, 11:01pm CDT

People's Pharmacy discusses a possible link between calcium supplements and heart attacks; the long-term effects of antidepressants on memory; and milk of magnesia as a gentle deodorant.

FDA delays decision on breast cancer drug Avastin

Posted: September 17th, 2010, 7:46pm CDT

Drugmaker Roche said Friday that U.S. health regulators will take more time to review its drug Avastin for breast cancer, a use that has generated vigorous debate among cancer specialists and patients.

Fake-medicine industry booms in India

Posted: September 17th, 2010, 7:45pm CDT

Private investigator Suresh Sati rattled off the popular brand names listed on the boxes of cough syrup, supplements, vitamins and ...

House probing possible second secret recall by J&J

Posted: September 17th, 2010, 7:31pm CDT

Congress is investigating whether Johnson & Johnson carried out a second secret recall of faulty pain relievers last year, as a major probe of a dozen J&J recalls escalates.

FDA reviewing cancer risk with diabetes pill Actos

Posted: September 17th, 2010, 6:31pm CDT

The Food and Drug Administration is reviewing data suggesting a possible link between the widely used diabetes medication Actos and bladder cancer.

Stem-cell treatment puts police dog back on beat

Posted: September 17th, 2010, 4:07pm CDT

Dog's own fat cells provided the stem cells that were injected into the leg.

Five reasons kids should try a triathlon

Posted: September 17th, 2010, 3:54pm CDT

Triathlon coach Diane Proud, who believes kids are born to participate in the events.

On nutrition: Family lessons

Posted: September 17th, 2010, 3:42pm CDT

My cousin Rich and his wife Bridget visited from Ohio last week. Easy company. They liked my granola. They brought in extra food. And they didn't mind...

Recall news

Posted: September 17th, 2010, 1:16pm CDT

The following recalls have been announced:

What is causing baby's colic?

Posted: September 17th, 2010, 1:00pm CDT

Colic affects up to 28 percent of newborns.

Listening is the best care mom can provide

Posted: September 17th, 2010, 12:49pm CDT

Son diagnosed with Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome, a problem in the electrical system of the heart.

Calif. whooping cough: 9 dead, infections on rise

Posted: September 17th, 2010, 10:31am CDT

State health officials reported Thursday that California is on track to break a 55-year record for whooping cough infections in an epidemic that has already claimed the lives of nine infants.

Swiss gov't rejects call to ban assisted suicide

Posted: September 17th, 2010, 9:31am CDT

The Swiss government has rejected calls to ban assisted suicide groups such as Dignitas but will propose new rules to restrict their work.

US face transplant patient promotes organ donation

Posted: September 17th, 2010, 8:31am CDT

There is an initial shock upon first glance at Connie Culp, the woman who received the nation's first face transplant nearly two years ago. She taps her way through the hospital waiting room, feeling along the floor with a cane and smiling hesitantly at a visitor, even though she can only make out shadows and shapes.

US face transplant patient promotes organ donation

Posted: September 17th, 2010, 4:46am CDT

There is an initial shock upon first glance at Connie Culp, the woman who received the nation's first face transplant nearly two years ago. She taps her way through the hospital waiting room, feeling along the floor with a cane and smiling hesitantly at a visitor, even though she can only make out shadows and shapes.

Two popular arthritis supplements don't work, researchers say

Posted: September 16th, 2010, 11:14pm CDT

Two popular supplements used to treat joint pain don't work and health authorities should stop paying for them, a new study says.

Inline skating rolls on as exercise, hobby

Posted: September 16th, 2010, 11:01pm CDT

This old activity can burn 500 calories an hour.

Gluten-free food fad fueled by celebrity factor

Posted: September 16th, 2010, 10:38pm CDT

Gwyneth Paltrow gushes over gluten-free. Chelsea Clinton's wedding cake was baked without it. The new Old Spice guy avoids the ubiquitous protein to help stay buff.

S. African hospital charged in organ trafficking

Posted: September 16th, 2010, 9:16pm CDT

A major South African hospital chain and its chief executive have been charged after years of investigation into a human organ ...

Calif. whooping cough: 9 dead, infections on rise

Posted: September 16th, 2010, 8:46pm CDT

State health officials reported Thursday that California is on track to break a 55-year record for whooping cough infections in an epidemic that has already claimed the lives of nine infants.

Study: 2 popular arthritis supplements don't work

Posted: September 16th, 2010, 8:16pm CDT

Two popular supplements used to treat joint pain don't work and health authorities should stop paying for them, a new study says.

Study: Educating women saves millions of kids

Posted: September 16th, 2010, 8:16pm CDT

Giving young women an education resulted in saving the lives of more than 4 million children worldwide in 2009, a new study says.

FDA panel says 'no' to experimental diet pill

Posted: September 16th, 2010, 6:31pm CDT

Federal health experts rejected a highly anticipated weight loss pill Thursday that was thought to offer a safer way to shed pounds than older medications linked to dangerous side effects.

Pfizer seeking to boost animal health sales

Posted: September 16th, 2010, 6:16pm CDT

PET MEDS: Giant drugmaker Pfizer Inc. is mining the growing market for medicines for pets and livestock with multiple efforts to boost revenue.

Pfizer seeking to expand animal health business

Posted: September 16th, 2010, 4:46pm CDT

Pfizer Inc., the world's biggest seller of drugs for people, now is looking to make more bucks from Fido, Fifi and farm animals.

Aerobic exercise improves ability to burn fat

Posted: September 16th, 2010, 4:31pm CDT

When you're starting out, aerobic activity trains all of the energy sources.

Brain region linked to introspection

Posted: September 16th, 2010, 3:16pm CDT

Just how confident are you that you made the right decision? New research has uncovered a part of the brain that's larger in people who seem particularly introspective.

Lawmakers: protect embryonic stem cell research

Posted: September 16th, 2010, 1:46pm CDT

Sen. Arlen Specter said Thursday that Congress should "get busy" on giving legal stature to the federal funding of human embryonic stem cell research to avoid giving a final say on the issue to a conservative Supreme Court.

Vaccinations are high, but measles shots decline

Posted: September 16th, 2010, 1:31pm CDT

Health officials say vaccination rates for toddlers remain high, but they are concerned about an overall drop in measles vaccinations.

Amoeba blamed in 2 more organ transplant deaths

Posted: September 16th, 2010, 1:31pm CDT

U.S. health officials say two Arizona organ transplant recipients died of an infection from a microscopic parasite they got from their organ donor.

S. African hospital charged in organ trafficking

Posted: September 16th, 2010, 1:16pm CDT

A major South African hospital chain and its chief executive have been charged after years of investigation into a human organ trafficking case that stretched from Israel to South Africa to Brazil, hospital officials and police said Thursday.

Malawi rules out circumcision for AIDS prevention

Posted: September 16th, 2010, 10:01am CDT

Malawi will not officially promote male circumcision as an HIV-prevention strategy, two officials said Wednesday, citing a lack of evidence to support the practice.

In death, the ultimate gift to others

Posted: September 15th, 2010, 11:01pm CDT

Organ donations help researchers with ALS clues

FDA panel split on withdrawing diet pill Meridia

Posted: September 15th, 2010, 6:12pm CDT

Federal health advisers delivered a split opinion Wednesday on whether to withdraw the diet pill Meridia due to evidence that it increases heart attack and stroke, with half voting to ban it and the others favoring new warnings and restricted distribution.

English woman develops French-sounding accent

Posted: September 15th, 2010, 5:19pm CDT

A woman from a village in southwestern England says that a severe migraine attack left her speaking with what sounds like a French accent - a striking example of a rare syndrome that neuroscientists say can leave lifelong locals sounding like they come from thousands of miles away.

DomRep probes 16 baby deaths at public hospital

Posted: September 15th, 2010, 5:15pm CDT

Health officials are investigating the recent deaths of 16 newborns in the capital's largest maternity hospital, hinting that unhygienic conditions are to blame.

Smoking bans help curb kids' severe asthma attacks

Posted: September 15th, 2010, 4:48pm CDT

New research shows that smoking bans spare many children with asthma from being hospitalized, a finding that suggests smoke-free laws have even greater health benefits than previously believed.

CDC: One-third of sex ed omits birth control

Posted: September 15th, 2010, 3:31pm CDT

Almost all U.S. teens have had formal sex education, but only about two-thirds have been taught about birth control methods, according to a new government report released Wednesday.

Cold cure? Argonne's shedding light

Posted: September 15th, 2010, 3:16pm CDT

Scientists are manipulating the adenovirus for use as a carrier of genes that can help cure other diseases.

Medical: Tips for finding a good new doctor when switching insurance plans

Posted: September 15th, 2010, 3:05pm CDT

Not many characteristics seemed to predict whether doctors would deliver.

Communicating difficult news to patients

Posted: September 15th, 2010, 1:29pm CDT

Patients need to know reasons why they are going for tests, and what doctor suspects

Farmers' markets draw few food stamp users

Posted: September 15th, 2010, 1:16pm CDT

Despite widespread efforts to attract low-income shoppers, farmers' markets have had limited success in drawing people like Bishop Reed, who in the past three years has lost his job and his home.

Medical groups urge flu shots for pregnant women

Posted: September 15th, 2010, 1:16am CDT

Flu season may not sound as scary for pregnant women this year as last - but they're still at high risk and need that shot, says a letter being mailed to thousands of health providers this week from some leading medical societies.

Working while sick? Study finds even doctors do it

Posted: September 14th, 2010, 9:46pm CDT

Junior doctors quickly learn that exposure to patients' germs is part of the job, but a study suggests many are returning the favor. More than half of doctors in training said in a survey that they'd shown up sick to work, and almost one-third said they'd done it more than once.

Panel: Cough meds should remain over-the-counter

Posted: September 14th, 2010, 9:30pm CDT

A panel of medical experts said Tuesday that cough medicines like Robitussin and Nyquil should continue to be sold over-the-counter, despite increased abuse among teenagers.

Survey: Cost of health insurance claims to rise

Posted: September 14th, 2010, 6:31pm CDT

The costs that dictate employer-provided health insurance plans will climb more than 10 percent within the next 12 months, and financially pressured companies may pass more of this increase along to their workers through next year's benefits plans, according to an Aon Consulting report.

FDA questions safety, effectiveness with diet pill

Posted: September 14th, 2010, 6:31pm CDT

Federal health officials dealt a surprising blow on Tuesday to an experimental diet pill that was thought to offer a safer way to shed pounds after decades of dangerous side effects reported with weight loss drugs. The Food and Drug Administration said the pill, developed by Arena Pharmaceutical, produced minimal weight loss while raising concerns about heart damage, depression and other problems.

Woman campaigns against methadone abuse

Posted: September 14th, 2010, 1:11pm CDT

She calls her nonprofit organization Mad Over Methadone — or MOM for short.

Repeated antibiotics alter beneficial gut germs

Posted: September 14th, 2010, 12:46pm CDT

Antibiotics can temporarily upset your stomach, but now it turns out that repeatedly taking them can trigger long-lasting changes in all those good germs that live in your gut, raising questions about lingering ill effects.

Oregon hospices uneasy with physician-assisted suicide

Posted: September 14th, 2010, 11:19am CDT

In 1995, Oregon passed a bill legalizing physician-assisted suicide.

Drug-resistant superbugs reach 3 states

Posted: September 13th, 2010, 10:24pm CDT

An infectious-disease nightmare is unfolding: A new gene that can turn many types of bacteria into superbugs resistant to nearly all antibiotics.

Study says hand sanitizers not effective in preventing flu, colds

Posted: September 13th, 2010, 9:16pm CDT

New research out of the University of Virginia finds that alcohol-based hand sanitizers are of no particular use in warding off the flu. They also failed to ward off rhinovirus, a major cause of the common cold.

Students form bond with family of a cadaver donor

Posted: September 13th, 2010, 4:02pm CDT

Dot Purcell always knew she would donate her body to science. Even when young, the mother of 11, a doctor's daughter, would say, "there's something good in here" that might help others.

New drug-resistant superbugs found in 3 states

Posted: September 13th, 2010, 3:50pm CDT

An infectious-disease nightmare is unfolding: Bacteria that have been made resistant to nearly all antibiotics by an alarming new gene have sickened people in three states and are popping up all over the world, health officials reported Monday.

FDA mulls pulling diet pill linked to heart attack

Posted: September 13th, 2010, 3:46pm CDT

Almost a year after studies showed the diet pill Meridia increases heart attack and stroke risk, U.S. health regulators announced they will consider pulling the Abbott Laboratories' drug off the market.

Repeated antibiotics alter beneficial gut germs

Posted: September 13th, 2010, 3:37pm CDT

Antibiotics can temporarily upset your stomach, but now it turns out that repeatedly taking them can trigger long-lasting changes in all those good germs that live in your gut, raising questions about lingering ill effects.

Scientists find drugs that may fight bat disease

Posted: September 13th, 2010, 2:46pm CDT

Scientists may have found some ways to help the nation's bats, which are being wiped out by a novel fungal disease.

Groups call for mandatory flu shots for health care workers

Posted: September 13th, 2010, 1:45pm CDT

CDC: 40 percent of health care workers were vaccinated for flu between 2000 and 2005.

Restroom spies say we're washing hands more often

Posted: September 13th, 2010, 1:31pm CDT

Swine flu may have scared us straight, or maybe we're finally listening to our mothers. Whatever the reason, Americans are washing their hands more often, suggests the latest check by researchers who spy on people using public restrooms.

CDC: Utah leads, Washington ranks high in breast-feeding

Posted: September 13th, 2010, 1:01pm CDT

A new government report says Utah leads the nation in breast-feeding with 9 in 10 Utah mothers trying it and about 6 in 10 sticking with it for at least six months.

Link found between diabetes, Alzheimer's

Posted: September 13th, 2010, 12:47pm CDT

Finding suggests people may be able to prevent Alzheimer's disease

On nutrition: Aging gracefully

Posted: September 13th, 2010, 12:26pm CDT

Researchers believe some people possess certain "longevity-enabling genes."

Ways to neutralize reaction to chemotherapy

Posted: September 13th, 2010, 12:19pm CDT

Michael Douglas has revealed that his throat cancer is in Stage 4.

Zimbabwe court frees on bail US health workers

Posted: September 13th, 2010, 12:16pm CDT

A Zimbabwean court on Monday freed on bail four Americans arrested and accused of treating AIDS patients without proper medical licenses.

Heart-bypass surgery underused, study says

Posted: September 13th, 2010, 2:46am CDT

Tens or even hundreds of thousands of Americans are having coronary-artery angioplasty and stenting every year when they should be having bypass grafts, and the result is an extra 5,000 or more deaths annually, researchers said Sunday.

Scientists find drugs that may fight bat disease

Posted: September 13th, 2010, 2:46am CDT

Scientists may have found some ways to help the nation's bats, which are being wiped out by a novel fungal disease.

How to eat like a Greek

Posted: September 12th, 2010, 11:16pm CDT

Many doctors and dietitians recommend a "Mediterranean diet" for its heart-healthy benefits.

Kid shares strategy for fitting in exercise

Posted: September 12th, 2010, 11:16pm CDT

"The family that plays together stays fit together," expert says.

ChiRunning focuses on body alignment to eliminate pain

Posted: September 12th, 2010, 11:01pm CDT

It incorporates the mental aspect of tai chi

Green buildings may make workers feel better

Posted: September 12th, 2010, 11:01pm CDT

A new study in the American Journal of Public Health finds that employees who move from buildings with poor indoor environmental quality to more healthful "green" buildings may reap some benefits, including less absenteeism and higher productivity.

China mass measles vaccination plan sparks outcry

Posted: September 12th, 2010, 9:46pm CDT

China's plans to vaccinate 100 million children and come a step closer to eradicating measles has set off a popular outcry that highlights widening public distrust of the authoritarian government after repeated health scandals.

Scientists find drugs that may fight bat disease

Posted: September 12th, 2010, 8:46pm CDT

Scientists may have found some ways to help the nation's bats, which are being wiped out by a novel fungal disease.

Gin-soaked raisins relieve to back pain?

Posted: September 12th, 2010, 11:13am CDT

It was one of the craziest home remedies Joe Graedon ever heard.

US church wants to resume Zimbabwe AIDS work

Posted: September 12th, 2010, 4:46am CDT

A California church wants to get back to helping AIDS orphans in Africa, once it resolves questions over licensing that led to the arrests of six of its workers in impoverished Zimbabwe, a minister said Sunday.

Zimbabwe arrests 5 Americans over licensing

Posted: September 11th, 2010, 4:31pm CDT

Five Americans who worked with AIDS orphans and patients in Zimbabwe have been arrested in the southern African country and accused of operating without proper medical licenses, their lawyer said Saturday.

Zimbabwe arrests 5 US doctors over licensing

Posted: September 11th, 2010, 7:45am CDT

Zimbabwean police have arrested five American doctors working in the capital and charged them with operating without proper licenses, their lawyer said Saturday.

Correction: Imaging drug story

Posted: September 10th, 2010, 9:46pm CDT

In a story Sept. 9 about medical imaging drugs, The Associated Press, relying on information from the Food and Drug Administration, reported erroneously that a rare side effect had been reported with all seven drugs containing the chemical gadolinium. The FDA clarified the side effect has not been reported in two of the drugs, Eovist and Ablavar.

Rectal cancer is on the rise

Posted: September 10th, 2010, 7:21pm CDT

Rates of rectal cancer in people younger than 40, although low, have been rising steadily for the last 20 years for reasons that ...

Understanding arthritis and finding treatment

Posted: September 10th, 2010, 7:05pm CDT

Understanding arthritis and its many forms is more important than ever, because researchers have made some breakthroughs in recent years. Some of the treatment, though, depends on quick action. Here's a guide to some of the most common forms and treatment options:

NIH to resume funding stem cell research for now

Posted: September 10th, 2010, 2:16pm CDT

The government said Friday it's back in the business of funding embryonic stem cell research - at least for now - after an appeals court temporarily lifted a judge's ban.

Cholera stalks West Africa as rains spread disease

Posted: September 10th, 2010, 12:46pm CDT

Patients jammed rudimentary clinics and health workers in surgical masks sprayed anti-bacterial solution on muddy paths as the government struggled to contain a cholera epidemic that has killed nearly 800 Nigerians in two months.

Appeals court lifts ban on stem-cell funding

Posted: September 10th, 2010, 12:33pm CDT

The government may resume funding of embryonic stem-cell research for now, an appeals court said Thursday, but the short-term approval may be of little help to scientists caught in a legal battle that has just begun.

AIDS doctors, activists call for more health funds

Posted: September 10th, 2010, 8:01am CDT

Doctors and AIDS activists on Friday urged African governments to fulfill a decade-old pledge to spend more of their own money on health if they want international help in fighting AIDS.

Activists in Africa seek gov't funds to fight AIDS

Posted: September 10th, 2010, 7:01am CDT

African doctors and rights activists are pressing their governments to spend more on health as part of a campaign to stop children from getting AIDS.

Scan can measure maturity of brain; concern about misusing results

Posted: September 10th, 2010, 2:16am CDT

Scientists have developed a scan that can measure the maturity of the brain, an advance that some day might be useful for testing ...

If baby doesn't gaze at faces

Posted: September 10th, 2010, 12:01am CDT

Researchers are seeking the earliest clues of autism.

Nutrition quiz: Know your supplements?

Posted: September 9th, 2010, 11:01pm CDT

Nutritional supplements are a $26 billion-a-year industry, but there is no Food and Drug Administration oversight.

When head lice surface, your first move: Relax

Posted: September 9th, 2010, 11:01pm CDT

How to detect and treat head lice.

CDC: Adults eating less fruit, not enough veggies

Posted: September 9th, 2010, 7:22pm CDT

An apple a day? Apparently not in the United States.

FDA warns of deadly side effect with imaging drugs

Posted: September 9th, 2010, 7:19pm CDT

Federal health regulators are warning doctors that a class of injectable drugs used in MRI medical imaging scans can cause a rare and sometimes fatal condition in patients with kidney disease.

In study, B vitamins slowed rate of brain shrinkage

Posted: September 9th, 2010, 7:06pm CDT

Taking vitamin B slowed the rate at which the brain shrank in people 70 or older who had trouble remembering things, Oxford University scientists found in a study that may guide further research into Alzheimer's disease.

Stroke stents may double risk in patients over 70

Posted: September 9th, 2010, 6:03pm CDT

Stroke patients over 70 who get stents to keep their arteries open may be doubling their risk of having another stroke or dying compared to patients who get surgery instead, a new study says.

Sanofi-Aventis sticking to first offer for Genzyme

Posted: September 9th, 2010, 5:26pm CDT

French drugmaker Sanofi-Aventis SA is sticking to its original offer of $69 a share to buy U.S. biotech company Genzyme Corp., a Sanofi spokesman said Thursday.

J&J giving $200 million for health of women, kids

Posted: September 9th, 2010, 12:16pm CDT

Health giant Johnson & Johnson is donating about $200 million in cash and medicine to a sweeping United Nations program created to improve the health and lives of people in poor countries.

Could losing weight pose health risks?

Posted: September 9th, 2010, 2:16am CDT

Can making pounds melt away pose some health risks? A new study provides some provocative evidence suggesting that it ...

How can a nature walk aid our health?

Posted: September 8th, 2010, 11:46pm CDT

Research suggests we are hard-wired to seek green surroundings.

Doctors see eye hazard in powerful laser pointers

Posted: September 8th, 2010, 9:01pm CDT

A 15-year-old boy damaged his eyes while playing with a laser pointer he'd bought over the Internet, say doctors who warn that dangerously high-powered versions are easily available online.

First lady Obama works with NFL to get kids moving

Posted: September 8th, 2010, 8:31pm CDT

First lady Michelle Obama came Wednesday to the French Quarter, not for fine dining or jazz but to play football with the NFL.

J&J giving $200 million for health of women, kids

Posted: September 8th, 2010, 8:01pm CDT

Health giant Johnson & Johnson is donating about $200 million in cash and medicine to a sweeping United Nations program created to improve the health and lives of people in poor countries.

Group backs mandatory flu shots for health workers

Posted: September 8th, 2010, 6:16pm CDT

Flu vaccination should be required for all doctors, nurses and other health workers, the nation's largest pediatricians' group says, calling it a long overdue step to protect patients.

People's Pharmacy: Is trying to raise cholesterol a good idea?

Posted: September 8th, 2010, 5:38pm CDT

People's Pharmacy answers queries about the association between low cholesterol and cancer; drugs that weaken bones; and H. pylori and heartburn.

CVS Caremark to give away up to $5M in flu shots

Posted: September 8th, 2010, 11:01am CDT

CVS Caremark Corp. said Wednesday it will give away up to $5 million in seasonal flu vaccinations to people without health insurance.

Helping immigrants learn to talk openly about AIDS

Posted: September 7th, 2010, 11:04pm CDT

For African immigrants, who come from countries with high HIV/AIDS rates and where the disease is often considered a death sentence, talking about AIDS in the U.S. is often difficult. That's particularly true for immigrant women, who are often the most difficult to reach with services, say local health providers.

U.S. smoking rate stabilizes at 1 in 5 adults

Posted: September 7th, 2010, 8:14pm CDT

After 40 years of continual declines, the smoking rate in the United States has stabilized for the past five years, with one in ...

Judge won't let stem cell money keep flowing

Posted: September 7th, 2010, 8:01pm CDT

A federal judge on Tuesday refused to lift his order blocking federal funding for some stem cell research, saying that a "parade of horribles" predicted by federal officials would not happen.

Merck, J&J arbitration on drug rights starts soon

Posted: September 7th, 2010, 7:01pm CDT

Drugmaker Merck & Co. said Tuesday that arbitration will begin in late September in its dispute with Johnson & Johnson over revenue from two blockbuster drugs for rheumatoid arthritis and other immune disorders.

Steep rate hikes on way for individual health insurance

Posted: September 7th, 2010, 3:36pm CDT

Double-digit rate increases are hitting most individual health-insurance plans in Washington state, hurting jobless workers and worrying insurance regulators.

Merck schizophrenia drug approved for 2 new uses

Posted: September 7th, 2010, 2:58pm CDT

Merck & Co. said Tuesday its schizophrenia drug Saphris has been approved for two additional uses by the Food and Drug Administration.

How young athletes practice nutrition

Posted: September 7th, 2010, 2:00pm CDT

It's not just what you eat, but when you eat.

US smoking rate still stuck at 1 in 5 adults

Posted: September 7th, 2010, 1:57pm CDT

U.S. smoking rates continue to hold steady, at about one in five adults lighting up regularly, frustrated health officials reported Tuesday.

Haiti quake survivor returns home after 6 months

Posted: September 7th, 2010, 10:31am CDT

Half-buried in rubble, Bazelais Suy struggled to breathe - a dead woman lay on his chest. He knew he had to get her off, fast. Because he could still move his arms, he somehow managed to remove his belt, loop it around the woman's own belt and drag her off. But his legs were still pinned.

Japan confirms its first case of new superbug gene

Posted: September 7th, 2010, 5:46am CDT

Japan has confirmed the nation's first case of a new gene in bacteria that allows the microorganisms to become drug-resistant superbugs, detected in a man who had medical treatment in India, a health ministry official said Tuesday.

Picking right blood pressure medicine challenging

Posted: September 7th, 2010, 4:16am CDT

It's hard to predict which pills will best lower which patient's high blood pressure, but researchers are hunting ways to better personalize therapy - perhaps even using a blood test.

Whooping cough cases confirmed in Clark County

Posted: September 7th, 2010, 2:16am CDT

Clark County's public-health officer says the health department has been investigating a growing number of pertussis cases.

Bellingham brothers get experimental gene therapy in attempt to save their sight

Posted: September 7th, 2010, 2:01am CDT

Experimental treatment for a congenital eye disease has raised hopes for young brothers Casey and Alex Catalan, and the procedures at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland reflect renewed interest in gene therapy.

Haiti quake survivor returns home after 6 months

Posted: September 7th, 2010, 1:16am CDT

Half-buried in rubble, Bazelais Suy struggled to breathe - a dead woman lay on his chest. He knew he had to get her off, fast. Because he could still move his arms, he somehow managed to remove his belt, loop it around the woman's own belt and drag her off. But his legs were still pinned.

Fix bad relationship with healthier language

Posted: September 6th, 2010, 11:16pm CDT

While we can't fix all overly emotional or abusive people by bragging on them, talking in a positive way help put you in charge of the situation.

Research shows resting brains aren't idle

Posted: September 6th, 2010, 11:16pm CDT

Neuroscientists call it the "default mode network."

CDC bolsters flu vaccine supply

Posted: September 6th, 2010, 11:16pm CDT

Flu vaccination season started early this year, and it's expected to be bigger than ever.

Roller derby provides a team workout

Posted: September 6th, 2010, 11:01pm CDT

In the early 2000s, women's roller derby returned without the fake action and characters, and the sport has "spread like wildfire."

UK regulators want Avandia diabetes pill pulled

Posted: September 6th, 2010, 6:16pm CDT

GlaxoSmithKline's controversial diabetes pill Avandia should be pulled from the U.K. market because of concerns that the drug can increase the risk of heart attacks, British drug regulators said Monday.

Cholera outbreak in Cameroon 'worst in 20 years'

Posted: September 6th, 2010, 7:46am CDT

UNICEF says more than 300 people have died in the West African nation of Cameroon from the country's worst cholera outbreak in 20 years.

WHO wants faster, more flu vaccine production

Posted: September 6th, 2010, 7:16am CDT

The vaccine used to contain the recent swine flu pandemic was effective, but health authorities will need to ramp up the speed and volume of production during the next global outbreak, a World Health Organization official said Monday.

Expert warns of complacency after swine flu fizzle

Posted: September 5th, 2010, 10:16am CDT

A leading virus expert urged health authorities around the world Sunday to stay vigilant even though the recent swine flu pandemic was less deadly than expected, warning that bird flu could spark the next global outbreak.

Expert warns of complacency after swine flu fizzle

Posted: September 5th, 2010, 7:01am CDT

A leading virus expert urged health authorities around the world Sunday to stay vigilant even though the recent swine flu pandemic was less deadly than expected, warning that bird flu could spark the next global outbreak.

Public-health agency takes rare step of detaining TB patient

Posted: September 3rd, 2010, 11:21am CDT

For only the second time since 1986, Public Health — Seattle & King County has sought a court order to detain a patient who resisted treatment for tuberculosis.

Abbott abandons plans to sell vaccines business

Posted: September 3rd, 2010, 10:48am CDT

Drug and medical device firm Abbott Laboratories said Friday it has abandoned plans to sell its vaccines unit, less than three months after exploring sales talks with rival companies.

New study links bone drugs to esophageal cancer risk

Posted: September 2nd, 2010, 9:39pm CDT

People who take bone-strengthening drugs for several years may have a slightly higher risk of esophageal cancer, a new study ...

Early disconnect with mom may speed onset of puberty

Posted: September 2nd, 2010, 8:18pm CDT

Against the backdrop of growing evidence that American girls are beginning pubertal changes at an ever-earlier age, a controversial researcher has found evidence that babies who fail to make a powerful early connection to their first caregiver are more likely to enter puberty early.

There are no silly health questions, but some are gross

Posted: September 2nd, 2010, 8:16pm CDT

5 health questions you may have been too shy to ask are answered by the author of "What the Yuck? The Freaky & Fabulous Truth About Your Body."

Bone drugs may raise risk of throat cancer

Posted: September 2nd, 2010, 8:16pm CDT

People who take bone-strengthening drugs for several years may have a slightly higher risk of esophageal cancer, a new study suggests.

Workers bear larger share of health premium costs

Posted: September 2nd, 2010, 7:46pm CDT

Workers are paying a larger portion of their health insurance costs as businesses shift more of the burden to their employees to help ride out the economic downturn, an annual study shows.

Summary Box: Workers pick up growing insurance tab

Posted: September 2nd, 2010, 6:01pm CDT

2010 COSTS: Total premiums for employer-sponsored health insurance climbed only 3 percent for family coverage and 5 percent for single coverage, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation and Health Research and Educational Trust report.

Can home cooking be hazardous to your health?

Posted: September 2nd, 2010, 2:20pm CDT

Could your kitchen at home pass a restaurant inspection?

Feds: no link between Dry Max diapers and rashes

Posted: September 2nd, 2010, 2:02pm CDT

Government safety officials have not found a connection between a new kind of Pampers diapers and the severe skin reactions reported by some parents' groups.

Average worker pays $4K of family health insurance

Posted: September 2nd, 2010, 12:16pm CDT

Researchers say workers are paying a larger portion of health insurance costs as businesses, trying to ride out the economic downturn, shift more of the burden to their employees.

Fish oil may not be much of a heart-saver for those who've already had a heart attack

Posted: September 1st, 2010, 11:46pm CDT

But Dutch study shows supplement appears to help some.

The best workout for the brain may be play

Posted: September 1st, 2010, 11:16pm CDT

New research reveals that the connection between learning and exercise is not limited to children.

How Stuff Works: Organic food prices

Posted: September 1st, 2010, 11:01pm CDT

A paper entitled, "Organic potatoes: they can be grown, but can they be profitable?" is enlightening.

New test seen as big advance in diagnosing TB

Posted: September 1st, 2010, 10:01pm CDT

Scientists are reporting a major advance in diagnosing tuberculosis: A new test can reveal in less than two hours, with very high accuracy, whether someone has the disease and if it's resistant to the main drug for treating it.

New test seen as big advance in diagnosing TB

Posted: September 1st, 2010, 7:31pm CDT

Scientists are reporting a major advance in diagnosing tuberculosis: A new test can reveal in less than two hours, with very high accuracy, whether someone has the disease and if it's resistant to the main drug for treating it.

Journal editors question sale of diet pill Meridia

Posted: September 1st, 2010, 7:31pm CDT

Editors of a top medical journal call Meridia "another flawed diet pill" and question whether it should stay on the market as a study shows it raises the risk of heart attack and stroke in people with heart problems.

JAMA's editor leaving, returning to Johns Hopkins

Posted: September 1st, 2010, 6:46pm CDT

One of the country's leading medical journals is looking for a new editor.

Nutrition quiz: Supplements to avoid

Posted: September 1st, 2010, 3:48pm CDT

Consumer Reports recently consulted clinical research and case reports to come up with its list of "12 supplements you should avoid."

People's Pharmacy: How to avoid bedbugs when you travel

Posted: September 1st, 2010, 3:45pm CDT

People's Pharmacy answers readers queries about bedbugs; blood pressure pills' link to coughs and fatigue; and stomachache as a side effect of Ambien.

Medical: Docs find different responses to stop-smoking treatments

Posted: September 1st, 2010, 1:34pm CDT

One study found that humans have at least 323 genes whose expression levels are affected by smoking behaviors.

How to solve hiccups, nosebleeds, shivers

Posted: September 1st, 2010, 10:55am CDT

When are annoying little problems the sign of something serious?

Botox-maker pays $600M to resolve investigation

Posted: September 1st, 2010, 9:27am CDT

Allergan says it will pay $600 million to settle a years-long federal investigation into how it marketed its top-selling drug Botox.

Some donated malaria drugs being stolen in Africa

Posted: September 1st, 2010, 8:46am CDT

Millions of free malaria drugs are sent to Africa every year by international donors. New research is now providing evidence for what health workers have long suspected: some of the donated medication is being stolen and resold on commercial markets.

My Health News » The Seattle Times: Health » September 2010

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The Seattle Times: Health (274 unread)

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