Health and Wellness News

MONDAY, Jan. 6, 2014 (HealthDay News) - Improved treatment of childhood cancer has led to an unprecedented health care problem, with primary care physicians unprepared to care for the special medical needs of adult cancer survivors, researchers report. A survey of internists - primary care doctors for adults - found that most physicians were not comfortable caring for adult survivors of childhood cancer....
January 6, 2014
MONDAY, Jan. 6 (HealthDay News) - Adults at risk for heart disease who eat a Mediterranean diet rich in olive oil can lower their chances of developing diabetes, even without restricting calories or boosting exercise, new research suggests. In the study, Spanish researchers followed more than 3,500 older adults at high risk of heart disease. The researchers assigned them to one of three groups: a Mediterranean...
January 6, 2014
SUNDAY, Jan. 5, 2014 (HealthDay News) - Skiing, skating, snowboarding and sledding are great ways to stay active during the winter - if you take proper safety precautions. These sports require planning and caution to avoid potentially serious injuries, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. "Common winter sport injuries from skiing and snowboarding include sprains, strains, dislocations...
January 5, 2014
SATURDAY, Jan. 4, 2014 (HealthDay News) - New research suggests it may not make much difference to survival if victims of gunshots and stabbing injuries are transported to the emergency department in a police car or by emergency medical services (EMS). The study sheds light on the "scoop and run" approach to such injuries, which emphasizes getting a patient to the hospital quickly, even in a police...
January 4, 2014
THURSDAY, Jan. 2, 2014 (HealthDay News) - As people look for fresh strategies to cut back on calories and shed pounds, a new study suggests that simply eating more slowly can significantly reduce how much people eat in a single sitting. The study involved a small group of both normal-weight and obese or overweight participants. All were given an opportunity to eat a meal under relaxed, slow-speed conditions,...
January 3, 2014
(HealthDay News) - With the onset of winter weather, it's a good idea to stock your car with a seasonal emergency kit. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends these cold-weather essentials: - Blankets to keep warm. A stash of non-perishable foods and fresh water. A first aid kit. Cat litter or sand in case you need traction. Jumper cables, flares and a tire pump. Maps and a compass,...
January 3, 2014
(HealthDay News) - If you're plagued with a headache, sinus congestion or body aches, you may find the common pain reliever acetaminophen in more than one medication you take for relief. After all, acetaminophen is found in more than 600 over-the-counter and prescription medications, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says. The FDA makes these recommendations on how to make sure you don't take too...
January 3, 2014
Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by the editors of HealthDay: - Health Law Calls for Calorie Counts on Vending Machines - There may be a lot more counting of calories when people buy snacks from vending machines or order food in certain restaurants under rules currently being crafted as part of the final phase of the Affordable Care Act. Once the regulations...
January 3, 2014
FRIDAY, Jan. 3, 2014 (HealthDay News) - It's the new year, a time when a smokers' thoughts often turn to quitting. Some people may use that promise of a fresh start to trade their tobacco cigarettes for an electronic cigarette, a device that attempts to mimic the look and feel of a cigarette and often contains nicotine. Here's what you need to know about e-cigarettes: - What is an e-cigarette? - The...
January 3, 2014
FRIDAY, Jan. 3, 2014 (HealthDay News) - People who want to quit smoking cigarettes no longer have to suffer through cold-turkey withdrawal. A number of options now exist, and though most have some side effects, experts generally believe that the benefits of quitting smoking far exceed the risks posed by side effects. Current options include: - Nicotine replacement therapy - A variety of nicotine replacement...
January 3, 2014
FRIDAY, Jan. 3, 2014 (HealthDay News) - Germs that cause common illnesses, including ear infections and strep throat, can linger on surfaces such as cribs, children's toys and books for hours after contamination - even after the objects are well cleaned - according to a small new study. Researchers suggested that additional steps may need to be taken to protect children and adults from -Streptococcus...
January 3, 2014
FRIDAY, Jan. 3, 2014 (HealthDay News) - People who've had shingles - a viral infection also known as herpes zoster - before age 40 may have a higher risk of stroke years later, a large new study suggests. Adults who get shingles after 40 don't have an increased risk of stroke. But along with those who had shingles before 40, they do have a higher risk of heart attack and "transient ischemic attack"...
January 3, 2014
FRIDAY, Jan. 3 (HealthDay News) - Putting toddlers to bed at a time that's out of sync with their internal body clock could lead to sleep problems, according to a small new study. Researchers analyzed the sleep of 14 toddlers, aged 30 to 36 months, for six nights. They found differences in when children's levels of melatonin - a hormone that affects sleep - started to increase in the evening. Rising...
January 3, 2014
FRIDAY, Jan. 3, 2014 (HealthDay News) - The Obama administration on Friday contested U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor's decision temporarily exempting an order of Catholic nuns from the Affordable Care Act's contraception mandate. Under the health-reform law, most employer health plans are required to cover U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved birth control at no out-of-pocket cost...
January 3, 2014
FRIDAY, Jan. 3, 2014 (HealthDay News) - If you ever experience performance anxiety - commonly known as stage fright - getting excited might help more than trying to calm down, according to a new study. Researchers at Harvard Business School found that becoming excited before stressful activities, such as taking a math test or speaking in front of a crowd, forces people to think about the positives,...
January 3, 2014
FRIDAY, Jan. 3 (HealthDay News) - Downhill skiing is a great way to enjoy winter, but you need to prepare your body beforehand to reduce the risk of injuries, an expert suggests. "Most of us don't train before going on vacation, but it's important for skiers to work out because they tend to fall more when they are tired," Dr. David Lintner, chief of sports medicine at Houston Methodist Hospital, said...
January 3, 2014
FRIDAY, Jan. 3, 2014 (HealthDay News) - Increased health spending in developed countries tends to benefit men more than women, a new study finds. Researchers analyzed data from 27 developed nations to determine the efficiency of health care spending, and found that men had greater gains in life expectancy than women in nearly every country. "We were surprised to find a large gender gap in spending...
January 3, 2014
FRIDAY, Dec. 27, 2013 (HealthDay News) - As 2013 nears to a close, the year's top health news story - the fumbled debut of the Affordable Care Act, often dubbed Obamacare - continues to grab headlines. The Obama administration had high hopes for its health-care reform package, but technical glitches on the federal government's HealthCare.gov portal put the brakes on all that. Out of the millions of...
January 2, 2014
TUESDAY, Dec. 31, 2013 (HealthDay News) - It survived a U.S. Supreme Court challenge, multiple repeal attempts, delays of key provisions and a disastrous rollout, and now the Affordable Care Act, also known as "Obamacare," marks a major milestone. Beginning Jan. 1, millions of uninsured Americans will have health insurance, many for the first time in their lives. The law provides federal tax subsidies...
January 2, 2014
(HealthDay News) - Hot dogs are an American favorite, but they can make you sick if you let them spoil. The U.S. Food Safety and Inspection Service offers these suggestions for safe storage and handling of hot dogs: - As soon as possible after purchase, store hot dogs in the refrigerator or freezer. Follow the product dates on the package. Eat within two weeks if the package is refrigerated unopened,...
January 2, 2014
(HealthDay News) - Stress can creep into your daily life, affecting your health and your ability to perform everyday tasks. The Cleveland Clinic suggests how to help combat stress: - Soak in a warm bath or read a good book. Practice breathing exercises, indulge in a massage, or ask your partner for a backrub. Jot down your thoughts in a journal or listen to some relaxing music. Indulge in a nap, spend...
January 2, 2014
Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by the editors of HealthDay: - Health Law Calls for Calorie Counts on Vending Machines - There may be a lot more counting of calories when people buy snacks from vending machines or order food in certain restaurants under rules currently being crafted as part of the final phase of the Affordable Care Act. Once the regulations...
January 2, 2014
THURSDAY, Jan. 2, 2014 (HealthDay News) - One year after breast cancer surgery, many women continue to experience pain, according to a new study. Researchers revealed that the factors associated with the women's pain included chronic pain and depression before surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. "Persistent pain following breast cancer treatments remains a significant clinical problem despite...
January 2, 2014
THURSDAY, Jan. 2, 2014 (HealthDay News) - Teen drivers quickly move from focused to distracted while behind the wheel, and this raises their risk for accidents, a new study finds. Car crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In 2010, more than 2,500 teens died in car crashes - seven deaths every day - and teen drivers are...
January 2, 2014
THURSDAY, Jan. 2, 2014 (HealthDay News) - Pregnant women who have a bacterial infection that's diagnosed during hospitalization may be at greater risk of delivering a child with autism, a new study suggests. These infections - usually of the genitals, urinary tract or amniotic fluid - may lead to a nearly 60 percent greater risk of having a child with autism spectrum disorder, the researchers said...
January 2, 2014