Health News articles from November 2007

Health News archives from November 2007

Calcium pills really are good for the bones: taking calcium supplements reduces fracture risk and builds bone density in people over 50.(BONES & JOINTS)
November 1, 2007... While there has been some back-and-forth on the issue in recent years, calcium supplements--whether taken alone or in combination with supplements of vitamin D--actually do reduce the risk of fractures by 12 percent among people aged 50 and...

How physical activity improves the heart.(IN THE NEWS ...)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Physicians have known for two decades ago that patients who exercise live longer, even when they have serious coronary artery disease or heart failure. The multiple effects of exercise on the cells and muscles were...

Statins may delay onset of Alzheimer's disease.(IN THE NEWS ...)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In the only study of its kind, Dr. Gail Li and her colleagues at the University of Washington examined the brain tissue of more than 100 people between the ages of 65 and 79 who had donated their bodies to research...

Metabolic syndrome increases risk of death from bypass surgery.(IN THE NEWS ...)(Clinical report)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Results from the first study of patients with metabolic syndrome (MS) found that this cluster of metabolic abnormalities is a powerful risk factor for death during and immediately after bypass surgery. People with MS...

Use virgin olive oil to help prevent blood clots.(IN THE NEWS ...)
November 1, 2007... In the early stages of atherosclerosis, blood begins to clot more easily. Having high cholesterol worsens the clotting potential increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke. The phenols found in olive oil may reduce these dangers by warding...

"Prudent" diet bests "Western" to prevent colon cancer recurrence: eat fruits, vegetables, poultry and fish instead of red meat, fat, refined grains and desserts to inhibit cancer growth.(CANCER)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] For the last 30 years, researchers have investigated possible links between diet and cancer prevention, with mixed results. Just in the past year, two large, randomized studies on diet in women with early stage...

Foot self-examination can prevent cancer.(CANCER NEWSBRIEFS)
November 1, 2007... Checking your feet for telltale signs of melanoma can be as lifesaving as examining your body for suspicious moles. According to the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, about 50 percent of people diagnosed with melanoma of the foot die...

Vaccine to treat metastatic colon cancer effective.(CANCER NEWSBRIEFS)
November 1, 2007... The combination of the therapeutic cancer vaccine TroVax[R] with chemotherapy in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer was found to stimulate the immune system without producing excessive toxicities harmful to the patients. In the study,...

Fiber: the workhorse of your diet: it aids digestion, prevents weight gain, lowers cholesterol, and reduces risk of type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure.(INTERNAL MEDICINE)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Fiber plays a vital role in keeping us healthy. Emerging research shows that fiber benefits more than just our digestive tract. Indeed, experts have known for some time that a fiber-rich diet can prevent weight gain...

Spritz away headache pain.(INTERNAL MEDICINE NEWSBRIEFS)
November 1, 2007... Zolmitriptan, a prescription nasal spray, offers fast, effective relief from cluster headaches, a recent study published in the journal Neurology reported. Cluster headaches, among the most painful of headaches, affect just one-tenth of one...

MS gene found.(INTERNAL MEDICINE NEWSBRIEFS)
November 1, 2007... A new gene linked to multiple sclerosis, the first major genetic advance in MS research in three decades, was recently reported in the New England Journal of Medicine. The newly discovered interleukin 7 receptor (IL7R) alpha chain gene was...

New exercise guidelines help you get fit: build a foundation for better health with these clearly defined recommendations for overall fitness and strength.(NUTRITION & FITNESS)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The American Heart Association and the American College of Sports Medicine have issued new guidelines for exercise, including special instructions for those over the age of 65. The recommendations were published in...

High-carb diet could increase macular degeneration risk.(NUTRITION & FITNESS NEWSBRIEFS)
November 1, 2007... A study published in a recent edition of The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that high-glycemic index foods--those that quickly raise blood sugar levels--are associated with an elevated risk of age-related macular degeneration...

Flaxseed may stop prostate tumor growth.(NUTRITION & FITNESS NEWSBRIEFS)
November 1, 2007... Flaxseed, rich in omega 3-fatty acids and fiber-related compounds known as lignans, is effective in halting prostate tumor growth, according to a study led by Duke University Medical Center researchers. The seed may be able to interrupt the...

Is off-pump bypass surgery a better option? Study affirms the pros and cons of this technique.(CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE)(Clinical report)
November 1, 2007... Performing open heart bypass grafting on a beating heart without a heart-lung machine (called "off-pump" CABG or OPCAB) has gained popularity since the technique was developed in 1997. Today, 28 percent of all coronary bypass operations...

Study finds gout can kill.(CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE NEWSBRIEFS)
November 1, 2007... Most people think of gout as a harmless but painful sign of excess, but the disease can kill, researchers have found. They studied the relationship between gout and cardiovascular disease in 51,297 men participating in the Health Professionals...

Fear of back pain can lead to more pain: work with your doctor or physical therapist to deal with the pain/fear of pain cycle.(MIND & MEMORY)
November 1, 2007... People who fear aggravating a back injury will change the way they move to prevent more pain, but the change may lead to further injury, according to a study conducted at Ohio University and published in an August 2007 issue of the journal...

Mold in homes may cause depression.(MIND & MEMORY NEWSBRIEFS)
November 1, 2007... People who live in damp and moldy houses and apartments may be more likely to suffer from depression than those who live in mold-free environments, a study in the October 2007 issue of the American Journal of Public Health found. Researchers...

Coffee & tea may protect memory in women.(MIND & MEMORY NEWSBRIEFS)
November 1, 2007... Caffeine may help older women protect their ability to think, according to a study published in the August 7, 2007 issue of Neurology. Women, but not men, who drank more than three cups of coffee (or the equivalent in tea) per day had less...

Annual osteoporosis drug ok'd by FDA.(BONES & JOINTS NEWSBRIEFS)
November 1, 2007... The federal Food and Drug Administration recently approved a once-a-year drug, zoledronic acid (Reclast), for postmenopausal osteoporosis. Reclast is given as a 15-minute intravenous infusion. It is part of the bisphosphonate class of...

Minimally invasive hip replacement may be less painful.(BONES & JOINTS NEWSBRIEFS)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... People undergoing hip replacement therapy have less postoperative pain and are discharged from the hospital sooner if they have minimally invasive surgery rather than the conventional open hip replacement surgery, according to a report...

Q&A.
November 1, 2007... Q I've had gout for three years and I'm taking colchichine to control it. I don't drink a lot of water because I have congestive heart failure and am on diuretics. Does my lack of water intake contribute to my gout flareups? A Yes,...