Osteoporosis Health

Osteoporosis Overview

Osteoporosis, or thinning bones, is a serious condition that can result in tremendous pain with fractures. Risk factors for osteoporosis include aging, being female, low body weight, low sex hormones such as during menopause, smoking, and some medications. There are no symptoms of this bone disease until you fracture a bone. Prevention and treatment of osteoporosis include calcium and vitamin D, regular exercise, and osteoporosis medications, if needed.

Osteoporosis Health Center

News and Features Related to Osteoporosis

1. The Truth About Vitamin D
   

   The hottest topic in medicine isn't the newest drug or the latest surgical device: It's vitamin D. What brought the simmering debate to a boil was a 2007 study showing that people taking normal vitamin D supplements were 7% less likely to die than those who didn't take the daily supplements a year
   

   
   
2. Osteoporosis Help From 'Vegetable Lamb' Plant?
   

   Oct. 16, 2009 -- The vegetable lamb plant contains substances that may one day help scientists develop new treatments for osteoporosis, a study shows. The study is published in the Journal of Natural Products. Young Ho Kim, PhD, of the Chungnam National University in Daejeon, South Korea

   
   
3. New Osteoporosis Drug Coming?
   

   Aug. 11, 2009 -- The experimental drug denosumab may be on its way to becoming the newest way to treat osteoporosis. Denosumab, a biological drug given by injection every six months, looks safe and effective, researchers report in today's advance online edition of the New England Journal of Medicine

4. Spinal Fracture: Cement No Better Than Sham
   

   Aug. 5, 2009 -- A popular treatment for painful spinal compression fractures works no better than sham therapy in patients with osteoporosis, according to two new studies published today in the New England Journal of Medicine. Researchers compared outcomes among patients who received injections of m

5. Do Bone Tests Help Monitor Osteoporosis?
   

   June 24, 2009 -- Bone mineral density testing is not helpful and may even be misleading during osteoporosis treatment with bisphosphonates, new research shows. Many health groups, including the National Osteoporosis Foundation, recommend bone density testing every year or every two years for people

6. Survey: Many Women Slip on Bone Health
   

   May 14, 2009 -- Many postmenopausal women with osteoporosis are not on top of their disease management, according to a new national survey. Osteoporosis has been declared a global health crisis by the World Health Organization and other health groups, and federal authorities say fractures related to

7. Osteoporosis and Diet: Recipes for Strong Bones
   

   When you've been diagnosed with osteoporosis you want a diet with a steady supply of bone-building nutrients. The delicious dishes that follow offer a bevy of calcium and vitamin D, which form the foundation of a diet for a sturdy skeleton, as well as other nutrients critical for bone health, includ

8. Osteoporosis and Diets
   

   Weight loss and bone loss can sometimes go hand in hand. Doctors know that women with anorexia, who severely restrict calories for a long time, are at increased risk for osteoporosis. The eating disorder interferes with hormones needed to maintain bone, not to mention the foods people need to build

9. The Effects of Smoking on Bone Health
   

   Whatever your age, the effects of smoking on bone health can't be ignored. The years from childhood until age 30 are prime time for building bone mass. "If an adolescent is smoking, they will not develop maximum bone mass. They will end up with a smaller skeleton and less bone mass, compared to a no

10. Male Osteoporosis: Bone Mass Matters
    

    Real men get osteoporosis, too. As many as 2 million American men already have osteoporosis, the bone thinning that makes bones brittle and porous and at likely to fracture. Twelve million men are at risk, and may have early signs of bone loss and low bone density, called osteopenia. But given that

Healthy Aging

Healthy Aging Overview

Aging is a normal part of life, and we’re living longer and longer. With today’s medical advances, many adults are celebrating good health along with longevity. It’s important to be aware of the many components of senior health, including physical health, mental health, and emotional well-being. With healthy lifestyle habits, plenty of exercise and activities, and strong social support, healthy seniors can look forward to personal fulfillment and a long life.

Healthy Aging Health Center

News and Features Related to Healthy Seniors

1. Spending on Health Care Slows in U.S.
   

   Jan. 5, 2010 -- Spending on health care in the U.S. grew only 4.4% in 2008, the slowest rate in nearly a half century, reflecting the nation's sluggish economy, federal analysts report. Still, overall health spending, which reached $2.3 trillion in 2008, or $7,681 per person, increased faster than t

2. Wealthy Areas Attract Assisted-Living Homes
   

   Jan. 5, 2010 -- Assisted-living facilities are more likely to be located in wealthier neighborhoods, according a new analysis published in Health Affairs. Researchers compared the penetration of assisted-living facilities nationally with county data from 2007 on education, median household income a

3. Senior Fitness: Why It's Never Too Late to Start
   

   Each month WebMD the Magazine puts your questions about weight loss and fitness to top exercise and motivational experts. This month, John Harvey, an 86-year-old retired physician, asked for help beginning a fitness routine. Harvey moved with his wife to a retirement community in Bethesda, Md., abou

4. Looking Young May Help You Live Longer
   

   Dec. 14, 2009 -- If you look young for your age, chances are you’ll live longer than if you’re haggard and appear worn out, new research indicates. A team of researchers led by Kaare Christensen, DMSc, from the University of Southern Demark studied photographs and data on 1,826 Danish twins aged 70

5. Infections Are Common in ICUs
   

   Dec. 3, 2009 -- Half of patients treated in intensive care units around the globe have infections and more than two out of three are treated with antibiotics, according to a new study. The findings raise concerns about the effectiveness of efforts to reduce hospital-acquired infections worldwide, ex

6. Technology Plays Key Role in Health Care Reform
   

   Technology must play a central role for proposed health care reform to contain costs, improve access, and save lives. A smart, ubiquitous electronic medical record system is certainly a big part of the package, but will we have to sacrifice our privacy to reach these lofty goals? “A key part of heal

7. Women's Secret to Longevity?
   

   Dec. 2, 2009 -- Sperm genes may shorten the lifespan of males compared to females, at least in animals, according to Japanese researchers. The researchers produced female mice by using genetic material from two mothers but no fathers -- and then found these mice, which they call bi-maternal or BM, l

8. Obesity Rise Trumps Smoking Decline
   

   Dec. 2, 2009 -- Over the next decade the health benefits achieved because fewer Americans are smoking will be more than overshadowed by the negative health effects of the unchecked rise in obesity, new research suggests. As a population, Americans are smoking less but weigh more than they have in ma

9. Nutrition Challenges When You're Older or Sick
   

   Like many things in life as we get older, eating can be a challenge. The sense of taste, like the other senses, diminishes as we age. Appetite and taste can also be affected by medications. In addition, dental problems can make it difficult or painful to chew food. Loss of appetite can make it diffi

10. Nutrition and Aging: 7 Signs of Inadequate Nutrition
    

    Many Americans, young and old, fall short on vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients, dietary surveys show. But the challenge of getting adequate nutrition may be trickiest for older adults. Because seniors tend to be less active than younger people, they need fewer calories. Yet research shows that

Healthy Pets

Healthy Pets Holiday Gift Guide

WebMD offers ideas for pet gifts, from dog beds to music for cats. Get your pet something healthy and useful this year.

By Jennifer Dixon
WebMD Pet Health Feature

Reviewed by Katherine Snyder, DVM, Dip ACVIM

It’s holiday time, and if you’re a pet owner, you probably want to get something special for your furry friend. With gifts ranging from coats to CDs to special beds, there is no shortage of options to make your pet happy. But how do you know what type of gifts are beneficial to your pet’s health? WebMD’s pet experts, Katherine Snyder, DVM, ACVIM and Mark Stickney, DVM, will help you decide by giving you insight into what pets really need to keep them healthy and happy. Then we’ll list a few products available in that category. Remember that in most cases there are many products available; follow our vets’ guidance to help you find the right one for you and your pet.

1. Question: Do dogs really need coats and blankets in the winter to keep them warm, particularly those tiny little short-haired dogs? Can a dog get too hot?

Dr. Snyder says: The answer to both questions is yes! Dogs are just like people in the fact that they can get too cold and too hot. How much care you need to provide for the winter really depends on several factors. If your dog spends only a little time outside, you may not need to provide any extra support to keep him warm. But if your dog spends lots of time outside, will be out when it rains or snows, or is a strictly outdoor dog, providing some type of external warmth is very important.

Another question to consider is how thick is my dog’s hair coat. A Siberian Husky may do just fine outside during winter months, but a little Chihuahua is unlikely to fare well unless we provide extra help. The third thing to consider is what type of environment you live in. Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean your area of the country is going to become cold enough to require coats or blankets for your dogs. Keep the outside temperature in mind when deciding how much your dog needs extra warming.

If you decide your dog does need something extra, a well-fitted sweater or coat can help insulate your dog’s body heat and help keep him warm.

But once the temperature warms up or your dog comes in from the cold outdoors you can take his sweater or coat off. This will keep your dog from becoming too warm and also give you a chance to brush his coat and make sure clothing isn’t rubbing any sore spots onto his skin.

Here are some examples:

Snuggie for Dogs: Modeled on the fleece blanket for people, the doggie version is available for pooches of any size (www.snuggiesfordogs.com).

Cholesterol Health

Cholesterol Health Check

Do you have high cholesterol, also known as hypercholesterolemia? Abnormal cholesterol levels such as high LDL cholesterol or low HDL cholesterol are a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. An unhealthy diet can cause high cholesterol. Sometimes high cholesterol runs in families. A low-cholesterol diet can help improve cholesterol levels. If the low-cholesterol diet does not work to lower bad cholesterol and increase good cholesterol, your doctor may prescribe medications.

Cholesterol Management Health Center

News and Features Related to Cholesterol Management

1. FDA: Vytorin Unlikely to Up Cancer Risk
   

   Dec. 22, 2009 -- The FDA says a connection between the cholesterol-lowering drug Vytorin and cancer risk is unlikely, but shouldn't be ruled out. Vytorin is a combination of two cholesterol-lowering drugs, Zocor, from Merck, and Zetia, from Merck and Schering-Plough. The FDA said in August 2008 that

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2. Cholesterol Levels Getting Better in U.S.
   

   Nov. 17, 2009 -- Researchers say the prevalence of high levels of LDL "bad" cholesterol decreased dramatically among U.S. adults between 1999 and 2006. That's the good news from a study published in the Nov. 18 issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association. The bad news -- or part of it -

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3. Niacin Tops Zetia in Cutting Artery Plaque
   

   Nov. 16, 2009 (Orlando, Fla.) -- A prescription version of niacin beat out a blockbuster cholesterol-lowering drug in slowing the buildup of plaque in artery walls, researchers report. The study pitted extended-release niacin, sold as Niaspan, which works by boosting levels of HDL "good" cholesterol

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4. Statin Drugs May Cut Risk of Gallstones
   

   Nov. 11, 2009 -- A popular class of cholesterol-lowering medications appears to reduce the risk for gallstones that ultimately require surgery. Researchers reporting in this week's issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association have found that adults who take a statin medication for at lea

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5. 11 Tips to Cut Your Cholesterol Fast
   

   How's your cholesterol? If you think that the normal reading you got back in 2004 (or earlier) means you're in the clear, think again: Levels of the artery-clogging substance often rise with age, and cardiologists say everyone 20 or older should be screened for high cholesterol at least once every f

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6. Statins May Perform Better as a Solo Act
   

   Aug. 31, 2009 -- Statins may do their best work at lowering cholesterol levels alone, according to a new review of research on the popular drugs. More than 28 million Americans have some form of heart disease, and doctors often prescribe statin drugs to lower dangerous low-density lipoprotein (LDL)

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7. High Cholesterol Linked to Alzheimer's
   

   Aug. 4, 2009 -- Adults with even moderately elevated cholesterol in their early to mid-40s appear to have an increased risk for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias decades later, a new study shows. Researchers followed more than 9,800 people for four decades in one of the largest and longest a

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8. Livalo, a New Statin, Gets FDA Nod
   

   Aug. 3, 2009 - The FDA has approved a Livalo, a new cholesterol-lowering statin drug. Known by the generic name of pitavastatin, Livalo has been used in Japan since 2003. It's also sold in Korea and Thailand. Livalo is made by the multinational Japanese firm Kowa Company Ltd., which now has faciliti

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9. High Cholesterol Risks: Top 2 Dangers
   

   A lot of people don't take the risks of high cholesterol very seriously. After all, one out of five people have high cholesterol. A staggering 50% of Americans have levels above the suggested limit. Could something so common really be a serious health risk? Unfortunately, yes. Cholesterol is a direc

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10. Muscle Damage From Statins May Evade Blood Test
    

    July 6, 2009 - Statin users with prolonged statin-related muscle pain may also experience muscle damage, even when a blood test used to identify muscle injury is normal, new research shows. Studies suggest that between 10% and 15% of patients who take cholesterol-lowering statin drugs like Crestor,

Source from WebMD

Vitamins

Live Well Vitamins & Lifestyle Guide

Making the Most Out of Multivitamins

Millions of Americans take multivitamins in the name of better health. Should you?

By Elizabeth M. Ward, MS, RD
WebMD Feature

Reviewed by Michael W. Smith, MD

Millions of Americans take multivitamins in the name of better health. In spite of conflicting reports that these supplements combat chronic conditions, top health experts recommend daily multivitamins for nearly everyone.

Read on to find out why multivitamins matter, tips for picking the best one, and how to bypass potential problems from the most popular dietary supplements.

Multivitamins: Bridging (Some) Nutrient Gaps

A balanced diet goes a long way to getting the vitamins and minerals you need to feel good and head off health problems. Trouble is, very few people eat right every day.

“When we compare recommendations for vitamin and mineral intakes to actual consumption, many Americans do not even come close to getting what they need for several nutrients,” says Meir Stampfer, MD, DrPH, professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School.

According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005, adults are often deficient in:

• Calcium
• Magnesium
• Vitamin A (as carotenoids)
• Vitamins C
• Vitamin E

“Certain groups run even higher risks for vitamin and mineral deficits,” says Jeffrey Blumberg, PhD, director of the Antioxidants Research Laboratory, and professor of nutrition at Tufts University.

Vitamin Short-Fall: Who’s at Risk?

Over time, small discrepancies in nutrient intakes can prove problematic for a person, particularly for women in their childbearing years, strict vegetarians, and the elderly.

For instance, shortfalls of iron in the childbearing years may lead to anemia. Too little folic acid very early in pregnancy increases the risk of neural tube defects in developing babies. And vitamin B12 deficits, responsible for irreversible nerve damage and faulty cognition, are more likely in people who avoid animal foods, and in people over the age of 50, whose bodies absorb synthetic vitamin B12 better than the naturally occurring form.

Stampfer and Blumberg advocate multivitamins as a way to shore up diets low in nutrients. But, they warn that multivitamins are dietary supplements, not substitutes for healthy eating.

That’s because multivitamins lack a number of beneficial compounds for wellness, including phytonutrients, and fiber, found in plant foods. Multivitamins also typically fall short of the recommend daily amount of calcium and other important vitamins and minerals, too.

Think of multivitamins as an insurance policy, but don’t fool yourself into thinking dietary supplements measure up to the benefits of maintaining a healthy body weight, eating right, and getting regular physical activity, Blumberg tells WebMD.

“Overall, multivitamins are a minor component of good health, but worthy ones,” Stampfer says.

Can Multivitamins Curb Chronic Disease?

Don’t bet on multivitamins to keep you free of heart disease, cancer, and other chronic illness. That’s the recommendation of a 2006 State-of-the-Science Conference on Multivitamin/Mineral Supplements and Chronic Disease Prevention from the National Institutes of Health.

In the report, the 13-member panel concluded that more research is needed before suggesting multivitamin use to head off disease in healthy, non-pregnant people.

Cold and Flu

Cold and Flu Overview

Is it a cold or the flu? While a common cold, including chest cold and head cold, can be caused by more than 200 viruses, seasonal flu is caused by either influenza A or B viruses. Cold and flu remedies can usually ease symptoms. Antiviral medications like Relenza or Tamiflu are helpful if prescribed soon after flu symptoms start.

Cold & Flu Health Center

News and Features Related to Cold & Flu

1. H1N1 Swine Flu Not So Catchy
   

   Dec. 30, 2009 -- H1N1 swine flu is less catchy than previous pandemic flu bugs, a household study finds. The study looked at 216 two- to six-person households in which one family member came down with a confirmed case of 2009 H1N1 swine flu. Only 13% of family members caught the flu from the infecte

2. H1N1 Risky for Pregnant, Postpartum Women
   

   Dec. 28, 2009 -- H1N1 influenza poses a special risk to pregnant women and new mothers, but life-threatening treatment delays are common in this group, a new study confirms. Researchers from the CDC and the California Department of Public Health examined all H1N1-related hospitalizations among Calif

3. Flu Breakthrough: The Search for a Universal Vaccine
   

   Medical sleuths have been trailing the elusive cold and flu viruses for more than a century. Now they finally might be onto something. A universal flu vaccine could be on the horizon -- and even more effective treatments for the common cold. Wayne Marasco, MD, PhD, is one of the most ardent sleuths.

4. Eight Surprising Facts About Swine Flu
   

   The H1N1 flu was a surprise right from the start: a soon-to-be pandemic flu virus that was first identified in kids in the United States. But that's not the only unusual fact about H1N1 flu. Here are eight more surprising developments: 1 Name that flu virus In April 2009, CDC researchers met to name

5. 60 Million in U.S. Vaccinated Against Swine Flu
   

   Dec. 22, 2009 -- At least 60 million people in the U.S. have rolled up their sleeves or taken the nasal spray version of the H1N1 swine flu vaccine, according a briefing at the CDC today. Twice as many doses have gone to children than adults, but only about 2 million children had received the second

6. Single H1N1 Swine Flu Shot for Kids?
   

   Dec. 21, 2009 - Can kids get by with just one dose of the H1N1 swine flu vaccine? Yes, an Australian study suggests. No, says the CDC -- they'll still need two doses. Australian researchers report that a 15-microgram dose of H1N1 vaccine -- double the dose approved for U.S. kids under age 3 but the

7. H1N1 Swine Flu Shots for Kids Recalled
   

   Dec. 15, 2009 -- The CDC today issued a voluntary recall of hundreds of thousands of doses of pediatric H1N1 swine flu shots for "non-safety" reasons. The CDC says in a statement that the vaccines in pre-filled syringes are being recalled because tests indicate the doses in question have lost some o

8. 10,000 H1N1 Swine Flu Deaths
   

   Dec. 10, 2009 - H1N1 swine flu killed 10,000 Americans, sent 213,000 to the hospital, and sickened 50 million -- a sixth of the population -- by mid-November, the CDC estimates. The CDC's new estimates reflect a flood of new cases from mid-October to mid-November, as the current wave of the U.S. flu

9. Don’t Let a Cold Get You Down
   

   We’re a decade into the 21st century and scientists are no closer to that most elusive goal: a cure for the common cold. If anything, cold viruses seem more formidable than ever. Until recently, researchers thought there were about 100 variants of rhinoviruses, the most common cause of the common co

10. Tamiflu's Effectiveness Doubted
    

    Dec. 9, 2009 -- Widely used antiviral drugs such as Tamiflu and Relenza may not prevent complications such as pneumonia in healthy people, according to a new investigation and analysis. "We're not so sure the drugs are so magic a bullet as we previously thought," researcher Chris Del Mar, MD, dean o

Diabetes

Diabetes Overview

Diabetes affects the body's ability to use blood sugar for energy. The main types include type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and gestational diabetes. Diabetes insipidus, a rare disorder, is not related to diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes). Diabetes symptoms may include increased thirst and urination, blurred vision, and fatigue.

Diabetes Health Center

News and Features Related to Diabetes

1. Fat Hormone Leptin May Control Diabetes
   

   Jan. 5, 2010 -- The so-called fat hormone leptin may play a key role in controlling and potentially reversing diabetes, a role that has nothing to do with its link to weight loss. The hormone leptin has been nicknamed the fat hormone after numerous studies have shown it promotes weight loss, which i

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2. A1C Blood Test OK for Diabetes Diagnosis
   

   Dec. 29, 2009 -- The American Diabetes Association (ADA) is recommending that a simple blood test currently used to assess whether diabetes is under control also be used to diagnose the disease. The blood test -- known as the A1C test -- has several important advantages over traditional blood glucos

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3. How a 'Diabetes Diet' Protects Your Health
   

   If you have diabetes, a healthy diet does more than keep your blood sugar under better control. A good diabetes diet can also help prevent or delay the onset of complications such as nerve pain or heart disease. Although some people talk about a "diabetes diet," there's really no such thing, experts

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4. 4 New High-Tech Tools to Help Control Diabetes
   

   Diabetes can make huge demands on you. For many patients, the daily routine involves painful finger sticks, glucose tests, and insulin injections -- all in an effort to keep blood sugar and diabetes under control. But newer devices, such as continuous glucose monitors, may make it easier for many of

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5. Coffee, Tea May Stall Diabetes
   

   Dec. 14, 2009 -- Every cup of coffee a person drinks per day may lower the risk of diabetes by 7%. A new review of research on the link between lifestyle factors, like coffee and tea consumption, and diabetes risk suggests that drinking regular or decaffeinated coffee and tea all lower the risk of t

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6. Popular Diabetes Drugs Tied to Heart Failure
   

   Dec. 4, 2009 -- Concerns that the diabetes drugs Avandia and Actos raise the risk for heart failure led the FDA to require label changes warning of the potential risk two years ago. Now a new study suggests this concern might be unfounded, but it also raises questions about a different class of oral

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7. Screening 'Test' Gauges Diabetes Risk
   

   Nov. 30, 2009 -- Are you overweight? Do you exercise? Do you have high blood pressure or relatives who have diabetes? Are you male or female? Researchers have developed a simple, six-question screening test designed to help you determine whether you might be one of many millions of Americans who hav

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8. Delaying Type 1 Diabetes
   

   Nov. 25, 2009 -- Researchers may have found a new way to delay, or perhaps prevent, type 1 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes usually begins early in life, when the T-lymphocyte arm of the immune system attacks insulin-making beta cells in the pancreas. Researchers hoping to slow or stop this process have ta

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9. Diabetes Rate May Double by 2034
   

   Nov. 27, 2009 -- If nothing is done, the number of Americans with diabetes will nearly double in the next 25 years and spending on the disease will nearly triple, a new study shows. An aging population combined with a dramatic rise in obesity has created a perfect storm for diabetes in the U.S., res

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10. More Obesity, Diabetes in South, Appalachia
    

    Nov. 19. 2009 -- The CDC says the prevalence of obesity and diabetes in the U.S. is much higher in the South and Appalachian region than in most areas of the West and Northeast. In its Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report for Nov. 20, the CDC estimates obesity and diabetes prevalence for all 3,141

    
    

Children's Health

Children's Health

News and Features Related to Children's Health

1. Vaccine Refusal Raises Chickenpox Risk
   

   Jan. 4, 2010 -- Chickenpox cases have dropped by about 80% in the U.S. since a vaccine to prevent the disease became available almost 15 years ago, but many parents still reject immunization because of concerns about vaccine safety. Now new research confirms what public health officials have long kn

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2. Urine Test May Spot Sleep Apnea in Children
   

   Dec. 8, 2009 -- A urine test may offer an easier way to tell the difference between a simple snoring problem and more serious obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in children, according to new research. Habitual snoring is a common condition in children and affects up to 12% of school-aged children. But ob

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3. Dental Health Care: Tots, Tweens, and Teens
   

   Smile and say cheese! February is Children's Dental Health month, time to make sure tots, tweens, and teens are getting the tooth care they need. Even tiny tots need regular checkups, just like mom and dad. The American Dental Association recommends kids start getting checkups at about age 1, or whe

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4. Healthy and Safe Holiday Gifts
   

   Fun, safe, healthy holiday gifts: Think this triple threat is impossible to find? Think again. With a little help from the experts, we've put together this quick list of seasonal gifts that offer healthy fun for big kids and small. Mail Order: For food lovers of every stripe there's a cornucopia of

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5. Increase in Babies Born With Down Syndrome
   

   Nov. 30, 2009 -- The prevalence of infants born with Down syndrome has increased dramatically in recent years, new research indicates. Reporting in the Nov. 30 issue of Pediatrics, scientists say the prevalence of live born infants with Down syndrome increased by 31% between 1979 and 2003, from 9 to

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6. Aluminum Can Tabs Still Pose Health Risks
   

   Nov. 30, 2009 (Chicago) -- The aluminum can manufacturers' move to make the tabs on cans harder to ingest is apparently too easy to swallow. The so-called stay-tabs were developed to prevent accidental ingestion of the pull-tabs that preceded them. But young people are still swallowing them, says La

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7. Phthalates Affect Way Young Boys Play
   

   Nov. 16, 2009 -- Mothers exposed to high levels of chemicals known as phthalates during pregnancy may have boys who are less likely to play with trucks and other male-typical toys or to play fight, according to a new study. Phthalates, common in the environment, are found in toys, food packaging, pe

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8. Study Unravels Mystery of Dyslexia
   

   Nov. 11, 2009 -- New research may provide an answer as to why children with dyslexia often have difficulty hearing someone talk in a noisy room. Dyslexia is a common, language-based learning disability that makes it difficult to read, spell, and write. It is unrelated to a person's intelligence. Stu

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9. Hot Tub Injuries on the Rise
   

   Nov. 5, 2009 -- Relaxing in a backyard hot tub may be fun, but potential dangers lurk. A new study shows that as the popularity of hot tubs has increased, so has the number of injuries. Researchers analyzed emergency room records from 1990 until 2007. During that period, the number of nonfatal hot t

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10. Newborns' Cries Reflect Parents' Language
    

    Nov. 5, 2009 -- The cries of infants as young as three days old already reflect the language their parents speak, according to a new study that compared the newborn cries of French-born and German-born children. It's well known by experts that parental voices, especially a mother's, are perceived in

Skin Problems Healthy

Skin Problems

Skin problems are common for people of all ages. Whether you suffer with a rash, itchy skin, skin fungus or infection, skin bumps, or skin tags, there’s good treatment available for a variety of skin diseases. If you have oily or dry skin, talk to your doctor about your particular skin condition and learn the best methods to clean, treat, and protect your skin.

News and Features Related to Skin Problems & Treatments

1. Why Women Wrinkle Around Mouth
   

   Dec. 16, 2009 -- Biology may be the reason why women are more prone than men to developing wrinkles around the lips -- called perioral wrinkles-- and deeper ones, too, a new study says. Researchers from the Netherlands say they’ve found that: Women’s skin tissues around the mouth contain fewer sweat

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2. MRSA Strain on the Rise in Hospitals
   

   Nov. 24, 2009 -- A potentially dangerous and rapidly spreading strain of the "superbug" MRSA poses a much greater public health threat than previously thought, new research shows. Community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA) is spreading in hospitals and other health care facilities, according to a study in

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3. Bacteria Key to Healthy Skin
   

   Nov. 23, 2009 -- Bacteria normally found on the skin's surface may play a key role in preventing inflammation and disease. A new study shows that bacteria living on the skin's surface, including staphylococcal types that typically induce inflammation below the skin, actually prevent excessive inflam

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4. Stem Cells May Be Used as Skin Grafts
   

   Nov. 19, 2009 -- Human embryonic stem cells can be used to produce skin grafts for people who have been seriously burned, shows a study published in The Lancet. Though patients have benefited from cell therapy for two decades, the techniques used have had limitations, write Hind Guenou, PhD, of INSE

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5. New Drug for Lingering Shingles Pain
   

   Nov. 17, 2009 - The FDA has approved a new treatment for postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), the nerve pain that sometimes lingers after an attack of shingles. The new PHN drug is Qutenza. It's made by Lohmann Therapie-Systems AD of Andernach, Germany, and distributed by NeurogesX Inc. of San Mateo, Calif

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6. Shingles Recurs More Often Than Thought
   

   Nov. 2, 2009 (Philadelphia) -- People with shingles are more likely to suffer a recurrence than previously thought, especially if their attack is accompanied by lasting pain, researchers report. "The risk of getting shingles again, once you already have it, is about one in three," says Barbara Yawn,

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7. Deadlier Strain of MRSA Emerges
   

   Nov. 2, 2009 (Philadelphia) -- A newly discovered strain of drug-resistant staph bacteria is five times more deadly than other strains, a new study suggests. Adding insult to injury, the new superbug appears to have some resistance to the antibiotic commonly used to treat it, researchers report. Hal

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8. Pumpkin Protein May Field Off Yeast Infections
   

   Oct. 30, 2009 -- Researchers in South Korea say pumpkin skins contain a powerful antifungal protein that works against the cause of many common yeast infections. Reporting in the American Chemical Society’s Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, Chosun University scientists from Kwangju, South

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9. Dark Colors Keep Out Sun's Harmful Rays
   

   Oct. 16, 2009 -- Darker colors in cotton fabric provide better protection against the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays than lighter tones, new research indicates. Scientists in Spain say people should "think blue or red" instead of yellow when choosing clothing, because the darker hues on cotton fabri

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10. Shingles May Raise Risk of Stroke
    

    Oct. 8, 2009 -- Adults with shingles are at increased risk for stroke, especially if they have shingles that affects the eyes, a study shows. The study is not the first to show an elevated stroke risk associated with shingles, but it is the first to quantify the risk, researchers say. Compared to ad

Source from WebMD

Stroke Overview

Stroke Overview

Stroke is brain damage caused by a blocked blood vessel or bleeding in the brain. The signs of a stroke may include weakness, numbness, blurred vision, confusion, and slurred speech. Getting to a hospital quickly is vital for a good outcome with a stroke.

Whats is Stroke

The two forms of stroke are ischemic -- blockage of a blood vessel supplying the brain, and hemorrhagic -- bleeding into or around the brain. In an ischemic stroke, a blood clot blocks or plugs a blood vessel or artery in the brain. About 80% of all strokes are ischemic. In a hemorrhagic stroke, a blood vessel in the brain breaks and bleeds into the brain. About 20% of strokes are hemorrhagic.

Whats is happen during a stroke

When a stroke occurs the blood supply to part of the brain is suddenly interrupted. Brain cells die when they no longer receive oxygen and nutrients from the blood or there is sudden bleeding into or around the brain.

if there any treatment for stroke

Generally there are three treatment stages for stroke: prevention, therapy immediately after the stroke, and post-stroke rehabilitation. Therapies to prevent a first or recurrent stroke are based on treating an individual's underlying risk factors for stroke, such as high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, and diabetes. Acute stroke therapies try to stop a stroke while it is happening by quickly dissolving the blood clot causing an ischemic stroke or by stopping the bleeding of a hemorrhagic stroke. Post-stroke rehabilitation helps individuals overcome disabilities that result from stroke damage. Medication or drug therapy is the most common treatment for stroke. The most popular classes of drugs used to prevent or treat stroke are antithrombotics (antiplatelet agents and anticoagulants or "blood thinners") and thrombolytics.


Source from WebMD
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