Skip left navigation

Home > News > Health headlines > December 2012

December 2012

Monday December 31, 2012

• Thousands of U.S. Babies Born With Cleft Lip, Palate Each Year - But most of the time surgery can correct the defect, experts say

• How One N.Y. Family Met the Challenge of an Oral Birth Defect - A mother recounts her son's struggle against cleft lip and palate

• Another New Year's Hazard: Drunk Walking - Pedestrians with high blood alcohol can end up in the ER, trauma expert warns

• Don't Cut School Recess, Pediatricians Say - It helps kids' overall development and gives them a chance to decompress

• Hillary Clinton Hospitalized With Blood Clot - Secretary of State's doctors discovered the obstruction Sunday, possibly linked to recent concussion

• Health Tip: Signs That Your Child May Have Juvenile Arthritis - When chronic joint pain and tenderness affect young people

• Health Tip: Soothing Morning Sickness - Suggestions to help you feel better

Friday December 28, 2012

• Health Highlights: Dec. 28, 2012

• Research Reveals Why Flu Peaks in Certain Seasons - The germ thrives in low or very high humidity, scientists say

• Chronic Worry Linked to Higher Risk of PTSD - People who had anxiety before a traumatic event were more likely to develop stress disorder afterward

• Debate Heats Up Over Screening Athletes for Sickle Cell Trait - NCAA mandates such a test, but medical group urges a different option

• Sickle Cell Disease, Sickle Cell Trait Are Not the Same -

• Surgery May Not Be Needed for Ruptured Achilles Tendon - Review found equal long-term recovery in patients who followed specific rehab program

• New Raccoon Virus May Offer Clues to Human Cancer - Rare brain tumors seen in 12 animals with polyomavirus, researchers say

• Genes Linked to Effectiveness of Tamoxifen for Breast Cancer - A certain genetic trait limits how well the drug will work, research suggests

• Scientists Shed Light on Fungus Behind Deadly Pneumonia Strain - The parasite causes Pneumocystis pneumonia in people with weakened immune systems

• Going Online for Info May Reflect a Pro-Active Stance Against Cancer - People who did so typically didn't view their diagnosis as being 'just up to fate,' study found

• Scientists ID New Genetic Connection for Gout - The painful inflammatory condition affects about 2 percent of people worldwide

• Health Tip: Coping With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - Here are potential nonsurgical treatment options

• Health Tip: Understanding Morning Sickness - Potential complications of severe cases

Thursday December 27, 2012

• Health Highlights: Dec. 27, 2012

• Tips on Coping With Grief During Holidays - Some comfort can be found for the recently bereaved, expert says

• U.S. Cancer Screening Rates Dropping: Study - Confusing guidelines, insurance gaps may discourage people from getting recommended testing

• 'Teaching Gardens' Nurture Kids' Interest in Healthy Foods - An idea that began at the White House can take root in almost any home, one expert says

• Kids and Healthy Eating Can Go Together - Initiatives from cooking classes to 'teaching gardens' can make it happen

• Your New Weight-Loss Resolution: Drive Less - Study suggests you'll cut pounds while saving gasoline

• Cancer-Related Fatigue Often Overlooked, Study Finds - Doctors should address helpful behaviors, treatments, researchers say

• U.S. Children's Hospitals Treating More Complex, Expensive Conditions - Researchers find biggest increase in patients with special needs, such as cerebral palsy

• More Evidence That Violent Video Games Help Spur Aggression - Negative effects accumulate over time, study says

• Drug May Help Women Who Quit Smoking Avoid Weight Gain - Those who added naltrexone to smoking cessation therapy put on fewer pounds, study says

• Health Tip: A Dirty Sponge Spreads Germs - If it smells, throw it away

• Health Tip: Help Ease Night Terrors - Minimize your child's stress

Wednesday December 26, 2012

• Health Highlights: Dec. 26, 2012

• Winter Depression May Require Treatment Plan - Seasonal affective disorder affects up to 1 in 5 Americans, experts say

• What's Best for Kids' Eye Health? Experts Give Insight - Advice on diet, screening, and proper use of glasses and contacts

• Some Kids Abusing Common Baking Ingredients - Trends such as swallowing dry cinnamon, stuffing marshmallows can cause choking emergencies

• Lifestyle Affects Outcome of Peripheral Artery Procedure: Study - Taking aspirin, statins and not smoking helps people with blocked leg arteries avoid complications

• College-Bound Girls May Feel Pressure to 'Speak Properly' - Study found they were more likely to drop their 'local' accent

• Overweight Teens Report High Rates of Bullying, Teasing - Survey also found that parents, teachers were sometimes perpetrators

• Studies of Alzheimer's Caregivers May Overlook Non-Spouses - Many looking after family members are actually their adult children, grandchildren

• Brain Scans Might Help Spot Risk for Bipolar Disorder - Study looked for reduced response to pictures of facial expressions

• Oxygen Treatment May Improve the Odds for Extreme Preemies - Follow-up study found it helped more of them make it to toddlerhood

• Shortage of Drug for Children's Cancer May Have Upped Relapse Rates - Using another treatment didn't keep Hodgkin's lymphoma at bay as long, analysis finds

• Health Tip: Calming a Fussy Baby - Swaddle the infant with a large, lightweight blanket

• Health Tip: Think Before You Eat - Are you really hungry?

Thursday December 20, 2012

• Health Highlights: Dec. 20, 2012

• Asthma Linked to Increased Risk of Dangerous Lung Blockage - Odds of blood clot in lung artery increase along with severity of the respiratory disease, study finds

• Asthma Linked to Increased Risk of Dangerous Lung Blockage - Odds of blood clot in lung artery increase along with severity of the respiratory disease, study finds

• Early Language Skills Reduce Preschool Tantrums, Study Finds - Verbalizing their frustrations may help little ones cope

• 'Not Fair!' How Sibling Fights May Lead to Later Mood Problems - Everyday teen issues can contribute to depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, researchers say

• Motivation and Study, Not IQ, Are Keys to Kids' Math Success - Research highlights role of learning skills, determination in developing numerical competence

• FDA Panel Considers 1st Drug for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - Only some patients got relief from the experimental treatment, experts say

• Genes Linked to Autism Seem to Have Strong Tendency to Mutate - Study found mutations tied to many disorders tend to cluster in certain areas of the genome

• What Causes Hot Flashes? Rat Study Gives New Clues - Specific set of neurons in brain may be culprit, researchers find

• Family Meals Encourage Kids to Eat More Veggies, Fruit: Study - Researchers also found that children mimic parents' healthy eating habits

• FDA, States Weigh Pharmacy Regulation in Wake of Meningitis Outbreak - States ask agency to play a greater role in policing specialty pharmacies, protecting patients

• Palliative Care Eases Suffering for Seniors at End of Life: Study - Such patients in long-term care were less depressed, had fewer ER visits

• FDA: Don't Use Pradaxa Blood Thinner in Patients With Artificial Heart Valves - Warning based on European trial showing increased risk for strokes, heart attacks in this group

• New Diabetes Guidelines May Lower Patient Medical Bills - Fewer people will need blood pressure meds, while some should check blood sugar more