Health News

Health Sports seem OK for many with heart-zapping device Sports seem OK for many with heart-zapping device
By LAURAN NEERGAARD AP Medical Writer Published: May 21, 2013 at 8:26 AM PDT
New research is challenging medical guidelines that say people with a heart-zapping device in their chests should avoid intense sports like basketball and soccer in favor of golf or bowling.
Health Some customers fired up over smoking in bars Some customers fired up over smoking in bars (Video)
By Carol Ferguson, Eyewitness News Published: May 20, 2013 at 6:26 PM PDT
Smoking in bars was banned in California years ago, but some tavern patrons say it's still happening, and they want it stopped. Eyewitness News was contacted about two bars, and the owner says they fall under an exemption. But, local authorities say there are no exceptions to the no-smoking rule, and they continue to crack down when they get complaints.
Health What do we eat? New food map will tell us What do we eat? New food map will tell us
By MARY CLARE JALONICK, Associated Press Published: May 20, 2013 at 8:42 AM PDT
Until now, the only way to find out what people in the United States eat and how many calories they consume has been government data, which can lag behind the rapidly expanding and changing food marketplace. Researchers are trying to change that.
Health FDA has safety concerns on Merck insomnia drug FDA has safety concerns on Merck insomnia drug
By Associated Press Published: May 20, 2013 at 8:37 AM PDT Last Updated: May 20, 2013 at 1:40 PM PDT
Federal health regulators say an experimental insomnia drug from Merck can help patients fall asleep, but it also carries worrisome side effects, including daytime drowsiness and suicidal thinking.
Health Measles surges in UK years after vaccine scare Measles surges in UK years after vaccine scare
By MARIA CHENG AP Medical Writer Published: May 20, 2013 at 7:25 AM PDT
More than a decade ago, British parents refused to give measles shots to at least a million children because of a vaccine scare that raised the specter of autism. Now, health officials are scrambling to catch up and stop a growing epidemic of the contagious disease.
Health Saudi health workers sickened by SARS-like virus
By MIKE STOBBE AP Medical Writer Published: May 16, 2013 at 8:14 AM PDT
A deadly new respiratory virus related to SARS has apparently spread from patients to health care workers in eastern Saudi Arabia, health officials said Wednesday.
Health Doctor with cerebral palsy offers hope Doctor with cerebral palsy offers hope
By JIM SALTER Associated Press Published: May 15, 2013 at 7:57 AM PDT
Dr. Jan Brunstrom-Hernandez gently but sternly admonishes a teenage cerebral palsy patient who clearly hasn't been doing his exercises, stressing the importance of keeping muscles loose and limber.
Health Women have new options for breast cancer surgery Women have new options for breast cancer surgery
By MARILYNN MARCHIONE AP Chief Medical Writer Published: May 14, 2013 at 8:00 AM PDT
Treating breast cancer almost always involves surgery, and for years the choice was just having the lump or the whole breast removed. Now, new approaches are dramatically changing the way these operations are done, giving women more options, faster treatment, smaller scars, fewer long-term side effects and better cosmetic results.
Health Study questions if bed rest prevents premature birth Study questions if bed rest prevents premature birth
By LAURAN NEERGAARD AP Medical Writer Published: May 14, 2013 at 7:58 AM PDT
New research is raising fresh concern that an age-old treatment for troubled pregnancies - bed rest - doesn't seem to prevent premature birth, and might even worsen that risk.
Health Government stops study seeking to prevent type of stroke
By LAURAN NEERGAARD AP Medical Writer Published: May 12, 2013 at 6:36 PM PDT
The government has halted a study testing treatments for a brain condition that can cause strokes after early results suggested invasive therapies were riskier than previously thought.