February is American Heart Month-a time to reflect on the sobering fact that heart disease remains the number one killer of
Most of us feel some discomfort in our guts from time to time. It may be because we're nervous about something, or perhaps we ate something that didn't agree with
How Often Should Women Have Bone Tests?
Experts recommend that older women have regular bone density tests to screen for osteoporosis. But it's been unclear how often to repeat the
Since the discovery of the microscope, scientists have tried to visualize smaller and smaller structures to provide insights into the inner workings of
Manganese May Prevent Toxin Damage
A new study suggests that manganese, an essential nutrient, may prevent the deadly effects of Shiga toxin. The finding may lead to cheap, effective
Body Produces “Industrial” Lubricant for Metal Hip Implants
A lubricating layer made of graphitic carbon naturally forms in the joints of metal-on-metal hip implants, a new study shows. This solid layer, produced
New Insights Into Old Anti-Fungal Drug
For more than 50 years, doctors have used the drug Amphotericin B (AmB) to treat systemic fungal infections. In a new study, researchers revealed a
Researchers Find Cause of Rare Immune Disease
NIH scientists have identified a genetic mutation that causes cold temperatures to trigger allergic reactions-a condition called cold urticaria.
If you know something's bad for you, why can't you just stop? About 70% of smokers say they would like to quit. Drug and alcohol
At some point in your life, someone probably told you: "Enjoy every moment. Life is short." Maybe you've smiled and rolled your eyes at this well-intentioned relative or co-worker.
Less Invasive Surgery Just as Effective for Some Breast Cancer Patients
When breast cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes, many doctors believe that removing several more nodes provides better treatment.
Saliva Testing Catches CMV Infection in Newborns
A saliva sample from a newborn can be used to quickly and effectively detect cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, a major cause of hearing loss in
Baby Boomers Trigger Major Increase in Knee Replacement Surgeries
Whether it's music, lifestyles, or a refuse-to-age outlook, Baby Boomers think of themselves as trailblazers. Now, that generation born between 1946 and 1964 can claim credit for another "first"-a dramatic increase in knee
Many Young Children Overdosing from Medicines at Home
Each year, one of every 150 two-year-olds visits an emergency department in the United States for an unintentional medication overdose, most often after finding and eating or drinking medicines
With the winter holidays upon us, you'll likely be surrounded by family, friends and plenty of good food. Many of these foods,
Most Stillbirths Caused by Placental, Pregnancy Conditions
Half of all stillbirths result from pregnancy disorders and conditions that affect the placenta, according to a new report. Risk factors already known
A new study shows that empathy may drive rats to help each other. The finding gives insight into the biological roots of our urge to assist others in
Gene Therapy Helps Patients with Hemophilia
A single dose of an experimental gene therapy boosted production of a missing blood-clotting factor in people with hemophilia, a new study
Less Medication Effective for Wheezing Preschoolers
Children with recurrent wheezing who are in danger of developing asthma fared no better taking daily low doses of inhaled corticosteroid than taking
Antibodies Protect Against HIV in Mice
Researchers have devised a gene transfer technique in mice that, with a single injection, protects the immune cells that HIV targets. With further
Prenatal Steroids Reduce Brain Injury in Preemies
Some of the tiniest premature babies are more likely to survive and have less brain injury if their mothers receive prenatal steroids. The finding
Tools Help You Choose a Good Nursing Home
Finding a high-quality nursing home for a family member is a daunting task.
Wood Cooking Stoves Combat Pneumonia
A new study found that wood-burning cooking stoves with chimneys lowered exposure to wood smoke from open cooking fires and reduced the rate of severe pneumonia by 30% in children less than 18 months of age.
Key Hearing Proteins Identified
Researchers have found what appear to be 2 key components of the long-sought-after mechanotransduction channel in the inner ear-the place
Targeted Light Therapy Destroys Cancer Cells
Scientists have developed a noninvasive technique that uses light to selectively wipe out cancerous cells in mice without harming surrounding tissue.
Elderly at risk of hospitalizations from key medications
Each year, there are nearly 100,000 emergency hospitalizations for adverse drug events in U.S. adults aged 65 years or older, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study published today
New Study Finds E-prescribing Is Safe and Efficient, but Barriers Remain
Physician practices and pharmacies generally view electronic prescribing as an important tool to improve patient safety and save time, but both groups face barriers to realizing the technology's full benefit, according to a study funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).
Organ Transplants and Cancer Risk
Organ transplant recipients have a high risk of developing 32 different types of cancer, according to a new study. Future research to understand why may
Stroke Risk Factors Linked to Cognitive Problems
A new study found that high blood pressure and other known risk factors for stroke may also raise the risk of developing cognitive problems. The finding
Anxiety is an uneasy feeling that something may harm you or a loved one. This feeling can be normal and sometimes even helpful. If you're starting a new job
Why Nicotine is a Gateway Drug
A new study in mice shows how tobacco products could act as gateway drugs, opening the door to use of illicit drugs. Nicotine, the researchers
CDC Now Tracking Antibiotic Use in Hospitals
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is launching a new antibiotic tracking system allowing hospitals to monitor
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is partnering with Hispanic-serving organizations to promote the Agency's Spanish-language resources and to encourage consumers to become more active partners in their health care.
Two related studies revealed gene activity in the brains of people of different genders and ethnicities, from fetal development to old age.
Switching Neighborhoods May Improve Health
Women encouraged to move with their families from a poor neighborhood to a more affluent one had lower rates of extreme obesity and diabetes 10 to 15 years later, a new study found.
Annual Chest X-rays Don’t Cut Lung Cancer Deaths
A large multi-center study reports that annual chest X-ray screening offers no benefits over standard medical care in reducing deaths from lung cancer.
Yoga or Stretching Eases Low Back Pain
A new study reports that weekly classes of yoga or intensive stretching are equally effective at reducing low back pain and improving back movement.
Perinatal Antidepressant May Affect Brain Development
Rats exposed to an antidepressant just before and after birth had altered behaviors and substantial brain abnormalities. The findings raise questions
How to Get a Good Value When Choosing a Health Plan
Welcome to November-with its shorter days, cooler weather, and, for many, decisions about choosing a health insurance plan for the coming year. Whether you're covered by an employer's plan, by Medicare, or you are self-employed or unemployed, doing homework
Report Finds Parent Training Effective for Treating Young Children With ADHD
Formal training in parenting strategies is a low-risk, effective method for improving behavior in preschool-age children at risk for developing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), while there is less evidence supporting the use of medications for children younger than 6 years old, according to a new report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).
CDC recommends ways to reduce the threat of strokes
In the time needed to read out loud the headline on this story, someone has died from a stroke. Every 6 seconds, someone in the world dies from stroke. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in
CDC Launches Effort to Protect Cancer Patients from Infections
Each year more than one million patients receive cancer treatment in an outpatient oncology clinic. Despite advances in oncology care, infections from both community and health care settings remain a
Protein Creates Partition Between Bacteria and the Gut
Scientists have identified a microbe-fighting protein that helps create a buffer zone between the inner walls of the intestines and the bacteria within.
Study Points to Potential Treatment for Sickle Cell Disease
Scientists corrected sickle cell disease in adult laboratory mice by activating production of a special blood protein normally produced only before birth.
Prostate Cancer Risk from Vitamin E Supplements
A new study found that vitamin E, once thought to reduce the risk of prostate cancer, may actually increase the risk.
Birth Defects May Be Linked to High Blood Pressure, Not Use of ACE Inhibitors in Early Pregnancy
Women who take angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors to treat high blood pressure in the first trimester of their pregnancies are at no greater risk of having babies with birth defects than are women who take other types of high blood pressure medication or who take no blood pressure drugs, according to a new
DNA Primer Boosts Antibodies Against Avian Flu
Production of avian flu-fighting antibodies rose significantly when healthy adults were given a DNA "primer" vaccine 6 months before receiving an avian
Doctors Miss Alcohol Screening Opportunities
Physicians often fail to counsel their young adult patients about excessive alcohol use, a new study found.
New Initiative Urges Better Communication between Clinicians and Patients
Even with heart disease and diabetes, Bill Lee didn't see the point in asking questions about his medical care. After all, his doctors had the expertise, not him. And if the medicines they prescribed for his conditions didn't make him feel better, what could he do?
Gene Variant Affects Response to Asthma Drugs
A genetic variant may explain why some people with asthma don't respond well to inhaled corticosteroids, the most widely prescribed medicine for
No Effect of Saw Palmetto on Urinary Symptoms
In a new study, a widely used herbal dietary supplement called saw palmetto was no better than placebo in reducing urinary problems caused by prostate enlargement.
Insulin Nasal Spray Shows Promise for Alzheimer’s Disease
A small clinical trial has found that daily doses of an insulin nasal spray can slow memory loss and preserve thinking skills in people with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease.
Kids face a lot of challenges as they grow up: Learning how to make and keep friends, get homework done and have fun while staying
"Off-label" Use of Antipsychotic Drugs for Some Conditions Not Supported by Evidence
There is little evidence to support the use of atypical antipsychotic drugs for some treatments other than their officially approved purposes, even though many clinicians continue to commonly prescribe these drugs for so-called "off label"
Genes that Influence Blood Pressure
In one of the largest genomic studies ever, an international research consortium identified 29 genetic variations that influence blood pressure.
Gene Linked to Optimism and Self-Esteem
Why can some people make it through difficult times with little trouble while others crumble under the same circumstances? A new study suggests
Report Finds DMARDs Effective in Treating Juvenile Arthritis
Medications known as disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, or DMARDs, appear to be more effective than other treatments for children with arthritis, but there is not enough evidence to support one kind of DMARD over another, according to a new report from HHS' Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).
New Guides Compare Benefits and Risks of GERD Treatments
New plain-language publications from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) compare the benefits and risks of treatments for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a digestive condition that affects millions of Americans and can be treated with medications or surgery.
Insights Into Tumor-Associated Epilepsy
Glioma, one of the most deadly and common types of brain tumor, is often associated with seizures, but the origins of these seizures and effective
Five Lifestyle Factors Lower Diabetes Risk
A new analysis has found that a combination of 5 healthy lifestyle factors may help reduce the chance of developing type 2 diabetes, even if family
Predicting How Diet and Exercise Affect Weight
Researchers have created a mathematical model-along with an accompanying online weight simulation tool-of what happens when people
Adolescence can be a bewildering time-for both teens and their parents. Yet it can also be thrilling to watch kids grow and
When a Bundle of Joy Brings Sorrow
A baby's birth is usually a time of joy and celebration. For parents, though, the delight might be tempered with worries about the baby's safety, family finances and
Current cigarette smokers have a higher risk of bladder cancer than previously reported, according to new research. The study also found that
Research on Women's Health Issues Informs Treatment Choices
As individuals, we want choices that reflect who we are and what's right for our situation. Getting the right health care is no different.
Tinnitus is commonly described as a ringing in the ears, but some people also hear it as a roaring, clicking, hissing or buzzing. It may be soft or loud, and it might
Gene Defect Linked to Disfiguring Disorder
Scientists have identified the faulty gene responsible for Proteus syndrome, a rare disorder marked by uncontrolled growth of certain body
Nighttime-breathing Treatments Backed by Strongest Evidence among Options To Treat Sleep Apnea
Among the treatments for obstructive sleep apnea, the effectiveness of a nighttime-breathing machine called a "CPAP" was backed by the strongest evidence, and a mouthpiece worn at night was also shown to be effective, according to a new report funded by HHS' Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).
New Spanish-Language Guides Inform Decisions about Heart Disease and Other Illnesses
A free, illustrated easy-to-read pamphlet that compares drugs for preventing heart attacks, heart failure or strokes in people with stable coronary heart disease is one of six new Spanish-language publications from HHS' Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality that help patients compare treatments for common illnesses.
Many of us would love to believe that chocolate is a health food. Maybe you've heard or read about its potential benefits. Eating chocolate may have
Serotonin Helps Control Body Temperature and Breathing
Serotonin-producing cells in the mouse brain play an essential role in maintaining a healthy balance in body temperature and breathing. The
Placebo Improves Asthma Symptoms, But Not Lung Function
Placebo treatment may make asthma patients feel better but not actually lessen disease, according to a new study. The finding helps clarify the
Why You Need to Explore Your Treatment Options
Hearing that you have diabetes, high blood pressure, or some other serious condition can be a life-changing moment. Finding the best treatment option to manage it takes a bit longer, but it can make a
Updates to Family History May Improve Cancer Screening
Family histories of cancer can change significantly between ages 30 and 50 and may warrant earlier or more intense cancer screening. The new
Mechanism of Fast-Acting Antidepressant Revealed
A new study in mice has identified the molecular players involved in the rapid antidepressant effects of ketamine, a common anesthetic. The
Using Light and Sound to Detect Artery Blockage
Scientists have developed a 3-D imaging method that uses both light and sound waves to spot fatty deposits within tissues. The technique holds
Certain Foods Linked to Long-term Weight Gain
Munching more unprocessed plant foods may help keep the middle-aged bulge away, a new study suggests. On the other hand, meat, french fries
Insights into Math Learning Difficulties
The innate ability to estimate quantities is impaired in children who have a math learning disability, according to a new report. The study also found that
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an inherited illness that ravages the lungs and many other organs in the body. Fifty years ago, children with CF
What is Pink Eye, and How is it Treated?
Conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye, involves inflammation of the outer layer of the eye and inside of the eyelid. It is most commonly caused by viruses,
Resources to Help You Be a Better Caregiver
Many of us are-or will become-a caregiver to a parent, spouse, child, or other loved one. When that happens, you will need to find out a lot about a disease or condition, ask good questions about treatment options, and make the
Maybe you're counting down the days until your summer vacation. Or just got word your next business meeting will be in Boise or Bangkok.
Brain Pathway Links Nicotine and Weight Loss
Smokers often gain weight when they quit. A new study in mice may help explain why. Scientists have pinpointed a brain receptor that seems to
New videos, website offer important resources for people affected by diabetes
New videos to help people make lifestyle changes and cope with the demands of diabetes were announced by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP). The series of three- to five-minute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: Sleep Apnea
Experiencing daytime sleepiness, depression, forgetfulness, anxiety? You may have sleep apnea.
Autism Blurs Distinctions Between Brain Regions
A new analysis of gene expression in the brain suggests that autism blurs the molecular differences that normally distinguish different brain regions. This and other insights provide a new framework for understanding what causes autism and related disorders.
New Public Service Campaign Urges Hispanics To Talk With Their Doctor
Hispanics are less likely to see a doctor or other health professionals regularly than other ethnics groups. The data from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality is startling. Half (47 percent) of adult Hispanics reported that they did not see a doctor in 2008, compared with 29 percent of adults in other ethnic groups.
Safety Culture Creates Better Care for Patients
The more we know about safety, the better.That's why a landmark report on medical errors from the Institute of Medicine remains as important today as it did when it came out 10 years ago. Called "To Err is Human," the report urged hospitals to develop a "culture of safety" to reduce risks and improve care for patients.
Health IT Tools Help with Care and Costs
More hospitals and doctors' offices are using health information technology (health IT). And that's good news for patients.
What You Can Do To Prevent A Fall
When kids fall down, they can usually get up and return to play quickly. But for older adults, falls can be serious.
February is a time when love is in the air. It is also American Heart Month. While you're thinking of hearts this Valentine's Day, do yourself—and your loved ones—a favor: focus on your own heart.
Your Options for Treating Rotator Cuff Tears
It's a fact of life: as we get older, we're more likely to get hurt when we exercise or take on certain everyday tasks. Routine activities like playing tennis or placing items on shelves can result in a common problem—the rotator cuff injury.
Don't Let Medicines Cause Harm
We take more medicines than ever to maintain or improve our health. But over the last decade, many baby boomers and seniors have ended up in the hospital because the medications they expected to help them actually hurt them.
Quitting Smoking: You Can Do It
If you've ever smoked cigarettes and tried to quit, you know it's not easy to kick the habit.
Today, 72 million Americans are obese. As you probably know, obese people are more likely to suffer from diabetes, heart disease and other chronic health problems. But did you also know obesity can be bad for your budget?
Improving Your Health Literacy
There is a truism in health care: When you don't fully understand or can't act on information about your health care, you are more likely to be in poorer health. Nearly all of us, about 9 of every 10 American adults, have some problems with health literary.
If you're older than 45, there's a good chance that you or someone you know has high cholesterol. It's so common that treating high cholesterol led to 44 million doctor visits in 2006.
Why It's Wise to Use a Health Advocate
Imagine that your doctor just gave you a serious diagnosis or told you she was concerned about the results of your medical test. You might understandably become scared.
How to Avoid the Round-Trip Visit to the Hospital
When patients get out of the hospital, it's usually a sign that their health is getting better and they're ready to recover at home. Unfortunately, millions of patients each year end up back in the hospital. In fact, 1 in 5 Medicare patients go back within 1 month of being released. Even more people face unexpected medical problems within weeks of leaving the hospital.
Healthcare-Associated Infections: They Can Happen to You
You shouldn't have to worry about getting sick because of an infection you may pick up when you're getting treated in a hospital or other health care setting. Unfortunately, you have reason to be concerned.
Same-Day Surgery: What You Should Know
If you need surgery, there's a better-than-average chance that you'll have it and go home the same day. That's good news for several reasons, but same-day surgery does require some planning on your part.
Comparing Blood Pressure Medicines
Today, it may seem easier to get information about a new oven or drill before you buy one than finding clear information about the medicine or treatment that's best for you. That shouldn't be the case, especially for common health conditions like high blood pressure.
We all like having choices. But sometimes, choices can be overwhelming. Marketing research shows that when faced with many choices, people can become frustrated or indecisive.
Comparing Medical Treatments for Antidepressants
About one in every six adults experiences depression at some point in his or her life. The good news is that depression can be treated to give you a better quality of life. But finding the right treatment that fits your needs can sometimes be tricky.
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