Health News

Health Week in Review

Oct. 13, 2006 -- Researchers find a link between diet and Alzheimer's disease, doctors order kids to play more, and a study shows men chose to watch sports over visits to the ER. Get a snapshot of the week that was.

Diet May Influence Alzheimer's Risk

What you eat today just may help determine your risk for Alzheimer's disease late in life. Two new studies offer preliminary evidence that dietary choices could help prevent age-related mental decline or slow its progression. Which foods may lower your risk? Read more.

Antipsychotics Bad for Alzheimer's?

Deciding which drugs to give Alzheimer's patients just got harder. A newly published study concludes that the antipsychotic drugs Zyprexa, Seroquel, and Risperdal may help some Alzheimer's patients, but their side effects should be weighed carefully. The drugs are often prescribed to treat Alzheimer's-related psychosis, aggression, or agitation. Read more.

Doctor's Orders: Kids Should Play More

Pediatricians have come out in defense of playtime. According to a new report, unstructured playtime fosters children's imagination and dexterity and helps them reach important physical, mental, and emotional milestones and manage stress. Read more.

Psoriasis May Raise Heart Attack Risk

Psoriasis -- a chronic skin condition that affects 2% to 3% of adults -- may also be a risk factor for heart attack. Researchers found that psoriasis was associated with an elevated risk of heart attack in all age groups, but especially in younger patients with severe forms of the condition. Read more.

Health Risks for Childhood Cancer Survivors

More than a third of adult survivors of childhood cancer develop serious, disabling, or life-threatening health problems in the decades following treatment, and three out of four experience some chronic health issue, a new study shows. The recommendation: Childhood cancer survivors should be closely monitored as adults. Read more.

Daily Weigh-ins May Keep Pounds Away

It's not exactly a high-tech breakthrough, but researchers have found that people who weigh themselves on a daily basis are more successful at maintaining weight lossweight loss. Does anything else work? Read more.

Decaf Doesn't Mean Caffeine-Free

Think you're avoiding caffeine by drinking decaf? Think again. A new study shows that even decaffeinated coffee comes with at least a small dose of caffeine. And some decaf varieties have a lot more caffeine than others. Read more.

Men Delay ER Trips to Watch Sports

Some men may take their sports too seriously, delaying trips to hospital emergency rooms during major sports events. And it doesn't only happen during championship games like the Super Bowl, researchers say. Read more.

Arthritis Rising in U.S.

Extra pounds and a sedentary lifestyle may be contributing to an increase in the number of Americans with arthritis. According to a new report, more than 46 million U.S. adults – more than 21% -- say they've been told by a doctor that they have arthritis, gout, lupus, or fibromyalgia. Read more.

FDA OKs Drug for Advanced Lung Cancer

The FDA has approved the colon cancer drug Avastin for use with chemotherapy in treating advanced lung cancer. Avastin, which is given intravenously, has been shown in clinical trials to increase survival time for people with non-squamous, non-small-cell lung cancer. Read more.