News 8: Health Alert

Overweight Kids Face Health Risks

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 15:52:43 -0700

A disturbing trend is going around San Diego - overweight children. A recent UCSD study found children between ages nine and 15 aren't exercising enough, which can lead to serious health problems, including obesity, heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure.

Eating Fat Could Help Millions Of Dieters Get Lean

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:33:49 -0700

Millions of Americans are trying to lose weight by following a low-fat diet, but conventional wisdom about how to win the battle of the bulge could be changing.

E. Coli Outbreak Linked To Recalled Beef Spreading

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 10:38:20 -0700

An E. coli outbreak, traced to recalled beef, is growing. New York, Kentucky and Indiana have each reported one lab-confirmed case of a bacterial infection. Forty one other cases have already been reported in Michigan and Ohio.

L.A. City Council Considers Fast Food Ban

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 13:11:18 -0700

The L.A. City Council is considering a ban on new fast food restaurants in a certain neighborhood. They say there's healthy food available for people on one side of town, and only greasy fast food for people on the other. Some people are calling it "nutritional segregation".

Oxycontin The Drug Of Choice For Young, White Males

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 18:38:50 -0700

More and more teenagers are turning to their parents' medicine cabinet to get high. Their prescription drug of choice: a pain reliever called oxycontin. It's a disturbing trend of teenage boys getting hooked on a drug as powerful as morphine.

"Wii-Hab" For Seniors

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 18:01:56 -0700

Video games are generally reserved for grandkids, not grandparents. But not anymore - a nursing home in Escondido is using the Nintendo Wii game system to rehabilitate its patients. It's called "Wii-hab" and it's changing lives.

Game Over After Arsenic Found On Football Field

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 18:55:01 -0700

It looks like a regular football field at Carlsbad High from above, but below the surface is a hidden danger. Soil samples show arsenic at the field, and now it's off limits.

Genes May Explain Deadlier Breast Cancers In Younger Women

Wed, 9 Jul 2008 17:34:35 -0700

Researchers at North Carolina's Duke University have uncovered clues about why breast cancer is deadlier in younger women, and the answer may be in their genes. This finding could help develop more targeted therapies to treat younger patients.

"Low Tar" Cigarette Claim Up In Smoke

Wed, 9 Jul 2008 11:49:05 -0700

Ever since the 1960s, cigarette makers have tried to seduce smokers worried about their health with products labeled light, mild or low-tar. They've been basing such claims on mechanical tests that measure tar and nicotine levels.

Pink Warriors Celebrate Independence From Breast Cancer

Tue, 8 Jul 2008 16:15:48 -0700

It's the most important thing you can do for yourself. That's advice from a breast cancer survivor who discovered a lump during a self-breast examination. And over this holiday weekend, the woman, along with other survivors, celebrated their independence from breast cancer.

Fight The Bite With Natural Insect Repellent

Mon, 7 Jul 2008 18:54:14 -0700

Last week, the county announced several dead birds and mosquitos tested positive for West Nile virus. The county recommends using insect repellents with DEET for protection, but some people are choosing natural insect repellents over DEET.

Overuse Of Codeine Linked To Hearing Loss

Mon, 7 Jul 2008 13:31:05 -0700

Australian researchers have found a dangerous new side effect from the overuse of codeine. They've discovered the painkiller can cause hearing impairment, and even deafness, in some people.

New Procedure Could Stop Debilitating Headaches

Fri, 4 Jul 2008 12:01:37 -0700

Millions of Americans suffer from migraines. But, now there's new hope in Britian. Doctors there seem to have a new procedure that can stop those debilitating headaches.

What's Going Around? Heat Exhaustion

Tue, 1 Jul 2008 15:11:36 -0700

Heat exhaustion can be very serious in children and seniors. Doctors around San Diego County treated patients with heat-related symptoms after the recent record breaking temperatures. Doctors say to take precautions and be prepared before going out in the sun.

Pricey CT Scans Not Always Necessary

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 16:44:29 -0700

The U.S. spends billions on health care every year, and one of the newest and most expensive technologies now available is the CT scan. But most hospitals may be using CT scans more often than they're really needed.

Questions About Salmonella

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 16:26:06 -0700

The recent salmonella outbreak linked to tomatoes from Mexico or Florida has many people around San Diego County calling their doctors. They're asking about the symptoms and want to know just how serious salmonella poisoning really is.

Special Clothing Can Protect You From The Sun

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 17:39:15 -0700

It's so important if you spend any time outdoors this weekend to make sure you put on sunscreen. But lotion isn't the only way to protect yourself from the sun. SPF clothing is becoming popular.

Wearing Flip Flops May Increase Your Risk Of Getting Cancer

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 13:25:34 -0700

This time of year, flip flops are the shoe of choice for many of us. They're easy to wear and go with anything, but a new study says they can increase your risk of getting cancer.

Can Viagra Enhance Athletic Performance Too?

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 18:33:32 -0700

From the bedroom to the ballpark, there are accusations that a certain Major League Baseball player had a secret weapon to enhance his performance: Viagra.

What's Going Around? Conjunctivitis Or Pink Eye

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 15:34:15 -0700

Doctors around San Diego County are seeing patients with a very contagious condition. It can cause blurred vision, sensitivity to light and pain and it's very common among children.

Male Birth Control At The Click Of A Button

Mon, 2 Jun 2008 12:24:58 -0700

Birth control may soon be as easy as clicking a remote control. Now, as an experimental new concept, a device is implanted in a man's body and with the push of a button, it blocks the flow of sperm.

Scientists Study How Music Affects Brain Activity

Fri, 30 May 2008 17:50:17 -0700

Researchers are turning to musicians to help them understand how the creative process affects the brain. What they've found could someday help people who stutter, and even those who have suffered from strokes.

What's Going Around? MRSA Infections & Stomach Flu

Tue, 27 May 2008 14:56:29 -0700

In the East County, doctors are treating more pediatric cases of MRSA, which is a serious bacteria infection. Also going around San Diego County this week - severe coughs and the stomach flu.

Britain Offers Patients Experimental Cancer Treatments

Fri, 23 May 2008 13:42:54 -0700

Britain is now the first country in Europe to offer cancer patients experimental treatments at its government-run clinics. The clinics are offering new hope to patients who don't have much left.

Tuberculosis Is Going Around San Diego County

Wed, 21 May 2008 15:52:32 -0700

Tuberculosis is going around San Diego. According to the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency, so far this year there have been more than 50 confirmed cases of the very contagious disease. But today, TB is very treatable with antibiotics.

Sleep Deprivation Carries Serious Consequences

Wed, 21 May 2008 14:16:03 -0700

We all need sleep, but busy schedules and odd work schedules can make it difficult to get the full eight hours we need. Not getting enough sleep may have some serious consequences.

Cell Phones And Pregnancy May Be A Bad Combination

Tue, 20 May 2008 13:29:57 -0700

Using your cell phone during pregnancy may have an adverse impact on your child's behavior. A new study links hyperactivity and other emotional problems to the use of cell phones.

What's Going Around? Hand, Foot & Mouth Disease

Wed, 14 May 2008 16:16:00 -0700

Hand, foot and mouth disease is going around San Diego County. Local pediatricians want to assure parents the disease in the United States is a much milder form of the virus than in China, where at least 12,000 children have the potentially deadly virus.

Floatation Therapy Used To Combat Stress

Tue, 13 May 2008 13:33:32 -0700

A new method for reducing stress is gaining popularity across the country. It's called floatation therapy and many who use it say it's the ultimate meditation.

Buddies For Life: Teen Raises Money For Breast Cancer In Mom's Memory

Thu, 8 May 2008 16:00:55 -0700

News 8's Buddies for Life is about bringing you stories of inspiration and hope from people whose lives have been affected by breast cancer. The disease changed Poway High School senior Gabriella Murrieta's life. Now she walks to keep her mother's memory alive and to raise money to find a cure.