Firstcoastnews.com Health News

Scared of spiders? You can escape that web

Fri, 25 May 2012 14:47:22 GMT

People undone by arachnophobia holding a huge, hairy tarantula in their bare hand? No worries, not after a single brief therapy session changed the brain's fear response in adults with the lifelong, debilitating phobia of spiders.

First Coast man battles rare bacterial infection

Fri, 25 May 2012 11:18:51 GMT

JACKSONVILLE, Fla -- A First Coast man remains in critical care as he fights a rare bacterial infection.

Sentinel chickens test positive for West Nile

Thu, 24 May 2012 13:52:52 GMT

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. -- The St. Johns County Health Department has sent a mosquito-borne illness advisory after several sentinel chickens tested positive for West Nile.

Generic drugs immune to lawsuits

Thu, 24 May 2012 10:28:13 GMT

MADISON, Ohio -- Lawsuits against generic drug makers are being tossed out of court, even while similar suits against brand names continue.

Small packets of detergent raising poison fears

Thu, 24 May 2012 08:47:46 GMT

ATLANTA -- The Georgia Poison Center is warning parents to be on guard after young children have eaten laundry detergent "pods."

Calcium supplements may raise heart attack risk

Thu, 24 May 2012 08:43:50 GMT

Taking a calcium supplement to help prevent bones from thinning puts people at a greater risk for heart attacks, says a report out today in the journal Heart.

Long commute time linked with poor health, new study shows

Thu, 24 May 2012 08:33:03 GMT

New evidence shows that a long commute by car not only takes hours out of your day, but could take years off your life.

Starter for tempeh tied to salmonella outbreak

Wed, 23 May 2012 14:44:47 GMT

A tainted starter for tempeh soybean meat substitute is being recalled after an outbreak of a rare type of salmonella that has sickened more than 90 people, mostly in North Carolina.

Ore. company recalls tainted lettuce amidst listeria concern

Wed, 23 May 2012 12:36:03 GMT

PORTLAND, Ore. -- A Portland produce distributor announced it is voluntarily recalling bagged lettuce that could be tainted with listeria.

How much do doctors really know about long-term chemo?

Tue, 22 May 2012 14:38:37 GMT

Doctors need to be better educated about the significant long-term side effects of chemotherapy that may affect their cancer survivor patients, according to new research published Wednesday in advance of the 47th annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).

Panel advises against PSA cancer screening

Tue, 22 May 2012 08:50:15 GMT

Doctors should no longer offer the PSA prostate cancer screening test to healthy men because they're more likely to be harmed by the blood draw - and the chain of medical interventions that often follows - than be helped, according to government advisory panel's final report.

Youth diabetes, pre-diabetes rates soar

Mon, 21 May 2012 14:14:39 GMT

Diabetes and pre-diabetes have skyrocketed among the nation's young people, jumping from 9% of the adolescent population in 2000 to 23% in 2008, a study reports today.

Chiropractic cure for colick babies

Mon, 21 May 2012 10:46:12 GMT

PONTE VEDRA, Fla. -- Tending to a constantly crying and colicky infant can be a traumatic experience for parents as well as the babies. Now, more parents are turning to chiropractors to calm colic.

GMJ Saturday: Women's Health Week

Sat, 19 May 2012 11:33:34 GMT

Sunday starts Women's Health Week, an important time to look at every aspect of a ladies' well-being.

Mad Cow Quarantines Lifted at Two U.S. Diaries

Sat, 19 May 2012 05:09:43 GMT

Officials have lifted quarantines on two Central California dairies linked to a case of mad cow disease, after investigators found the illness didn't come from cattle feed.

Salmonella-Linked Sushi Toll Climbs to 316

Sat, 19 May 2012 05:07:56 GMT

The toll from latest outbreak of salmonella-spiked sushi has climbed to 316, according to a new government report.

CDC to Baby Boomers: Get Tested for Hepatitis C

Fri, 18 May 2012 14:11:53 GMT

ATLANTA -- U.S. health officials want all baby boomers to get tested for hepatitis C.

Healthy Food No More Costly Than Junk Food, Government Finds

Thu, 17 May 2012 13:40:53 GMT

Contrary to popular belief, many healthy foods are no more expensive than junk food, according to a large new government analysis.

Study: 95% of Restaurant Entrees Exceed USDA Limits

Thu, 17 May 2012 08:35:53 GMT

If you plan to chow down tonight at a big chain restaurant, there's a better than nine-in-10 chance that your entree will fail to meet federal nutrition recommendations for both adults and kids, according to a provocative new study.