Health News Observer

Two out of five designated drivers admit to alcohol use

2013-06-18T10:36:18+00:00

Two out of five designated drivers admit to alcohol use

“Designated driver” may not imply a sober driver when it comes to college-aged Americans.

A Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs study established breath alcohol concentrations and alcohol-related conduct of designated drivers to determine whether designated drivers are abstaining from drinking, whether alcohol-related behaviors of non- designated drivers and designated drivers were different, and...

Is Derrick Rose soft? Return to play at preinjury levels unusual for athletes with ACL repairs

2013-06-18T10:18:47+00:00

Is Derrick Rose soft? Return to play at preinjury levels unusual for athletes with ACL repairs

Chicago Bulls basketball star Derrick Rose has come under some serious scrutiny for not returning to competitive play after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction despite medical clearance. Is this so unusual?

To determine whether psychological factors predicted return to preinjury level of sport by 12 months after ACL reconstruction surgery, an American Journal of Sports Medicine study focused...

Gene in mice contributes to allergic and autoimmune diseases

2013-06-17T10:54:19+00:00

Gene in mice contributes to allergic and autoimmune diseases

Scientists have discovered that a gene called BACH2 may play a large part in the development of several allergic and autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis, asthma, Crohn's disease, celiac disease, and type-1 diabetes.

In autoimmune diseases, the immune system attacks normal cells and tissues in the body. This can occur in infectious diseases and cancer. The...

Nontherapeutic poisonings on the rise in children

2013-06-17T10:37:02+00:00

Nontherapeutic poisonings on the rise in children

Nontherapeutic medication ingestions are a growing pediatric health problem. The objective of Pediatrics journal study was to measure the association between adult prescription drug patterns and pediatric medication exposures and poisonings.

Researchers measured monthly pediatric exposures and poisonings using the National Poison Data System and prescriptions written for adults using the National Ambulatory Medical Care Surveys from 2000...

Sunflower herbal gel eases arthritis pain

2013-06-16T10:08:02+00:00

Sunflower herbal gel eases arthritis pain

Recently, the Cochrane Library reviewed the treatment of arthritis with the medicinal plants, Arnica, Capsicum, Comfrey gel, and Chinese herbal patches containing Fufang Nanxing Zhitong Gao and Shugan Jianpi Granule. Experts compared the use of these agents to ibuprofen/Motrin in the treatment of hand and knee arthritis pain. Their review found that Arnica gel extract (applied topically) improved...

A common postoperative complication can be treated with chewing gum

2013-06-16T10:01:28+00:00

A common postoperative complication can be treated with chewing gum

One common side effect of abdominal surgeries is when the gastrointestinal tract fails to regain its normal motility. This can lead to abdominal pain, vomiting and additional days of hospitalization. Most surgeons require that their patients pass gas or stool before they are allowed to be discharged from the hospital. Surgeons use intravenous hydration and make their patients walk...

You foot’s arch may contribute to your knee or ankle pain

2013-06-15T10:26:54+00:00

You foot’s arch may contribute to your knee or ankle pain

Do you have unexplained knee or ankle pain? Maybe your foot arch is to blame.

According to the Arthritis Care and Research journal, participants in the Framingham Foot Study were asked, “On most days do you have pain, aching or stiffness in your [hips, knees, ankles, or feet]?” The Modified Arch Index (MAI) was used...

Living in a greener neighborhood makes Australian women skinnier

2013-06-15T10:08:34+00:00

Living in a greener neighborhood makes Australian women skinnier

This week, in the International Journal of Obesity, researchers compared proximity to green space to the weight of nearly a quarter of a million Australian men and women aged 45 years old and older. Green spaces included areas with grass, plant life, and nature. Women with a least 80% of a 1 kilometer radius around their home consisting of green space were 10%...

Small study suggests link between antibiotics and breast cancer

2013-06-14T10:32:27+00:00

Small study suggests link between antibiotics and breast cancer

Overuse of antibiotics has the potential to alter the normal healthy bacteria living on our bodies and cause an overgrowth of fungi and pathologic or bad bacteria. Diarrhea, allergic reactions, abnormal heart rhythms, tendon injuries, and yeast infections are some of the consequences from antibiotic use. It now appears that breast cancer also may be related to antibiotic use.<...

Shift work increases risk of developing cancer

2013-06-14T10:25:14+00:00

Shift work increases risk of developing cancer

Multiple studies have shown that shift work increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, ulcers, and obesity. Working odd hours, especially overnight shifts, leads to unhealthy eating and exercise habits. It also alters our internal clock and causes hormonal imbalances that affect the heart, metabolism, digestion, and immune system. It appears that cancer is another health effect of working...