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• May 9, 2008

  New bowel prep drink easier to take: study
  A new 2 liter bowel cleansing solution for colonoscopy appears to work as well as the standard 4 liter solution and is more acceptable to patients, researchers report.
• Metformin an option for pregnancy-related diabetes
  Use of metformin to treat pregnancy-related diabetes (i.e., gestational diabetes) does not increase the risk of pregnancy complications and most women prefer it to insulin, according to a study in this week's New England Journal of Medicine.
• Gum disease, inflammation risky for pregnant women
  - a marker of inflammation in the body -- are at increased risk of developing preeclampsia, a potentially serious complication involving high blood pressure that often leads to premature delivery.

• May 8, 2008

  China reports two more deaths from child virus
  China reported two more deaths on Thursday from a severe strain of hand, foot and mouth disease, bringing its toll from the outbreak to 30, all of them young children, Xinhua news agency reported.
• Mom's high normal blood sugar risky: study
  Pregnant women who have blood sugar levels above normal but below those signaling full-blown diabetes are more likely than women with lower blood sugar levels to experience several adverse pregnancy outcomes, new research indicates.
• Behavioral therapy doesn't ease kids' constipation
  For treating constipation problems in children, behavioral therapy given along with laxatives isn't any more effective than laxatives alone, Dutch researchers report.
• Pelvic floor maladies can impact women's sex life
  Incontinence and other disorders of the pelvic organs can take a toll on a woman's sex life, a new study suggests.
• Firefighters show higher risks of certain cancers
  A new study suggests that firefighters face higher-than-average risks of several types of cancer, adding to evidence that the job carries hazards beyond the fires themselves.
• Health Tip: Treating an Ulcer
  Ways to help it heal

• May 7, 2008

  Acid blockers don't affect colon cancer risk
  Taking drugs that block the secretion of gastric acid does not appear to increase the risk of developing colorectal cancer, according to a new report.
• Healthy teeth and gums important during pregnancy
  The American Dental Association (ADA) is reminding mothers-to-be about the importance of maintaining good oral health during pregnancy.
• Adult teeth may come in early in diabetic kids
  Children with diabetes may develop their permanent teeth earlier than normal, which could potentially increase their risk of dental problems, according to findings published in the medical journal Pediatrics.

• May 6, 2008

  Obese moms-to-be have longer pregnancies
  Pregnant women who are overweight or obese in the first trimester of pregnancy and those who have a greater change in body weight during pregnancy are more apt to have lengthier pregnancies and more complications, according to results of a new study.

• May 4, 2008

  Common Medications Could Cause Physical Impairment in the Elderly
  Drugs for acid reflux, urinary incontinence 'slow down' seniors, studies say

• May 3, 2008

  Treating Stomach Infection Early Protects Against Cancer
  Study finds early use of antibiotics reversed damage caused by H. pylori
• Gene effect on colon cancer differs by gender
  Whether variant forms of a gene called EGFR increase or decrease survival with colon cancer depends on whether the patient is male or female, new study findings indicate.

• May 1, 2008

  Gestational diabetes linked to pre-pregnancy weight
  Women planning to become pregnant may decrease their likelihood of developing gestational diabetes by not gaining weight, study findings suggest.
• Food crisis unlikely to cause famine soon: U.N.
  Global food shortages and higher prices are more likely to cause malnutrition than outright famine, at least in the near term, the coordinator of a new United Nations task force said on Wednesday.
• Michigan governor has emergency bowel surgery
  Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm underwent emergency surgery to treat a bowel obstruction and was recuperating on Wednesday, her office said.

• April 30, 2008

  Very thin pregnant women at risk of severe nausea
  Women who are underweight when they become pregnant have an increased risk of severe, potentially dangerous nausea and vomiting, a large study suggests.
• FDA approves irritable bowel drug
  The Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday approved Amitiza, the first U.S. drug to treat irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) in adult women, a medicine marketed by Takeda Pharmaceutical Co and its developer, Sucampo Pharmaceuticals Inc.

• April 29, 2008

  Study shows promising new approach to thwart HIV
  Researchers have pinpointed a protein contain within key human immune system cells that is needed for the AIDS virus to infect the cells, and found that turning it off can greatly slow down the deadly virus.
• Poor diet undermines health of northern Afghans
  Lunch at Gada Mohammed's single-room mud-brick house in Afghanistan's far north is the same as most other meals: dry bread washed down with tea.
• More babies born to diabetic mothers: study
  More American women are entering pregnancy with diabetes, raising the odds of a problem pregnancy and the potential that their children will become diabetic in the future, U.S. researchers said on Monday.

• April 26, 2008

  Laparoscopic Surgery on Pancreas Has Fewer Complications
  Patients had less blood loss, shorter hospital stays, study finds

• April 25, 2008

  Natural enzyme linked to heart risk in diabetics
  High blood levels of a naturally occurring enzyme linked to blood vessel function predict heart-related events and an increased risk of progressive kidney disease in patients with type 1 diabetes and kidney disease, according to new research.

• April 24, 2008

  Scientists Discover How Stomach Tumors Form
  Blocking IL-11 protein prevents inflammation, hints of new treatments for disease

• April 23, 2008

  Cisplatin not effective in anal cancer: study
  Treating anal cancer patients with the cancer-fighting drug cisplatin to try to shrink tumors before beginning standard therapy did not boost survival rates, and is not recommended, U.S. researchers said on Tuesday.
• FDA approves drug for Crohn's, with caution
  U.S. health officials approved Belgian drugmaker UCB Inc's experimental drug to treat Crohn's disease but warned about serious side effects, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said on Tuesday.
• Patient 'navigator' boosts colon cancer screening
  Minorities in the U.S. have particularly low rates of colon cancer screening, but guidance from a patient "navigator" might help more people get tested, a study suggests.

• April 22, 2008

  Cholesterol drugs destroy esophageal cancer cells
  Drugs that are commonly used to lower cholesterol can block the proliferation and promote the destruction of esophageal cancer cells in the laboratory, according to a report in the American Journal of Gastroenterology by UK researchers.

• April 19, 2008

  Strep bacteria may treat pancreatic cancer
  In mice implanted with human pancreatic cancer tumors, injecting live Streptococcus bacteria, similar to those that cause strep throat, directly into the tumors caused the tumors to shrink and die, German scientists report.
• Older diabetics struggle with blood sugar control
  The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is rising in the US elderly population, and nearly half of affected individuals fail to adequately control their blood sugar, new research shows.

• April 18, 2008

  Men, singles less likely to have colon cancer test
  Men, unmarried adults and those with low incomes are less likely to accept an offer of free colon cancer screening, a new study suggests.
• Zinc reduces common cold symptoms
  Zinc acetate lozenges taken within 24 hours of developing symptoms of the common cold reduce the duration and severity of symptoms, according to a report in The Journal of Infectious Diseases.

• April 17, 2008

  Hepatitis B tied to bile duct cancer outside liver
  The results of a study published in the International Journal of Cancer suggest there is an association between hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and an increased risk of extrahepatic bile duct cancer.
• Lifestyle change key for obesity surgery success
  Anyone thinking about having weight loss surgery should be sure to do their homework beforehand, and must understand they need to dramatically change the way they eat for the surgery to be successful, advises the head of the U.S. government agency responsible for research on health care quality and patient safety.

• April 16, 2008

  Health Tip: Pain in Your Side
  Signs that it might be appendicitis

• April 12, 2008

  High blood glucose linked to reduced fracture risk
  Middle-aged people who have high levels of glucose in their blood seem to run less of a risk of suffering broken bones, Swedish researchers have found.
• For coin stuck in throat, pushing it down OK
  When a kid has swallowed a coin and it's stuck in the throat, it's safe for emergency physicians or other doctors to use a flexible instrument to push it into the stomach rather than try to pull it up, according to a new report.

• April 11, 2008

  Marked rise in hepatitis C-related deaths seen in US
  From 1995 to 2004, deaths related to infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) rose by 123 percent in the US, according to a new report
• Little progress in preventing foodborne ills: CDC
  Efforts by U.S. states to contain foodborne infections have made no dent in reducing the number of infections, which remained flat last year after a period of decline, according to a 10-state report released on Thursday by government researchers.
• Mumps found to have made alarming comeback in US
  Mumps made an alarming comeback in the United States in 2006 and may take years to completely eradicate, federal health experts reported on Wednesday.

• April 10, 2008

  Mumps vaccine policy questioned after U.S. outbreak
  An outbreak of mumps in the United States in 2006 -- the largest in two decades -- came at a time when the national two-dose vaccine coverage among adolescents was at an all-time high, public health officials reported in The New England Journal of Medicine.
• Virtual colonoscopy reduces bowel preparation
  Extensive cleansing of the bowel is not necessary for patients undergoing virtual colonoscopy, Dutch researchers report in the journal Radiology.
• Cavity-fighting candy helped cut tooth decay:study
  Most children are told to stay away from chewy candies to keep their teeth cavity-free, but children in Venezuela who ate a special cavity-fighting candy had 62 percent fewer cavities than those who brushed their teeth regularly, researchers said on Tuesday.

• April 8, 2008

  Bug responsible for bad breath found
  Solobacterium moorei is the organism largely responsible for chronic bad breath, or halitosis, biologists reported Saturday at the annual meeting of the American Association for Dental Research in Dallas.
• Some advanced cancer patients living longer: study
  Patients who are being treated for advanced colorectal, ovarian or testicular cancer are living longer than they have in the past, a research team from the National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, reports in the May 15th issue of the journal Cancer, published online today.
• Health Tip: Why am I Constipated?
  Some possible causes

• April 6, 2008

  Overeating to blame for insulin weight gain
  Overeating is likely the greatest contributor to the weight gain that can occur when a diabetic begins using insulin, new research suggests.
• Simple regimen eliminates chronic bad breath
  Brushing twice a day with antibacterial toothpaste and using a toothbrush with a built-in tongue scraper can eliminate chronic bad breath, according to research presented today at the 2008 annual meeting of the American Association for Dental Research in Dallas, Texas.

• April 5, 2008

  FDA OKs New Rotavirus Vaccine
  It's designed to ward off gastroenteritis, which causes vomiting and diarrhea in children

• March 27, 2008

  Scientists Isolate Organism That Causes Disfiguring Tropical Disease
  Aquatic niches host Buruli ulcer bacterium that plagues African populations

• March 11, 2008

  Post-Op Chemo Fails to Boost Survival in Stomach Cancers
  Drug-surgery combo showed no significant improvement in outcomes, study finds

• March 7, 2008

  Bacteria Mix in Guts of Babies Predicts Obesity
  Findings may explain why breast-fed infants less likely to be overweight later

• February 28, 2008

  CT scans lower risk of unnecessary appendix surgery
  The chance of having an appendix removed unnecessarily has plummeted since 1996 in the United States, possibly because more doctors are using CT scans to confirm appendicitis diagnoses, researchers said on Wednesday.
• Screening probably caused cystic fibrosis drop
  Massachusetts researchers have seen a dramatic statewide drop in the number of newborns with cystic fibrosis, and said on Wednesday the decline may be due to a national effort to screen for the genetic disease.

• February 27, 2008

  Headache common in people with GI trouble
  The prevalence of headache is higher in people with gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms such as nausea, acid reflux, diarrhea, and constipation, than in people who don't have these bothersome symptoms, new research indicates.
• Insulin resistance tied to hepatitis C infection
  Insulin resistance, a "prediabetic" abnormality of blood sugar, is a specific feature of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, independent of the severity of HCV or the presence of other metabolic factors, French investigators report.
• Four in 10 seniors not up-do-date on colon tests
  Many older Americans are not up-to-date with their colorectal cancer screening exams, report researchers from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta.

• February 26, 2008

  Hepatitis C: a risk factor for lymphoma
  Canadian researchers have confirmed an association between hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and an increased risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, according to their report in the International Journal of Cancer.

• February 25, 2008

  Rezulin suit disruptive, Pfizer tells US high court
  A state law allowing suits against drugmakers when fraud against federal regulators is proven disrupts the authority of the Food and Drug Administration, lawyers for Pfizer told the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday.
• Exercise may cut gallstone risk
  Exercise is good for mice and humans, but appears to be bad for gallstones, according to the findings of a study conducted with mice.
• Earlier Colon Cancer Screens Urged for Smokers
  Study finds tobacco users diagnosed almost 7 years earlier than nonsmokers
• Substance use relapse rate low after transplant
  The notion that a liver or other organ transplant is wasted on people with a history of alcoholism or drug abuse doesn't hold true, according to a new report. In reality, the likelihood that such patients will relapse is quite low.
• Five Indian children die after eating holy offerings
  Five children have died and 96 other people have fallen seriously ill in eastern India after eating sweets and rice offered to a goddess at a village shrine, health officials said on Friday.
• Diabetes in pregnancy ups children's diabetes risk
  Danish researchers have identified a link between the occurrence of type 2 diabetes in adults and the presence of type 1 diabetes or pregnancy-related diabetes in their mothers.

• February 22, 2008

  Magnesium intake may cut risk of gallstones
  A diet rich in magnesium appears to reduce the risk developing painful gallstones, according to findings from a US study.
• Low cholesterol linked to stomach cancer risk
  People with very low cholesterol levels seem to be at increased risk of developing stomach cancer, Japanese researchers report.
• Aggressive Therapy for Crohn's Disease Produces Better Outcomes
  International study found remission occurred faster, more often with immunosuppressive drugs

• February 21, 2008

  Yogurt may take the bite out of gum disease
  Regularly eating yogurt and other foods with lactic acid may be good for your mouth, Japanese researchers report.

• February 20, 2008

  Birth control pills may lower colon cancer risk
  Women who have used birth control pills seem to have a slightly decreased risk of colon cancer as they age, a new study suggests.

• February 20, 2008

  Health Tip: Is GERD Causing Sleep Problems?
  Suggestions to tame your heartburn

• February 19, 2008

  Probiotics help distance runners stay healthy
  Endurance runners' strenuous training can erode their immunity and make them more vulnerable to catching colds, but a daily dose of "good" bacteria could bring their immune systems back up to speed, Australian researchers have shown.

• February 18, 2008

  Zinc helps with diarrhea in children: study
  Treatment with zinc supplements can cut the severity and duration of acute or persistent diarrhea in children, a study shows. Further research, however, is needed to determine exactly how zinc produces its anti-diarrheal effects, the researchers note in the in the February issue of Pediatrics.
• Harnessing the Mind to Manage Irritable Bowel Syndrome
  Cognitive behavioral therapy and hypnosis may help ease symptoms, research shows

• February 15, 2008

  Salsalate cuts blood sugar levels in obese adults
  A drug approved for the treatment of arthritis may have a role in reducing the risk of diabetes and heart trouble developing in young obese individuals, Harvard researchers report.

• February 14, 2008

  Brain receptor may be target for alcoholism therapy
  Treatment with drugs that block a key brain receptor called NK1R may help alcoholics remain abstinent and may be of use for treating other addictive disorders, according to research published online by Science Express.
• Fast food eaters risk liver damage, weight gain
  Too much fast food and too little exercise can wreak havoc on the liver, according to results of a small Swedish study.
• Probiotics may be fatal in acute pancreatitis-study
  "Good" bacteria commonly found in probiotic yoghurts and drinks may be fatal for people with severe cases of pancreatitis, Dutch researchers said on Thursday.

• February 13, 2008

  Skin cancer, colon cancer syndrome may be linked
  A syndrome that increases the risk of some skin cancers may be a subset of a syndrome that increases the risk of colon cancer, report researchers from The Ohio State University, Columbus.
• International diabetes study contradicts US trial
  Early results from the largest study ever of aggressive measures to control blood sugar in type 2 diabetics has found no sign that intensive treatment increases the risk of death, an international team of researchers said on Wednesday.
• Talk boosts colon cancer screening rates
  The most important factor that influences whether or not people undergo screening for colorectal cancer is a discussion of the topic with their doctors, new research findings indicate.
• Vaccine Could Cut Bouts With Stomach Flu
  Controlling quickly mutating noroviruses might mean yearly changes in formula

• February 12, 2008

  Regular aspirin may lower colon cancer risk in men
  Men who routinely take aspirin seem to be less likely to develop colorectal cancer, according to new research findings. However, the benefit requires the dose of aspirin to be higher than usually recommended for heart health, and to be taken over at least 6 years.
• Smoking may raise risk of colon polyps
  Cigarette smoking appears to promote the development of polyps in the colon, especially those that are more likely to progress to cancer, a research review suggests.

• February 8, 2008

  Staying Dry at Beach May Spare Your Stomach
  Longer exposure to water, wet sand boosts gastrointestinal illness risk, study says

• February 7, 2008

  HIV can be passed to babies in pre-chewed food
  The AIDS virus can be passed from an infected mother to her baby if she pre-chews the child's food as sometimes occurs in developing countries, U.S. government scientists said on Wednesday.

• February 5, 2008

  Study links marijuana smoking to gum disease
  Smoking marijuana, much like smoking tobacco, may increase a person's risk for gum disease that can lead to tooth loss, researchers said on Tuesday.
• Toy Magnets Can be a Very Real Threat
  Powerful toy magnets pose almost-fatal attractions when swallowed by kids, new report shows.

• February 4, 2008

  CORRECTION: Epsom salt can prevent cerebral palsy: U.S.
  Giving a woman an infusion of Epsom salts when she goes into premature labor can help protect her baby from cerebral palsy, U.S. researchers reported on Thursday.

• February 1, 2008

  Anticoagulant bleeding higher with antidepressants
  - increases the risk of serious bleeding, according to findings from a Dutch study.
• Osteoporosis common in stomach cancer survivors
  A new study confirms there is a high rate of the bone-thinning disease -- osteoporosis -- in patients who've had their stomach removed because of cancer.
• Epsom salt can prevent cerebral palsy: U.S. study
  Giving a woman an infusion of Epsom salts when she goes into premature labor can help protect her baby from cerebral palsy, U.S. researchers reported on Thursday.

• January 31, 2008

  China dumplings spark food scare in Japan
  Dozens more people in Japan said on Thursday they fell sick after eating Chinese-made food, a day after Japanese food companies recalled pesticide-contaminated dumplings from China that made 10 people sick.

• January 30, 2008

  Enzyme may provide treatment for gluten intolerance
  An enzyme has been recently identified that is able to degrade gluten in a laboratory simulation of the gastrointestinal tract.
• Periodontal disease associated with kidney disease
  Gum disease -- also referred to as periodontal disease -- and the loss of teeth are nontraditional risk factors that are independently associated with chronic kidney disease, according to the results of a new study.

• January 29, 2008

  Mouth burns during tonsillectomy underreported
  Burns around the lips and mouth - primarily from the use of a cauterizing device -- are an underreported complication of tonsillectomy, and can result in long-term problems, according to a study reported in the Archives of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery.
• Genes affect risk from smoke in CF patients
  Any exposure to secondhand smoke reduces lung function in patients with cystic fibrosis, according to investigators at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. The adverse effects related to this noxious exposure are magnified by certain gene variants, the team reports in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

• January 28, 2008

  Caffeine raises blood sugar level in diabetics
  Cutting down on caffeine could help people with the most common form of diabetes better control their blood sugar levels, researchers said on Monday.

• January 25, 2008

  Painkillers safe for kids after tonsil surgery
  Children recovering from having their tonsils and adenoids removed can be given painkillers like ibuprofen without increasing the risk of postop bleeding, according to a new study.
• Scientists find pancreatic stem cells in mice
  After most scientists had given up the search, a Belgian team said on Thursday they found elusive pancreatic stem cells in adult mice, a finding that could lead to treatments for people with type 1 diabetes.
• Benefits trump risks of Entereg bowel drug - panel
  The benefits of Adolor Corp and GlaxoSmithKline's experimental bowel drug Entereg outweigh its risks, U.S. regulatory experts said on Wednesday.

• January 24, 2008

  Central IVs risky for severe morning sickness
  When a pregnant woman has severe morning sickness, known as hyperemesis, she may need fluids and medications. However, intravenous administration via a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) line should probably be avoided, a new study indicates.
• U.S. group seeks Botox warning after 16 death reports
  Botox and a similar injection should come with strong warnings following reports of 16 deaths and other serious problems after the botulinum toxin spread inside the body, a U.S. consumer group said on Thursday.

• January 24, 2008

  Sexual problems persist after cervical cancer
  Women who beat cervical cancer may continue to have sexual difficulties and other problems that diminish their quality of life, a study shows.

• January 24, 2008

  New Colon Cancer Test Might Spot Trouble Earlier
  That and other findings reported at symposium on gastrointestinal cancers
• Dannon sued over "probiotic" bacteria claims
  A proposed class action filed on Wednesday in California accuses The Dannon Co Inc of mounting a massive false advertising campaign to convince consumers to pay more for yogurt containing "probiotic" bacteria because of the products' health benefits.
• Allergies blamed for some cases of irritable bowel
  People with allergies appear to be more likely to have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) than do those without allergies, suggesting that the conditions may be linked in some instance, Chicago-based researchers report.
• Battat toy magnet sets recalled in U.S.
  About 125,000 magnetic toy building sets made in China and sold by Battat were recalled because the magnets could fall out and be swallowed by children, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said on Wednesday.

• January 23, 2008

  Pig gut implant a lip-plumping option
  A new implant derived from pig intestines could offer a longer-lasting alternative to injections for filling out thin lips, according to a study published in the Archives of Facial and Plastic Surgery.
• Peer coaching helps bring people in for colon test
  Coaching from a peer who has been there and done that can help people go through with a first-time colonoscopy, new research shows.

• January 23, 2008

  Simple handwashing can reduce diarrhea: studies
  Encouraging people to wash their hands properly can reduce the rate of diarrhea by 30 percent, potentially saving lives, researchers said on Wednesday.
• Obesity surgery may offer type 2 diabetes cure
  Weight-loss surgery using gastric banding can reverse type 2 diabetes in obese people, Australian researchers report.

• January 22, 2008

  Laser may help reverse gum disease
  Laser therapy for severe gum disease may help regenerate the diseased tissue that normally secures the teeth, a small study suggests.
• Brain scans hint at why we overeat
  Shedding light on why some people tend to overeat, a small study suggests that the brain responds differently to a full stomach depending on a person's weight.
• Health Tip: Follow Instructions on OTC Pain Relievers
  Signs that you may have taken too much ibuprofen
• Nexavar significantly boosts hypertension risk: study
  Bayer AG and Onyx Pharmaceutical Inc.'s key cancer drug Nexavar significantly raises the risk of high blood pressure, U.S. researchers said on Tuesday.

• January 21, 2008

  Walking an hour a week cuts colon cancer risk
  A large new study confirms that physical activity reduces colon cancer risk.

• January 18, 2008

  Tonsillectomy boosts quality of life: studies
  For children and adults who suffer repeated bouts of tonsillitis, surgery to remove the tonsils (tonsillectomy) leads to substantial improvements in quality of life, according to results of two studies published this month.
• Naples waste linked to death and disease
  Piles of trash building up in Naples have filled the air with a putrid stench and spoiled the view for tourists, but the city's waste crisis may also be killing its people.
• Altered brain response seen with irritable bowel
  New research suggests that women with irritable bowel syndrome have a different brain response to anticipated pain compared with other women.
• Elderly fare poorly with high-risk cancer surgery
  Patients who are 80 or older are much more likely to have a poor outcome after high-risk cancer operations, such as removal of the esophagus or pancreas, than has previously been reported, according to a study by researchers with the University of Michigan Healthcare System.

• January 17, 2008

  Undernutrition behind one third of child deaths
  Undernutrition causes more than one third of child deaths worldwide, but simple programs like promoting breast-feeding and providing supplements could keep some of those children alive, experts said on Thursday.

• January 15, 2008

  Many children outgrow egg allergy
  Most children seem to outgrow allergies to eggs, but it may take longer than past research has suggested, according to a new study.
• Mitchell testifies on steroids in U.S. baseball
  Former Sen. George Mitchell told a U.S. congressional committee on Tuesday that everyone in Major League Baseball must crack down on the use of steroids to remove the "cloud" that performance-enhancing drugs had created over the sport.
• Drug-resistant staph found to be passed in gay sex
  A drug-resistant strain of potentially deadly bacteria has moved beyond the borders of U.S. hospitals and is being transmitted among gay men during sex, researchers said on Monday.

• January 14, 2008

  Schering says hepatitis drug matches Roche drug
  The world's leading treatments for hepatitis C were similarly effective in the first large trial pitting them against each other, Schering-Plough Corp said on Monday.
• Japan to compensate patients in hepatitis scandal
  Japan passed a law on Friday to compensate patients who contracted hepatitis C through tainted blood products, as Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda apologised again for the government's role in the scandal.

• January 11, 2008

  China warns of holes in anti-hepatitis fight
  Too many people in China are still not being inoculated against hepatitis B and the disease is having a devastating economic impact, the Health Ministry said on Friday.
• Too much sugar-free gum linked to bowel problems
  Consuming too much sorbitol, a sweetener widely used in "sugar-free" chewing gum and sweets, can cause serious bowel problems, German doctors said on Friday.

• January 10, 2008

  Too Much Sugar-Free Gum Linked to Severe Weight Loss
  2 cases in Germany cite diarrhea due to the sweetener sorbitol
• US diabetes care may be improving "dramatically"
  Americans with diabetes are doing a better job of keeping their blood glucose under control, a new analysis shows.
• Low glucose most likely in early diabetic pregnancy
  Among pregnant women with type 1 diabetes, the incidence of mild or severe declines in blood glucose (hypoglycemia) is highest in early pregnancy, and metabolic control tends to be tighter in the last part of pregnancy, according to results of a study published in the journal Diabetes Care.
• New breast cancer screening test will use saliva
  Scientists in the United States are developing a screening test for breast cancer that checks a woman's saliva for evidence of the disease to help find tumors early, when they are most treatable.

• January 9, 2008

  Women With IBS Unable to Switch Off Pain Response
  Finding could improve understanding of irritable bowel syndrome and lead to new treatments

• January 8, 2008

  Anti-cholesterol drugs may reduce cancer risk
  In a large study of U.S. veterans, the use of a commonly prescribed class cholesterol-lowering drugs called "statins," which include drugs such as Lipitor, reduced the cancer rate by about 25 percent.
• Drugs affect mortality risk in Crohn's disease
  The medications a person takes to combat Crohn's influences their risk of death, according to findings in the journal Gastroenterology.

• January 7, 2008

  Bereaved US family campaigns for Edwards
  A family who says its daughter died because a health insurance company refused to pay for an operation campaigned with Democrat John Edwards on Sunday, reinforcing his election message that corporate greed is hurting Americans.

• January 4, 2008

  Colonoscopy prep agents safe for kidneys
  Two oral solutions that are commonly used to prepare the bowels for colonoscopy are unlikely to harm the kidneys, new research suggests.

• January 3, 2008

  Stomach Flu Spread By Contaminated Computer Keyboards
  Norovirus can live on surfaces for several days, experts say
• Winter vomiting bug sweeps through Britain
  Hundreds of thousands of Britons have been struck down by a highly infectious stomach bug that swept the country during the holiday period, doctors said on Thursday.

• January 2, 2008

  U.S. colon cancer risk traced to common ancestor
  A married couple who sailed to America from England around 1630 are the reason why thousands of people in the United States are at higher risk of a hereditary form of colon cancer, researchers said on Wednesday.

• December 31, 2007

  Gel drink could help with weight loss: study
  An experimental beverage that turns to gel in the stomach could help some obese and overweight women cut down on their food intake.

• December 31, 2007

  US says Guantanamo prisoner dies of cancer
  An Afghan detainee has died from cancer at the prison camp at the U.S. naval base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, authorities said on Sunday.

• December 28, 2007

  Holiday Travel, Bad Eating Habits a Recipe for Stomach Trouble
  Give your jet-lagged gut time to recover, expert advises

• December 27, 2007

  Guidelines aim to keep diabetic athletes healthy
  Athletes with diabetes should be sure to have a game plan to manage blood-sugar highs and lows, according to new guidelines.

• December 26, 2007

  Japan PM apologises to hepatitis patients
  Japan's prime minister met and apologised on Tuesday to hepatitis patients at the centre of a high-profile scandal over tainted blood products as he tried to quell a row that risks further eroding his support ratings.

• December 25, 2007

  Liver enzyme elevation generally benign in children
  It appears that isolated elevation of liver enzymes is generally benign and need not be a cause for immediate action or concern in most young children, according to Israeli researchers.

• December 24, 2007

  Japan PM says wants to help all hepatitis patients
  Japan's prime minister said on Sunday his party will draft legislation aimed at helping thousands of hepatitis patients, the latest development in a high-profile scandal that has drawn voter anger.
• Constipation as cause of stomach pain overlooked
  Parents and doctors may overlook constipation as the cause of acute stomach pain in children, but constipation may account for most of the abdominal pain among kids, a study shows.

• December 21, 2007

  Allergies may protect against pancreatic cancer
  Having a history of allergies or hay fever may offer protection from deadly pancreatic cancer, according to a study appearing in the International Journal of Cancer.
• Relatives of colon cancer patients need screening
  Even with the offer of a free colonoscopy, close relatives of patients with colorectal cancer are apparently reluctant to undergo screening, Spanish researchers report.
• Female hormones may affect risk of stomach cancer
  Women who have been fertile for a higher than average number of years, which occurs when menstruation begins early and menopause begins late, seem to be protected to some degree against developing stomach, or "gastric" cancer, according to a report in the journal Gut.

• December 20, 2007

  Discontinued drug helps severe ulcerative colitis
  A genetically engineered drug can help close to half of patients with painful ulcerative colitis, U.S. researchers reported on Wednesday.
• High-dairy in childhood linked with cancer risk
  Children who consume high levels of diary products may have a greater risk of developing colorectal cancer in adulthood, study findings suggest.
• Cancer risk varies in patients with schizophrenia
  Compared with the general population, patients with schizophrenia appear to have an elevated risk of colon cancer and a lower risk of respiratory cancer, according to a report in the Archives of General Psychiatry.

• December 18, 2007

  Weight loss may slow atherosclerosis in diabetics
  In addition to reducing cholesterol and other known cardiac risk factors, new study findings suggest that controlling one's weight will help slow the build up of calcium on the walls of the coronary arteries and retard the progression of atherosclerosis.
• Crohn's disease different in boys than in girls
  Crohn's disease tends to be more severe in girls than in boys, but boys with the disorder are more prone to stunted growth, new research suggests.

• December 15, 2007

  Fluoride in tap water may help older teeth too
  The added fluoride in many Americans' drinking water may be protecting older adults' teeth from decay, a study suggests.
• Cancer risk low with annual CT for cystic fibrosis
  In patients with the lung disease cystic fibrosis, the cumulative risk of radiation-induced cancer resulting from routine annual lung computed tomography (CT) is "quite small" -- less than 0.5 percent, a study shows. However, the lack of documented benefit of routine CT scans makes its use questionable, the researchers say.
• Mouth-to-mouth not necessary for effective CPR
  A simpler version of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) administered outside the hospital by bystanders - one that uses chest compressions without mouth-to-mouth resuscitation -- may be just as effective as standard CPR, which includes mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and chest compressions.

• December 14, 2007

  New Cancer Drug Tied to Heart Problems
  Sutent linked to hypertension, heart events in patients battling stomach cancer

• December 12, 2007

  Bile acid may improve hepatitis C therapy response
  A bile acid - called ursodeoxycholic acid -- may improve response to treatment in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) who don't respond to standard therapy with interferon and ribavirin, Japanese researchers report in the medical journal Gut.
• High blood sugar raises risk of polyp recurrence
  People found to have elevated insulin or blood sugar levels at the time of colonoscopy to remove polyps face an increased risk of developing recurrent polyps, including advanced polyps -- the type with a high likelihood of progressing to cancer, research shows.
• U.S. FDA finds no heart impact of Prilosec, Nexium
  U.S. regulators gave a clean bill of health to AstraZeneca Plc's Prilosec and Nexium Monday, saying they found no evidence of an increased risk of heart problems from the popular heartburn drugs.

• December 11, 2007

  FDA Confirms No Heart Risk From Heartburn Drugs
  Preliminary studies had suggested possible problems with Prilosec and Nexium

• December 9, 2007

  Green tea may protect against colon cancer
  An extract of green tea wards off colorectal cancer, animal experiments show.
• Anti-alcohol drug safe in cases of liver cirrhosis
  The muscle-relaxing drug baclofen safely and effectively keeps alcoholics with alcohol-damaged livers away from alcohol, according to a study published in the current issue of The Lancet.

• December 7, 2007

  Black raspberries may prevent cancer of esophagus
  People with chronic irritation of the esophagus caused by the backup of stomach acid - a condition known as Barrett's esophagus -- may benefit from incorporating black raspberries into their diet, suggest research findings reported today during the Sixth Annual International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention, sponsored by the American Association for Cancer Research.
• FDA update on AstraZeneca heartburn drugs expected
  U.S. regulators are likely to update the public within days about any potential heart risks of AstraZeneca Plc's stomach-acid drugs, which are taken by more than 1 billion people worldwide.
• Eating disorders common in diabetic girls
  There is a high prevalence of disturbed eating behavior and eating disorders among girls with type 1 diabetes, according to Canadian researchers. They also found that eating disturbances in these patients start young and are likely to persist over time.
• Urban Americans diagnosed with cancer later
  Americans living in urban areas tend to be diagnosed with colon and lung cancer later than rural residents are, according to a new study.

• December 6, 2007

  Glucose levels vary in pregnancy by diabetes type
  In the first study to use continuous monitoring throughout pregnancy to examine changes in glucose levels, researchers found that levels of glycemic control differ significantly between women with type 1 diabetes and those with type 2.

• December 4, 2007

  Glucosamine not likely to raise "good" cholesterol
  Glucosamine at commonly taken doses does not increase HDL ("good") cholesterol in people with diabetes, researchers have found.
• Peanut allergies strike earlier, study says
  Allergies to peanuts and other foods are showing up in children at younger ages for reasons that are not clear, researchers said on Monday, and some urged parents to postpone exposing susceptible children to peanuts.
• Hepatitis B vaccination not tied to MS in children
  Vaccinating against hepatitis B virus (HBV) does not increase a child's risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a study released Monday.

• December 1, 2007

  Kids with CF benefit from ibuprofen therapy
  Treatment with ibuprofen can slow the drop in lung function that occurs in children with cystic fibrosis (CF), according to group of researchers from Ohio.
• Family ties raise risk of diabetes complications
  The risk that a person with diabetes will develop "microvascular" complications of the disease such as eye, nerve, and kidney damage -- as many diabetics do -- appears to be higher in certain families and in women in general, new research suggests.

• November 30, 2007

  Corn syrup may not boost appetite, food intake
  Though some have blamed the U.S. obesity problem on the corn syrup ubiquitous in processed foods, a new study casts some doubt on this idea.
• Colon cancer survival varies by race and ethnicity
  Survival rates for people with colorectal cancer are different in various racial and ethnic groups, with blacks faring worse than other groups, according to a report by US researchers.

• November 28, 2007

  Prostate cancer therapy often not best for patient
  Different approaches to treating early prostate cancer have different side effects, but this is not always taken into consideration, it seems. A study shows that more than a third of prostate cancer patients receive treatment that is not the most suitable, based on the problems they already have before treatment.

• November 27, 2007

  Bleeding from mouth or nose may signal child abuse
  Bleeding from the mouth and nose is rare during the first 2 years of life and it is most often associated with injury or serious illness. It may also be a sign of physical abuse, according to investigators in Scotland.

• November 24, 2007

  Cyclical vomiting transient in most kids: study
  Parents of cyclical vomiters rest assured: Results of a study suggest that cyclical vomiting in children resolves in most cases, often soon after a formal diagnosis has been made, although other somatic symptoms -- that is, physical symptoms believed to be caused by psychological stress -- may persist.
• Glaxo rotavirus vaccine highly effective: study
  GlaxoSmithKline Plc's Rotarix vaccine given along with other routine infant shots is highly effective at protecting against rotavirus, the most common cause of severe diarrhoea in young children, researchers said on Friday.
• Unnecessary appendectomy risky in pregnant women
  Unnecessary surgery to remove a normal appendix during pregnancy increases the risk that mom-to-be will lose her baby or that she will deliver early, research indicates.
• Fiber, whole grains may cut pancreatic cancer risk
  Eating more whole grain and fiber-rich food may lower the risk of pancreatic cancer by about 40 percent, study findings suggest.
• Fatty acids may enhance obesity treatment
  Oleic acid empties from the stomach more slowly and suppresses appetite more potently than macadamia oil, results of a study suggest. Oleic acid also stimulates specific gastrointestinal hormones known to send fullness signals.

• November 23, 2007

  Reflux unlikely to worsen as pregnancy progresses
  A study by Spanish doctors indicates that heartburn and other symptoms of acid reflux appear to remain stable across the three trimesters of pregnancy, rather than increasing as pregnancy progresses.
• Milk thistle slows liver cancer cell growth
  Milk thistle, a popular folk remedy for liver disease, may also help prevent liver cancer, laboratory research suggests.
• Continuous blood sugar monitoring can work in kids
  Use of a monitor that continuously measures body sugar levels is feasible and acceptable for children with insulin-dependent diabetes and their parents, and improves blood sugar control, according to results of a new study.
• Lung transplant rarely prolongs life in CF
  Lung transplantation in children with cystic fibrosis (CF) is not likely to prolong life and may do more harm than good, according to a look back at essentially the entire U.S. pediatric experience with lung transplantation for cystic fibrosis for the period 1992 through 2002.
• Transition from polyp to cancer age-dependent
  Men and women with advanced colorectal polyps have a similar risk of progressing to colorectal cancer (CRC) and the risk increases with age in both sexes, according to a study conducted in Germany.

• November 22, 2007

  Cigarette smoking linked with rectal cancer risk
  Women who smoke appear to have nearly twice the risk of developing rectal cancer compared with women who never smoked cigarettes, which supports the accumulating evidence of this relationship, researchers report.
• Liver transplant outcomes better in UK than in US
  Although patients who undergo liver transplants in the US have better a 90-day survival, many of those who undergo the procedure in the UK and Ireland seem to do better after the first year, UK researchers report in the November issue of Gut.

• November 21, 2007

  Removing tonsils may not be best for kids: study
  Removing the tonsils of children with mild or moderate throat infections is more expensive and has fewer health benefits than simply watching and waiting, Dutch researchers said on Monday.

• November 20, 2007

  Mystery solved by celiac diagnosis
  Two years ago, Shauna James Ahern's doctor told her she had a chronic disease. The author felt something unusual for someone who would soon have to completely alter her eating habits. She felt liberated.
• Hypnosis may calm kids' irritable bowels
  Gut-directed hypnotherapy is "highly effective" for children with long-standing abdominal pain or irritable bowel syndrome (known as IBS), researchers have found.
• Ill-Fitting Shoes a Danger to Diabetics
  Over time, they boost risk for ulcers and even amputation, researchers say

• November 14, 2007

  Diabetes type 1 risk not increased by tonsillectomy
  The removal of the tonsils and adenoids, common surgical procedures in childhood, does not alter the risk of childhood-onset type 1 diabetes, according to findings published in the medical journal Diabetes Care.

• November 10, 2007

  Salmonella outbreak due to raw milk consumption
  Consumption of raw milk or cheese made from raw milk caused an outbreak of Salmonella that occurred earlier this year in Pennsylvania, health investigators reported Thursday.
• On-the-job lead exposure tied to stomach cancer
  Men exposed to certain forms of lead at work may face an elevated risk of stomach cancer, a new study suggests.
• Vioxx Settlement Puts Painkillers Back in the Spotlight
  Cox-2 inhibitors not so bad if used wisely and in the right patients, experts say
• Health Tip: When a Stomachache Requires Medical Attention
  When to head for the hospital

• November 9, 2007

  Put down that fork: Being fat is still unhealthy
  Being overweight may not kill you, but it could lead to obesity, U.S. health experts cautioned on Wednesday in response to research suggesting that being a bit heavy does not raise the risk of death.
• About 1,000 sick in Vietnam diarrhea epidemic
  More than 1,000 people are sick with diarrhea in northern Vietnam, but government officials said on Thursday cholera had not been confirmed.
• Vioxx Ban Tied to Rise in Serious GI Trouble
  Without such stomach-shielding drugs, patient health has suffered, researchers say
• Health Tip: Kids Get Indigestion, Too
  Here's how to help prevent it

• November 8, 2007

  Colonoscopy can predict advanced tumors
  Colonoscopy is recommended as a screening test for colon cancer and now new research shows that it is useful in predicting the development of advanced tumors. This information may help doctors determine how often follow-up colonoscopy should be performed.

• November 7, 2007

  Late diagnosis increases risk in diabetic children
  The risk of dying among patients with childhood-onset diabetes is highest for those diagnosed "at the threshold of adulthood," according to study findings published in Diabetes Care.
• Soy-derived supplement may help treat colitis
  Treatment with a diet supplement found in soy lecithin may help patients with chronic ulcerative colitis reduce their dependence on corticosteroids, according to a report in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

• November 6, 2007

  Cargill recalls 1 mln pounds ground beef in U.S.
  Agricultural giant Cargill Inc said on Saturday it was recalling more than 1 million pounds of ground beef distributed in the United States because of possible E. coli contamination.
• Gilead hepatitis drug may damage heart
  Gilead Sciences Inc said on Sunday an experimental hepatitis C treatment in very early stages of development showed encouraging antiviral activity, but a signal of a potential heart problem could put the drug on hold.
• Drugs overused for infants with regurgitation
  Many infants with regurgitation, but without any other symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux, are being prescribed antireflux medications unnecessarily, physicians in New Orleans report in the journal Pediatrics.
• U.S. to boost testing of imported Canada meat
  Meat and poultry products being imported from Canada will be subjected to increased testing and inspection after an outbreak of E. coli in several U.S. states traced to beef from a Canadian company, the U.S. Agriculture Department said on Saturday.
• Anti-Reflux Drugs May Be Overprescribed in Infants
  As many as four in five treated babies didn't have excess stomach acid, study finds

• November 3, 2007

  Diabetes "coach" may help diabetic teenagers
  A "personal trainer" can enhance an adolescent's motivation and capability of managing diabetes, according to a randomized trial sponsored by the National Institutes of Health.
• Protein may be key to gestational diabetes
  A protein in the pancreas of mice may offer insight into the mechanism behind gestational diabetes, a condition that affects about 4 percent of all pregnant women, researchers said on Thursday.

• November 2, 2007

  India aims to end open-air defecation by 2012
  India aims to eradicate open-air defecation by 2012 by building toilets for hundreds of millions of its poor and homeless, well ahead of a global deadline to do so, a government minister said.
• At the moment, Vitamin D may fight cancer
  - As winter gets closer, the days get shorter -- and along with a shortage of light, many North Americans may also find themselves short of vitamin D, a potential cancer fighter.
• Heart disease declines among U.S. diabetics
  From 1997 to 2005, the percentage of U.S. diabetics, 35 years of age or older, with self-reported heart disease decreased by 11 percent, according to findings released Thursday in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

• November 1, 2007

  Link between obesity and cancer stressed by report
  Keeping slim is one of the best ways of preventing cancer, as is avoiding excessive amounts of red meat and wine, a landmark study has revealed.
• Risk factors for diabetic kidney disease identified
  High blood pressure and high lipid levels, as well as longer disease duration, elevated glucose (sugar) levels, and male gender, are all significant risk factors for kidney disease in patients with type 1 diabetes, according to a report in the current issue of Diabetes Care.
• Chemo Drug Improves Stomach Cancer Survival for Japanese Patients
  Researchers aren't sure if drug would have same benefit for Caucasians

• October 30, 2007

  Risk of GI bleeding increased by drug combo
  A drug from the class of antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as Prozac, Zoloft or Paxil, added to a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), such as Motrin, Aspirin or Celebrex, can interact to increase the risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding, according to a report in current issue of Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics.

• October 28, 2007

  Hepatitis scandal sparks anger at Japan government
  Eriko Fukuda was an active young woman of 20 when she was told she had contracted potentially deadly hepatitis C after being treated with a tainted blood product as an infant and needed costly and grueling treatment.

• October 26, 2007

  Effects of diet supplements on allergies uncertain
  A review of studies examining the usefulness of diet supplements - prebiotics and probiotics -- in preventing the development of allergic disease and food hypersensitivity in high-risk infants found insufficient evidence to support the routine use of these supplements. However, there was some evidence suggesting that prebiotics added to infant formula may lower the risk of eczema.
• Florida firm recalls ground beef over E. coli fear
  A Florida company recalled 8,200 pounds of frozen ground beef because the meat may be contaminated with the debilitating E. coli bacteria, the government's Food Safety and Inspection Service said Thursday.
• Surgery usually improves sleep apnea
  A surgical procedure virtually resolves obstructive sleep apnea in about one third of patients and reduces the need for continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in others.

• October 24, 2007

  Tonsil removal reduces harmful bacteria
  In kids with repeat throat infections, removal of the tonsils and adenoids, an operation known as adenotonsillectomy, can reduce levels of potentially harmful bacteria growing in the back of the throat, new research shows. Still, this may not mean a reduction in future throat infections.
• Lasting complications rare after gastric bypass
  Gastric bypass surgery has become a popular treatment for severe obesity, but the long-term risks have been unclear. Now, new research suggests that while nearly one in five patients will experience a complication after the surgery, the most problems are easily treated and do not cause permanent disability.
• Food safety rules tightened after E. coli recall
  U.S. food safety inspectors said Tuesday they will expand tests and recall infected meat more rapidly to combat E. coli contamination of meat products after the largest American manufacturer of hamburger patties went out of business this month.
• Tonsillectomy can improve kids' sleep, behavior
  Children with sleep disordered breathing who undergo adenotonsillectomy - surgical removal of the tonsils and adenoids -- may not only start sleeping better, but may also show improvements in behavior, the results of a new study suggests.

• October 22, 2007

  Appendix may be safe haven for "good" bacteria
  Contrary to conventional wisdom, the appendix may not be useless after all. New research suggests that the structure helps beneficial bacteria survive and repopulate the colon after these organisms become depleted as a result of an infection or drug treatment.

• October 19, 2007

  Routine use of enema during labor discouraged
  The use of an enema during labor does not reduce the rate of wound infections in the mother or infections in the infant, and also does not appear to result in a better labor experience for the mother, the findings from a new study review indicate.

• October 19, 2007

  Video 'Pill' Spots Hidden Crohn's Disease
  A tiny capsule takes pictures of the intestine, experts explain
• C. difficile carriers implicated in outbreak
  A study shows that individuals can harbor the bacterium, Clostridium difficile, but may not become ill. However, these carriers frequently shed virus onto their skin and into the environment and, as a result, may contribute significantly to disease transmission.
• Cheap drug could save lives in poor nations: report
  Magnesium sulphate, a cheap drug that prevents a deadly complication of pregnancy, could save the lives of tens of thousands of women in poor countries each year, a health group said in a report on Thursday.
• Vaccine after hepatitis A exposure prevents illness
  The findings from a new study show that after exposure to hepatitis A virus, the vaccine offers protection that is comparable to that of immune globulin, which is known to be highly effective in preventing hepatitis A.

• October 18, 2007

  Data on new hepatitis C drug promising: Schering
  The results of mid-stage study involving its experimental hepatitis boceprevir appear, Schering-Plough Corp reported Thursday.
• Obese often return to full-time work after surgery
  After undergoing gastric bypass surgery to treat extreme obesity, also known as "morbid" obesity, roughly one third of patients who were medically disabled and on Medicaid can return to full-time work, according to a report in the Archives of Surgery. The likelihood appears to be greatest among patients with obesity-related conditions that resolve after treatment.
• Study Reveals E.Coli's Grip on Gut
  Finding might aid illness prevention, treatment, researchers say
• Chronic Reflux Often Leads to Sleepless Nights
  Almost half of sufferers are kept awake by a variety of symptoms, survey found
• Reflux Can Precipitate Chest Pain, Cough
  These symptoms should be checked out by a physician, experts say
• Kids with chronic hepatitis B generally do well
  Chronic hepatitis B, a viral infection of the liver, causes little or no symptoms in children and typically follows a benign course over the long term, according to a report in Clinical Infectious Diseases.
• Tooth loss may predict later-life dementia: study
  To keep dementia at bay, take care of your teeth. That seems to be the message of a new study in which researchers found a possible link between tooth loss or having very few teeth -- one to nine, to be exact -- and the development of dementia later in life.
• Forget the bloody mary, just give me the blood
  A Hong Kong man who knocked back two vials of blood after a drinking binge has been jailed for two months, a newspaper reported Tuesday.

• October 17, 2007

  Company denies new diabetes drug causes pancreatitis
  No increased risk of acute pancreatitis has been observed so far in clinical trials of the diabetes type 2 drug liraglutide, which is in late-stage clinical trials, Denmark's Novo Nordisk, the world's biggest maker of insulin, said on Wednesday.
• Two mumps vaccinations better than one
  During outbreaks of mumps, vaccine effectiveness is better when two mumps vaccinations are given rather than one, according to findings published in the current journal Pediatrics.
• Surgeons Remove Gallbladder Through Vagina
  Procedure leaves no scars and reduces pain, but not all doctors endorse it.
• Weight loss helpful before gastric bypass
  People undergoing gastric bypass surgery for obesity can significantly reduce the length of their hospital stay if they lose 5 percent to 10 percent of their excess body weight before the procedure. In addition, the amount of weight they shed subsequently is likely to be greater, new research shows.

• October 16, 2007

  US FDA - Amylin drug suspected in pancreatitis cases
  Amylin Pharmaceuticals Inc's and Eli Lilly and Co's diabetes drug Byetta may be linked to cases of acute pancreatitis in some patients, U.S. health officials said in an alert issued on Tuesday.
• Chronic GI Troubles Keep Workers Off the Job
  They lose one day a week on average, study finds
• Raw Seafood Poses Digestive Risks
  Symptoms of infection include diarrhea, cramping and vomiting, researchers say

• October 15, 2007

  Heart deaths, suicides up after weightloss surgery
  Among people who have undergone so-called bariatric surgery for obesity, death rates are higher than seen among other people of the same age, new research shows. In particular, deaths due to suicide and coronary heart disease are higher than might be expected normally.
• Obesity linked to risk of colon cancer in women
  Obesity is an important risk factor for colorectal cancer in women, perhaps more important than smoking, according to research presented this week in Philadelphia.
• Many Patients Don't Report Use of OTC Pain Drugs
  Aspirin, ibuprofen and similar medicines pose big stomach risks, study notes.
• Old virus causing new disease in United States
  A strain of virus best known for causing colds and "stomach flu" is becoming more common and more dangerous, U.S. researchers report.

• October 12, 2007

  US FDA chief visits China to talk import safety
  The head of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, in China meeting with safety officials, said on Friday talks are progressing toward an agreement to boost the safety of food and drug imports.
• Last Updated: 2007-10-12 12:12:26 -0400 (Reuters Health)
  A Welsh water company has been fined 15,000 pounds and told to pay 70,000 pounds ($142,800) of costs for supplying water that gave 231 people diarrhoea.
• Dutch to ban "magic" mushrooms for health reasons
  The Dutch government wants to ban the sale of hallucinogenic "magic" mushrooms after a growing number of incidents with at least one reported death, the Health Ministry said on Friday. "It is unpredictable what will happen when you take magic mushrooms," a Health Ministry spokeswoman said.
• Antidepressants Boost GI Bleeding Risk
  And the danger rises if the drugs are used with certain painkillers, study finds

• October 11, 2007

  Lettuce's Roots Lure Salmonella
  A sugar-like substance attracts the dangerous pathogen, scientists say.

• October 10, 2007

  High glycemic index diet boosts fatty liver risk
  People who eat lots of high glycemic index (GI) foods not only risk gaining weight, they also run a greater risk of developing a condition that can lead to liver failure and death, finds a new study in mice. The condition is known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

• October 8, 2007

  Type of alcohol linked with cleft palate risk in infant
  A new study suggests that the association between alcohol consumption near the time of conception and the risk of cleft lip or palate may be influenced by the type of alcohol consumed, and by whether or not a woman is taking folic acid.

• October 5, 2007

  Mouse Study Gives Clues to Colitis
  A key immune deficiency can spur the disease, researchers say

• October 4, 2007

  CDC suspects 29 E. coli cases linked to Topps beef
  The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said 29 cases of E. coli infection are suspected to be linked to the 21.7 million pounds of recalled ground beef products from Topps Meat Company LLC.
• Canada pulls Novartis's drug on hepatitis fears
  Canada said on Thursday it has stopped the sale of Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc's anti-inflammatory drug Prexige (lumiracoxib) and will cancel its market authorization due to the risk of serious liver-related effects, mainly hepatitis.
• Control of diabetes may prevent infertility
  A Swedish study indicates that the fertility of women with type 1 diabetes was reduced prior to 1985, but since then is its begun to normalize, if diabetic complications were avoided.

• October 3, 2007

  High white cell count may predict cancer: study
  Postmenopausal women with elevated white blood cell (WBC) counts appear to be at increased risk of developing certain types of cancer, including breast, colorectal, endometrial, and lung cancers, a new study shows. Higher WBC counts also raise the risk of dying from cancer, according to the study.
• Light exercise may be good for Crohn's disease
  Light exercise such as walking may be helpful for some people with the digestive disorder Crohn's disease, a study has found.
• Doctors acquitted in Canada tainted-blood trial
  Three former Canadian health officials and a U.S. pharmaceutical company were acquitted of criminal charges on Monday following a tainted-blood scandal in which thousands of Canadians contracted HIV and hepatitis C from blood transfusions.

• October 2, 2007

  Sugar level affects behavior of diabetic children
  In children with type 1 diabetes, high blood glucose (sugar) levels are associated with an increase in externalizing behaviors, such as aggression, delinquency, and hyperactivity, the results of a study published in a recent issue of Diabetes Care indicate.
• Not all types of fat are harmful
  While it has long been held that too much fat in the liver may result in diabetes, researchers appear to have discovered that not all types of fat are harmful.
• Active Crohn's in pregnancy ups preterm birth risk
  Among women with Crohn's disease, having active disease during pregnancy raises the risk of preterm birth, according to a study. Crohn's disease is a debilitating inflammation in the digestive tract that often affects women of childbearing age. The cause of the disease remains unclear.
• Vertex hep C drug shows real promise, limitations
  A closely watched hepatitis C drug being developed by Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc continues to promise improvement over current treatments, according to analysts who have viewed brief summaries of data from highly anticipated clinical trials.

• October 1, 2007

  Breastfeeding doesn't increase kids' cavity risk
  A new study has found no link between breastfeeding and tooth decay in very young children.

• September 28, 2007

  Skin changes an ominous sign in dialysis patients
  Roughly 13 percent of patients with kidney failure develop the skin changes of a potentially fatal disease called nephrogenic systemic fibrosis, or NSF, new research suggests, and this condition triples the risk of death at 2 years.
• Imbalanced diet tied to Crohn's disease in kids
  Research hints that children who don't get the right balance of fatty acids, vegetables and fruits may be at increased risk of developing Crohn's disease -- a debilitating inflammation in the digestive tract, the cause of which remains unclear.

• September 27, 2007

  Scientists Map Intestinal Bug's Genome
  Giardia is leading cause of parasitic infections in U.S.

• September 26, 2007

  New Jersey firm recalls beef due to E. coli
  New Jersey-based meat processor Topps Meat Company LLC is voluntarily recalling 331,582 pounds (150 metric tons) of frozen ground beef products that may be contaminated with the potentially deadly E. coli bacteria, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said on Tuesday.

• September 25, 2007

  Heart disease, colon cancer linked in study
  Patients showing signs of heart disease are at nearly double the risk of also having colon cancer, perhaps because unhealthy habits and inflammation are at the root of both, researchers said on Tuesday.
• Omega-3's may lower type 1 diabetes risk
  Among children who are genetically predisposed to develop type 1 diabetes, dietary consumption of omega-3 fatty acids appears to reduce the risk of becoming diabetic, according to new research findings.
• Incisionless surgery revises stomach bypass
  When weight loss stalls or other problems arise years after gastric bypass, the surgery can be successfully revised with an incisionless, from-the-inside approach, researchers from Ohio State University in Columbus report.
• Gene test backs focused use of Amgen's Vectibix
  New research showing Amgen Inc's colon cancer drug Vectibix only benefits a sub-group of patients may result in more focused use of such therapies for the disease in future, researchers said on Tuesday.
• Roche says Xeloda improves colon cancer survival
  Data showed that Roche Holding AG's Xeloda was as effective in adjuvant treatment of Dukes' C colon cancer as the current standard treatment, the Swiss pharmaceutical company said on Tuesday.
• New test makes bird flu detection easier, cheaper
  A multinational team of researchers has developed a system that can detect the bird flu virus on a throat swab specimen in less than 30 minutes.

• September 24, 2007

  Roche says Avastin effective in colorectal cancer
  New clinical data showed Avastin improved the chances of a removal of metastatic lesions in patients with colorectal cancer, Swiss drug maker Roche Holding said on Monday.
• No Link Between Anti-Nausea Drug, Heart Trouble
  Current warning for droperidol unwarranted, study suggests.

• September 21, 2007

  Chronic fatigue linked with enterovirus infection
  Some patients with chronic fatigue syndrome appear to have a chronic enteroviral infection that can be detected by a stomach biopsy, according to a report in the current Online First issue of the Journal of Clinical Pathology.
• Dodgy buns put 260 Chinese children in hospital
  An outbreak of food poisoning has put 260 kindergarten children in hospital in China, the offending meal most likely a breakfast of buns and porridge, Xinhua news agency said on Friday.

• September 20, 2007

  Racial differences seen in severity of cirrhosis
  African Americans and Hispanics with primary biliary cirrhosis -- a rare form of cirrhosis characterized by the destruction of small bile ducts in the liver -- often present with more severe disease than their Caucasian counterparts, results of a study suggest.
• Diabetes may raise risk of death from pneumonia
  People with type 2 diabetes or elevated blood sugar are at increased risk of dying after being hospitalized for pneumonia, a new study hints.

• September 19, 2007

  Large waistline ups risk of Barrett's esophagus
  Excessive abdominal fat appears to significantly increase the risk of Barrett's esophagus, a condition in which cells that line the esophagus become abnormal, which may progress to esophageal cancer, a study shows.
• Health Tip: Risk Factors for Gallstones
  Including being overweight or having a family history

• September 18, 2007

  Gestational diabetes ups obesity risk in offspring
  Children born to mothers who developed diabetes during pregnancy are more likely to be overweight or obese than their peers, according to a new study.
• Tooth loss in elderly linked to mental impairment
  Older people who have lost their teeth are at more than three-fold greater risk of memory problems and dementia, UK researchers report.
• Insulin pen a cost-saving alternative to syringes
  For patients with type 2 diabetes who have reached the point where they need to start insulin injections, using a pre-loaded insulin pen could save money overall, according to results of a new study.
• U.S. FDA clears test for sensitivity to warfarin
  A genetic test to help identify patients at risk of excessive bleeding from the commonly used blood thinner warfarin won approval for sale in the United States, health regulators said on Monday.

• September 17, 2007

  Surgeons remove gallbladder through vagina
  French surgeons have successfully removed a woman's gall bladder through her vagina, leaving her completely scar-free, according to an expedited report published in the Archives of Surgery.
• Less pain, bleeding with newer tonsil surgery
  People who have their tonsils removed using an "intracapsular" technique -- which removes at least 90 percent of tonsil tissue, but spares the tonsil capsule -- seem to experience less bleeding and pain after surgery compared with those who have their tonsils out using the traditional tonsil removal surgery, new research suggests.
• Statins don't curb colon cancer risk: study
  Statin heart drugs do not appear to lower the risk of colorectal cancer, new research shows.

• September 15, 2007

  Don't Ignore Tough or Long-Term Stomach Pain
  It could point to serious underlying health trouble, experts say.

• September 14, 2007

  UPDATE: Carb-reliant people show better starch digestion
  People living in societies that rely heavily on starch for nutrition have evolved to digest these foods more effectively, new research suggests.

• September 13, 2007

  Carb-reliant people show better starch digestion
  People living in societies that rely heavily on starch for nutrition have evolved to digest these foods more effectively, research suggests.
• Smokeless tobacco use linked to throat cancer
  A study from India shows that use of smokeless tobacco in the form of chewing tobacco or snuff is associated with an increased risk of developing cancer in the "hypopharynx" -- the area at the back of the throat immediately above the larynx, or voicebox.
• Stomach Virus a Culprit in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
  Research was spurred by father's concern for son with debilitating condition.
• Multistate salmonella outbreaks traced to tomatoes
  Four large multistate outbreaks of Salmonella infections occurred in 2005 and 2006, affecting Canada and 21 states in the US. Researchers determined that at least 459 culture-confirmed cases of salmonella infection were caused by raw tomatoes eaten in restaurants, with up to 35 percent of those affected requiring hospitalization.
• Perceived milk intolerance may weaken girls' bones
  Young girls who believe they are lactose-intolerant take in less calcium and have thinner bones than their peers who don't think they had any trouble consuming dairy products, a new study shows.

• September 7, 2007

  Lazy living takes toll on Chinese livers
  Chinese government officials, many of whom are partial to liquor-fuelled banquets while managing affairs of state, are often unhealthy, suffering high blood pressure and liver diseases, state media reported on Friday.

• September 6, 2007

  Bone size normalizes in young diabetics: study
  Children with type 1 or "insulin-dependent" diabetes have transient impaired bone growth that normalizes over time, according to study findings.

• September 6, 2007

  Tooth loss linked to higher heart disease risk
  Young adults who lose their teeth to cavities or gum disease may have an increased risk of dying from heart disease later in life, a new study suggests.
• Vitamin C Plus Fat Might Spur Cancer
  Mixing in the stomach, this combo encourages carcinogens, study suggests
• Health Tip: Help Prevent Hemorrhoids
  Eat a fiber-rich diet and get plenty of exercise

• September 5, 2007

  Flood-borne disease hits nearly 1000 in east Sudan
  Nearly 1,000 people have had acute watery diarrhoea (AWD) spread by flood waters in eastern Sudan, and 58 of them have died, a World Health Organisation (WHO) official said on Wednesday.

• September 4, 2007

  New trainee docs' work hours hasn't hurt patients
  The notoriously long hours worked in hospitals by newly graduated doctors, known as residents, were recently cut back in the U.S., and the move seems to have improved death rates for certain medical conditions at Veterans Affairs hospitals.

• September 3, 2007

  Death triggered in cancer-prone intestinal cells
  Researchers in Singapore have worked out a way to kill intestinal stem cells that may develop into colorectal cancer, the second largest cause of cancer related deaths in western countries.

• August 31, 2007

  Intensive diabetes therapy may lower heart rate
  Intensive control of blood sugar (glucose) in patients with type 1 diabetes is associated with a lower resting heart rate, according to a report in Diabetes Care.

• August 31, 2007

  Heartburn Can Be a Sign of Serious Disease
  Left untreated, acid reflux symptoms can cause throat strictures, cancer, group warns

• August 30, 2007

  High blood sugar ups mortality in leukemia patients
  High blood sugar levels increase the rate of in-hospital deaths by nearly 40 percent in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). This increased mortality is seen even in patients with mild blood sugar elevations, according to results of a chart review.

• August 29, 2007

  Diabetes linked to increased risk of hip fracture
  Men and women with diabetes, either type 1 or type 2, are more likely than the general population to fracture a hip, according to a review of studies reported in the American Journal of Epidemiology.
• Skin disorders common in young type 1 diabetics
  About two thirds of young patients with type 1 diabetes may have skin disorders, some of which develop early in the course of the disease, according to study results published in the journal Diabetes Care.
• Blood protein linked to pancreatic cancer
  A blood protein related to body weight and physical exercise levels appears to be linked to pancreatic cancer risk, according to a new study.
• Exercise cuts heart risks for type 1 diabetes kids
  Children and teens with type 1 diabetes may be able to reduce their risk of future heart and blood vessel disease by taking part in regular exercise, German researchers report.

• August 28, 2007

  Human Genome ahead of schedule on hepatitis C drug
  Human Genome Sciences Inc. said on Tuesday it is ahead of schedule in the development of its hepatitis C drug Albuferon, having completed patient enrollment in a late-stage trial several months sooner than expected.
• Health of reporter jailed by China worsens
  The health of a reporter for a Singapore newspaper who was jailed by China on a charge of spying is deteriorating in prison, the Hong Kong Journalists Association said on Saturday, urging his release on medical parole.
• Scientists bringing bad breath out of the closet
  On the list of social offenses, bad breath ranks right up there with flatulence and body odor.

• August 27, 2007

  IBS pain sensitivity may be psychological
  Increased colon pain in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) appears to be related more to "a psychological tendency to report pain," rather than to actual increased neurosensory sensitivity, investigators report.
• Pain sensitivity in IBS patients may psychological
  Increased colon pain in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) appears to be related more to "a psychological tendency to report pain," rather than to actual increased neurosensory sensitivity, investigators report.

• August 24, 2007

  Early exposure to farm animals lowers IBD risk
  Infants who are regularly exposed to farm animals appear to be less likely than others to develop inflammatory bowel disease in childhood, according to the findings of a German study published in the journal Pediatrics.

• August 24, 2007

  Reflux Problems Not Limited to Adults
  Babies and children can also suffer from severe gastric distress, experts say
• Training cuts risk of sudden death while hiking
  People can reduce their risk of dying suddenly during a mountain hike by training for their climbs and by making sure any heart disease risk factors they may have are under control, Austrian researchers report.

• August 23, 2007

  EU allows Britain to resume nearly all meat exports
  Following two recent outbreaks of foot and mouth disease in the UK, European Union veterinary experts agreed on Thursday to let all of Britain, except part of the county of Surrey, resume exports of live animals, meat and dairy products to other EU countries, , the EU executive said.
• Cleft lip tied to smaller brains in children
  Children with clefts of the lip or palate appear to have abnormal brain structures, Iowa City-based researchers report in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine.

• August 22, 2007

  Low vitamin D linked to greater rectal cancer risk
  The findings from a Japanese study suggest that low levels of vitamin D, may increase the risk of rectal but not colon cancer.
• Bariatric surgery linked to longer lifespan
  As a treatment for severe obesity, bariatric surgery significantly lengthens patients' life expectancy in the long term, according to the findings from two studies appearing in The New England Journal of Medicine.
• African Americans with diabetes risk vision loss
  African Americans with type 1 diabetes have a high risk of loss of vision, new study findings show.

• August 21, 2007

  New intestinal bacteria linked to Crohn's disease
  An increase in the intestinal levels of a new type of infectious Escherichia coli bacteria, along with a depletion of Clostridium bacteria, appears to be involved in the development of Crohn's disease, according to a report in The ISME Journal: Multidisciplinary Journal of Microbial Ecology.
• One Surgery Often Enough for Peritonitis
  Study questions usefulness of secondary procedures.

• August 20, 2007

  Video capsule may soon diagnose celiac disease
  - accurately detects intestinal atrophy in patients suspected to have celiac disease, according to a report in the American Journal of Gastroenterology.
• Age alone not a barrier to liver transplantation
  The findings from a study of septuagenarians suggest that age per se should not prevent a patient from having a liver transplant.
• Researchers link gestational diabetes to cancer
  Women who had gestational diabetes when pregnant may be at greater risk of developing pancreatic cancer, according to U.S. and Israeli researchers who said the study was the first to link the two diseases.

• August 16, 2007

  No proof zinc lozenges help cold symptoms
  There's no proof that zinc lozenges, which are marketed for relieving symptoms of the common cold, work as advertised, according to a new research review.
• Ibuprofen may improve liver-related brain deficits
  Treatment with the commonly used over-the-counter drug ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), may reduce the impairments in thinking ability that often accompany severe liver disease, findings from an animal study suggest.
• Prostate cancer pamphlets may encourage screening
  Providing easy-to-read educational handouts to men can encourage discussion about prostate cancer and increase screening for elevated levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a standard test used to detect an increased risk of prostate cancer, new research suggests. But, the use of these educational materials does not make men more inclined to undergo rectal examination, which can also detect cancer.

• August 15, 2007

  Schizophrenia risk may be lower in type 1 diabetics
  The incidence of schizophrenia in patients with type 1 diabetes is less than half of that seen in people without diabetes, according to findings published in the Archives of General Psychiatry.
• Direct-to-Consumer Drug Ads Booming Despite Criticisms
  Experts suggest a shutdown on such pitches to the public.

• August 14, 2007

  MRI may make colon cancer screening more tolerable
  The use of magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, may offer a more tolerable alternative to conventional colonoscopy in screening for colon cancer, new research suggests.
• Stomach cancer will fall 25 pct in 10 years
  New cases of stomach cancer will likely fall 25 percent over the next 10 years in Western countries because of better living conditions, Dutch researchers said on Tuesday.
• Western diet linked with poor colon cancer outcome
  Patients treated for stage III colon cancer who follow a typical Western diet, high in meat, fat, and refined grain, seem to have an increased risk of recurrence and death, according to a report in this week's issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

• August 13, 2007

  UK livestock restrictions may be eased by week end
  Restrictions on the movement of livestock across Britain to prevent the spread of foot and mouth disease may be eased by the end of the week, the country's chief veterinary officer said on Monday. A national ban on animal movements remains in place since the confirmation of foot and mouth on two farms in Surrey, southern England.
• Personality may influence irritable bowel syndrome
  People who experience high levels of stress and anxiety appear to be more likely to develop irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) following a severe gastric infection, UK and New Zealand researchers report

• August 10, 2007

  Mother's diet affects cleft-palate risk in baby
  Pregnant women who eat a meat-rich, fruit-poor diet may be doubling their baby's likelihood of being born with a cleft lip or cleft palate, Dutch researchers report.

• August 9, 2007

  Bedwetting linked to lower IQ scores
  Children who are still wetting the bed at age 7 have lower IQ scores, on average, than their peers who stay dry through the night, UK researchers report.
• Drinking coffee seems to protect the liver
  Data from 10 studies conducted in Europe and Japan suggest that people who drink coffee may be reducing their risk of liver cancer, although the reasons for the apparent protective effect of coffee remain to be determined.
• FDA Sees No Heart Risk With Heartburn Drugs
  Preliminary studies suggested possible problems with Prilosec and Nexium.

• August 8, 2007

  Scientists develop new test for liver cancer
  A simple blood test can detect early stage liver cancer and more accurately diagnose a disease that is a major killer in Asia and Africa, researchers said on Wednesday.
• Choline may increase odds of polyps -study
  The essential nutrient choline -- found in red meat, poultry, eggs and milk -- may increase the risk of colon polyps, at least for women, U.S. researchers said on Tuesday.
• Obesity before pregnancy ups risk of birth defects
  There's an increased risk of birth defects among babies born to women who are obese before becoming pregnant, according to a new study.

• August 6, 2007

  Stomach meds tied to mental slowing in seniors
  Taking certain types of medication to deal with heartburn and excess stomach acid may increase the risk of cognitive impairment in the elderly, according to a new report.
• UK scrambles to find source of cattle disease
  British experts scrambled on Monday to find the cause of an outbreak of foot and mouth disease while a drug company at the centre of the investigation said there had been no breach of its biosecurity measures.
• Exports of meat, milk from all Britain banned: EU
  Exports of fresh meat, live animals and milk products will be banned from all of mainland Britain following its recent outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, the European Commission said on Monday.
• US issues new botulism warning for green beans
  Consumers should not eat certain brands of French-cut green beans because of concerns they could be tainted with the toxin that causes botulism, U.S. health officials warned on Friday.

• August 3, 2007

  No proof probiotics aid athletic performance
  Foods containing probiotics, live microbial ingredients that can provide health benefits, may be healthy, but athletes shouldn't count on them to boost their performance, a research review suggests. However, probiotics provide some indirect benefits.

• August 1, 2007

  Promising way to detect pancreatic cancer explored
  Researchers reported on Wednesday they could detect even early stage pancreatic cancer by shining light on a neighboring organ.
• Japan study finds coffee may prevent colon cancer
  Drinking three or more cups of coffee a day may cut the risk of colon cancer in women by half, according to a study by Japanese scientists.

• July 31, 2007

  Indonesian mystery illness may be food poisoning
  Initial investigations into a mystery illness that killed 10 people in an Indonesian village have suggested that food poisoning was the cause rather than a contagious disease, the health minister said on Tuesday.
• Dietary carbs linked to vision loss
  The carbohydrates present in a diet can influence the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the most common cause of vision loss in older adults, according to a report in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
• Acetaminophen eases post-wisdom tooth removal pain
  Paracetamol (Panadol) , the pain killer known as acetaminophen in the U.S. and sold under the trade names Tylenol in the US and Panadol in the UK, is an effective treatment for the pain following wisdom tooth extraction, according to a review of 21 studies that used the drug to placebo, or an inactive substance.

• July 30, 2007

  Cell phones light up operating room during blackout
  The light from the cell phone screens allowed surgeons to complete an emergency appendix operation during a blackout in a city in central Argentina, reports said on Saturday.
• Veggies may help protect men from colon cancer
  Eating a moderate amount of vegetables, particularly green leafy vegetables, seems to lower a man's risk of developing colorectal cancer, researchers found.
• Inflammatory Joint, Bowel Diseases May Be Linked
  Ankylosing spondylitis, inflammatory bowel disorder share common genetics, study suggests
• Rash means cancer drug Tarceva is working
  The development of a skin rash in patients with pancreatic cancer or lung cancer treated with Tarceva is a strong indication that the drug is working, report researchers from OSI Pharmaceuticals, the drug's developer.
• Environmental hazards kill 4 million children a year - WHO
  Four million children under the age of five die every year due to environmental hazards, including polluted air or water or exposure to chemicals, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Friday.

• July 27, 2007

  Aquafina labels to spell out source - tap water
  PepsiCo Inc. will spell out that its Aquafina bottled water is made with tap water, a concession to the growing environmental and political opposition to the bottled water industry.

• July 25, 2007

  Father-to-child hepatitis B transmission reported
  Molecular evidence indicates that father-to-child transmission is an "important route" of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in Japan, Japanese researchers warn in the Journal of Medical Virology.
• Herbal STW 5 may relieve abdominal pain
  In an 8-week trial involving patients with functional dyspepsia -- continuous or recurrent abdominal pain of unknown cause -- the herbal preparation STW 5 improved symptoms and was well tolerated, researchers report in the American Journal of Gastroenterology.
• Health Tip: Don't Aggravate an Upset Stomach
  Avoid certain foods and drinks
• MiraLax safe for chronic constipation
  MiraLax, which is currently available over-the-counter in the U.S, appears to remain safe and effective when use is extended for up to 6 months in patients with chronic constipation, researchers report in the American Journal of Gastroenterology.

• July 24, 2007

  Some polyunsaturated fats may protect the colon
  - the healthy fatty acid found in foods such as fish and nuts -- may reduce a person's risk of developing colorectal cancer.
• FDA says food recall is urgent health threat
  A recall of canned meat products and dog food made at a Georgia plant due to botulism fears could involve tens of millions of cans that pose an urgent public health threat, U.S. officials said on Monday.

• July 23, 2007

  Hepatitis C strongly linked to type 2 diabetes
  People infected with hepatitis C virus have an increased risk of developing type 2, or "adult-onset" diabetes, a population-based study confirms. This risk is particularly high in younger people who are overweight, researchers from Taiwan have found.

• July 20, 2007

  Bush to undergo colon exam on Saturday
  U.S. President George W. Bush will undergo what aides described as a routine colonoscopy on Saturday at the Camp David presidential retreat.
• Health Tip: Hernias in Children
  Signs to watch for

• July 19, 2007

  FDA warns of botulism risk in chili sauce
  Some cans of hot dog chili sauce sold under various brand names may be contaminated with the bacteria that causes botulism and should not be eaten, the Food and Drug Administration warned on Wednesday.

• July 18, 2007

  Experimental drug effective for Crohn's disease
  A new drug called certolizumab is a safe and effective treatment for moderate-to-severe Crohn's disease, according to the results of two related studies reported in The New England Journal of Medicine.
• New Crohn's Disease Drug Shows Promise
  Studies suggest certolizumab pegol may be effective option for patients.

• July 17, 2007

  Study sees rise in U.S. colitis cases
  A common infection that causes diarrhea may be to blame for the nearly doubled incidence of a certain kind of colitis, U.S. researchers said on Monday.
• Bacterial Colitis on the Rise in U.S. Hospitals