FDA-Approved Painkiller Zohydro Concerns Critics

By Rita Rubin WebMD Health News Reviewed by Michael W. Smith, MD Feb. 27, 2014 -- A new narcotic painkiller is due to come on the market in March, and critics want the FDA to reverse its approval of the drug, Zohydro ER. They claim it could become the next OxyContin, another opioid that’s become a popular drug of abuse. Critics of the FDA's ruling include attorneys general from 28 states and FED UP!, a union of consumer groups, addiction treatment providers, drug and alcohol prevention programs, and other interested groups. They have petitioned...

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Doctors' Germ-Laden Stethoscope May Spread Nasty Bacteria

Cleansing after each use should be part of good patient care, study says WebMD News from HealthDay By Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter THURSDAY, Feb. 27, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Stethoscopes help diagnose and heal, but this primary tool of physicians also has significant potential to spread germs from patient to patient, a new study reports. The diaphragm of a stethoscope -- the round piece placed against a patient's body -- can become filthy with antibiotic-resistant bacteria such as potentially deadly MRSA, researchers found. They discovered...

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Gene Study Offers Clues to Why Autism Strikes More Males

Girls seem to tolerate more genetic mutations than boys do before showing symptoms of disorder WebMD News from HealthDay By Mary Brophy Marcus HealthDay Reporter THURSDAY, Feb. 27, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- A new DNA study begins to explain why girls are less likely than boys to have an autism spectrum disorder. It turns out that girls tend not to develop autism when only mild genetic abnormalities exist, the researchers said. But when they are diagnosed with the disorder, they are more likely to have more extreme genetic mutations than boys who...

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Enlarged Prostate (BPH) Supplements and Natural Remedies

To treat an enlarged prostate, some people use herbs, from flaxseed to stinging nettle to prickly pear cactus. At typical doses, experts say that most plant extracts are probably safe for BPH, or benign prostatic hyperplasia. But do they work? Some supplements may help. Others -- including the most popular, saw palmetto -- might not. And a few, including zinc, may actually put you at risk for getting BPH. Supplements Most Likely to Work Beta-sitosterols may help your urine flow better and leave less in your bladder. They may be worth a try, especially...

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FDA's New Food Labels Would Focus on Calories, Sugar Content

Another goal: give consumers a better understanding of realistic serving sizes WebMD News from HealthDay By Margaret Farley Steele HealthDay Reporter THURSDAY, Feb. 27, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration formally proposed Thursday updating the "nutrition facts" labels on food products to better reflect Americans' current eating habits and health concerns. Among the highlights: the new labels would replace out-of-date serving sizes, highlight calorie content and draw attention to "added sugars." First Lady Michelle Obama...

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Study Sees No Evidence Linking Diabetes Drugs With Pancreatic Cancer

But FDA assessment calls for further look at injectable type-2 treatments WebMD News from HealthDay By Serena Gordon HealthDay Reporter WEDNESDAY, Feb. 26, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- There's no firm evidence that the type 2 diabetes medications known as incretin-based drugs cause pancreatitis or pancreatic cancer, U.S. and European health officials say. But it's too early to say there's definitely no link between the injectable drugs and pancreatitis or pancreatic cancer, according to the safety assessment by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration...

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Quick Vision Test May Help Spot Concussions on Sidelines

Combined with two other simple screenings, all cases of head injury were caught, researchers report WebMD News from HealthDay By Amy Norton HealthDay Reporter WEDNESDAY, Feb. 26, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- A simple vision test given on the sidelines can help identify athletes who've suffered a concussion, a new study finds. Researchers found that the test -- known as the King-Devick, or K-D -- was able to detect 79 percent of concussions among college athletes who were followed over a season. When the results were combined with those of two other...

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A Better Test for Down Syndrome?

New gene-based screen for chromosomal disorders is more accurate than current methods, study says WebMD News from HealthDay By Maureen Salamon HealthDay Reporter WEDNESDAY, Feb. 26, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- A new test that examines fetal DNA from a mother's blood is more accurate at spotting chromosomal abnormalities such as Down syndrome than standard tests offered to pregnant women, a new study indicates. Scientists found that the blood test, known as cell-free DNA, performed up to 10 times better than other noninvasive tests currently used to...

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Are Kids Born to Older Dads at Risk for Mental Health Woes?

Large Swedish study found higher rates of autism, ADHD and other disorders, but expert says the risk is small WebMD News from HealthDay By Steven Reinberg HealthDay Reporter WEDNESDAY, Feb. 26, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Children born to older fathers are at higher risk for various psychiatric and learning problems than once thought, a large new study suggests. Among more than 2 million children born in Sweden, researchers found that those born to fathers aged 45 and older were more prone to problems such as autism, attention-deficit/hyperactivity...

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Germs and Bacteria: How Clean Should We Be?

By Mary Jo DiLonardo WebMD Feature Reviewed by Michael W. Smith, MD Your baby drops a cracker on the floor. Does the 5-second rule apply, or do you quickly throw it away? Or could those germs actually be good for him? Well, kind of. There's a belief that says exposing people -- especially babies and young children -- to different kinds of germs early in life can keep them from developing illnesses like asthma, allergies, and other diseases that affect the immune system. The theory, called the “hygiene hypothesis,” is that our bodies need "practice"...

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Gluten: How to Find It on a Food Label

How to recognize gluten that's not obvious on the label. By Heather Hatfield WebMD Feature Reviewed by Kathleen M. Zelman, MPH, RD, LD Going gluten-free? Gluten is not always obvious on food labels, so you'll need to get up to speed on gluten's many disguises. When Katie Falkenmeyer of Sherrill, NY, decided to go gluten-free, the learning curve in front of her was a little daunting. Figuring out which foods were really gluten-free wasn't easy. But after a few trips to the grocery store -- and with the support of her nutritionist -- identifying...

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Top 10 Smart Foods for College Students

Coasting by on popcorn and energy drinks? Find out which foods really fuel your brain. By Matt McMillen WebMD Magazine - Feature Reviewed by Kathleen M. Zelman, MPH, RD, LD Poring over textbooks, organizing lecture notes, and prepping for tests takes a toll on your brain. Give your gray matter the fuel it needs to help you stay focused and absorb what you learn in the classroom. Milk and yogurt. Low-fat dairy products are packed with protein and B vitamins that may help you concentrate and work efficiently, says dietitian Marjorie Nolan, RD, a nutrition...

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8 Healthy Facts About Grapes

Our guide to the origins, health benefits, and varieties of grapes -- plus a delicious recipe for Grilled Shrimp and Grape Salad. By Chloe Thompson WebMD Magazine - Feature Reviewed by Kathleen M. Zelman, MPH, RD, LD Grape Origins Spanish explorers introduced the fruit to America about 300 years ago. Grapes Are Berries! Yes, grapes are a kind of berry. They have a leathery covering and a fleshy inside, similar to blueberries. The Grape Family There are more than 8,000 grape varieties from about 60 species. The main types are American and European....

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Gluten: How to Find It on a Food Label

How to recognize gluten that's not obvious on the label. By Heather Hatfield WebMD Feature Reviewed by Kathleen M. Zelman, MPH, RD, LD Going gluten-free? Gluten is not always obvious on food labels, so you'll need to get up to speed on gluten's many disguises. When Katie Falkenmeyer of Sherrill, NY, decided to go gluten-free, the learning curve in front of her was a little daunting. Figuring out which foods were really gluten-free wasn't easy. But after a few trips to the grocery store -- and with the support of her nutritionist -- identifying...

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8 Healthy Facts About Grapes

Our guide to the origins, health benefits, and varieties of grapes -- plus a delicious recipe for Grilled Shrimp and Grape Salad. By Chloe Thompson WebMD Magazine - Feature Reviewed by Kathleen M. Zelman, MPH, RD, LD Grape Origins Spanish explorers introduced the fruit to America about 300 years ago. Grapes Are Berries! Yes, grapes are a kind of berry. They have a leathery covering and a fleshy inside, similar to blueberries. The Grape Family There are more than 8,000 grape varieties from about 60 species. The main types are American and European....

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7 Healthy Facts About Radishes

Though it's small in size, the earthy radish brings big flavor to the table. Try it in our Red Radish and Greens Salad recipe. By Ana Ferrer WebMD Magazine - Feature Reviewed by Kathleen M. Zelman, MPH, RD, LD History of Radishes First cultivated in China, radish crops spread through the Northern Hemisphere and into Europe in the 1500s. Radishes had reached Massachusetts by 1629. The Radish Family Radishes are members of the Brassicaceae (mustard or cabbage) family. The root is related to kale, broccoli, cauliflower, and horseradish, among others....

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Should You Sprout Your Grains, Nuts, and Legumes?

What to know about sprouting grains, nuts, and legumes. By Tammy Worth WebMD Feature Reviewed by Kathleen M. Zelman, MPH, RD, LD Sprouts are making a comeback, and not just at the salad bar. You may have read that sprouts are packed with nutrients and are easy to digest. But you may also have heard about food safety issues and recalls of sprouts. So should you sprout your grains, nuts, and beans, or skip this trend? What Is Sprouting? Seeds sprout after a few days in a warm, moist climate. The process usually lasts 3 to 7 days, depending upon...

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7 Healthy Facts About Radishes

Though it's small in size, the earthy radish brings big flavor to the table. Try it in our Red Radish and Greens Salad recipe. By Ana Ferrer WebMD Magazine - Feature Reviewed by Kathleen M. Zelman, MPH, RD, LD History of Radishes First cultivated in China, radish crops spread through the Northern Hemisphere and into Europe in the 1500s. Radishes had reached Massachusetts by 1629. The Radish Family Radishes are members of the Brassicaceae (mustard or cabbage) family. The root is related to kale, broccoli, cauliflower, and horseradish, among others....

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What Your Parents Got Wrong About Food

Dessert as a reward, snacks that wreck your appetite, and other parental nutrition myths. By Lisa Fields WebMD Feature Reviewed by Kathleen M. Zelman, MPH, RD, LD Are you still following eating maxims that your parents taught you decades ago? It's time to see if that advice stands up to the test of time -- or if some of the things your parents taught you about food are your family's diet myths. Diet myths are "handed down for generations," says Kathleen Fuller, PhD, author of Not Your Mother's Diet. "To undo a myth or belief, it takes some practice."...

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What Your Parents Got Wrong About Food

Dessert as a reward, snacks that wreck your appetite, and other parental nutrition myths. By Lisa Fields WebMD Feature Reviewed by Kathleen M. Zelman, MPH, RD, LD Are you still following eating maxims that your parents taught you decades ago? It's time to see if that advice stands up to the test of time -- or if some of the things your parents taught you about food are your family's diet myths. Diet myths are "handed down for generations," says Kathleen Fuller, PhD, author of Not Your Mother's Diet. "To undo a myth or belief, it takes some practice."...

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Your dog can tell you a lot by the way he acts. Know what to look for.

By Suz Redfearn WebMD Feature Reviewed by Amy Flowers, DVM How many times have you wished your dog could talk so you could know exactly what he’s thinking? But he doesn’t need to speak to clue you in. Veterinary behaviorists say if you learn to read your dog’s actions, it’s not hard to figure out what’s going on in his head. Debra Horwitz, veterinary behaviorist and lead editor of Decoding Your Dog, says the key is looking at your whole dog, rather than a portion of him, like just his tail. Observing what your dog does with his face, body, and tail...

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Most Teens With Fibromyalgia Suffer Pain, Fatigue as Adults

Four of five continued to experience symptoms, while half had full-blown disorder, study finds WebMD News from HealthDay By Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter WEDNESDAY, Feb. 26, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Four out of five teens suffering from juvenile fibromyalgia will continue to have pain and other symptoms in adulthood, a new study finds. About half of these children will end up as grown-ups with full-blown adult fibromyalgia, the researchers found. "Half of the former teens we studied met the full criteria for adult fibromyalgia, and another...

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Necks, Butts Growth Areas for U.S. Plastic Surgeons

By Mary Elizabeth Dallas HealthDay Reporter WEDNESDAY, Feb. 26, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Eyelid surgery and facelifts are up. So are butt augmentations and neck lifts, according to new figures from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons that show a steady increase in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery procedures in the United States. This was the fourth consecutive year of growth, the society reported, noting more than 15 million cosmetic surgeries and minimally invasive procedures were performed in 2013, an increase of 3 percent from the year before....

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U.S. Obesity Rate Shows Signs of Leveling Off

CDC study finds very young children seem to be slimming down, but more older women are obese WebMD News from HealthDay By Mary Brophy Marcus HealthDay Reporter TUESDAY, Feb. 25, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Obesity still looms large in the United States but the scale's relentless climb may have leveled off, according to the latest results of a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study. One-third of adults and 17 percent of children and teens are obese, said CDC researchers who focused on more than 9,000 adults and children in 2011-2012 and...

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FDA Explores '3-Person' Embryo Fertilization

Meant to prevent genetic diseases in children, the procedure raises ethical issues WebMD News from HealthDay By Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter TUESDAY, Feb. 25, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- U.S. Food and Drug Administration hearings opened Tuesday on a controversial fertilization technique that uses the DNA from three people -- two women and one man -- with the goal of preventing inherited genetic diseases. The technique involves the unfertilized eggs, or "oocytes," from two females. Parts of each egg are combined to weed out inherited genetic...

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U.S. Obesity Rate Shows Signs of Leveling Off

CDC study finds very young children seem to be slimming down, but more older women are obese WebMD News from HealthDay By Mary Brophy Marcus HealthDay Reporter TUESDAY, Feb. 25, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Obesity still looms large in the United States but the scale's relentless climb may have leveled off, according to the latest results of a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study. One-third of adults and 17 percent of children and teens are obese, said CDC researchers who focused on more than 9,000 adults and children in 2011-2012 and...

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Retail Clinics for Kids: No Sub for Pediatricians

By Rita Rubin WebMD Health News Reviewed by Hansa D. Bhargava, MD Feb. 25, 2014 -- Like many busy parents, Ellen Hoffman likes the convenience of the MinuteClinic, a handful of which can be found in CVS pharmacies within a few miles of her home in Bethesda, MD. Her two daughters, 14 and 12, often get ear infections or colds that are going around. “I used to take them [to MinuteClinic] all the time because my pediatrician’s office was a pain in the neck,” Hoffman says. “I could never get in there.” Eventually, though, her local MinuteClinics became...

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New ACA Insurance Causes Headaches In Some Doctors' Offices

By Jenny Gold Mon, Feb 24 2014 Sheila Lawless is the office manager at a small rheumatology practice in Wichita Falls, Texas, about two hours outside of Dallas. She makes sure everything in the office runs smoothly – scheduling patients, collecting payments, keeping the lights on. Recently she added another duty--incorporating the trickle of patients with insurance plans purchased on the new Affordable Care Act exchanges.  Open enrollment doesn’t end until March 31, but people who have already bought Obamacare plans are beginning to use them....

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