Health Library
Organ Recipients at Raised Risk of Cancer Death, Study Finds THURSDAY, Jan. 7, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- People who've received an organ transplant are almost three times more likely to die from cancer than the general population, a new study reports. And transplant patients who never had cancer before are nearly twice as likely to die from cancer, the researchers reported. "We found there was an increased risk of death from almost every cancer," said lead researcher Dr. Nancy Baxter, chief of general su...
One-Third of Incurable Cancer Patients Keep Working, Study Finds MONDAY, Dec. 21, 2015 (HealthDay News) -- More than one-third of people with incurable cancer continue to work despite their fatal illness, a new study reports. What's more, they are likely to stay on the job until they grow too sick to keep going, the researchers found. The severity of a cancer patient's symptoms is the most important factor in whether he or she will stop working, researchers reported Dec. 21 in the journal Cancer . "The ...
Others' Drug, Alcohol Use May Trigger Bad Behavior in Teens FRIDAY, Dec. 11, 2015 (HealthDay News) -- Seeing other people drink or use drugs can trigger antisocial behavior in kids, a new study suggests. Duke University researchers used cellphones to survey about 150 children between the ages of 11 and 15 three times a day for 30 days. The study participants completed more than 90 percent of the surveys. On days when they saw others drink alcohol or use drugs, participants were two times more likely to ...
Obamacare Boosting Breast Cancer Screening Among Poor: Study MONDAY, Nov. 30, 2015 (HealthDay News) -- More poor women are being screened for breast cancer due to expanded Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, a new study finds. States now have the option to expand Medicaid coverage of breast cancer screening to people younger than 65 whose income is up to 133 percent of the federal poverty level. So far, 23 states have opted for that expanded coverage and six others ...
Obesity in Youth May Harm the Heart Long-Term, Even After Weight Loss WEDNESDAY, Nov. 25, 2015 (HealthDay News) -- A new study finds that even if overweight or obese young women slim down later on, obesity-linked damage to the heart may linger for decades. The research shows that even formerly overweight women remain at heightened risk for sudden cardiac death later in life. So, "it is important to maintain a healthy weight throughout adulthood as a way to minimize the risk of sudden cardiac death," lea...
Opdivo Approved for Advanced Kidney Cancer TUESDAY, Nov. 24, 2015 (HealthDay News) -- Opdivo (nivolumab) has been approved to treat advanced renal cell carcinoma, the most common type of kidney cancer. The drug targets proteins that would otherwise hinder the body's immune system in fighting cancer cells, the agency said in a news release. Renal cell carcinoma is expected to be diagnosed in more than 61,000 Americans this year, and more than 14,000 are projected to die from it, the FDA said, citing the ...
Obese Kids as Young as 8 Show Signs of Heart Disease TUESDAY, Nov. 10, 2015 (HealthDay News) -- Obese children can develop signs of heart abnormalities as young as age 8, which might drive up their risk for early death as adults, new research suggests. "It is both surprising and alarming to us that even the youngest obese children in our study who were 8 years old had evidence of heart disease," said study lead author Linyuan Jing, a postdoctoral fellow with Geisinger Health System in Danville, Pa. "Ult...
Omega 3 Supplements Don't Help With Depression: Review FRIDAY, Nov. 6, 2015 (HealthDay News) -- There's little evidence that taking omega-3 fatty acid supplements helps treat depression, researchers report. Some studies have suggested that these fish oil supplements may benefit people with major depression. But in a review published Nov. 5 in the Cochrane Library , researchers disagreed after analyzing 26 studies that included more than 1,400 people with depression. "We found a small-to-modest positive ...
Online Psychotherapy May Help Some With Emotional Problems TUESDAY, Nov. 3, 2015 (HealthDay News) -- The Internet has made it possible for people to work and study from home, and new research suggests that a staple of mental health care may also be headed to a computer near you. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a mix of two disciplines that aims to help a person improve the way he or she thinks about problems and problem-solving, while also tackling unhealthy behaviors. For now, online versions of ...
One in Five Pediatricians Drops Families Who Refuse Vaccines: Survey MONDAY, Nov. 2, 2015 (HealthDay News) -- One of every five U.S. pediatricians regularly drops families who refuse to have their children vaccinated, a new survey shows. Doctors in the South and Northeast were more likely to take this hardline stance, said study lead author Dr. Sean O'Leary, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Children's Hospital Colorado in Denver. But O'Leary said he's heard anecdotally that pediatricians acr...
Obamacare Allows Tobacco Surcharge on Older Smokers WEDNESDAY, Oct. 14, 2015 (HealthDay News) -- Older smokers purchasing insurance through Obamacare may have a new reason to kick the habit: the Affordable Care Act allows plans on the health exchange to add a surcharge for tobacco use, new research shows. For the study, scientists examined health insurance tobacco surcharges across the United States. In nearly every county of the 37 states that used healthcare.gov to sell health plans in 2015, people wh...
Ovarian Tissue Transplant Can Help Some Women Have Kids After Cancer Treatment TUESDAY, Oct. 6, 2015 (HealthDay News) -- Cancer patients who have ovarian tissue removed and stored for later transplantation have a chance at a successful pregnancy, a new study finds. Powerful chemotherapy and radiation treatments for cancer can impair a woman's fertility. This new study shows that ovarian tissue transplants are safe and effective and pose little risk of the cancer coming back, the Danish researchers said....
Optune Device Approved for Newly Diagnosed Brain Cancer TUESDAY, Oct. 6, 2015 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Monday expanded its approval for the Optune device to include newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme, an aggressive brain cancer. Optune involves placing electrodes on the surface of the scalp to deliver low-intensity pulses called "tumor treatment fields," which are designed to damage growing tumor cells, the agency said in a news release. The portable device, powe...
Obesity Won't Affect Joint Surgery Safety, Study Finds FRIDAY, Oct. 2, 2015 (HealthDay News) -- Obese and overweight people who have joint replacement surgeries are less likely to need blood transfusions and are no more likely to face complications than normal weight patients, a new analysis finds. "It's a very complex issue," said study co-author Dr. Nolan Wessell, an orthopaedic surgery resident at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. "And this finding is somewhat surprising. "But it could just be that lar...
OTC Pain Medications and Their Risks Drugstore shelves have so many choices of over-the-counter (OTC) pain medication that it can seem difficult to find one that you like. But OTC pain relievers can be divided into just 2 main types: acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Acetaminophen is available as a generic medicine and by the brand name Tylenol. You'll find a few different NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin, and ketoprofen. Some medicines, such as Excedrin Extra ...
Oximetry (Oxygen Saturation, Oximetry, Ear Oximetry, Pulse Ox, Sp0 2 ) Procedure overview What is pulse oximetry? Pulse oximetry is a procedure used to measure the oxygen level (or oxygen saturation) in the blood. It is considered to be a noninvasive, painless, general indicator of oxygen delivery to the peripheral tissues (such as the finger, earlobe, or nose). How does pulse oximetry work? Oxygen in the air is breathed into the lungs. The oxygen then passes into the blood where the majority of the oxy...
Overview of Adrenal Disorders The two adrenal glands are small and triangular, with one located atop of each kidney. For this reason, they have been called the suprarenal glands. Each adrenal gland has an outer region (called the adrenal cortex) and an inner region (called the adrenal medulla). The adrenal glands coordinate with the hypothalamus and pituitary gland in the brain to secrete hormones that regulate metabolism, blood chemistry, and many physical characteristics. Adrenal glands also secrete h...
Chronic Health Problems in Teens Chronic health problems during the teen years can often complicate physical and emotional development. Illness, injury, medical treatments, hospitalization, and surgeries related to chronic illness can cause a teen to worry even more about his or her physical appearance. They can also interfere with a teen's desire to be independent. It also affects a teen's relationships with parents and friends. A teen with a chronic health issue may struggle to cope with illness and r...
Overview of Kidney Disorders in Children How do the kidneys work? The body takes nutrients from food and converts them to energy. After the body has taken the food that it needs, waste products are left behind in the bowel and in the blood. The kidneys and urinary system keep chemicals, like potassium and sodium, and water in balance by removing a type of waste, called urea, from the blood. Urea is made when foods containing protein, like meat, poultry, and certain vegetables, are broken down in the bod...
Overview of Renal Failure in Children What is renal failure? Renal failure refers to temporary or permanent damage to the kidneys that results in loss of normal kidney function. There are 2 different types of renal failure — acute and chronic. Acute renal failure has a sudden onset and might be able to be reversed. Chronic renal failure progresses slowly over at least 3 months and can lead to permanent renal failure. The causes, symptoms, treatments, and outcomes of acute and chronic are different. Cond...
Overactive Let-Down Some mothers have such a strong let-down that the baby cannot handle the volume of milk. If your baby chokes, gags, or pushes off of the breast a minute or two after beginning to feed, an overactive let-down may be the cause. Most babies do learn to handle let-down as they mature, but until then you might take the baby off the breast until the milk flow slows. Try using only one breast each feeding. Some mothers find it helps to position the baby so that the back of the baby's throat...
Overuse Injuries An increasing number of boys and girls are playing recreational and organized sports. As a result, there is a rise in the number of overuse injuries seen among children and adolescents. The majority of sports and overuse injuries are due to minor trauma involving soft tissue injuries — injuries that affect the bone, muscles, ligaments, and/or tendons. What are the most common types of overuse injuries? Type of overuse injury Symptoms Possible cause Jumper's knee (patellar tendonitis) Te...
Online Resources - Neurological Disorders This Web page was compiled from a variety of sources including the online resources listed below, but is not intended to substitute or replace the professional medical advice you receive from your health care provider. The content provided here is for informational purposes only, and was not designed to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease. Please consult your child's health care provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your child'...
Overview of Diagnostic Tests for Nervous System Disorders in Children What are some diagnostic tests for nervous system disorders? Evaluating and diagnosing damage to the nervous system can be very complicated. Many of the same symptoms occur in different combinations among the different disorders. To further complicate the diagnostic process, many disorders do not have definitive causes, markers, or tests. Neurological tests to evaluate children may include: Computed tomography scan (also called a CT o...
Overview of Pregnancy Loss What is pregnancy loss? Pregnancy loss is the death of an unborn baby at any time during pregnancy. It is estimated that pregnancy loss occurs in over half of all early pregnancies. Most of these occur so early that the mother does not even know she is pregnant. The majority of pregnancy losses occur during the first trimester. Pregnancy loss includes: Anembryonic pregnancy. The egg is fertilized, but never develops into an embryo. Miscarriage. This is early pregnancy loss, al...
Otitis Externa (Swimmer's Ear) What is otitis externa? Otitis externa, also called swimmer's ear, is an inflammation of the external ear canal. Swimmer's ear is caused by fungi or bacteria. Water that remains trapped in the ear canal (when swimming, for example) may provide a source for the growth of bacteria and fungi. What causes swimmer's ear? Many different factors can increase your child's chance of developing swimmer's ear. One of the causes is swimming or other wet, humid conditions. Other possib...
Otitis Media (Middle Ear Infection) What is otitis media (OM)? Click Image to Enlarge Otitis media is inflammation in the middle ear. Otitis media can occur as a result of a cold, sore throat, or respiratory infection. Facts about otitis media More than 80% of children have at least one episode of otitis media by the time they are 3 years of age. Otitis media can also affect adults, although it is mainly a condition that occurs in children. Who is at risk of getting ear infections? While any child may d...
Overview of Neck Masses What are neck masses? Neck masses are common problems in infants and children. Some neck masses are congenital (present at birth) and result from abnormal formation during embryonic development. Many neck masses appear with an upper respiratory infection such as a cold or sinus infection. Some are not found until they become enlarged and painful from infection. Although a neck mass can involve other structures in the head and neck area, most are benign (noncancerous). Cancerous n...
Overactive Adrenal Glands / Cushing's Syndrome in Children What are overactive adrenal glands? Adrenal glands that produce too much hormones are described as overactive. Symptoms and treatment depend on which hormones are being overproduced, including the following: Androgenic steroids (androgen hormones). O verproduction of androgenic steroids, such as testosterone, can lead to exaggerated male characteristics in both men and women. These signs include excess hair on the face and body, baldness, acne, ...
Other Benign Skin Growths in Children What are other benign skin growths? As a person grows older and is exposed to sunlight, the skin changes. Children may have freckles and moles. These may multiply or darken over time in response to sun exposure. What are the different types of skin growths? Skin Growth Characteristics Treatment Dermatofibromas Small, firm, red or brown bumps caused by an accumulation of fibroblasts (soft tissue cells under the skin). They often happen on the legs and may itch. They ...
Orthodontics/Braces for Children What is orthodontics? Orthodontics is the dental specialty that focuses on the development, prevention, and correction of irregularities of the teeth, bite, and jaws. Orthodontists also have specialized training in facial abnormalities and disorders of the jaw. Your dentist may refer your child to an orthodontist. The American Dental Association recommends that every child have an orthodontic evaluation by 7 years of age. Why choose orthodontic treatment? Any orthodontic...
Online Resources - Craniofacial Anomalies This Web was compiled from a variety of sources including the online resources listed below, but is not intended to substitute or replace the professional medical advice you receive from your child's health care provider. The content provided here is for informational purposes only, and was not designed to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease. Please consult your child's health care provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your chi...
Overview of Pacemakers and Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators (ICDs) in Children What is an implanted pacemaker? An implanted pacemaker is a small device implanted under the skin that sends electrical signals to control an irregular or slow heartbeat. An implanted pacemaker may be used to stimulate the heartbeat if the heart's natural pacemaker (the sinoatrial, or SA, node) is not working properly, has developed an abnormally slow rate, or if the electrical pathways are blocked. Rhythm problems may...
Osgood-Schlatter Disease What is Osgood-Schlatter disease? Osgood-Schlatter disease is an overuse condition or injury of the knee that causes pain and swelling below the knee area over the shin bone in growing children and adolescents. What causes Osgood-Schlatter disease? Osgood-Schlatter disease is characterized by inflammation of the patellar tendon and surrounding soft tissues. It is caused by the constant pulling of the patellar tendon on the area below the knee where the tendon attaches. Click Ima...
Oral Health Many different oral and dental conditions affect adolescents and require the clinical care of a physician or other health care professional. Listed in the directory below are some, for which we have provided a brief overview. Orthodontics and Braces Wisdom Teeth Extraction Periodontal Disease
Online Resources - Adolescent Medicine This Web was compiled from a variety of sources including the online resources listed below, but is not intended to substitute or replace the professional medical advice you receive from your adolescent's health care provider. The content provided here is for informational purposes only, and was not designed to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease. Please consult your adolescent's health care provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding y...
Obesity in Adolescents What is obesity? Overweight and obesity together represent the second leading preventable cause of death in the U.S. Obesity is a serious, chronic disease that can cause harm to a person's health. Overweight and obesity are not the same. Instead they are different points on a range of weight that spans being underweight to being morbidly obese. The portion of people who fit into overweight and obese is set by body mass index (BMI). Public health professionals agree that overweight...
Overview of Kidney Disorders How do the kidneys work? Click Image to Enlarge The body takes nutrients from food and converts them to energy. After the body has used all the food components that it needs, waste products are left behind in the bowel and in the blood. The kidneys and urinary system help to excrete the waste products and also keep chemicals, such as potassium and sodium, and water in balance. Kidneys filter and remove several toxic materials from the body that are the products of food metab...
Ovarian Cancer as Part of Lynch Syndrome A woman is at increased risk for ovarian cancer if she has Lynch syndrome, also called hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer (HNPCC). Having this syndrome increases a woman's risk of having ovarian and uterine cancer at a much younger age than usual. A clinical diagnosis of Lynch syndrome is made when the following characteristics are present in a family: Three or more relatives with HNPCC-related cancer (colorectal, endometrial, ovarian, small bowel, stomach, liv...
Overview of Multiple Pregnancy What is multiple pregnancy? Multiple pregnancy is a pregnancy with two or more fetuses. Names for these include the following: Twins--two fetuses Triplets--three fetuses Quadruplets--four fetuses Quintuplets--five fetuses Sextuplets--six fetuses Septuplets--seven fetuses While multiples account for only a small percentage of all births (about 3 percent), the multiple birth rate is rising. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, the twin birth rate has risen...
Obesity Treatment Overview Treatment goals Regardless of the type or combination of obesity treatment, goal setting is an important part of any obesity treatment plan. While a person may want to lose a large amount of weight because of societal or fashion reasons, it is important to realize that setting and achieving a realistic goal of reducing weight by as little as 3% to 5% of body weight will yield important, positive gains in health. Treatment goals work best if they are individualized. For example...
Older Adults Sharpest in the Morning, Study Finds FRIDAY, Aug. 8, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Older adults' minds may be sharpest in the morning, a new small study finds. Canadian researchers used functional MRI to monitor the brain activity of 16 younger adults (aged 19 to 30) and 16 older adults (aged 60 to 82) as they did a series of memory tests while subjected to distractions. When the tests were conducted between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m., older adults were 10 percent more likely to be distracted than younge...
Orbactiv Approved for Drug-Resistant Skin Infections THURSDAY, Aug. 7, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- The antibacterial drug Orbactiv (oritavancin) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat drug-resistant skin infections in adults, the agency said in a news release. The drug is sanctioned to treat methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and other acute bacterial skin infections. It's the third such drug approved in 2014, following May approval of Dalvance (dalbavancin) and...
Obese More Likely to Survive Serious Bloodstream Infection TUESDAY, Aug. 12, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Obese seniors are more likely to survive a life-threatening bloodstream infection called sepsis than those who are at a normal weight, according to a new study. The results are surprising because obesity often leads to worse, not better, health outcomes. The study also raises new questions about how obesity affects the body's response to infection, the University of Michigan researchers said. "Physician...
One in 10 Cancer Survivors Still Smoke Years Later, Study Finds WEDNESDAY, Aug. 6, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Almost 10 percent of people who survive cancer are still smoking a decade later, a new study from the American Cancer Society shows. Experts said the findings, reported online Aug. 6 in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention , show that some cancer survivors need ongoing help with kicking the smoking habit. The study also underscores how tough it can be to quit tobacco, said Dr...
Once-Daily Inhaler Approved for COPD THURSDAY, July 31, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Striverdi Respimat (olodaterol) inhalation spray has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the agency said Thursday in a news release. COPD, which includes chronic bronchitis and chronic emphysema, is a progressive disease that makes breathing difficult by obstructing airflow through the lungs. Most commonly caused by smoking, it's the third-leading cau...
Obstetric Complication Rates Vary Widely Between Hospitals in U.S. MONDAY, Aug. 4, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- An American woman's odds of encountering a complication during childbirth may depend on where she delivers, a new study suggests. The study finds that about 13 percent of U.S. deliveries involve a complication, and obstetric complication rates vary widely among hospitals. The researchers believe there's a key lesson to be learned from the research -- by taking cues from hospitals with the fewest c...
Obesity Might Slow You Down at Work FRIDAY, Aug. 1, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- People who are obese and work in manufacturing jobs may have significantly less endurance than those who weigh less, a new research suggests. In a study of 32 people -- half were obese, half were of normal weight -- people who were not obese had endurance times that were about 60 percent longer. Obesity also was associated with less strength, increased discomfort and declines in task performance. Being older -- 50 to 65 years o...
Older Women With Asthma Face Worse Health Outcomes FRIDAY, Aug. 1, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Although older women with asthma often have worse health outcomes, they may not make asthma care a priority, according to a new study. "There is no doubt that women over 65 suffer from asthma much more than men over 65," concluded Dr. James Sublett, an allergist and president-elect of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI), in an organization news release. In fact, the asthma death rate am...
Obesity During Pregnancy Linked to Raised Asthma Risk in Kids TUESDAY, July 22, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Women who are obese during pregnancy may be more likely to have children with asthma than normal-weight mothers, a new review suggests. "We found that, compared with children born from mothers of normal weight, those whose mothers were overweight or obese during pregnancy had up to 20 to 30 percent higher odds of asthma," said lead researcher Dr. Erick Forno, an assistant professor of pediatrics at C...
Obamacare Dealt Setback by Federal Appeals Court TUESDAY, July 22, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- In a bombshell ruling that could potentially play havoc with Obamacare, a federal appeals court said Tuesday that the financial subsidies provided to millions of Americans who bought health insurance though the federal HealthCare.gov website exchange are illegal. In a 2-1 ruling, the federal appeals court for the District of Columbia said that as the law is written, the subsidies may only be provided to people wh...
Organic Foods May Be Healthier, Review Finds TUESDAY, July 15, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Organic produce and grains contain more protective antioxidants, less pesticide residue and lower levels of the toxic metal cadmium than food raised in traditional ways, a new review finds. It's not clear what this means for your health. And several agriculture experts claim the analysis missed some important points. But a study co-author said the research offers a clear message. "Organic plant-based foods offer some...
Omega-3s in Diet May Help Ward Off Lou Gehrig's Disease TUESDAY, July 15, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- A diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids may help cut your risk for the fatal neurodegenerative disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, a new study suggests. These fatty acids -- found most commonly in certain fish -- are known to help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress on cells. Both of those processes can damage nerve tissue, according to the study authors. Inflam...
Obesity Epidemic Hitting Hispanics Hard, Study Finds WEDNESDAY, July 9, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Obesity is a growing problem among Hispanic Americans, especially among young adults, a new study shows. After analyzing data from more than 16,300 Hispanics in Chicago, Miami, New York City and San Diego, the researchers found that 18 percent of women and 12 percent of men had a body mass index (BMI) over 35. BMI is a measurement based on height and weight. People with a BMI over 30 are considered obese. A ...
Obesity May Raise Risk of COPD MONDAY, July 7, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Obese people, particularly those with excess belly fat, may face a higher risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a new study suggests. The researchers report that women with a waist size of roughly 43 inches or more and men with waist size of 46 inches or more showed a 72 percent increased risk of developing the lung disease, compared with people who had a normal waist size. COPD, also known as emphysema an...
Older Adults Can Safely Donate a Kidney, Study Finds WEDNESDAY, July 9, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- It's safe for healthy older people to donate kidneys, researchers say. Live kidney donation by people 55 and older has become more common in the United States in the past two decades, but there have been concerns that giving up a kidney might put older people at increased risk for heart problems and premature death. Dr. Peter Reese, from the University of Pennsylvania's Perelman School of Medicine, and colle...
One in 25 Reports Falling Asleep at the Wheel: CDC Report THURSDAY, July 3, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- In a new government survey, one in 25 U.S. drivers said they had fallen asleep at the wheel a least once over the prior month. The study found those most at risk for having accidents while driving drowsy are those under 25, males, people who binge drink, people who don't wear seat belts, folks with sleep problems, and, not surprisingly, those who regularly sleep less than five hours a night, according to...
One Tick Bite Can Equal Two Infections THURSDAY, July 3, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- If you're planning to spend quality time outdoors this summer, new research may give you another reason to guard against ticks. In a New York state study, about one in 10 deer ticks were found to be harboring at least two harmful germs, and the tiny bloodsuckers could pass both infections to a human host through a single bite. "A third of ticks around here are infected with the Lyme bacteria, and about a third of those are...
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