Health News for November 26, 2008

Inhaled corticosteroids up pneumonia risk by one third in lung disease sufferers
Widely used inhaled corticosteroid drugs increase risk of pneumonia by full third in people suffering from lung disease, according to a new study. ANI

Lack of exercise put depressed heart patients at greater risk
Scientists have said that the increased risk of cardiovascular events for patients with coronary heart disease and symptoms of depression may be because of change in health behaviours, especially a lack of physical activity. ANI

Medics astounded by tots miraculous recovery after a key lodged in his brain
An American tots miraculous recovery after a car key accidentally penetrated his brain, leaving him in a critical condition, has left medical experts baffled. ANI

Scientists turn cancer cells bodyguard into their assassin
American researchers have been successful in turning a protein called Bcl-2 from a trusted cancer cell bodyguard into their assassin. ANI

Older people more prone to distraction than younger ones
A Canadian study has provided further evidence that older adults are less capable than their younger counterparts in filtering out distracting information. ANI

Scientists find clue to safer obesity drugs with fewer side effects
Scientists at UT Southwestern Medical Center are trying to understand how Fen-phen, once hailed as a miracle weight-loss drug, behaves in the brain, in order to develop safer anti-obesity drugs with fewer side effects. ANI

Drink brewed tea to protect your teeth
Forget lattes and fresh lime juice, the best thing to drink is brewed tea, for it has no erosive effect on teeth and its antioxidants provide health benefits, according to a new research. ANI

Scientists offer biological explanation for face blindness
Scientists, for the first time, have been able to offer a biological explanation for congenital prosopagnosia, sometimes known as face blindness, by mapping the disruption in neural circuitry of people suffering from this intriguing disorder. ANI

How we differentiate C from G
New fonts of alphabets that can improve and speed up letter recognition among both normal readers and individuals with dyslexia may soon be made, thanks to University of Victoria researchers who have investigated which features of letters are necessary for their identification. ANI

Estrogen therapy could be harmful for women with existing heart risk
A new research has shown that hormone therapy could accentuate certain pre-existing heart disease risk factors and a heart health evaluation should become the norm when considering estrogen replacement. ANI

Dieters could face hard time fighting off flu virus
Dieters or individuals who intake calorie-restricted diets during flu season are more susceptible to influenza, says a new study. ANI

Non-awareness of stroke symptoms behind delayed treatment option
A large number of stroke patients dont realise that theyre having a stroke - and as a result - dont seek medical treatment in time, which worsens their condition, says a new study. ANI

Light-headedness at the dentists may expose you to life-threatening situation
Feeling light-headedness while at the dentists may be a sign of vasovagal syncope, a serious condition characterized by a loss of consciousness and muscle tone, say health experts. ANI

Radiation therapy before surgery cuts pancreatic cancer patients death risk
A new study by researchers at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center has shown that administering radiation therapy prior to surgery nearly doubles survival in pancreatic cancer patients with operable tumours. ANI

Taking care of ailing spouse may boost your longevity
Forget calorie-restricted diets and exercise, if you want to live longer, then just spend at least 14 hours a week taking care of your ailing spouse, says a new research. ANI

Billions of dollars being splashed every year on ineffective quack health foods
Obese people are wasting billions of pounds every year on quack health foods, which are actually ineffective, says a nutritional expert on the online British Medical Journal. ANI

Discussing medical history with dentists before surgery can save patients lives
Dental patients can avoid the risk of permanent disability or death by disclosing to their dentists all prescribed and over-the-counter medicines they have been taking before undergoing any surgery, according to a study. ANI