As Hurricane Earl, packing 105 mph winds, roared up the U.S. east coast Friday, federal officials urged residents to take steps to protect themselves and their property. The storm, which had weakened from a category 4 to a category 2 hurricane, raced past North Carolina’s Outer Banks, a fragile chain of barrier islands, early Friday morning, and was expected to hit Massachusetts’ Cape Cod later in the day.  Read More →

People with osteoporosis who take drugs such as Boniva (ibandronate), Fosamax (alendronate) or Actonel (risedronate) to strengthen their bones may be at an increased risk of esophageal cancer, British researchers report. This class of medicines, called oral bisphosphonates, are the most commonly used drugs to treat osteoporosis and other bone diseases. While anecdotal reports have suggested that they may increase the risk of esophageal cancer,... 

As the provisions of the Affordable Care Act begin to be implemented, many small businesses in the United States will be able to take advantage of new tax credits, a new report shows. During the first phase of the act, some businesses employing some 16.6 million workers will be eligible for these tax credits, according to the report released Thursday from the Commonwealth Fund.  Read More →

As Hurricane Earl, packing 145 mph winds, crept closer to the U.S. east coast Thursday, federal officials urged residents to take steps to protect themselves and their property. Forecasters were trying to pinpoint how close the strongest winds and heaviest storm surge would get to North Carolina’s Outer Banks, a fragile chain of barrier islands. They also were trying to determine whether the category-four  Read More →

Title: Overactive Blood Platelets May Play Role in Lupus Category: Health News Created: 9/1/2010 4:10:00 PM Last Editorial Review: 9/2/2010  Read More →

Title: Weight Loss Pill Meridia Raises Heart Attack, Stroke Risks Category: Health News Created: 9/2/2010 11:01:00 AM Last Editorial Review: 9/2/2010 11:01:05 AM  Read More →

A new study is linking the popular weight loss drug Meridia to an increased risk of non-fatal heart attacks and stroke, although taking the drug did not seem to up the risk of death in patients with a history of heart problems. The finding is stirring mixed reactions from experts.  Read More →

Reading, crossword puzzles and other mentally stimulating activities have pros and cons when it comes to Alzheimer’s disease, new research suggests. In line with prior research, the study finds that such mental activity may slow declines in thinking and memory during normal old age.  Read More →

Teens who sleep less than eight hours a night are more likely to eat a high-fat diet that puts them at risk for obesity and the many health problems connected with it, new research shows. The study, published in the Sept. 1 issue of the journal Sleep , found that these sleep-deprived teens consumed 2.2 percent more calories from fat, and ate more snacks than those who slept eight hours or more a night. They also ate more total calories.  Read More →

Title: ‘DASH Diet’ Shown to Lower Heart Attack Risk Almost 20% Category: Health News Created: 8/31/2010 4:10:00 PM Last Editorial Review: 9/1/2010  Read More →

Title: Low Vitamin D Linked to Heart Failure Deaths Category: Health News Created: 9/1/2010 11:11:00 AM Last Editorial Review: 9/1/2010 11:11:12 AM  Read More →

I don’t like to stray too far off course from discussions of heart disease and related issues in this blog. But the question of bone health comes up so often that I thought I’d discuss the strategies available to everybody to stop, even reverse, osteoporosis. Coronary atherosclerotic plaque and bone health are intimately interwoven. People who have coronary plaque usually have osteoporosis; people who have osteoporosis usually have coronary... 

Women who carry genetic mutations that boost their odds of breast and ovarian cancer can live longer and reduce their cancer risk by having preventive surgery, a new study suggests. The surgery in question is drastic: removal of the breasts or ovaries before any signs of cancer have arisen.  Read More →

Eating a wide variety of fruits and vegetables may help protect some smokers from lung cancer, a new European study suggests. But, the researchers stressed that quitting smoking will do far more to reduce risk than “an apple a day” or having a salad for lunch.  Read More →

Title: Clues to Heart Attack, Stroke Risk From Fat-Filled Artery Category: Health News Created: 8/30/2010 10:10:00 AM Last Editorial Review: 8/31/2010  Read More →