Health & WellnessS


Syringe

Lawsuit: California doctors reckless with drugs

Doctors over-prescribed drugs at the California hospital that is home to the renowned Betty Ford Center for addiction, a pharmacist's lawsuit alleges.

The allegations of reckless dispensing at the Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage came to light in a little-known lawsuit that was resolved in the past year, the Los Angeles Times reported Sunday.

Former Eisenhower pharmacist Terry Blasingame contended three doctors prescribed dangerous amounts of addictive drugs to chronic-pain patients through the Eisenhower outpatient pharmacy.

Syringe

Legionella pneumonia outbreak registered in Russia city

One hundred and five people have been hospitalized already with the suspected diagnosis of pneumonia in the city of Verkhnaya Pyshma in the Sverdlovsk region.

An official of the regional Health Ministry told ITAR-TASS on Monday that the diagnosis of pneumonia had been confirmed in 96 people.

Bulb

Sunshine 'protective' against MS

People who spend more time in the sun as children subsequently have a lower risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS), a US study shows.
The University of Southern California team suggest UV rays offer protection by altering the cell immune responses or by boosting vitamin D levels.

An earlier study found women who took vitamin D supplements were 40% less likely to develop MS.

Health

Research identifies new genes linked with MS

After decades of dead ends, scientists have identified two genes that may raise the risk of multiple sclerosis, lending insight into the causes of the debilitating disease.

The findings, released in two medical journals on Sunday, represent the first genes conclusively linked to multiple sclerosis in more than 20 years, experts said.

Attention

Not surprising: Health report hobbled by US politics, officials allege

A surgeon general's report in 2006 that called on Americans to help tackle global health problems has been kept from the public by a Bush political appointee without any background in medicine or public health, chiefly because the report did not promote the administration's policy accomplishments, according to current and former public health officials.

The report described the link between poverty and poor health, urged the US government to help combat widespread diseases as a key aim of its foreign policy, and called on corporations to help improve health conditions in the countries where they operate. A copy of the report was obtained by The Washington Post.

Three people directly involved in its preparation said its publication was blocked by William R. Steiger, a specialist in education and a scholar of Latin American history whose family has long ties to President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney.

Attention

USA May Be Set To Have Worst West Nile Virus For Years

According to US health officials, the USA is facing the worst West Nile Virus season for years. The number of cases reported so far this year are four times higher than the equivalent period in 2006. The good news is that the forecast for August and September is for colder than normal temperatures - this may significantly lower the number of cases.

West Nile Virus first hit the USA in 1999 in New York. It worked its way across the country rapidly.

Georgia has three times as many disease-transmitting mosquitoes this year, compared to 2006. Officials say a drought in the area probably set off the spike in numbers. So far no human cases of infection have been reported in Georgia.

Cut

How to Find Hidden MSG on Food Labels

It is very difficult to really know whether MSG (monosodium glutamate) is in your food, because it goes by so many aliases. To avoid ingesting this toxic additive, you're best off choosing fresh, unprocessed foods. But becoming familiar with the hidden names of MSG can also help you determine what foods to eat.

X

Shocking! Cancer Society Ad Criticized for Lack of Evidence

The American Cancer Society, partnering with sunscreen maker Neutrogena, has decided to take a shock-and-fear approach in their latest cancer prevention campaign.

Magic Wand

The Hidden Benefits of Herbs and Spices

Herbs and spices not only add flavor to your food, making it that much more enjoyable, but they also provide some great health benefits.

Arrow Down

What Are Those Drugs Doing to You?

Drug-induced illnesses are far more common than people, including doctors, would like to think. Elderly Americans suffer 9.6 million adverse drug reactions each year alone, although these symptoms show up in younger patients as well.