Health
Health
Environmental chemicals are pregnancy risk
The report urges doctors to push for stricter environmental policies to better identify and reduce exposure to chemicals that prove truly risky. But it’s likely to scare pregnant women in…
La Plata Health Watch
Sadly for some, it’s that time of year again
SAD is a form of depression that an estimated 5 percent of the U.S. population will experience, typically with a female-to-male ratio of 4-to-1. For women, its occurrence also is…
Health
Obese cancer patients often being shorted on chemo doses
Doctors gave Tracy Smith full chemo doses based on her weight, which at 285 pounds classified her as obese. Three times, high fevers put her in the hospital, but she…
Health
1 out of 10 teenagers binge drink
A worrisome rate holds steady for high school seniors in U.S.
Health
Bill Gates, wife win prestigious Lasker Award
Microsoft Corp. founder and philanthropist Bill Gates and his wife, Melinda Gates, attend to a child as they met with members of the Mushar community at Jamsot Village near Patna,…
Health
Study: Early signs of MS may be found in the spinal fluid
The study released last week was small and must be verified by additional research. But if it pans out, the finding suggests scientists should take a closer look at a…
Health
Measles tally worst in 15 years
Before a vaccine became available about 50 years ago, nearly all children got measles by their 15th birthday. In those days, nearly 500 Americans died from measles each year. Now,…
Health
Cancer-care crisis looms in U.S.
Dr. Patricia Ganz of the University of California, Los Angeles, says, “The patient can’t be passive. It’s an important partnership that we need.”Associated Press The caution comes even as scientists…
La Plata Health Watch
Your pancreas plays a vital role in your health
While obviously intended as a humorous overstatement, many people don’t know much about this important organ and its multiple essential roles in the body. The pancreas in a solid glandular…
Health
The advantage of age
Nyad says maturity, experience key in completing record Cuba-to-Florida swim
Health
Researchers show gut microbes might be useful in fighting fat
Dr. Jeffrey Gordon and graduate student Vanessa Ridaura of Washington University in St. Louis have found that certain microbes may help fight obesity.Washington University School of Medicine/Associated Press Different kinds…
Coroner's Report
What’s proper burial for an aborted fetus?
That’s not all they have to decide. Sometimes, they have to decide whether to allow babies to be buried. Dr. Kermit Gosnell, a Philadelphia abortionist, was tried and convicted of…
Local News
Helping hands
Urgent-care centers handling more traffic, offer relief for over-stressed emergency rooms
Health
Expo to take holistic approach
90 exhibits scheduled at local fairgrounds for event’s 18th year
La Plata Health Watch
Kids courting serious trouble when they huff
What is most commonly the first drug of abuse among children and adolescents. Alcohol? Not quite. Marijuana? Think again. If you said “inhalants” then you get an A. There’s also…
Health
Districts reaping fewer profits from junk food, soft-drink sales
A government survey found 44 percent of school districts banned junk food from vending machines last year, up from 30 percent in 2006. It also found drops in how many…