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May 5th, 2012
06:01 AM ET
IVF-related birth defects may originate with moms, not treatmentBabies conceived through in vitro fertilization (IVF) have a higher risk of birth defects than those conceived naturally, but the increased risk may stem from the parents rather than the treatment itself, according to a study published today in the New England Journal of Medicine. In the study, among the largest of its kind to date, researchers analyzed more than 300,000 births in Australia and found the risk of birth defects to be 26% higher with IVF than with natural, or unassisted, conception - a finding consistent with previous research. IVF involves combining - but not injecting– a woman's egg with sperm, usually in a laboratory dish, then transferring the resulting embryo into the woman's uterus. But virtually all of the increased risk associated with IVF could be attributed to the health and demographic profile of the mother, including her age, body mass index, socioeconomic status, and any health conditions (such as diabetes) she may have experienced before or during pregnancy.
April 30th, 2012
12:05 PM ET
Research questions impact of pacifiers on disrupting breast-feedingPacifiers can soothe agitated infants, but some experts - including those at the World Health Organization (WHO) - discourage pacifier use in the first six months of life because of concerns that it may interfere with breast-feeding, widely seen as the best way to feed a newborn. New research, however, casts doubt on the notion that pacifier use disrupts breast-feeding. In an analysis of feeding patterns among 2,249 infants in a single maternity ward over a 15-month period, researchers found the proportion of infants who were exclusively breast-fed dropped from 79% to 68% after pacifier use was restricted in the ward. Meanwhile, the proportion of infants who needed formula in addition to breast-feeding jumped from 18% to 28% after the change in policy, according to the preliminary results of the study, which were presented today at the annual meeting of the Pediatric Academic Societies, in Boston.
April 29th, 2012
12:00 PM ET
What the Yuck: Will sex make me go into labor?Too embarrassed to ask your doctor about sex, body quirks, or the latest celeb health fad? In a regular feature and a new book, "What the Yuck?!," Health magazine medical editor Dr. Roshini Raj tackles your most personal and provocative questions. Send 'em to Dr. Raj at whattheyuck@health.com. Q: Is it true that if my husband plays with my nipples, I'll go into labor? I'm past my due date and ready! A: Ah, yes, the old "What got you into this can get you out of it" idea. Breast stimulation can increase the production of oxytocin, a hormone that causes contractions. And researchers have found that some women do go into labor after their nipples are stimulated. But - and this is a big but - the scientists were unable to confirm that labor was the result of that stimulation and not the fact that the women were nine months pregnant. Unfortunately, there's no proven way to speed up the process.
April 22nd, 2012
09:32 AM ET
What the Yuck: My inner thigh skin is darkerToo embarrassed to ask your doctor about sex, body quirks, or the latest celeb health fad? In a regular feature and a new book, "What the Yuck?!," Health magazine medical editor Dr. Roshini Raj tackles your most personal and provocative questions. Send 'em to Dr. Raj at whattheyuck@health.com. Q: I’ve noticed that the skin on my inner thighs is darker than the skin on the rest of my legs. Why, and what can I do about it? A: The likely culprits - genetics or the natural chafing that occurs when your thighs rub together or against your clothing. You can’t do anything about the first cause, but there are a few things you can try to remedy the second. First, if the skin is itchy, apply a moisturizer twice a day to lubricate it and keep it from chafing further. If you’re significantly overweight, losing weight can help cut down on the friction. Bottom line: This condition is totally normal and most likely nothing to worry about. But if the discoloration really bothers you, talk to your dermatologist about treating it with a skin-lightening cream.
April 19th, 2012
07:35 AM ET
Speed, Ecstasy tied to teen depressionThe short-lived high teenagers get from using amphetamines or the club drug MDMA - better known as Ecstasy - could lead to longer-lasting depression later on, a new study suggests. Researchers in Canada interviewed 3,880 teenagers from low-income neighborhoods in Québec. Compared to their peers who used neither drug, teens who reported taking MDMA or amphetamines at least once in the tenth grade had 70% and 60% higher odds, respectively, of experiencing depression symptoms in the eleventh grade. Using both drugs nearly doubled the odds of depression.
April 15th, 2012
09:00 AM ET
What the Yuck: Could weed affect my work?Too embarrassed to ask your doctor about sex, body quirks, or the latest celeb health fad? In a regular feature and a new book, "What the Yuck?!," Health magazine medical editor Dr. Roshini Raj tackles your most personal and provocative questions. Send 'em to Dr. Raj at whattheyuck@health.com. Q: I sometimes smoke pot on the weekend. Can this affect my work during the upcoming week? A: It sure can. Although the immediate effects of marijuana typically last only one to three hours, frequent users can have a hard time concentrating and processing information, even days later. Marijuana has other risks, too: It contains more carcinogens than tobacco and can cause the same respiratory issues - possibly even cancer. Bottom line: Your weekend habit could have consequences way worse than just making you feel spaced out at work.
April 8th, 2012
09:00 AM ET
What the Yuck: What's wrong with my nipples?Too embarrassed to ask your doctor about sex, body quirks, or the latest celeb health fad? In a regular feature and a new book, "What the Yuck?!," Health magazine medical editor Dr. Roshini Raj tackles your most personal and provocative questions. Send 'em to Dr. Raj at whattheyuck@health.com. Q: My nipples point in different directions - what's wrong with them? A: Nothing at all. Many of us have breasts that are slightly different from each other (just as our eyes or feet, say, may not be exactly the same size). See your doctor if your bidirectional nipples are a new development or are accompanied by pain or a dramatic change in breast size; otherwise, there's no need to worry about them.
April 2nd, 2012
03:07 PM ET
Why stress makes colds more likelyMost of us know from experience that stress weakens our immune system. Colds always seem to strike when we're overworked or emotionally exhausted, as do eczema flare-ups, headaches and a myriad of other health problems. Doctors long ago confirmed that the connection between stress and health is real, but they haven't been able to fully explain it. Now, in a new study, researchers say they've identified a specific biological process linking life stressors - such as money trouble or divorce - to an illness. In this case it's the common cold.
April 1st, 2012
09:00 AM ET
What the Yuck: Can I be allergic to sunlight?Too embarrassed to ask your doctor about sex, body quirks, or the latest celeb health fad? In a regular feature and a new book, "What the Yuck?!," Health magazine medical editor Dr. Roshini Raj tackles your most personal and provocative questions. Send 'em to Dr. Raj at whattheyuck@health.com. Q: When I’ve been in the sun for a few days, my chest and arms get itchy and break out in red splotches. Am I allergic to sunlight? A: As weird as it may sound, it is possible. There are actually a few types of sun allergies. The most common is polymorphic light eruption (PMLE), which often shows up - sometimes within minutes - as an itchy red rash on body parts exposed to sunlight, especially the neckline, the backs of the arms, the face and the hands.
March 27th, 2012
09:38 AM ET
Bypass surgery bests angioplasty for long-term survivalOlder people with heart disease who undergo non-emergency procedures to restore blood flow to their heart generally have better long-term survival odds with bypass surgery than with angioplasty, according to new research published online in the New England Journal of Medicine. The study included about 190,000 men and women over age 65 who had bypass surgery or angioplasty - a far less invasive procedure - between 2004 and 2008. One year after the procedures, the survival rates for both groups hovered just under 94%. At the four-year mark, however, 84% of the bypass patients and 79% of the angioplasty patients were still alive. The difference in survival rates was consistent across several key subgroups of patients, including men and women, high- and low-risk patients, and those with and without diabetes, the study found. FULL POST |
  About this blog
Get a behind-the-scenes look at the latest stories from CNN Chief Medical Correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Senior Medical Correspondent Elizabeth Cohen and the CNN Medical Unit producers. They'll share news and views on health and medical trends - info that will help you take better care of yourself and the people you love. Recent Comments
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