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Lack of vitamin D at birth may increase respiratory infection riskHere's more evidence to add to research from earlier this year that pregnant women need more vitamin D: A study led by Dr. Carlos Camargo, Jr., of Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, finds that newborns with low levels of cord-blood 25-hydroxyvitamin D (a measure of overall vitamin D status) had a greater risk of respiratory infection than those who had higher levels. The researchers did not find an association with asthma, but respiratory infection exacerbates that condition, Camargo said. Stop smoking: Follow the President's exampleThe White House says President Obama has kicked the habit and stopped smoking. "It's been probably about nine months since he last smoked a cigarette," says Robert Gibbs, the President's press secretary, in an interview with CNN. "He's done enormously well in quitting. It was a commitment that I think he made to himself at the end of health care and with his two daughters in mind." Face transplant patient can eat, smell againConnie Culp, who received a face transplant in a landmark procedure at the Cleveland Clinic two years ago, spoke to CNN this morning about living with her new face. She recently met the family of the donor, which was "scary at first" but "we had a really good time," she told CNN. The woman who donated her face, Anna Kasper of Lakewood, Ohio, worked in a nursing home. Kasper donated enough parts of her body to help 50 people, including Culp. Culp has regained her sense of smell, and can eat most solid foods including steak. Before the operations - she has gone through 30 surgeries, and has a few more to go - she breathed through an opening in her neck, could not smell or speak, and had trouble seeing. A gunshot wound left her with these injuries. While the procedure is called a "face transplant," Culp did not actually take on the face of Kasper. Instead, surgeons have given Culp a combination of her own face and her donor's face. "I think my face is actually starting to come back a little bit," Culp said. Extreme winter weather increases risk of amputation and other injuriesWinter storms continue to paralyze the East Coast this week. The snow can be beautiful, but it can also be dangerous. Experts offer the following information to help keep you safe. Is nasal mucus always a sign of infection?Every weekday, a CNNHealth expert doctor answers a viewer question. On Mondays, it's pediatrician Dr. Jennifer Shu. Question asked by Amy, Minnesota: Is colored (yellow, green or brown) nasal mucus always a sign of infection? Expert answer: Thanks for your question. Nasal discharge that is yellow, green or brown can be a sign of an infection of the upper respiratory tract. In the vast majority of instances, the infection is caused by a common cold virus and will get better on its own within seven to 10 days. |
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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. ![]() ![]() |
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