Opiate painkillers raise fracture risk

January 25, 2010 — NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Older adults who take powerful prescription painkillers known as opioids face an increased risk of bone fractures, especially at moderately high medication doses, a new study finds.

In tough economic times, NIH head looks to clinic

January 25, 2010 — WASHINGTON (Reuters) - As he puts together his budget proposal for the coming year, National Institutes of Health director Dr. Francis Collins plans to do something a little different - emphasizing the "health" in the name of his U.S. agency.

Fake forms of Glaxo diet drug can be dangerous: FDA

January 25, 2010 — WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Fake versions of GlaxoSmithKline's over-the-counter diet pill were contaminated with dangerously high levels of a prescription weight loss ingredient, U.S. officials warned on Saturday.

Many children 'hear voices'; most aren't bothered

January 25, 2010 — NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Nearly 1 in 10 seven- to eight-year-olds hears voices that aren't really there, according to a new study.

Parents cut kids' calories when menus are labeled

January 24, 2010 — NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - When restaurant menus list calories, parents will limit how much fast food their kids eat, a new report suggests.

Mother jailed for "sickest boy in Britain" fantasy

January 22, 2010 — LONDON (Reuters Life!) - A mother was jailed on Friday for pretending that her healthy son was "the sickest boy in Britain" and needed to be fed through a tube and be taken to school in a wheelchair.

Exercise, green tea may lessen breast cancer blues

January 22, 2010 — NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Depression is a major health issue for breast cancer survivors, but new research hints that regular exercise and drinking green tea may help.

Calif. court rejects limits on medical marijuana

January 22, 2010 — LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The California Supreme Court on Thursday rejected limits on medical marijuana imposed by state lawmakers, finding that people with prescriptions for pot can have and grow all they need for personal use.

Drugs for depression, anxiety tied to preterm birth

January 21, 2010 — NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Pregnant women who take certain drugs for depression or anxiety may have heightened risks of preterm delivery or other birth complications, according to a new study.

Electro-acupuncture shows promise for knee arthritis

January 21, 2010 — NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A modern twist on traditional acupuncture may bring some pain relief to people with knee arthritis, at least in the short term, a small study suggests.

Researchers see pattern in PTSD brain activity

January 20, 2010 — CHICAGO (Reuters) - U.S. researchers have discovered a distinct pattern of brain activity in people with post traumatic stress disorder that may give doctors an objective way to test for it, they said on Wednesday.

Obama agenda imperiled by Republican Senate gain

January 20, 2010 — WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama on Wednesday faced a fight to save his legislative agenda and keep his healthcare overhaul alive after his Democratic Party lost a key Senate seat, underscoring the challenges he faces at the one-year mark of his presidency.

Even legitimate opioid use may cause overdose

January 18, 2010 — NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Perhaps it's not surprising, but people who take high doses of opioid painkillers even for legitimate medical reasons are at risk of overdosing, new research shows.

Experts urge screening for obesity in kids

January 18, 2010 — NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Doctors should screen children and teens between 6 and 18 years for extra pounds, a federal task force recommends.

Water, drugs are big need now for Haiti

January 15, 2010 — WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Clean water and antibiotics are among the biggest needs for Haiti, where the capital was devastated by a huge quake that killed up to 100,000 people, health experts say.