The sunny fact that Americans are living longer, more productive lives has a dark side: More of us than ever live with chronic illnesses that are not only a drag on sufferers' time and energy, but on the nation's pocketbook.
L.A. Times - Health (21 unread)
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Chronic conditions' toll tallied
Posted: January 31st, 2012, 8:05pm EST
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The sunny fact that Americans are living longer, more productive lives has a dark side: More of us than ever live with chronic illnesses that are not only a drag on sufferers' time and energy, but on the nation's pocketbook. -
HPV study finds 7% of U.S. teens, adults carry virus in mouths
Posted: January 27th, 2012, 3:00am EST
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A new study showing an estimated 7 percent of American teens and adults carry the human papillomavirus in their mouths may help health experts finally understand why rates of mouth and throat cancer have been climbing for nearly 25 years. Oral sex practices play a key role in transmission.
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Robotic technology to treat lung cancer
Posted: January 25th, 2012, 4:30pm EST
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The da Vinci robotic technology allows doctors to perform more precise surgeries. The technique also enables patients to recover more quickly with fewer complications in many cases. Dr. Gavin Henry uses it over traditional lobectomy surgery to treat patients with lung cancer.
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OB-GYNs, neurologists call for domestic violence screening
Posted: January 25th, 2012, 4:20pm EST
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The confirmed high rates of domestic abuse — or interpersonal violence — led two major physicians' groups to call for routine screening of patients for signs of abuse.
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Couple decide to implant frozen embryos
Posted: January 21st, 2012, 3:00am EST
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Grateful for the in vitro fertilization that enabled a couple to become parents, one believed donating the extra embryos to advance reproductive technology or treat debilitating diseases would be best. The other imagined more kids or donating the embryos for another couple to do the same.
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Men get 32 of 35 cancers more often than women
Posted: January 19th, 2012, 1:54pm EST
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Men are at higher risk of getting 32 out of 35 cancers, according to an international study, which further suggests that the greatest reason for the gap lies in biology.
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Being glued to your cell is a problem, experts say
Posted: January 18th, 2012, 2:53pm EST
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Would you rather give up your toothbrush or your cellphone for an entire week? A whopping 22 percent of people said they'd forgo brushing, and 40 percent of iPhone users would, too. About the same amount said they'd go shoeless instead of giving up their phones.
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New MRI machine less expensive, reduces stress of test
Posted: January 18th, 2012, 3:00am EST
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Many radiologists without access to a high-power extremity MRI machine use the conventional machines — 6-foot-long tube surrounded by a giant circular magnet. This is a problem for claustrophobic patients or those who have difficulty lying flat on their backs.
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Low-fat does not necessarily mean good fat
Posted: January 17th, 2012, 9:50pm EST
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It turns out that efforts to help American diets by making "low-fat" products might be more harmful than the products they replaced.
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Coffee helps prevent diabetes, now scientists learn why
Posted: January 16th, 2012, 4:25pm EST
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Scientists have long known that coffee drinkers have a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes, but researchers out of China may have figured out why.
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Killer bird flu? What's behind the controversy over bird flu research
Posted: January 12th, 2012, 3:00am EST
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Last year, two teams of scientists reported that the virus could be made to spread easily from ferret to ferret — an animal that has long been used as a stand-in for people in influenza research. An H5N1 virus that could pass easily from person to person would be new and dangerous.
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Killer bird flu? What's behind the controversy over bird flu research
Posted: January 12th, 2012, 12:00am EST
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Last year, two teams of scientists reported that the virus could be made to spread easily from ferret to ferret — an animal that has long been used as a stand-in for people in influenza research. An H5N1 virus that could pass easily from person to person would be new and dangerous.
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Marijuana lung findings unlikely to change minds
Posted: January 11th, 2012, 1:30pm EST
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Marijuana smoke does not damage lungs in the same manner as tobacco smoke, according to a recent study. But that conclusion probably will not change minds as to whether the drug should be legalized.
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Fetal heart monitor also tracks oxygen level
Posted: January 11th, 2012, 3:00am EST
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A new fetal heart rate monitor goes one step further and tracks the baby's oxygen level too. This gives the physician more information so he can determine whether intervention is appropriate, experts say.
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Fetal heart monitor also tracks oxygen level
Posted: January 11th, 2012, 12:00am EST
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A new fetal heart rate monitor goes one step further and tracks the baby's oxygen level too. This gives the physician more information so he can determine whether intervention is appropriate, experts say.
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Coping with pet loss
Posted: January 10th, 2012, 3:00am EST
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The role of pets in households has changed tremendously over the past few decades. Pets today are part of the family, so losing one is like losing a family member, says Dr. Phil Zeltzman. He sees how much more money and emotion pet owners are investing in their animals.
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Coping with pet loss
Posted: January 10th, 2012, 12:00am EST
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The role of pets in households has changed tremendously over the past few decades. Pets today are part of the family, so losing one is like losing a family member, says Dr. Phil Zeltzman. He sees how much more money and emotion pet owners are investing in their animals.
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Man second in U.S. to get anti-pain implant
Posted: January 5th, 2012, 10:26pm EST
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After three years of "burning, searing pain," a 51-year-old man is looking forward to taking leisurely walks with his wife of 31 years. No wheelchair, no hunched posture and no pain — all thanks to a pocket watch-size device that blocks specific pain signals from shooting up his spine.
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Navajo Nation confronts HIV and AIDS
Posted: January 4th, 2012, 11:14pm EST
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Some Navajo learn of HIV and AIDS upon diagnosis. Others believe it's a white man's disease. Doctors, meanwhile, must explain the virus and disease in round-about ways because, in traditional Navajo culture, to speak of death is to bring it about.
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How clean is your doctor's stethoscope?
Posted: January 4th, 2012, 3:08pm EST
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Q: My doctor always washes his hands before an exam, but he never seems to wipe down his stethoscope. This makes me nervous, but perhaps I am being silly. Should I ask about the stethoscope next time?
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Many hope for fresh start at gym
Posted: January 1st, 2012, 6:01pm EST
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January is the busiest time of year for gyms, but for many people, consistency is a struggle. Some regulars notice that new members' enthusiasm for the gym seems to wane only a month or so after Jan. 1.