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Blood Test Could Identify Postpartum Depression February 4, 2009 at 9:17 pm Postpartum depression, the bane of 19 percent of new mothers, may be more easily identified through a simple blood test, according to researchers. Women at risk for postpartum depression—which can occur within the first year after birth–could pinpoint those women who are prone to the condition, possibly averting the mental health condition altogether. read more Insulin May Join the Arsenal Against Alzheimers February 4, 2009 at 2:32 pm On the heels of the discovery that a drug used to improve blood flow to the brain may also reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s, comes another step forward in the quest for cure and prevention of the disease. Researchers from Northwestern University have discovered that insulin works as a defensive shield to repel the attack of toxic proteins on the part of the brain where memories are formed. read more New Overactive Bladder Gel Gains Federal Approval February 4, 2009 at 2:32 pm For as many as 33 million Americans, overactive bladder (OAB) is more than an inconvenience. Caused by an overactive muscle in the bladder and marked by strong, sudden urges to urinate during the day and night, and often urinary incontinence, this condition can precipitate significant psychological, physical, domestic, social, occupational and sexual problems if not effectively treated. read more America's Health System Put to Test in Tough Times February 4, 2009 at 2:32 pm Health care in the United States is preparing to be put to the test. At a crucial time in the economic history of the country, advances made toward providing health care to more and more people may not be enough to counter the vast numbers of citizens losing health care benefits in the current recession. While it may be months or years before the truth is revealed in numbers and statistics, there is no doubt that the health care system is now facing one of its greatest challenges in decades. read more Vitamin Supplements Unnecessary for Most Healthy Children February 4, 2009 at 2:32 pm Children and teens go through many physical changes, during which time their bodies need a variety of vitamins and minerals in order to stay healthy and grow properly. Most healthy, active kids get all the nutrients they need by eating a varied diet including whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products, lean meats, fish and poultry, but it’s very common for parents to also give them vitamin and mineral supplements “just to make sure.” This practice is not only medically unnecessary, but may cause problems in children if they do not need them. read more Stroke Medication May Help Fight Alzheimer's Disease February 4, 2009 at 2:32 pm Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive brain disease that is the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S., affecting an estimated 5 million Americans. It is the most common form of dementia and has no known cure. The disease destroys brain cells, leading to memory, thinking and behavioral problems that become severe enough to affect work, social life and normal daily functioning. It gradually worsens over time and is fatal. read more HealthNews Dozen: Top 12 Health Fads That Were Not So Rad February 4, 2009 at 2:32 pm Health fads are nothing new. People have been trying to find new, simple health cures for centuries. Now, we live in an age that is dichotomized by those who seek technologically-based results and those looking for quick cures through natural means. Between the two, health fads have taken an interesting course over the past few years, and many of them have since fallen by the wayside. read more Outpatient Surgical Procedures Triple February 4, 2009 at 2:32 pm Surgery is not usually something we like to talk about, but for many of us it is an inevitable occurrence. We usually think of surgery as involving a hospital stay, anywhere from overnight to several weeks, depending on the complexity of the procedure. Outpatient surgery is changing that preconception and has become increasingly more common, with the number of outpatient surgeries in the United States increasing from 20.8 million visits in the year 1996 to approximately 34.7 visits in the year 2006. read more February: National Cancer Prevention Month February 4, 2009 at 2:32 pm One of the most dreaded words in the English language. No one ever wants to be sitting in a gown in his or her doctor’s office and hear the “C” word. A cancer diagnosis is made scarier by the fact that it is not often heard in the same breath as another "C" word: cure. Cancer sneaks up on you, and leaves doctors, researchers, surgeons, and patients wanting to know more: the how, the why, the when. With February being National Cancer Prevention Month, we can finally see cure and cancer next to each other by putting our efforts into finding cures for those cancers read more Naturopathic Medicine: A Guide February 4, 2009 at 2:32 pm Many of us have heard of the various different aspects of the natural medicine world. read more Got Rhythm? So Does Your Baby February 4, 2009 at 2:32 pm Newborn infants have an ear for music. They can actually detect an off beat in rock music at a very early age. Researchers played rock music for newborns while monitoring their brain activity. According to Henkjan Honing, a professor of music cognition at the University of Amsterdam, rock rhythm is very regular and once in a while there is a missing downbeat. When there was a break in the regular rhythm the babies responded. read more