Health | Journal Gazette

Athlete-amputee becomes artificial limb inventor

Tue, 21 May 2013 03:00:00 EST

An inventor who lost his lower leg in a snowmobiling accident has developed an artificial limb design with mountain-bike parts.

Diarrhea, poor hygiene sully public pools

Anna Edney — Fri, 17 May 2013 03:00:00 EST

Human feces taint more than half of public swimming pools, a finding U.S. health officials are using to urge better personal hygiene as the summer months approach.

2 melanoma drugs show promise in clinical study

Robert Langreth — Fri, 17 May 2013 03:00:00 EST

Two drugs from Bristol-Myers Squibb shrank tumors in as many as half of patients with advanced melanoma, according to early research that may pave the way for cocktails that trigger the immune system to destroy cancer.

Legion eyes vets' quality of care

Brian Francisco — Thu, 16 May 2013 03:00:00 EST

The American Legion will take a second look at Fort Wayne's VA Medical Center and its temporary suspension of inpatient care.

American Legion task force to revisit VA Medical Center

Brian Francisco — Wed, 15 May 2013 14:24:00 EST

The American Legion will take a second look at Fort Wayne’s VA Medical Center and its temporary suspension of inpatient services.

FDA approves radiation-based prostate cancer drug

Associated Press — Wed, 15 May 2013 13:30:14 EST

WASHINGTON – The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new injectable drug that uses radiation to treat advanced prostate cancer that has spread to the bones.

Cancer patients could soon see steep hike in med costs

RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR — Tue, 14 May 2013 03:00:00 EST

Cancer patients could face high costs for medications under President Obama's health care law, industry analysts and advocates warn.

Regional VA has new leader

Brian Francisco — Mon, 13 May 2013 17:15:42 EST

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has named a new director for the regional network that includes the VA Medical Center in Fort Wayne.

Slowed health costs to help deficit

Alex Wayne — Sun, 12 May 2013 03:00:00 EST

People with health insurance saw slower increases in their medical costs from 2009 to 2011, signaling potential structural changes in the industry that could cut health care inflation and save the U.S. government hundreds of billions of dollars, according to two studies.

US prescription spending sees rare dip

LINDA A. JOHNSON — Fri, 10 May 2013 03:00:00 EST

Spending on prescription medicines in the U.S. fell for the first time in decades last year, slipping as cash-strapped consumers continued to cut back on use of health care services.

Christie had weight-loss surgery

KATIE ZEZIMA — Wed, 08 May 2013 03:00:00 EST

Gov. Chris Christie, who has both joked about his weight and said that it's a real concern, secretly underwent a weight-loss surgery in February that experts say could help him if he gets exercise and watches what he eats.

Gene test billed as prostate cancer aid

MARILYNN MARCHIONE — Wed, 08 May 2013 03:00:00 EST

A new genetic test to gauge the aggressiveness of prostate cancer may help tens of thousands of men each year decide whether they need to treat their cancer right away or can safely monitor it.

Diabetes won't slow Indy 500 driver

Rosa Salter Rodriguez — Tue, 07 May 2013 03:00:00 EST

Charlie Kimball wasn't born in a race car, but he seems destined for the track.

Drought helping spread valley fever

GOSIA WOZNIACKA — Mon, 06 May 2013 03:00:00 EST

California and federal public health officials say valley fever, a potentially lethal but often misdiagnosed disease infecting more and more people around the nation, has been on the rise as warming climates and drought have kicked up the dust that spreads it.

Tracking pills

Mon, 06 May 2013 03:00:00 EST

The pillbox, which sorts medications by dosage and day, is getting a digital makeover.

App gets a grip on bionic hands

KATHY MATHESON — Sat, 04 May 2013 03:00:00 EST

Double-amputee Jason Koger used to fly hundreds of miles to visit a clinician when he wanted to adjust the grips on his bionic hands. Now, he's got an app.

Physical by smartphone? Soon!

LAURAN NEERGAARD — Fri, 03 May 2013 03:00:00 EST

It's not a Star Trek tricorder, but by hooking a variety of gadgets onto a smartphone you could almost get a complete physical - without the paper gown or even a visit to the doctor's office. Blood pressure? Just plug the arm cuff into the phone for a quick reading.

FDA reviewing safety of antibacterial soap

MATTHEW PERRONE — Fri, 03 May 2013 03:00:00 EST

It's a chemical that's been in U.S. households for more than 40 years, in the body wash in your bathroom shower, on the knives on your kitchen counter and in the bedding in your baby's basinet.

Hospitals' med error expansion later pared

Bloomberg News — Fri, 03 May 2013 03:00:00 EST

Two years ago, over objections from the hospital industry, the United States announced it would add data about "potentially life-threatening" mistakes made in hospitals to a website people can search to check on safety performance.

Kids' food, skin allergies on rise

Associated Press — Thu, 02 May 2013 03:00:00 EST

Parents are reporting more skin and food allergies in their children, a government survey found.

Morning-after pill goes over the counter

LAURAN NEERGAARD — Wed, 01 May 2013 03:00:00 EST

The government is moving the morning-after pill over the counter but only those 15 and older can buy it - an attempt to find middle ground just days before a court-imposed deadline to lift all age restrictions on the emergency contraceptive.

Safety net hospitals worry

Sherry Slater — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 03:00:00 EST

Life's been tough lately. You lost your job - and your health insurance.

Migraine cure search turns to chili peppers

Ryan Flinn — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 03:00:00 EST

Chili peppers and migraines have traits in common, a fact scientists are exploiting to develop drugs capable of preventing the debilitating headache's painful symptoms before they attack.

World Healing Day event in Fort Wayne

The Journal Gazette — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 10:27:59 EST

FORT WAYNE – The School of Health Science Wellness Committee at the University of Saint Francis is inviting the public to the campus for World Healing Day, “One World….One Breath.”

Starting life early

Jaclyn Youhana — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 03:00:00 EST

The baby girl is small. Tiny. She has a big pink flower on her little head, and you'd swear she's smiling. Although she was born three months premature, Raela (pronounced RAY-luh) Ruchell Loe has plenty to smile about.

Food-illness drop stalls, tied to late safety rules rollout

Stephanie Armour — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 03:00:00 EST

Regulators have their work cut out in enforcing stricter U.S. food-safety rules set in motion this year, according to new data that show progress has slowed from about six years ago in reducing contamination.

Flame retardants are under fire

Liza Gross — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 03:00:00 EST

Synthetic chemicals added to consumer products to meet federal and state flammability standards are showing up in waterways, wildlife and even human breast milk.

Too much sugar? Crash not so sweet

Gabriella Boston — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 03:00:00 EST

Have you ever had a sugar crash? You know that sudden fatigue, headache or irritability you might feel after eating, oh, a hundred jelly beans? If so, you are probably not alone.

Fearing abuse, FDA blocks generic OxyContin

MATTHEW PERRONE — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 07:37:21 EST

Federal health regulators will require generic versions of the best-selling painkiller OxyContin to include recent formulation changes designed to make the pill harder to abuse.

Justices seek compromise on gene patents

Greg Stohr — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 03:00:00 EST

Several Supreme Court justices sought a compromise on the decades-old practice of granting patents on human genes, debating a case that could redefine rights throughout the biotechnology and agricultural industries.

Detached ER costs criticized

Stephanie Armour — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 03:00:00 EST

After developing a chest cold and breathing problems last year, Susan Alexander went to First Choice ER, an independent emergency room in League City, Texas, drawn by its motto: "Real ER. Real Fast."

Health

Sun, 14 Apr 2013 03:00:00 EST

BLOOD DONATIONS: •Life Care Center, 1649 Spy Run Ave., 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, call 422-8520 to schedule; Comcast Cablevision, 720 Taylor St., 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday; North Campus, University of Saint Francis, 2701 Spring St., 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday;

Throat implant treats heartburn

MARILYNN MARCHIONE — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 03:00:00 EST

A tiny magnetic bracelet implanted at the base of the throat is greatly improving life for some people with chronic heartburn who need more help than medicine can give them.

Antibiotics vastly overused, study says

MIKE STOBBE — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 03:00:00 EST

U.S. doctors are prescribing enough antibiotics to give them to 4 out of 5 Americans every year, an alarming pace that suggests they are being overused, a new government study finds.

Study: Brain scans might be used to see,' measure pain

MARILYNN MARCHIONE — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 03:00:00 EST

In a provocative new study, scientists reported Wednesday that they were able to "see" pain on brain scans and, for the first time, measure its intensity and tell whether a drug was relieving it.

Comfort, specialists high points of Lutheran's kids ER

Sherry Slater — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 03:00:00 EST

Just the thought of rushing a child to the emergency room is enough to give many parents an anxiety attack.

Lutheran pediatric ER to open in October

Sherry Slater — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 13:49:54 EST

Lutheran Health Network will invest $2.4 million in a pediatric emergency department at its southwest Fort Wayne hospital, officials announced today.

Local nurse honored for saving life on Fla. vacation

Jeff Wiehe — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 13:05:16 EST

The tiniest of decisions made by Leisa Arter more than likely saved a man’s life in January.

Lutheran to build pediatric ER

Sherry Slater — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 03:00:00 EST

Lutheran Health Network will build a pediatric emergency department onto its southwest Fort Wayne hospital, officials announced Monday.

Lutheran to add pediatric ER department

Sherry Slater — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 15:25:20 EST

Lutheran Children’s Hospital will build a pediatric emergency department onto the southwest Fort Wayne hospital, officials announced today.

Dementia bill tops cancer, heart illness

MARILYNN MARCHIONE — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 03:00:00 EST

Cancer and heart disease are bigger killers, but Alzheimer's is the most expensive malady in the U.S., costing families and society $157 billion to $215 billion a year, according to a comprehensive new study.

Frozen or fresh?

Gabriella Boston — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 03:00:00 EST

Although it's spring, it's near-impossible to find fresh local produce beyond root vegetables. So what is the second-best choice? Frozen? Or well-traveled fresh? What about when it comes to meat.

Tea's benefit no secret

Laura Ungar — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 03:00:00 EST

In the latte-obsessed United States, tea is gaining ground as scientists and the public learn more about its benefits.

Scientists uncover new gene markers for risk of cancer

MALCOLM RITTER Associated Press — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 03:00:00 EST

A huge international effort involving more than 100 institutions and genetic tests on 200,000 people has uncovered dozens of signposts in DNA that can help reveal further a person's risk for breast, ovarian or prostate cancer, scientists reported Wednesday.

Scientists find new gene markers for cancer risk

Malcolm Ritter — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 11:57:57 EST

NEW YORK - A huge international effort involving more than 100 institutions and genetic tests on 200,000 people has uncovered dozens of signposts in DNA that can help reveal further a person's risk for breast, ovarian or prostate cancer, scientists reported Wednesday.

Ask local doctors for advice in new column

Sun, 24 Mar 2013 03:00:00 EST

Beginning in May, The Journal Gazette will publish on Sundays the health column, "Ask the Doctor," from Parkview Physicians Group. The column will be in a question-and-answer format, in which Parkview doctors will answer local readers' health questions.

Tweets may warn about epidemics

Brooke Jarvis — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 03:00:00 EST

Twitter users send around 500 million tweets a day, an endless fire hose of information about how people feel, what they're doing, what they know and where they are.

Bone health not simple as popping pill

Gisela Telis — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 03:00:00 EST

When a 2012 study in the journal Heart found that calcium supplements might raise your risk of a heart attack, I was more than a little alarmed. Might the over-the-counter supplements I'd been taking to strengthen my bones be damaging my heart.

Therapy found to work on knee tear

MARLYNN MARCHIONE — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 03:00:00 EST

You might not want to rush into knee surgery. Physical therapy can be just as good for a common injury and at far less cost and risk, the most rigorous study to compare these treatments concludes.

Caregivers most in danger

Sherry Slater — Sun, 17 Mar 2013 03:00:00 EST

The same people who take care of us when we're sick are among the workers most in danger of getting hurt on the job. Health care industry employees reported the second-highest rate of workplace injury and illness - a total of more than 22,000 incidents in 2011 - in the most recent data collected by the Indiana Department of Labor.

Breast cancer radiation can harm hearts: Study

Associated Press — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 03:00:00 EST

Women treated with radiation for breast cancer are more likely to develop heart problems later, even with the lower doses used today, troubling new research suggests. The risk comes from any amount of radiation, starts five years after treatment and lasts for decades, doctors found.

In-house clinics vary by retailer

Renee Dudley — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 03:00:00 EST

In 2007, Lee Scott, then Wal-Mart Stores's chief executive officer, trumpeted plans to open as many as 2,000 in-house medical clinics by mid-2012. He called the strategy "a great opportunity for our business."

Caring for body and mind together

Olga Khazan — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 03:00:00 EST

On a recent day at Family Services Inc., a low-income mental health clinic in Gaithersburg, Md., clinic director Amy Van Grack was treating one of her regular patients when she realized the patient was homeless, pregnant and hadn't seen a primary care doctor in months.

DePuy loses implant suit

GREG RISLING — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 03:00:00 EST

A jury Friday awarded $8.3 million to a former prison guard who accused Johnson Johnson's DePuy Orthopaedics subsidiary of knowingly marketing a faulty hip implant that was later recalled.

Expert says food aids longevity of brain

Vicky Hallett — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 03:00:00 EST

We love our hearts. But what are our brains - chopped liver.