Health: News, features, tips and alerts to keep you healthy - WREX.com – Rockford’s News Leader

Genes may boost woman's risk of postpartum depression

Pregnant women with specific alterations in two genes may be at increased risk of suffering depression after giving birth, a small new study suggests. More>>

Managing seasonal allergies

Although spring arrived late this year in parts of the United States, the summer allergy season will still be strong, according to a sinus expert at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. More>>

Cellphone use may reveal your dominant brain

New research suggests the dominant side of your brain may make the call on which ear you choose to use while talking on your cellphone. More>>

Angelina Jolie will have ovaries removed to lower chances of cancer

Film star Angelina Jolie will have her ovaries removed to help lower her odds for ovarian cancer, People magazine reported Wednesday. More>>

Gene variations may explain weight gain among men, women

Weight gain in men and women is predicted by two different genetic variations -- so-called polymorphisms, according to a new study from the Netherlands. More>>

Rich 'cougar,' 'sugar daddy' stereotypes might not mirror reality

The notion of wealthy "sugar daddies" with young, pretty wives and well-heeled "cougar" women with handsome, young husbands may be more fiction than fact, new research suggests. More>>

Nearly half of high schoolers text while driving

Close to half of U.S high school students text while driving, a habit that dramatically increases their risk of getting into a potentially fatal car crash, a new study shows. More>>

Obesity crisis may be fueling big jump in sleep apnea cases

The widening American waistline may be feeding an epidemic of sleep apnea, potentially robbing millions of people of a good night's rest, a new study suggests. More>>

Fast food hasn't gotten much healthier

Next time you have a craving for fast food, don't kid yourself that choices today are much healthier, a new study says. More>>

Money motivates weight loss -- one step at a time

When a health insurer told obese people they could either pay 20 percent more for coverage or start exercising, most of them decided to get active, according to a new study. More>>

More kids diagnosed with mental health disabilities

Significantly more U.S. children have a neurodevelopmental or mental health disability than did a decade ago, according to new research. More>>

Many parents texting, phoning while driving their kids Video included

The vast majority of parents admit to being distracted in some way while driving their young child around, a new survey reveals. More>>

Only 1 in 5 Americans gets enough exercise

Most Americans are falling short when it comes to exercise, a new government report shows. More>>

White House to challenge ruling on unlimited access to 'morning-after' pill

The Obama administration announced late Wednesday that it would appeal a federal judge's order to eliminate any age restrictions on who can buy morning-after birth control pills without a prescription. More>>

FDA approves 'morning-after' pill without a prescription

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the over-the-counter sale of Plan B One-Step for use as emergency contraception by girls and women aged 15 and older. More>>

Many stroke patients don't call 911

More than one-third of people having a stroke don't call 911, even though that's the fastest route to potentially lifesaving treatment, a new study reports. More>>

HIV 'cure' looks 'promising,' Danish scientists contend

Danish scientists testing a novel HIV treatment in human trials contend that they're confident their strategy will result in a cure for the AIDS-causing virus, according to news reports. More>>

Pediatrician group issues home birth policy statement

The American Academy of Pediatrics has issued a policy statement on home births that includes a recommendation that there be a caregiver who's present solely to take care of the newborn. More>>

Don't blame parents for sins of the child

When the suspects in the Boston Marathon bombings were identified as two brothers -- one of them a teenager -- many parents wondered, "Who raised these boys?" More>>

Most Americans oppose soda, candy taxes

Most U.S. adults aren't sweet on the idea of soda and candy taxes, and many doubt the bigger price tags would trim the national waistline. More>>

Many Americans breathing cleaner air

Although many Americans are now breathing cleaner air, others are living in cities that are more polluted than they were a decade ago, a new report shows. More>>

Prescription drug abuse up among US teens Video included

The United States appears to be in the throes of a prescription drug abuse crisis among teens, with a new survey showing that 24 percent of high school students -- more than 5 million kids -- have abused these medications. More>>

Docs to teens: Cinnamon challenge prank dangerous

As if parents didn't have enough to worry about, it seems a growing number of kids are taking the "Cinnamon Challenge" -- a stunt that has landed some in the ER. More>>

People happier when they get more sex than their friends

A hefty chunk of your happiness may depend on whether you believe you're having as much sex as your peers are, new research suggests. More>>

Man arrested in tainted letter case

A Mississippi man has been arrested in connection with the sending of letters suspected of being tainted with the deadly toxin ricin to President Obama and a Republican senator, federal agents said Wednesday night. More>>

Drunk driving not the only way alcohol leads to teen deaths Video included

Less than one-third of the 4,700 annual underage drinking-related deaths in the United States result from road crashes, according to a new study. More>>

Boston bombing injuries like a 'war zone'

Authorities were searching Tuesday for suspects and motives behind the twin bombings near the finish line of the Boston Marathon on Monday afternoon that killed three people and injured more than 140 others. More>>

Do teens who sleep in stay slimmer? Video included

The more sleep teens get, the less likely they are to be overweight, a new study finds. More>>

Changes to psychiatry's 'bible' could widen definition of ADHD Video included

Experts believe several changes in psychiatry's 'bible' will broaden both the definition and diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder -- ADHD. More>>

Unemployment's toll can be heartbreaking

As anyone who's lost a job can attest, stress and worry often quickly follow. But the health of your heart after unemployment can also take a tumble. More>>

Do drug company reps tell your doc everything about side effects?

Drug company salespeople provide family doctors with little or no information about the harmful effects of medicines they are promoting, a new study says. More>>

Many Americans skipping meds to save money

Cash-strapped Americans often skip doses of pricey prescription drugs or take less than was prescribed by their doctor, new research shows. More>>

Compound in red meat, energy drinks may have heart disease link

A compound found in red meat and added as a supplement to popular energy drinks promotes hardening and clogging of the arteries, otherwise known as atherosclerosis, a new study suggests. More>>

Less salt, more potassium equals millions of lives saved

Reducing dietary salt intake and boosting levels of potassium would prevent millions of deaths from heart disease and stroke worldwide each year, according to three new studies. More>>

Racial disparities seen in U.S. lung cancer treatment

Racial disparities exist in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer among hospitals in the United States, according to a large new study. More>>

ADHD in childhood may raise risk for obesity in adulthood Video included

Boys who are diagnosed with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are twice as likely to become obese adults as those who didn't have the disorder when they were young, a new 30-year study shows. More>>

Heart attack? Doctors soon may have an app for that

There are apps that turn your smartphone into a metal detector, a musical instrument and a GPS system, and now there's an app that may help doctors save your life if you're having a heart attack. More>>

High-frequency noise boosts math skills in study

Scientists report that they were able to improve the math-calculation skills of college students by buzzing their brains with doses of random high-frequency noise. More>>

1 in 5 U.S. kids has a mental health disorder

As many as one in five American children under the age of 17 has a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year, according to a new federal report. More>>

Eyelash extension adhesives may cause bad reactions

Eye experts warn that the adhesives used to apply eyelash extensions can cause allergies and infections. More>>

Look for new, improved sunscreen labels

New labeling laws for sunscreen will help American consumers choose the product that provides the best sun protection, experts say. More>>

Most Americans say no to smoking in their homes, cars

Drop by for a visit or share the drive -- but please, no smoking. More>>

Fitness in middle age may help shield men from cancer later

Men who are physically fit in middle age have a lower risk of developing and dying from certain cancers, new research indicates. More>>

Erectile dysfunction tied to long-term narcotic use in men

If you're a man, the pain-killing medications known as opioids may do more than relieve pain -- they may also put a damper on your sex life. More>>

Angelina Jolie has preventative double mastectomy

Hollywood film star Angelina Jolie announced Tuesday that she has undergone a double mastectomy because she carries a genetic mutation that greatly increases her risk of potentially fatal breast cancer. More>>

A little formula might help breast-feeding for some babies

Giving small amounts of infant formula to newborns who experience significant weight loss can increase the length of time that they are breast-fed, according to a new study. More>>

Many seniors suffer mental decline in silence

About 13 percent of Americans 60 and older say they have increasing problems with thinking and memory and that they suffer growing confusion, a new report released Thursday shows. More>>

Violent video games may numb players to brutality

Teenage boys who play violent video games for hours on end may become desensitized to the brutality, a small new study finds. More>>

Hospital bills can vary widely, even in same cities

The fees that hospitals charge consumers or insurance providers for services vary widely across the United States, and can even vary within geographic regions and cities, federal officials reported Wednesday. More>>

Gasoline poisonings in kids spike during summer

Chemicals found in gasoline, kerosene, lighter fluid and some insecticides and cleaning supplies are among the top 10 causes of pediatric poisoning deaths in the United States. More>>

Omega-3s no help against age-linked eye trouble

Adding omega-3 fatty acids and other nutrients to standard antioxidant vitamins doesn't give older people any added protection against a leading cause of blindness, a new study finds. More>>

Want tots without allergies? Try sucking on their pacifiers

parents who want to protect their infants from developing allergies should try a simple approach to introducing their children to the wide world of microbes: Just pop their pacifiers into their own mouths before giving them back to their babies. More>>

Lipsticks, glosses contain toxic metals Video included

Lipsticks and lip glosses apparently give you more than colorful kissers, according to a new study by California scientists that contends the products contain lead, cadmium, chromium, aluminum and five other toxic metals. More>>

Kelly the robot helps kids tackle autism

Using a kid-friendly robot during behavioral therapy sessions may help some children with autism gain better social skills, a preliminary study suggests. More>>

More than 4,000 U.S. kids hurt each year on amusement rides

More than 4,000 American children are injured on amusement rides each year, according to a new study that calls for standardized safety regulations. More>>

ER visits tied to Ambien on the rise

There has been a dramatic increase in the number of emergency-room visits related to sleep medications such as Ambien, according to a new U.S. study. More>>

Second man arrested in tainted letter case

Just days after one Mississippi man was cleared of charges that he sent ricin-laced letters to government officials, federal agents have arrested a second Mississippi man in connection with the crime. More>>

Health insurance shortfalls hit nearly half of U.S. adults

Nearly half of all working-age U.S. adults, or 84 million people, faced the prospect of crippling medical bills in 2012 because they had little or no health insurance. More>>

Many parents give kids cold medicines when they shouldn't

More than 40 percent of American parents give over-the-counter cough and cold medicines to kids under age 4 even though they're too young for such products, a new survey finds. More>>

Using marijuana to treat pain? A pill may outlast a puff

A pill may work as well as a puff when it comes to using marijuana to treat pain, according to a small but carefully controlled new study. More>>

'Clean your plate' orders from parents may backfire

New research suggests that up to two-thirds of parents still encourage teenagers to finish all the food on their plates, even if the teen is overweight. More>>

Too much texting, Facebook time may lower college women's grades

Media use is a serious distraction for college freshmen, with a new study finding young women devote up to 12 hours daily on pursuits such as texting, posting status updates and surfing the web. More>>

Prepared for trauma, overwhelmed by carnage

Hospitals are required to routinely plan and prepare for a wide range of disasters, conducting practice drills and developing partnerships within the local health-care community. More>>

Seriously stressed? Hair analysis tells all

Hair analysis can reveal if seniors have elevated stress hormone levels that may put them at increased risk for heart disease and stroke, a new study suggests. More>>

Higher heart rate tied to earlier death, even in fit people

Faster heart rates in otherwise healthy men could be a harbinger of an earlier death, even among those who exercise, a new Danish study suggests. More>>

Lullabies soothe preemies, parents alike

Lullabies have been used to soothe babies since time immemorial. Now, scientists say that premature infants in particular can benefit from combining this tactic with other forms of music therapy. More>>

Decisions, decisions: Work out or fix a meal?

Preparing meals can mean less time for exercise, according to a new study. More>>

Teen's death from chickenpox highlights need for vaccination

The death from chickenpox of an otherwise healthy 15-year-old Ohio girl should remind parents of the importance of vaccination against the disease, U.S. health officials reported Thursday. More>>

Severely injured vets may need ongoing emotional care

U.S. veterans who suffered major limb injuries in combat showed little improvement with mental health problems in the two years after receiving treatment for their wounds. More>>

Smoking in youth-rated movies doubles

Smoking scenes in youth-rated movies doubled in number between 2010 and 2012, and have returned to the same level as a decade ago, according to a new report. More>>

Can kidney beans rid yourself of bedbugs?

A centuries-old bedbug remedy has scientists full of beans -- kidney beans to be precise. More>>

New bird flu no immediate threat

At this point, there's no reason to believe that the emerging H7N9 strain of bird flu that has sickened at least 24 people and killed seven in China is cause for alarm, health officials in the United States say. More>>

Frequent eating in kids tied to less weight gain Video included

In what may seem a surprising finding, kids in a new study who ate more often over the course of a day were less likely to be overweight than their peers who ate the traditional three squares. More>>

Cancer patients may be unintended victims of budget cuts

Thousands of Medicare cancer patients are being denied treatment at clinics nationwide because of federal budget cuts related to the so-called sequester, according to a published report. More>>

More US couples living together instead of marrying

Many more American women are living with their partners rather than tying the knot, a new government survey finds. More>>

Balding men could face higher heart risks

New research out of Japan shows a potential link between male baldness and an increased risk for coronary heart disease. More>>

Melanoma rates rising in US children

Melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer, doesn't usually occur in kids, but a new study shows that it's happening more often. More>>

Obama unveils vast brain-mapping project

The Obama administration unveiled plans Tuesday for a mammoth and unprecedented study of the mysterious inner workings of the human brain. More>>

Chickenpox shot provides long-term protection

The chickenpox vaccine is very effective at preventing the disease, and its protection doesn't wane over time, new research finds. More>>

One in 10 US kids diagnosed with ADHD Video included

About 11 percent of school-age children in the United States -- and 19 percent of high-school-age boys -- have been diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). More>>

Parents will push for medication, even if doctor says not needed

When doctors use quick-and-easy disease labels to sum up symptoms of concern in an otherwise healthy infant, parents are more apt to want to treat their child with some type of medication. More>>

More evidence shows hormone therapy may increase breast cancer risk

Women who take hormone therapy that includes estrogen and progestin are at increased risk of developing breast cancer and dying from it. More>>

Blood test might spot pancreatic cancer early

A new blood test that detects deadly pancreatic cancer earlier than usual might slightly improve patients' odds for survival, a small Japanese study suggests. More>>

Another study sees no vaccine-autism link

Although some parents worry about the sheer number of vaccines babies typically receive, a new U.S. government study finds no evidence that more vaccinations increase the risk of autism. More>>

More genetic insights into three types of cancer

Critical clues to understanding who is at the greatest risk for particular types of cancer may be found in "spelling mistakes" contained in a person's DNA. More>>

Same-sex parents may face harsher criticism than others

Bystanders judge same-sex parents more harshly than straight parents, according to a new study. More>>

Too few Americans pass last days in hospice care

Many people are still dying in hospitals, despite the fact that there has been a decrease in the number of patients who spend their final days in a setting that most would rather avoid, a new government report shows. More>>

Vitamin D important during pregnancy

Low levels of vitamin D during pregnancy are associated with an increased risk of complications in mothers-to-be and low birth weight in their newborns, a new study finds. More>>

Breath test might predict obesity risk

A simple breath test may be able to tell if you are overweight or will be in the future, a new study suggests. More>>

Family meals nourish teens' mental health

Having regular family suppers is good for teens' mental health, according to a new study. More>>

Four in 10 babies given solid foods too early

Child development experts advise parents not to introduce solid foods, such as baby cereal, into an infant's diet until the infant is at least 4 to 6 months old.  More>>

Stress during pregnancy may raise heart defect risk for baby

Stress in mothers before and during pregnancy may boost the risk of congenital heart defects in their children, more new evidence suggests. More>>

Evolution may keep birds from becoming roadkill

Cliff swallows in Nebraska with shorter wingspans that help them take off more quickly and pivot away from passing cars have a reduced risk of becoming roadkill, a new study reports. More>>

Meth in pregnancy may blunt child's reaction to stress

If a woman uses methamphetamine during pregnancy, that illegal drug use along with an unstable home environment may lead to an abnormal response to stress in her children, according to the results of a study of 2-year-olds. More>>

Measles can spread further than thought on airplanes

On airplanes, measles can spread beyond the passengers seated immediately around an infected person, a new study says. More>>

One in 50 school-aged children in US has autism

The number of children in the United States with autism spectrum disorder has jumped dramatically since 2007, federal health officials reported Wednesday. More>>

Brain circuitry yields clue to autism

A problem with a certain brain circuit may be one reason why 7-month-old infants who later develop autism are slower to shift their gaze and attention from one object to another. More>>

A third of US seniors die with dementia

There's more troubling news for America's aging population: A new report finds that one in every three seniors now dies while suffering from Alzheimer's or another form of dementia. More>>

Fewer kids getting hurt in most sports Video included

Football has been blamed for a growing number of injuries among young players in the past decade, but a new study finds that football is an exception, and injuries from most other popular sports have dropped in children. More>>

Parents' worries about HPV vaccine on the rise Video included

Although experts recommend girls and young women be vaccinated against the virus that causes most cases of cervical cancer, parents seem to be increasingly worried about the vaccine's safety, a new U.S. study shows. More>>

FDA: Know what's in your child's medications

It's the time of year when cold season and allergy season overlap, and parents need to know the active ingredients in the medicines they give their children for these conditions. More>>

Vitamin D supplements tied to lower blood pressure in blacks Video included

Black Americans who take vitamin D supplements may significantly lower their blood pressure, a new study suggests. More>>

  • Health PartnersHealth Partners


  • In addition to medical care, sound leadership and management are critical parts of any good hospital. At KSB Hospital, our mission and vision are put into action every day

    In addition to medical care, sound leadership and management are critical parts of any good hospital. At KSB Hospital, our mission and vision are put into action every day by an Administrative team, a Board of Directors and the Medical Staff.

  • High Field Open MRI of Rockford is conveniently located in A Perryville Place, provides state of the art, high quality diagnostic imaging in a comfortable environment.
*DISCLAIMER*: The information contained in or provided through this site section is intended for general consumer understanding and education only and is not intended to be and is not a substitute for professional advice. Use of this site section and any information contained on or provided through this site section is at your own risk and any information contained on or provided through this site section is provided on an "as is" basis without any representations or warranties.
Powered by WorldNow
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2013 WorldNow and WREX. All Rights Reserved.
For more information on this site, please read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.

Persons with disabilities who need assistance with issues relating to the content of this station's public inspection file should contact Administrative Assistant Trista Truesdale at (815) 335-7856. Questions or concerns relating to the accessibility of the FCC's online public file system should be directed to the FCC at 888-225-5322, at 888-835-5322 (TTY) or at fccinfo@fcc.gov.