Health News Archive - August 20, 2005

This was a prospective study performed in a Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

Summary Cardiovascular diseases exert a huge burden on individuals and society, with coronary heart disease (CHD) the single most common cause of death in the United Kingdom and other developed countries (British Heart Foundation 2004).

Summary This article examines spirometry as a method of detecting lung disease, particularly chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods of producing an accurate assessment and identifying acceptable traces are outlined, and contraindications are discussed.

Abstract: Lumbar herniated nucleus pulposus (HNP) and lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) are common spine pathologies with different clinical presentations and interventions. HNP generally has an acute onset often without a precipitating event.

"Shake it, baby" just took on a whole new meaning: Two studies find infants latch on to unfamiliar musical rhythms better than their parents do.

British researchers think there's a link between graffiti and obesity. People who live in city areas with little green space, lots of graffiti and litter are more likely to be obese, compared with people living in city areas with lots of greenery, the researchers claim in a new report.

CHEMICALS in hair dye could raise the risk of dementia, research suggests. A study of millions of death records has revealed that certain jobs increase the chances of developing brain diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.