HEALTH NEWS

07/02/2009

Are hourly ozone averages enough?
Experts say you may not know there’s been an ozone red alert in your area until the ozone plume come and gone.

07/01/2009

Few details in Obama’s health care pitch
President Barack Obama wanted to put a human face on his plans to overhaul health care, and a Virginia supporter did just that Wednesday.

06/30/2009

FDA panel recommends smaller doses of Tylenol, other painkillers
Government experts say the maximum dose listed for Tylenol and dozens of other painkillers should be reduced to help curb deadly overdoses.

Senators come to MD Anderson to hear Texans' health care concerns
Several senators will be in Houston Tuesday to talk about health care reform.

Study: More sex may help damaged sperm
For men with fertility problems, some doctors are prescribing a very conventional way to have a baby: more sex.

Pflugerville man dies from swine flu
Austin/Travis County health officials Monday reported a Pflugerville man has died from H1N1 Influenza, commonly known as swine flu. Officials say the man was 49 years old, but did not release any additional details about his death.

FDA: E.coli found in Nestle cookie dough
The Food and Drug Administration said Monday a sample of raw cookie dough collected at a Nestle USA manufacturing plant last week has tested positive for E. coli.

06/29/2009

FDA weighs options to reduce painkiller overdoses
Tylenol, Excedrin, NyQuil. These household brands and others have come to symbolize safe, convenient relief from the aches and pains of everyday life.

06/26/2009

Houston doctor gave up practice for Michael Jackson
In a letter to patients, Dr. Murray announced he was ceasing to practice medicine indefinitely for a "once in a lifetime opportunity."
Michael Jackson Slideshows: Memories | Concerts | Life
Video: 911 call | Poll: Best song

06/27/2009

8-year-old cancer patient had life transformed by Jackson
Despite the controversy that overshadowed his life in recent years, Jackson touched many people through his music and generosity. An 8-year-old Texas boy battling cancer was visited by the pop icon.

Poor air quality adds to respiratory and heat-related illnesses
It may look like a perfect summer day, but there’s more in the air than you realize and it could make you sick.

Houstonians get life-saving lessons
Hundreds of Houstonians learned to save lives at a mass CPR training session at the University of Houston on Saturday.

06/25/2009

4 US teens on Cambodian trip to help needy have swine flu
Four American teens who went on a mission trip to Cambodia to help the needy, wound up needing help as they became the first cases of swine flu in that Southeast Asian country, officials with the youth ministry said Thursday

06/24/2009

Researchers at UTMB find ways to block Ebola infection
Researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch reported that they have discovered two biochemical pathways that the Ebola virus relies on to infect cells.

06/23/2009

Are more and more volunteers overweight?
Doctor Duc Vuong estimates that more than 2.5 million people in the Houston area are overweight. He said he's noticed a trend among them at his lap band practice in Texas City.

Commissioners declare Tuesday 'Ahn Reiss Day'
The Harris County Commissioners Court declared Tuesday “Ahn Reiss Day.”

Swine flu has summer camps scrambling
Scrapes and bruises aren't all that kids are getting at summer camp this year.

06/22/2009

Video game surgery: Houston hospital builds surgical simulator
In a low-light room they liken to a cave, doctors use an Xbox controller to manipulate video images of patients’ livers, colons, even brains, looking for the best ways to do life-and-death procedures.

06/21/2009

Critics: Tough to keep fragile patients home
Disability rights advocates are criticizing how state officials interpret a two-year old provision designed to keep medically fragile people from being forced into lower-cost facilities when they would be safer in their own homes.

06/18/2009

Study: CVS is selling expired products
CVS is under fire for selling old medicine. The outrage follows a survey by a national coalition which found that the national pharmacy is selling products that have expired.

Survey: Children's Cancer Hospital among top US pediatric cancer care facilities
The Children’s Cancer Hospital at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center has earned its place among the top facilities for pediatric cancer care in the country.

Hot times in the city: Are your kids getting enough water?
With temperatures expected to reach the mid-90s Thursday, health experts want to remind families to drink plenty of water.

06/17/2009

More teens undergoing bariatric surgery
Obesity is a serious health concern for children and adolescents, and data indicates it’s getting worse. In Houston alone, 22 percent of children – that’s about 220,000 kids – are obese.

West Nile virus found in Harris County
Harris County mosquito control has detected the first West Nile virus of the season.

Summer swine flu cases jump in Houston
The swine flu doesn’t appear to be going anywhere anytime soon.

06/16/2009

FDA: Popular Zicam nasal spray can cause loss of smell
Consumers should stop using Zicam Cold Remedy nasal gel and related products because they can permanently damage the sense of smell, federal health regulators said Tuesday.

Texans struggle to care for ill parents
What happens when a grown son or daughter becomes a parent to his or her own parents? The result is often a 24-hour-a-day struggle.

06/15/2009

Rare medical procedure saves Houston man
A procedure called ECMO or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation saved Darren Pangle's life, say doctors.

Group helps build 'clean' room for Texas boy battling leukemia
The whoosh-pop of a power nailer competed with the droning whine of a circular saw, and it was all music to the ears of Kevin Heitman.

06/12/2009

Drugmakers rush to produce a swine flu vaccine
With swine flu now an official pandemic, the race is on among drugmakers to produce a vaccine.

Three sets of triplets born in one day at Houston hospital
Doctors scored a triple play at The Woman's Hospital of Texas Thursday when three sets of triplets were born. Slideshow: 3 sets of triplets

06/11/2009

Swine flu pandemic declared by World Health Organization, first in 40 years
The World Health Organization declared a swine flu pandemic Thursday—the first global flu epidemic in 41 years—as infections in the United States, Europe, Australia, South America and elsewhere climbed to nearly 30,000 cases. | Swine Flu Central

06/09/2009

Pharmacists take extreme measures to protect themselves from thieves
Simon Pedroza believes that being a pharmacist is all about caring, so he always tries to keep his pharmacy stocked with everything his customers need. But for strangers looking for trouble, Pedroza stocks something else: a shotgun.

06/14/2009

Dialysis patient midway through cross-country trip
Last week, the 37-year-old dialysis patient and professional athlete was midway through a 4,000-mile cross-country bicycle tour to educate others about kidney disease and inspire those suffering from it.

06/09/2009

Texas medical ethicist creates new living will Web site
A San Antonio medical ethics expert has launched a new Web site aimed at getting people to create advance directives. Those are legal documents that spell out your end-of-life wishes.

Woman with rare anemia gets Disney wish, again
At birth, Jessica Kath was diagnosed with a rare disease called Diamond-Blackfan Anemia. At 6, she was granted a Make-a-Wish trip to go to Disney World and her quest to keep going back hasn't stopped.

06/08/2009

Houston couple expecting sextuplets
If all goes well, Amanda and Thomas Stansel will welcome a super-bundle with 60 fingers and 60 toes — sextuplets — at summer’s end. If Amanda successfully delivers six living babies, she will join a small sorority of women worldwide.

06/05/2009

Parents of rabies victim break their silence
Zach Jones was taking a nap when a bat flew inside his bedroom through an open window. He brushed it off and told his parents it didn’t bite him. He didn’t realize something was wrong until five weeks later.

06/04/2009

Rubber used in playgrounds, athletic fields could contain hidden dangers
Those rubber mulch chips used to cushion playgrounds are easy on the eyes and easy on the kids when they take a hard fall. But are they safe?

06/03/2009

Database: Many Houston nursing homes rank below average
A federal database shows 49 percent of Houston nursing homes that accept Medicare are “below average” or “much below average.” Problem is, not everyone agrees on the rankings.

06/01/2009

Bill contains money for Ike repairs at UTMB
A Dallas lawmaker won applause and praise in the Texas House for putting his legislation in danger to help a peer find $150 million for the hurricane-ravaged University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston.

05/29/2009

Non-profit organization offers low cost alternative to health insurance
In recent weeks, the health care industry has been scrambling to reform itself. It is fearful if it doesn’t, the government will. While that debate continues, one in four Texans continues to be uninsured, and more than 80% of those uninsured, come from working families.

05/30/2009

Study: Drug combos may raise breast cancer risk
Breast cancer survivors risk having their disease come back if they use certain antidepressants while also taking the cancer prevention drug tamoxifen, worrisome new research shows.

05/29/2009

UTMB's class of 2009 'faced chaos with great courage and heart'
Despite overcoming some unforeseen obstacles, 204 students from UTMB at Galveston will be granted the title "Doctor" on Saturday. It hasn’t been an easy year for this class.

New shoe may help wearer burn calories
The store that sells this popular footwear says the shoes combine new technology with the ancient wisdom of rice paddy workers returning to their huts.

05/28/2009

Officials: 3 Texas City kids had swine flu
Three middle school students in Texas City had confirmed cases of the swine flu, school and county health district officials said.

05/27/2009

Senate extends lifeline for CHIP
The Texas Senate is keeping alive a plan to boost enrollment in the Children’s Health Insurance Program.

Study says uninsured are costly for all
The average family with health insurance shells out an extra $1,000 a year in premiums to pay for health care for the uninsured, a new report finds.

Worldwide swine flu deaths reach 100
The world’s swine flu death toll reached 100 as two more New Yorkers died while infected with a virus that has sickened more than 12,000 people.

05/26/2009

Hopes narrowing for CHIP expansion
The head of a key Senate committee said Tuesday the panel will not approve another bill aimed at boosting enrollment in the Children’s Health Insurance Program—leaving its fate largely to a divided House.

Mexico, US, Canada announce swine flu deaths
Authorities in Mexico announced three more swine flu deaths and the United States and Canada one more death each as the world’s largest vaccine maker signed a deal with the United States to produce a swine flu vaccine.

05/22/2009

HISD: Travis Elementary will not reopen until June due to swine flu
The state and city health departments have asked HISD to keep the Heights school closed for up to 10 more days because of a swine flu outbreak there.

Swine flu genes circulated undetected for years
Genes included in the new swine flu have been circulating undetected in pigs for at least a decade, according to researchers who have sequenced the genomes of more than 50 samples of the virus.

05/21/2009

Swine flu: Another Travis Elementary student diagnosed
On Thursday, Houston health officials confirmed that another Travis Elementary School student has swine flu. The latest case brings the total number of children infected to 25.

Like the Mickelsons, Houston couple battled cancer together
Joe Frazier worked from home when his wife Claire was diagnosed with breast cancer. "It wasn''t a hard decision at all," said Joe Frazier.

CDC: Swine flu immunity in older folks
New test results show what scientists have suspected—people in their 60’s and older have signs of greater immunity to the new swine flu virus.

Researchers work on swine flu vaccine
Researchers at the Baylor College of Medicine are working on a swine flu vaccine. About 200 patients with the virus are coming to Baylor to give samples for study.

US swine flu deaths hit double-digits
Swine flu forced Christina Huitron to make a choice no mother should ever have to make. On Wednesday she told doctors to take her 21-year-old son off life support, making Marcos Sanchez the nation’s 10th fatality associated with the newly discovered virus that continues to spread across the globe.

05/29/2009

Clinic memberships offer a cheap health care solution for Houstonians
Like many Houstonians, Salima Ali has had to make hard choices when it comes to health care. But a few weeks ago, that changed. Ali is now a member of a health clinic.

05/21/2009

FDA approves new wrinkle treatment
There's a new warrior in the battle against wrinkles - a direct competitor to Botox's billion-dollar business.

05/20/2009

How clean is your doctor's office?
When swine flu first hit a few weeks ago, emergency rooms and family practice clinic visits skyrocketed 200 percent because of the "worried well."

Mickelson’s wife diagnosed with cancer
Phil Mickelson’s wife, Amy, has been diagnosed with breast cancer, and the three-time major champion says he will suspend his PGA Tour schedule indefinitely.

05/19/2009

Swine flu: CDC tours Travis Elementary
A representative from the Centers for Disease Control, along with city and school health officials, toured Travis Elementary School Tuesday.

Senator: Smoking ban measure is dead
The Senate author of a proposed statewide ban on smoking in most indoor public places, including bars and restaurants, says he has given up on the proposal for this session.

One mom's story: Breast cancer can strike without family history
One in eight women will develop breast cancer at some point in their lives. I never imagined my mom, Hedy, would be one of those women because breast cancer does not run in my family.

Husband says wife had been healthy until swine flu
The husband of the first American with swine flu to die is denying media reports that she had a pre-existing medical condition.

Teen revived after flatlining for 23 minutes
Twenty minutes after being found face down in the family’s swimming pool, a 14-year-old special-needs teen had no pulse.

Treating foot pain without surgery
While the women's dress shoe industry is a $15 billion annual business, another $5 billion is spent each year trying to find relief for aching feet.

05/18/2009

First swine flu death reported in NYC; cases soar in Japan
A school assistant principal became the city’s first death linked to swine flu, and the number of cases in Japan surged to more than 120 on a wave of new confirmations, prompting government-ordered school closures and cancellations of public events.

12 more swine flu cases confirmed at Travis Elementary
The number of confirmed swine flu cases at Travis Elementary has risen to 24. HISD shut the school down on Friday after 12 cases were confirmed and hundreds of kids missed class.

Twitter relays father-son kidney transplant
Three-year-old John Gilbreath received a kidney from his firefighting father, Chris, at Children's Medical Center Dallas on Monday.

05/15/2009

Houston company recalls chorizo
A type of sausage processed by a Houston company is being recalled over concerns some was not properly cooked.

Travis Elementary to close after 12 swine flu cases confirmed
At least 12 of the hundreds of Travis Elementary students out sick this week have swine flu, according to an HISD spokesperson. HISD said 390 of the school's 712 students were out sick Friday. | Swine Flu Central

Texas reports third swine flu death
Texas health officials say a 33-year-old Corpus Christi man died earlier this month of swine flu.

Methodist investigating cause of infections in knee surgery patients
Methodist Hospital is trying to figure out why several patients have gotten infections after having arthroscopic knee surgeries.

Free Lipitor, Viagra, other drugs for jobless
Pfizer Inc. said Thursday it will give away more than 70 of its most widely prescribed drugs, including Lipitor and Viagra, for up to a year to people who have lost jobs since Jan. 1 and have been taking the drug for three months or more. The announcement comes as the unemployment rate topped 8.9 percent in April.

Surgeons to tweet during kidney transplant
On Monday, friends, family and even strangers will be following every step of a father-to-son kidney transplant online.

Texas woman returns from China after stem cell surgery to heal brain
Jackie Murphree, 22, is back home after a desperate journey to China for experimental stem cell treatment to heal her brain.

05/13/2009

Texas legislator collapses at Capitol
An aide to state Rep. Ed Kuempel says the lawmaker was in stable but guarded condition at an Austin hospital Wednesday after collapsing at the Capitol. A Richmond Republican administered CPR until EMS crews arrived.

Galveston County may pay more for indigent hospital care
For about 10 years, the county has paid for the hospital and specialty care for residents who meet that minimum standard. A total income for a family of four can be no more than $4,600 to be eligible for county-subsidized health care.

05/12/2009

Hurricane Ike boredom leads to baby boom
Many couples who found themselves homebound and without power during Ike found time for some extra-curricular activities, which means there will be a baby boom this summer. Woman’s Hospital of Texas is expecting a 15 to 20 percent increase in deliveries.

Acid reflux sufferers turn to natural remedies
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or reflux causes misery to millions. Many people have turned away from pharmaceuticals to natural, cheaper alternative to treat their serious acid indigestion.

05/11/2009

Navasota ISD schools reopen
Navasota ISD reopened Monday after its closure over swine flu concerns. It was the last local district to reopen after the scare.

05/08/2009

Galveston County reports 2nd probable swine flu case
County health officials revealed Thursday a second probable case of swine flu. The Galveston County cases were reported on consecutive days in League City.

05/07/2009

US swine flu victims had chronic health problems
America’s two swine flu deaths—a toddler and a pregnant woman—each suffered from several other illnesses when they were infected with the virus, according to a study released Thursday.

Navasota ISD schools remain closed, but all others are open
As the swine flu threat recedes, almost all schools in the Houston area are back in session.

As swine flu fears subside, specter of a deadlier time haunts officials
Fan Benno-Caris isn't so sure the public can relax after two frantic weeks of worry about the swine flu, now said to be a relatively mild illness.

League City teen is Galveston County's first 'probable' swine flu case
Health officials Wednesday reported the county’s first “probable” case of swine flu. A League City teenager was sick but did not attend class or social events while she was ill, health district officials said.

05/06/2009

Texas woman with swine flu who died was beloved teacher
The first American with swine flu to die was a pregnant mother and teacher raised in South Texas who was beloved by her special education students in a small school district near the U.S.-Mexico border.

Relatives grieve for South Texas woman who died after contracting swine flu
This week should have been a joyous time for Judy Trunnell, a 33-year-old schoolteacher who had just given birth to a healthy baby girl.

Swabs from suspected swine flu patients in Mexico arrive at UTMB
Swab samples from the mouths and noses of Mexican patients suspected of being infected with the swine flu virus arrived Tuesday at Scholes International Airport before being delivered into the hands of University of Texas Medical Branch researchers.

Face transplant recipient: 'I'm not a monster'
When Connie Culp heard a little kid call her a monster because of the shotgun blast that left her face horribly disfigured, she pulled out her driver’s license to show the child what she used to look like.

09/04/2008

Special Report: Cancer surviror stories, plus ideas on treatment and prevention

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