February 2012 - NPR Health Blog - The Network of Care

Birth Control Pill Mix-Up Leads To Pfizer Recall

Pfizer is recalling 1 million packages of oral contraceptives because of errors in the order or types of pills. The mistakes could leave women at risk for unintended pregnancy. Read More...

Published Wed, Feb 01 2012 7:20 AM by Shots - Health Blog

Rotavirus Vaccine Doesn't Boost Risk of Intestinal Problem

Unlike an older vaccine, the newer rotavirus vaccine doesn't appear to increase the risk of a dangerous intestinal side effect, according to a large new study. The vaccine has been responsible for a substantial reduction in deaths from rotavirus worldwide...

Published Tue, Feb 07 2012 1:59 PM by Shots - Health Blog

Chemical Used For Stripping Bathtubs Kills 13

Bathtub refinishing has become a popular remodeling project. But a chemical used in the process produces highly toxic fumes. And it's not just sold just to the pros; it's also in dozens of products sold in home-improvement stores. Researchers...

Published Fri, Feb 24 2012 11:11 AM by Shots - Health Blog

Doctors Cheer As Feds Delay New Disease Codes, Again

Thousands of detailed codes form the backbone of a billing system that the federal government has been seeking to modernize for a while. The U.S., unlike other countries, is still using old codes. After doctors objected, the government agreed to delay...

Published Thu, Feb 16 2012 12:56 PM by Shots - Health Blog

Active Video Games Don't Keep Kids Moving

Giving kids a Wii and active video games isn't enough to increase their daily exercise, a new study found. The active gamers didn't move more than children playing traditional sit-on-the-sofa video games. Read More...

Published Mon, Feb 27 2012 11:29 AM by Shots - Health Blog

New Methods Could Speed Up Repair Of Injured Nerves

Scientists say they've developed a technique that reconnects the severed ends of a nerve, allowing it to begin carrying messages again very quickly — at least in rats. Usually, severed nerves must regrow from the point of injury — a process that can...

Published Sun, Feb 26 2012 9:01 PM by Shots - Health Blog

What Spermicide Users Should Know, But Often Don't

Condoms, vaginal films, jellies, foams and sponges containing the spermicide n-9 are widely available without a doctor's prescription. N-9 can increase the risk of HIV transmission in certain cases, but many consumers don't know that. Read More...

Published Sun, Feb 05 2012 9:01 PM by Shots - Health Blog

With Contraceptive Coverage Plan 2.0, Obama Pleases Allies, But Not Everyone

Supporters who split with the White House over the original health care initiative are coming back to the fold now that the president has changed strategy. But some Catholics and Capitol Hill Republicans are still fuming. Read More...

Published Fri, Feb 10 2012 4:57 PM by Shots - Health Blog

Popular Cholesterol Drugs Get New Warnings About Memory, Blood Sugar

Statins may also increase the risk slightly for high blood sugar and for developing Type 2 diabetes. People have also complained about memory loss and fuzzy thinking while taking the cholesterol-fighting drugs. Now the Food and Drug Administration wants...

Published Tue, Feb 28 2012 1:58 PM by Shots - Health Blog

Study: Older Antipsychotics Shouldn't Be Used For Elderly

Elderly people taking Haldol, an older antipsychotic, were twice as likely to die within six months of starting the drug as those taking Risperdal, a commonly used newer drug. Older antipsychotic drugs shouldn't be used to dementia symptoms in the...

Published Fri, Feb 24 2012 8:39 AM by Shots - Health Blog

Scientists Debate How To Conduct Bird Flu Research

Scientists working with bird flu recently called a 60-day halt on some controversial experiments. The unusual move has been compared to a famous moratorium on genetic engineering in the 1970s. And key scientists who organized the pause on genetic research...

Published Wed, Feb 15 2012 2:52 PM by Shots - Health Blog

States Vary On What They Allow Midwives To Do

Midwives specifically trained in delivery outside hospitals can practice legally in 27 states. In the remaining states, mothers-to-be planning for a home birth will probably be attended by a certified nurse-midwife. Read More...

Published Tue, Feb 14 2012 7:37 AM by Shots - Health Blog

International Meeting On Controversial Bird Flu Research Draws Near

The scientists, journal editors and others who attend are expected to review the facts and the most pressing issues related to this specific work, rather than have a broader discussion about the possibility of international oversight of potentially worrisome...

Published Thu, Feb 09 2012 6:42 AM by Shots - Health Blog

WHO Affirms Use Of Birth Control Injections After Weighing HIV Risks

The WHO upheld its guidelines on the safety of hormone injections for contraception yesterday, despite some data that users are at increased risk of HIV transmission. An expert panel says the evidence isn't solid yet, and at-risk couples should use...

Published Fri, Feb 17 2012 11:27 AM by Shots - Health Blog

Teens Fare Worst After Concussions

Teenagers had more problems with thinking after concussion than children or adults, according to a new study. They had problems with working memory six months to a year after being injured. Read More...

Published Wed, Feb 29 2012 6:53 AM by Shots - Health Blog

February 2012 - NPR Health Blog

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