Sustained Smoking Cessation Can Lower Risk of Seropositive RA

Analysis of data demonstrates first time that behaviour change can delay or prevent most severe form of rheumatoid arthritis. Smoking is an important risk factor for developing the most common form of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other inflammatory diseases, but a critical question remains: Can those who quit smoking delay or prevent RA or have they permanently and irrevocably altered...

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Autism-Anorexia Link 'Must Be Acted On'

The NHS must change the way it assesses eating disorders to take account of a link with autism, a research charity has said. Autistica said findings suggested one in five women presenting to UK clinics with anorexia may also have autism and tailored therapy was vital. One woman said her autism had made her "obsessed" with counting calories, even though she did not want to lose weight. Health...

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Cannabis Use in Teens Linked to Depression

Parents should not be complacent about the risks of teenagers using cannabis, experts are warning. UK and Canada researchers said they had found "robust" evidence showing using the drug in adolescence increased the risk of developing depression in adulthood by 37%. They said the findings should act as a warning to families who saw cannabis use as part of the growing-up process. The...

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Onions and Garlic Could Protect Against Cancer

Aside from their ability to inject deep flavour into almost any meal, onions and garlic might also protect against cancer, according to a recent study. A recent study adds to the evidence that allium vegetables reduce cancer risk. Garlic, onions, leeks, chives, and shallots are classed as allium vegetables. They are grown throughout much of the world and form the bedrock of family...

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Blueberries May Lower Cardiovascular Risk By Up to 20 Percent

The phytochemicals that give blueberries their blue color can significantly improve cardiovascular health, finds a new two-part study. The positive effect that blueberries can have on blood pressure is comparable to that of hypertension drugs. Dubbed "the silent killer" because it has no visible symptoms in its early stages, hypertension affects approximately 1 in 3 adults in the United...

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Flu Vaccine 'Working Better for Children'

The flu vaccine is so far proving more effective in children than in adults in the UK, mid-season figures suggest. The nasal spray flu vaccine is 87% effective in children aged two to 17 against the main circulating flu strain, influenza A(H1N1)pmd09, Public Health England data indicates. Meanwhile, the flu vaccine is 39% effective against the same strain in adults aged 18 to 64. No...

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Provide Sanitary Products Free in All Hospitals, Says Doctors' Union

Two out of five hospital trusts and health boards in the UK do not give sanitary products to patients who need them, or only in emergencies, an investigation by the BMA has found. The doctors' union says pads and tampons are a basic need and should be available free to inpatients. But in some trusts, razors and shaving foam were handed out free while sanitary products were not. The...

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More Over-75s Should Take Statins, Experts Say

More people over the age of 75 should be taking statins, scientists have said, following a review of research. There had been a lack of evidence about how much the cholesterol-lowering drugs benefit this age group. But the review found they cut the risk of major cardiovascular disease in all ages studied, including the over-75s. Researchers said thousands of lives could be saved...

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Health Screening 'Not Meeting Targets', Report Finds

None of the three main health screening programmes in England - for bowel, breast or cervical cancer - met their targets last year, according to a report by the National Audit Office. There were also delays in cervical screening results reaching half of women tested, with a backlog of nearly 100,000 samples. Bowel screening performed best, narrowly missing its 60% target. A health...

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