WTVM - Health Source

Protect yourself from Norovirus with these easy steps

Fri, 1 Mar 2013 10:35:00 EST

Recently, public health has received reports of more people than expected who are seeking health care with gastroenteritis "stomach flu" in the community. A virus can cause your stomach or intestines

Flu shot less effective for the elderly

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 18:11:00 EST

The flu season is beginning to calm down as we make our way into the spring, but there is still cause for alarm after new studies show how ineffective it can be for seniors.

HEALTH ALERT: Flooded areas could mean waterborne illnesses in private wells

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 13:26:00 EST

Residents using private wells that have been flooded by the recent heavy rains should take precautions against waterborne illnesses by boiling well water for two minutes and then straining it before consumption, Environmental Health District Director, Jerome Deal, warns.

For restaurants, healthier menus may mean healthier bottom line

Thu, 7 Feb 2013 14:25:00 EST

A leaner menu may lead to a fatter wallet for those invested in the restaurant industry, research suggests.

Best foods for cardiovascular health

Thu, 7 Feb 2013 03:28:00 EST

February is Heart Month, and on Tuesday we discussed some of the best foods for cardiovascular health.

For older women, mammograms every 2 years found as good as annual test

Wed, 6 Feb 2013 11:04:00 EST

For older women ages 66 to 74, getting a mammogram every two years appears as good as getting one every year.

2013 Health Expo comes to Columbus this weekend

Suzanne Bratton — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 07:59:00 EST

Physicians will be on hand to conduct some 30 different health screenings, many of which could save your life.

Summer volunteers opportunities at Columbus Regional

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 04:16:00 EST

Summer is still a few months away but now's the time to start thinking about how you can help your community.

How to tell if your child is too sick for school

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 09:51:00 EST

Children often get colds, but when they are not feeling well enough to participate in their normal daily activities or not alert enough to learn or play, they are too sick to go to school, an expert advises.

Steps you can take to protect yourself from the flu

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 09:24:00 EST

With the United States in the throes of one of the worst flu outbreaks in years, health-care experts say there are ways you can fight back and protect yourself from the virus.

Study finds low flu vaccine rates in U.S. kids

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 14:24:00 EST

Flu vaccination rates among U.S. children were lower than expected over a recent five-year period, a new study reports.

Can food protect you from the sun's damaging rays?

Cris Martinez — Wed, 15 May 2013 09:18:00 EDT

We are fast approaching summer and the weather has made it hard for us not to enjoy it. The foods we eat could help protect us from the sun's damaging rays.

Too much caffeine in food has FDA worried, considering regulations

Ray Downs — Wed, 8 May 2013 10:56:00 EDT

Caffeine is being added to foods more and more these days. But the caffeine craze is worrying the FDA, which is now looking into regulating America's favorite drug.

The dangers of academic enhancing drugs

Annie Hubbell — Thu, 2 May 2013 21:23:00 EDT

College can be stressful and more and more students are turning to prescription medications to deal with the everyday workload.

However, drugs to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or A.D.H.D., are becoming easily accessible to students who are not prescribed

Update on 'Sex Superbug' in Hawaii

Tannya Joaquin — Thu, 2 May 2013 00:20:00 EDT

Scientists are warning about an aggressive superbug that's spread by unprotected sex. It's been dubbed the sex superbug because it's a strain of gonorrhea that's resistant

Flu Warning Signs

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 16:24:00 EDT

Click here to read about when to suspect the flu.

Most Americans say no to smoking in their homes, cars

Fri, 17 May 2013 10:44:00 EDT

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

Materials in some household products tied to lung damage

Wed, 15 May 2013 10:29:00 EDT

Ihaling ultrafine particles from so-called "nanomaterials" can cause lung inflammation and damage, a team of U.S. scientists says.

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

Tue, 14 May 2013 10:33:00 EDT

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.

Obesity crisis may be fueling big jump in sleep apnea cases

Fri, 10 May 2013 14:59:00 EDT

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.

Everyday noise levels may affect the heart

Thu, 9 May 2013 14:59:00 EDT

Even the minor noise that fills everyday life, from the ring of a cell phone to the conversation that follows, may have short-term effects on heart function, a small new study suggests.

Fast food hasn't gotten much healthier

Thu, 9 May 2013 09:52:00 EDT

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

Money motivates weight loss -- one step at a time

Wed, 8 May 2013 14:59:00 EDT

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.

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

Tue, 7 May 2013 11:48:00 EDT

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.

Only 1 in 5 Americans gets enough exercise

Fri, 3 May 2013 10:02:00 EDT

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

Lipsticks, glosses contain toxic metals

Thu, 2 May 2013 17:20:00 EDT

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.

Cellphone use may reveal your dominant brain

Fri, 17 May 2013 15:00:00 EDT

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.

High-frequency noise boosts math skills in study

Fri, 17 May 2013 11:24:00 EDT

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.

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

Fri, 17 May 2013 11:10:00 EDT

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.

Eyelash extension adhesives may cause bad reactions

Fri, 17 May 2013 10:53:00 EDT

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

Look for new, improved sunscreen labels

Fri, 17 May 2013 10:50:00 EDT

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

Many public pools contaminated with human waste

Fri, 17 May 2013 10:47:00 EDT

There are few things more inviting than a cool, clear pool on a hot summer day. But a new federal report will have you thinking twice before dipping a toe in the water.

Yoga may help ease high blood pressure

Thu, 16 May 2013 17:23:00 EDT

People who follow the ancient practice of yoga may be getting an added health boost, with a new study suggesting it can fight high blood pressure -- also known as hypertension.

Fitness in middle age may help shield men from cancer later

Thu, 16 May 2013 15:00:00 EDT

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

New drug may help immune system fight cancer

Thu, 16 May 2013 15:00:00 EDT

An experimental drug that taps the power of the body's immune system to fight cancer is shrinking tumors in patients for whom other treatments have failed, an early study shows.

Angelina Jolie will have ovaries removed to lower chances of cancer

Thu, 16 May 2013 10:05:00 EDT

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

Gene variations may explain weight gain among men, women

Wed, 15 May 2013 15:01:00 EDT

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

Nearly half of high schoolers text while driving

Mon, 13 May 2013 15:03:00 EDT

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 kids diagnosed with mental health disabilities

Tue, 7 May 2013 10:19:00 EDT

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

Many parents texting, phoning while driving their kids

Mon, 6 May 2013 15:02:00 EDT

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