Dr. Michael Smith, Chief Medical Editor of WebMD, takes a look back at the stories that made medical headlines during 2012.
1. Health Care Reform:
When you think of a story that stands to impact absolutely everyone, this is undoubtedly it.
2. New Weight Loss Drugs:
Qsymia & Belviq. Even though both drugs do have risks, the FDA ultimately decided the benefit outweighed these risks.
3. Dreaded Diseases: west Nile & hantavirus.
While people have heard of West Nile, it's actually been a few years since we paid much attention to it. 2012 changed that when we saw the worst year ever in terms of deaths and brain damage from the infection. Then hantavirus reared its ugly head and at Yosemite National Park. It's a very deadly virus that's spread by mice and rats and kills nearly 40% of people who get it.
4. Do Men Need a PSA Test?
Starting at age 50, sometimes younger, men knew they needed a PSA blood test to screen for prostate cancer. Well in 2012 one of the premier organizations that sets screening guidelines said the test will do more harm than good.
5. Sitting Disease:
I have to say I was even a bit surprised at this one. There were several studies showing that sitting too much could be a serious health threat. What's surprising is that sitting a lot increased the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and death even if you exercised regularly.
Thursday, May 23 2013 12:51 PM EDT2013-05-23 16:51:10 GMT
NY Post celebrity real estate columnist Jennifer Gould Keil dishes on NY Yankee Alex Rodriguez's Florida pad and actor Bill Murray's Greenwich Village duplex.
NY Post celebrity real estate columnist Jennifer Gould Keil dishes on NY Yankee Alex Rodriguez's Florida pad and actor Bill Murray's Greenwich Village duplex.
Thursday, May 23 2013 12:00 PM EDT2013-05-23 16:00:47 GMT
Greg Kelly and Duke Castiglione are at it again. The on-going rivalry between the duo was played out on the hockey rink at Madison Square Garden. NY Rangers legend Adam Graves was on hand for the face-off.
Greg Kelly and Duke Castiglione are at it again. The on-going rivalry between the duo was played out on the hockey rink at Madison Square Garden. NY Rangers legend Adam Graves was on hand for the face-off.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:05 AM EDT2013-05-23 14:05:22 GMT
Playing with a hula hoops is making its way into the exercise regimes of some of the most enviable bodies in Hollywood. Rosanna and Greg gave it a go on Thursday.
Playing with a hula hoops is making its way into the exercise regimes of some of the most enviable bodies in Hollywood. Rosanna and Greg gave it a go on Thursday.
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:07 AM EDT2013-05-23 13:07:03 GMT
The NYPD arrested a suspect in the latest anti-gay attack in the city, said police.
The NYPD arrested a suspect in the latest anti-gay attack in the city, said police. The incident Monday night involved two men, who police say, had met at the Bowery Mission and went out drinking together in the East Village. Roman Gornell, 39, was arrested on Wednesday.
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:05 AM EDT2013-05-23 13:05:21 GMT
Hollywood superstar Brad Pitt made a trip to the birthplace of Frank Sinatra on Wednesday night to promote his new movie, "World War Z."
Hollywood superstar Brad Pitt made a trip to the birthplace of Frank Sinatra on Wednesday night to promote his new movie, "World War Z." Pitt stunned the crowd at the Clearview Cinemas when he walked in just before the start of the special screening.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:23 AM EDT2013-05-23 11:23:09 GMT
New Jersey officials have seized inventory and demanded records from 29 bars and restaurants, nearly half of them TGI Fridays, that they say sold low-quality liquor to patrons who thought they were buying premium brands.
New Jersey officials have seized inventory and demanded records from 29 bars and restaurants, nearly half of them TGI Fridays, that they say sold low-quality liquor to patrons who thought they were buying premium brands.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:18 AM EDT2013-05-22 15:18:13 GMT
Oscar Romero, 32, desperately needed a bone marrow transplant. Two years later, he is healthy and grateful to the man who saved his life.
Oscar Romero, 32, desperately needed a bone marrow transplant. Two years later, he is healthy and grateful to the man who saved his life. Romero met U.S. Army Lt. Ryan Waldorf, 23, this week for the first time. The pair and the doctor who treated Romero visited the set of Good Day NY on Wednesday to discuss the successful operation.
Music can help soothe the fear and anxiety of critically ill patients who have been placed on ventilators, reducing both their stress and their need for sedatives, according to a new study.
Music can help soothe the fear and anxiety of critically ill patients who have been placed on ventilators, reducing both their stress and their need for sedatives, according to a new study.
Dermatologists are saying that new federally mandated labeling laws for sunscreens should help Americans make smarter choices when it comes to products that provide the best sun protection.
Dermatologists are saying that new federally mandated labeling laws for sunscreens should help Americans make smarter choices when it comes to products that provide the best sun protection.
A child whose mother lived near heavy traffic while pregnant faces a relatively higher risk for developing a respiratory infection before the age of 3, a new study suggests.
A child whose mother lived near heavy traffic while pregnant faces a relatively higher risk for developing a respiratory infection before the age of 3, a new study suggests.
If you've got bunions, chances are others in your family suffer from the common foot disorder, with a new study finding the condition is often passed down from parents to children.
If you've got bunions, chances are others in your family suffer from the common foot disorder, with a new study finding the condition is often passed down from parents to children.
Boys who are diagnosed with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are twice as likely to become obese adults as those who didn't have the disorder when they were young, a new 30-year study shows.
Boys who are diagnosed with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are twice as likely to become obese adults as those who didn't have the disorder when they were young, a new 30-year study shows.
