June 2008
News Archive
News articles from June 2008
Possible link between depression during pregnancy and slower development in children (30/06/2008)
Women who are depressed for a long time while pregnant might have babies who develop at a slower rate than other babies, a study has found. However, there are so many things that influence a child's development, it's hard to be sure exactly what effect depression in pregnancy really has...
Weight-loss drug approved for the NHS (27/06/2008)
The weight-loss drug rimonabant has been approved for use in the NHS. When combined with a low-calorie diet, the tablet can help people lose a small amount of weight. But in some people it can also cause serious side effects, such as depression, so it’ s not suitable for everyone...
Low vitamin D linked to death from heart and circulation problems (25/06/2008)
Scientists have long known that a lack of vitamin D can weaken our bones. A new study shows that low levels of this nutrient may also be linked to a higher chance of dying early from heart and circulation problems, as well as other causes...
Painkilling gels and creams as good as pills for knee pain (24/06/2008)
Many people choose to use painkilling gels or creams for joint pain, instead of tablets. But are they as good? We look at the latest evidence to find out...
Possible link between dummies and ear infections (23/06/2008)
If your child is vulnerable to ear infections and also uses a dummy, it may be worth trying to wean them off it. New research suggests that once children have had one ear infection, sucking a dummy may increase their chances of getting more in future...
Depression linked to a risk of falls for elderly people (20/06/2008)
Falls are common among elderly people, and can easily cause serious injuries. Now new research has found that elderly people who are depressed have a higher risk of falling. We look at the research and give advice to elderly people and their families about how to prevent falls...
Could coffee help protect against an early death? (19/06/2008)
If you're a regular coffee drinker, you now may have more reason to enjoy the habit, according to a new study. It suggests that people who drink coffee regularly have a slightly lower chance of dying earlier than expected, although we need more research to know for sure...
Is it ever safe to stop taking epilepsy drugs? (18/06/2008)
New research shows it can be dangerous for people with epilepsy not to take their medicine regularly. But is it ever safe to reduce or stop your medicine, if you have epilepsy? We take a look at the research...
Body piercing: keeping it safe (16/06/2008)
Body piercing is popular, especially with young women. But is it safe? A recent study suggests problems are common...
Could a skin patch prevent holiday diarrhoea? (12/06/2008)
Getting a stomach upset when you travel somewhere exotic can ruin your holiday. So news that a skin patch vaccination might help you avoid tummy trouble is exciting. But the research is at a very early stage. We can't be sure yet that the vaccine will work...
Quit smoking to keep your brain healthy (10/06/2008)
Giving up smoking, even late in life, may help keep your memory sharp as well as improve your physical health, according to a new study...
Can oily fish help prevent vision loss in older people? (10/06/2008)
Eating oily fish and other foods rich in omega 3 fatty acids may help protect against the most common cause of vision loss in older people, says a new study. But more research is needed before we can know for sure...
How well does the meningitis C vaccine work? (09/06/2008)
Some children may get less protection than others from the meningitis C vaccine, new research has found. Although there is no immediate risk, in the future children may need a booster dose of the vaccine after the age of 10...
No evidence of harm to babies from tap water (05/06/2008)
You may have seen recent reports claiming that if pregnant women are exposed to the chlorine in tap water it could increase the risk of babies being born with birth defects. This sounds alarming, but we've taken a closer look at the research, which shows that there's very little to be worried about...
Can probiotic drinks help hay fever? (05/06/2008)
If you suffer from hay fever, you'll know how uncomfortable it can be. So anything that might relieve symptoms sounds good. A recent study has looked to see whether probiotic drinks can help prevent hay fever. The results are interesting, but we still can't be sure that probiotics help with hay fever symptoms...
No link found between caesareans and stillbirth (04/06/2008)
Having your first baby by caesarean section does not increase the risk of stillbirth in the following pregnancy, according to a new study...
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This information does not replace medical advice. If you are concerned you might have a medical problem please ask your Boots pharmacy team in your local Boots store, or see your doctor.
