HealthBeat: Health

Whether it's cancer, a rare disease, or something as well known as diabetes, many people may feel all alone after a diagnosis. But the Internet is breaking through that barrier; social networking has become a tool for the sick to move forward and fight back against their disease. 

Though the pain of losing a loved one may feel endless, many are finding ways to turn tragedy into a tribute.

Up until now the only way to get a genetic reading on a fetus was through a very invasive procedure that also risked miscarriage. But now a new simple blood test can be performed very early in pregnancy. 


It’s a difficult decision for many expecting parents...to test or not to test for genetic defects. 



Expecting mother, Teri Theuriet says, “Just the thought of a long needle going through the belly and having to actually pierce the placenta was very nerve-wracking for us...because we tried for a long time to have a baby." 



Pre-natal testing for disorders like Down Syndrome is not only invasive, it’s risky during a medical procedure called Amniocentesis; a needle draws fluid from the placenta, slightly increasing the chance of miscarriage. 



But researchers at Stanford University have developed a new test that eliminates the risk. 



Dr.

If your child complains day after day of a stomachache, you may begin to think the pain is all in their head. But that ache may be something serious. 

You've most likely heard the saying laughter is the best medicine. Well that may be true especially for the sick and those caring for the sick. That’s because a little bit of humor in a health care environment can go a long way. 

It's a silent killer many parents fear. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome kills thousands of babies in the US every year. But now researchers in California are offering parents another way to reduce their baby’s risk. 


A campaign in the early 90s to encourage parents to put babies to sleep on their backs has helped reduce SIDS by more than 50 percent.

116 million adults are either uninsured, under-insured, or having a problem with medical bills. And as health insurance premiums rise, you may wonder when the health care crisis will end.  That may depend on who you vote for in this year's Presidential race.

Nearly 41,000 women and men will die of breast cancer this year. But early detection can greatly increase your chances of surviving the disease. So wouldn't you feel better knowing your mammogram was being reviewed by more than one person? But now, a computer can provide that second opinion. 


The American Cancer Society recommends annual mammograms for women starting at age 40.

In a world where it seems many cancers are not preventable, doctors say that may not be true for one form of the disease. Lung cancer can often be prevented because the number one risk factor is smoking. 

The largest gift ever given to a hospital or health system in the United States is coming up on its two year anniversary.

One of the most important things a parent can do for their child is to keep them safe while riding in a vehicle. But just how safe is your child's booster seat? 


Safety experts say every child who's too big for a car seat should be in a booster seat until they're either 12-years-old or 4 feet, 9 inches tall.

It's not only a stressful time for home mortgage companies, banks, but also your wallet and not to mention your stocks. 


Unlike the stress of giving a presentation at work or maybe a visit from an unexpected guest, financial worries don't go away quickly. But you can manage that stress by knowing what you're in control of. 



While business appears to go on as usual in KELOLAND, business on Wall Street is in a panic.

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in the United States. Now, researchers have discovered new information that may help determine your risk of developing the disease. Your risk may actually depend on whether you have a certain gene. 


Myra Wiggonton was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2005.

The cases of diabetes are growing at an alarming rate. Right now, nearly 24 million people in the United States have the disease, and another 57 million are thought to have pre-diabetes. 

Chemotherapy can be a lifesaver from cancer but sometimes the drugs are so powerful they actually put the patient's life at risk. But doctors now have a way to help the body handle large doses of chemo. 


Strong doses of chemotherapy can get rid of cancer. But it can also damage the blood and bone marrow, keeping patients from producing vital blood cells and platelets.

Doctors hope a new device may give Janice Sweeney more time with her family. 


Sweeney is being treated for advanced cancer that has spread throughout her body. 

Sweeney says, “To hear that I had lung cancer, especially such advanced lung cancer that had spread to so many places was shocking.

Sanford Research/USD announced Friday it received a $10 million grant to explore new ways to prevent and treat heart disease. The five-year grant comes from the National Center for Research Resources, a part of the National Institutes of Health.



The grant is a renewal of a $10 million NIH grant Sanford Research/USD received in 2003 to fund a Center of Biomedical Research Excellence.

We pay attention to our children's cough, their sneeze, and when their head hurts. But do we give as much thought to their eyes and what they can tell us? 


A recent survey of nearly 4 thousand Americans revealed that 76 percent of children under the age of five have never had an eye exam by an actual eye doctor. 



You may be surprised to learn that infants as young as 6 months old should be seen by an optometrist.

It's a cancer we don't often hear much about, but will affect more than 34 thousand people this year.
Oral cancer is called a silent cancer because it's hard to discover and is often discovered at a late stage. And while smokers are at a higher risk of developing it, it can affect anyone. 



It's not a place you often check for discoloration or an unusual bump.

Last year's flu season was the worst in four years, and now health officials are calling for a record number of people to get their flu shots this winter. But will there be enough to go around? 


The answer, according to health officials, is yes. This year promises 143 million to 146 million doses---more flu vaccines than ever before manufactured.