Health | WLFI TV

Study supports teen suicide "contagion"

Tue, 21 May 2013 23:23:37 GMT

Researchers found 12 to 13-year-old children were at greatest risk and were five times more likely to have suicidal thoughts than teens who had not been exposed to a death.

Mediterranean diet is brain food

Tue, 21 May 2013 23:10:58 GMT

Researchers found that study participants who were on a Mediterranean diet and supplemented that diet with extra nuts or olive oil performed better on cognitive tests at the end of the study period than the control group.

French drugmaker suspected in deaths

Tue, 21 May 2013 20:21:33 GMT

The makers of a diabetes and weight loss drug suspected in the deaths of hundreds of people went on trial Tuesday, facing charges they misled the public about the product's safety.

Area govts. prep for employer mandate

Dan Klein — Fri, 17 May 2013 04:25:19 GMT

More than three years after the Affordable Care Act was signed into law, one big piece of health care reform is just months away from taking effect.

Health group didn't disclose HIV tests

Thu, 16 May 2013 23:37:14 GMT

Kaiser Permanente Northwest is apologizing to nearly 6,500 members in Oregon and Washington whose blood was tested for HIV without their knowledge or consent.

Ostomy saved me from a life in bathroom

Thu, 16 May 2013 23:13:37 GMT

Doug Yakich had a life-changing colostomy about two years ago. He hopes his essay will inspire a national conversation about ostomies.

Another round for the House on ACA

Thu, 16 May 2013 20:27:31 GMT

Only months away from the rollout of coverage for uninsured Americans, Republicans on Thursday were making their 37th attempt in a little more than two years to eliminate, defund or partly scale back the Affordable Care Act.

7 questions on cancer gene testing

Wed, 15 May 2013 23:13:38 GMT

Angelina Jolie's case highlights the importance of knowing one's family history and learning one's cancer risks in order to address them proactively.

Malaria, mosquitoes and human odor

Wed, 15 May 2013 23:01:06 GMT

Scientists are exploring how the malaria parasite itself may actually change a mosquito's behavior to make it more attracted to humans, as if controlling its mind so that the bug goes after us.

New virus sickens health care workers

Wed, 15 May 2013 22:48:13 GMT

The health care workers were exposed to patients with the novel coronavirus, or nCoV, the World Health Organization said Wednesday.

City's new hospital touts its offerings

Krista Henery — Wed, 15 May 2013 22:30:02 GMT

Lafayette's newest, state-of-the-art, $20-million hospital is now open to patients.

Shrinks, critics face off over manual

Wed, 15 May 2013 20:16:28 GMT

Prominent critics say the American Psychiatric Association is out of control, turning common human problems into mental illnesses in a trend they say will just make the "pop-a-pill" culture worse.

How to avoid carpal tunnel

Wed, 15 May 2013 14:57:24 GMT

Do you spend most of your day at a computer? If so, you could be at risk for developing carpal tunnel syndrome.

Copper may stop hospital infections

Tue, 14 May 2013 23:47:10 GMT

Researchers at the Medical University of South Carolina explored covering key surfaces in hospital intensive care units in copper alloy, and found that this is an effective measure against the spread of some key types of bacterial infections.

5 ways to maximize your doctor's visit

Tue, 14 May 2013 23:24:17 GMT

You have all the tools you need to get the most out of your doctor's visit right at your fingertips. Technology can simplify your health care experience and help your doc help you. So get your smartphone on for better health.

Study: how sharply should we cut salt?

Tue, 14 May 2013 20:23:58 GMT

Make no mistake: Most Americans eat way too much, not just from salt shakers but because of sodium hidden inside processed foods and restaurant meals. But there's no good evidence that eating super-low levels offers benefits.

Why are moms in America lagging?

Mon, 13 May 2013 23:27:50 GMT

Carolyn Miles, the President and CEO of Save the Children,says the U.S. is 30th in Save the Children's annual index, below Canada, Belarus, Poland

Teens who text and drive may risk more

Mon, 13 May 2013 23:18:12 GMT

High school students who acknowledge texting while driving are more likely to engage in other risky behaviors, such as riding with a driver who has been drinking alcohol; not wearing a seat belt; or drinking and driving themselves, according to a new study.

Drug mfr agrees to $500 million penalty

Mon, 13 May 2013 20:22:24 GMT

A subsidiary of India's largest pharmaceutical company has agreed to pay $500 million in fines and civil penalties for selling adulterated drugs and lying about tests of the medications to federal regulators, the U.S. Justice Department said Monday.

Record West Nile deaths last year

Mon, 13 May 2013 19:55:55 GMT

But the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report found that there were far fewer illnesses overall, and fewer serious cases than in previous years.

Govt stops stroke prevention study

Sat, 11 May 2013 02:52:21 GMT

The government has halted a study testing treatments for a brain condition that can cause strokes after early results suggested invasive therapies were riskier than previously thought.

FDA denies request to block painkiller

Fri, 10 May 2013 23:18:35 GMT

In a surprise move Friday, federal health regulators denied a request by Endo Health Solutions to block generic versions of its painkiller Opana ER, which the company argued are more easily abused than its branded product.

Local dentist gives free dental care

Elisabeth Rentschler — Fri, 10 May 2013 20:29:15 GMT

Dental care can often be expensive but this week, community members were able to receive dental care free of charge.

Food allergy: What parents should know

Fri, 10 May 2013 20:21:42 GMT

The Centers for Disease Control reports that food allergies are on the rise in American children.

Dangerous virus newly found in France

Thu, 09 May 2013 23:02:30 GMT

A newly discovered and often deadly virus related to one that causes the common cold has struck another victim, this time in France.

New discovery may help end malaria

Thu, 09 May 2013 22:50:14 GMT

Researchers now believe they have discovered a way to track the spread of drug-resistant malaria, and this discovery may help to finally eradicate the disease.

It's a Dirty World (Part 2)

Jamie Jackson — Thu, 09 May 2013 22:37:42 GMT

It's amazing to think about the numerous surfaces we touch throughout the day, but do you stop to think about what's actually growing and living on them?

Dental office offers help to uninsured

Thu, 09 May 2013 19:19:37 GMT

One-third of Americans are living without dental insurance and this week, a local dentist is providing help.

Sample exercise classes at local gym

Liz Nichols — Thu, 09 May 2013 11:46:09 GMT

Southside Health & Fitness in Lafayette is offering a "Group Fit" event on Saturday. The event takes place from 8:30 a.m. until noon.

Your heart attack bill? It depends

Wed, 08 May 2013 23:46:26 GMT

Hospitals across the nation -- even those located just miles apart -- charge wildly different rates for the same medical procedure. A data set released by the Department of Health and Human Services illustrates just how dramatic the price gaps can be.