Chronic Back Pain Soothed by Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

THURSDAY, Feb. 25 (HealthDay News) -- People suffering from chronic lower back pain may find relief through cognitive behavioral therapy, a short-term treatment aimed at challenging and reframing negative beliefs.

Virus Unlikely to Cause Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

THURSDAY, Feb. 25 (HealthDay News) -- A new study adds to evidence that chronic fatigue syndrome doesn't have anything to do with xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus (XMRV), but the researchers point out that there's a caveat regarding American patients.

Fatigue May Predict Heart Attack in Dialysis Patients

THURSDAY, Feb. 25 (HealthDay News) -- Fatigue in dialysis patients may be a warning sign of an impending heart attack or other serious heart problems, a new study suggests.

Coffee Drinking May Lower Stroke Risk

THURSDAY, Feb. 25 (HealthDay News) -- Regular coffee drinking appears to reduce the risk of stroke, a new study indicates.

Wii-Gaming Could Aid Stroke Rehab

THURSDAY, Feb. 25 (HealthDay News) -- Recovering stroke patients whose physical therapy regimen is built around Wii video games appear to improve better than patients treated with standard therapies, a new Canadian study reveals.

Preventive Mastectomy in Opposite Breast Boosts Survival Only Slightly

THURSDAY, Feb. 25 (HealthDay News) -- Women with breast cancer who choose to have a preventive mastectomy on their disease-free breast do reduce their risk of cancer in that breast, studies have shown.

Gene Mutation in Mice Sheds Light on Autism

THURSDAY, Feb. 25 (HealthDay News) -- New research is providing more insight into a gene linked to autism in humans: When the gene is turned off in mice, they have trouble learning and become obsessive.

Removing Lymph Nodes May Boost Endometrial Cancer Survival

THURSDAY, Feb. 25 (HealthDay News) -- Endometrial cancer patients at medium to high risk for cancer recurrence are more likely to survive if both the pelvic lymph nodes and para-aortic lymph nodes are removed, rather than just the pelvic lymph nodes, say Japanese researchers.

Hospitals Urged to Start Recycling

THURSDAY, Feb. 25 (HealthDay News) -- U.S. hospitals throw away surgical gowns, towels and ultrasonic cutting tools after a single use, but recycling those supplies could save hundreds of millions of dollars annually and protect the environment, researchers say.

Virtually Everyone Should Get a Flu Shot: CDC

THURSDAY, Feb. 25 (HealthDay News) -- All Americans 6 months of age and older should get a flu shot each year, a panel of U.S. advisers is recommending.

Texas Girl Recovers From Rabies Without Intensive Care

THURSDAY, Feb. 25 (HealthDay News) -- The seemingly miraculous recovery from rabies of a 17-year-old Texas girl -- diagnosed months after a suspected bat bite -- is leaving doctors scratching their heads and wondering if such cases might be less rare than is believed.

Clinical Trials Update: Feb. 25, 2010

(HealthDay News) -- Here are the latest clinical trials, courtesy of ClinicalConnection.com:

Health Highlights: Feb. 25, 2010

Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by the editors of HealthDay:

Obesity, Lack of Exercise Heighten Arthritis Risk for Women

THURSDAY, Feb. 25 (HealthDay News) -- Higher levels of obesity and inactivity, especially among women, explain why arthritis is more common in the United States than in Canada, according to a new study.

Health Insurance Competition Vanishing: Study

THURSDAY, Feb. 25 (HealthDay News) -- Competition in the health insurance industry is vanishing, according to an American Medical Association report that looked at data from 43 states and 313 metropolitan markets.

Vitamin B3 May Help Repair Brain After a Stroke

THURSDAY, Feb. 25 (HealthDay News) -- Based on the results of preliminary research in rats, researchers say that doses of vitamin B3 -- also known as niacin -- could help people recover brain function after a stroke.

As Health Reform Summit Looms, Battle Lines Are Drawn

THURSDAY, Feb. 25 (HealthDay News) -- In an attempt to jump-start health-care reform, President Barack Obama on Thursday will hold a bipartisan summit on health care.

Health Tip: Understanding Dry Mouth

(HealthDay News) -- Dry mouth usually affects older adults, often as a side effect of a health condition or certain drugs including decongestants, antihistamines, pain relievers and diuretics, says the American Dental Association.

Health Tip: Getting Preventive Services

(HealthDay News) -- Good health means more than being treated only when you're sick. It also means taking steps to stay healthy in the first place.