Health Tip: Watch for Lactose in Foods

(HealthDay News) -- Lactose intolerant people may be primed to avoid milk, sparing themselves uncomfortable symptoms of bloating, gas or stomach cramps.

Health Tip: Help Your Child Create a Healthy Body Image

(HealthDay News) -- A healthy body image can help a child grow into a healthy, confident adult. And parents play a big role in fostering their child's self-esteem.

Low Vitamin D May Increase Stroke, Heart Attack Risk in Women

TUESDAY, Nov. 15 (HealthDay News) -- Low levels of vitamin D may put women at greater risk for heart attack and stroke, according to one of several new studies on the important nutrient.

Pneumonia Most Common Infection After Heart Surgery

TUESDAY, Nov. 15 (HealthDay News) -- Pneumonia is the most common infection following heart surgery, a new study shows.

Alcoholics More Likely to Die of Cancer: Study

TUESDAY, Nov. 15 (HealthDay News) -- Alcoholics have a higher rate of death from cancer and other causes than other people, a new study finds.

Profile Drawn of People With Chronic Jaw Pain

TUESDAY, Nov. 15 (HealthDay News) -- People with chronic jaw pain have increased pain sensitivity in other parts of the body, a new study says.

Cholesterol Drug Shows Promise in Early Research

TUESDAY, Nov. 15 (HealthDay News) -- Preliminary trials indicate that a new drug designed to simultaneously boost good cholesterol while lowering bad cholesterol shows considerable promise, both on its own and in combination with standard statin medications.

Fewer Disease Risk Factors Yet More Fatal Heart Attacks

TUESDAY, Nov. 15 (HealthDay News) -- People with more risk factors for heart disease are more likely than healthier individuals to suffer a first heart attack, according to a large new study. No surprise there. But patients with fewer or no risk factors are more likely to die from that heart attack.

Looking to Lose Weight? Get a 'Coach'

TUESDAY, Nov. 15 (HealthDay News) -- Dieters appear to do better if they have either a "coach" or intensive weight-loss counseling, two different studies suggest.

Whole-Body Vibration Doesn't Build Bone After All: Study

TUESDAY, Nov. 15 (HealthDay News) -- A novel treatment known as whole-body vibration doesn't appear to improve the bone health of postmenopausal women who are at high risk of developing osteoporosis.

Does a Gene Make People Seem Kinder?

TUESDAY, Nov. 15 (HealthDay News) -- New research suggests that a variation in a single human gene affects how other people see you at first glance in terms of your compassion, kindness and trustworthiness.

Smart Kids More Likely to Try Illicit Drugs as Young Adults

TUESDAY, Nov. 15 (HealthDay News) -- Brainy children are at increased risk for illegal drug use when they're young adults, a new study says.

No Benefit From Niacin for Heart Patients in Study

TUESDAY, Nov. 15 (HealthDay News) -- Patients with cardiovascular disease who add niacin to the statin drug Zocor (simvastatin) to help lower their cholesterol get no additional clinical benefit, a new study finds.

Could Women's Use of 'the Pill' Raise Men's Prostate Cancer Risk?

MONDAY, Nov. 14 (HealthDay News) -- With the vast increase in the use of the contraceptive pill over the past 40 years, the amount of estrogen entering the water supply may be partly responsible for the increased incidence of prostate cancer around the world, Canadian researchers speculate.

Women Marathon Runners Have Less Artery Plaque: Study

TUESDAY, Nov. 15 (HealthDay News) -- Elite female marathon runners have less coronary artery plaque than their male counterparts and sedentary women, a new study finds.

Got High Blood Pressure? Kiwi Fruit May Help

TUESDAY, Nov. 15 (HealthDay News) -- An apple a day won't necessarily keep the doctor away, but three kiwis just might help, at least according to a small study that showed that the brown, fuzzy fruit may lower blood pressure levels.

Heart Patients Using Vitamins May Take Meds Improperly

TUESDAY, Nov. 15 (HealthDay News) -- People with heart conditions who take vitamins may be less likely to take some of their other medications properly, according to a new study.

Health Highlights: Nov. 15, 2011

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

Study Finds Link Between Low IQ, Large Waistline

TUESDAY, Nov. 15 (HealthDay News) -- Guys with low IQs may be at higher risk than brainiacs for later weight gain and added heart disease risk, a new study suggests.

High Doses of Statins Tied to Less Arterial Plaque in Study

TUESDAY, Nov. 15 (HealthDay News) -- High doses of the cholesterol-lowering statins Crestor and Lipitor reduced the amount of plaque in coronary arteries and reversed the progression of coronary artery disease, new research shows.

9/11 First Responders May Face Greater Heart Risks

TUESDAY, Nov. 15 (HealthDay News) -- First responders who were exposed to the dust cloud during and immediately following the New York City terror attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, may be at increased risk for heart disease, experts warn.

Higher Legal Drinking Age May Mean Safer Lives for Women

TUESDAY, Nov. 15 (HealthDay News) -- Entering adulthood in a place and time where the legal drinking age is 18, not 21, seems to put women, but not men, at a long-term higher risk for homicide and suicide, a new study finds.