WCAX - HealthWatch

New rules for sunscreens

CBS News — Fri, 24 May 2013 19:40:00 EDT

Take a close look at your sunscreen this summer. The FDA hopes new labels will make it easier for consumers to choose the best products to protect against the sun.

Vt. man uses martial arts to fight cerebral palsy

Ali Freeman — Fri, 24 May 2013 09:40:00 EDT

A Vermonter born with cerebral palsy is using martial arts to fight for his health-- and it's working.

New splint helps baby boy breathe

CBS News — Wed, 22 May 2013 19:43:00 EDT

A groundbreaking procedure saved the life of a little boy. And it could change the way doctors treat a potentially deadly breathing condition.

SIDS research heightens concerns over babies in bed

CBS News — Tue, 21 May 2013 19:51:00 EDT

New research is raising concerns about bed-sharing and sudden infant death syndrome.

Great Britain dealing with measles outbreak

Mon, 20 May 2013 20:11:00 EDT

Great Britain is dealing with a major measles outbreak. 1,200 people have come down with the highly infectious disease so far this year. That's on top of a record of nearly 2-thousand cases last year.

Primary care crunch

CBS News — Wed, 22 May 2013 14:19:00 EDT

The new health care law is bringing millions of new patients into the medical system. And it's happening just as the country is about to lose one-third of its physicians.

New study eases worries about heart risk and hysterectomy

Bridget Barry Caswell — Thu, 16 May 2013 20:35:00 EDT

Doctors say a new study on hysterectomy and heart disease should prove reassuring to middle-aged women.

Study: Painkillers may increase risk of erectile dysfunction

CBS News — Wed, 15 May 2013 20:14:00 EDT

Millions of Americans use prescription painkillers to cope with chronic pain problems. But a new study shows taking the medications may have an unwanted side effect for men.

Taking drastic steps to avoid breast cancer

CBS News — Tue, 14 May 2013 19:47:00 EDT

Angelina Jolie underwent a double mastectomy to avoid breast cancer. She carries a gene called BRCA that put her at increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer. How women can be tested for the gene and the options for treatment.

Study: Baby formula helpful in some cases

Mon, 13 May 2013 19:40:00 EDT

A new study shows a little formula could go a long way when it comes to getting babies interested in nursing.

'Rock and roll' deliveries

CBS News — Fri, 10 May 2013 20:08:00 EDT

How one hospital is trying to move labor along and reduce C-sections with rock and roll deliveries.

UVM researchers discover gene linked to migraines

Bridget Barry Caswell — Thu, 9 May 2013 20:11:00 EDT

Research at the University of Vermont has led to the discovery of a new gene involved in migraines, and doctors hope it will one day lead to new therapies for migraine sufferers.

Help and hope for the mentally ill

Keith McGilvery — Thu, 9 May 2013 20:14:00 EDT

Advocates from across Vermont were on Burlington's Church Street to share support and resources with the public for Mental Health Awareness Day.

New test for prostate cancer

CBS News — Wed, 8 May 2013 20:57:00 EDT

A new genetic test may help thousands of men diagnosed with prostate cancer make better decisions about treatment or taking a wait and watch approach.

How hospitals are working to prevent readmissions

CBS News — Tue, 7 May 2013 20:10:00 EDT

President Obama's health care overhaul is addressing the issue of unnecessary readmissions at U.S. hospitals. And hospitals that don't address the problem could face billions of dollars in fines.

Study: kids benefit from unorthodox pacifier cleaning

Mon, 6 May 2013 20:31:00 EDT

Conventional wisdom has long been to clean a babies pacifier using soap and water. But new research shows another method could have unexpected benefits.

Allergy season arrives

Bridget Barry Caswell — Fri, 3 May 2013 19:56:00 EDT

If your eyes are itchy and your nose is stuffy or running, it's because spring is in the air-- literally.

Student-designed pill dispenser prevents abuse

WCAX News — Fri, 3 May 2013 19:59:00 EDT

A new pill dispenser is designed to cut down on prescription drug abuse.

Better fitting breast implants

CBS News — Thu, 2 May 2013 18:57:00 EDT

Women looking to enhance their breasts can now get a preview before going under the knife. A Texas plastic surgeon is offering a look into the future with 3-D pictures to help women choose the right size breast implants.

Tanning beds linked to spike in skin cancer

CBS News — Wed, 1 May 2013 20:25:00 EDT

There is no such thing as a healthy tan. Tanning is the result of skin damage, even when it's done indoors. Now, a new study estimates indoor tanning leads to at least 170,000 cases of nonmelanoma skin cancer each year in the U.S.

Plan B moves to over-the-counter

WCAX News — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 18:57:00 EDT

The FDA is making the Morning After Pill available over the counter, but ID will be required.

Toddler gets new windpipe

CBS News — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 20:30:00 EDT

A toddler is the youngest patient in the world to undergo experimental treatment to give her a new windpipe. Doctors in Peoria, Ill., made the new trachea from the little girl's own cells.

Popularity of armlifts skyrocket

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 19:56:00 EDT

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons says upper arm lifts in women have shot up more than 4-thousand percent over the last decade.

Report: US heart failure costs could skyrocket

CBS News — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 20:27:00 EDT

Heart failure will become a much bigger problem and a bigger burden on our health system in the coming years. The American Heart Association estimates the number of Americans with the disease will jump 45 percent to 8 million in 2030.

Research shows music helps babies grow stronger

CBS News — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 20:05:00 EDT

It's been said that music soothes the soul. Now, doctors are also finding it can soothe premature babies and help them thrive.

Study: Young athletes that specialize risk injury

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 19:15:00 EDT

With more and more children and teens playing competitive sports year round, more and more young athletes are suffering overuse injuries. Now new research shows those most at risk specialize intensively in one sport.

Younger women still getting mammograms despite new guidelines

CBS News — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 21:09:00 EDT

New research shows younger women are still getting mammograms, even though a federal task force recommends differently.

The long road to recovery for amputees

Gina Bullard — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 20:13:00 EDT

Amputations are a grim reality for some victims of the Boston Marathon bombings. What they will face during recovery.

Fletcher Allen medical team honored for saving young girl

Gina Bullard — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 20:10:00 EDT

Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington received an American Heart Association Heart Saver award Wednesday.

Study: Light drinking during pregnancy won't harm baby

CBS News — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 20:13:00 EDT

New research suggests it might be OK to drink during pregnancy.

New recommendations for kids with concussions

CBS News — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 20:09:00 EDT

Doctors have released new guidelines on how athletes should deal with sports-related concussions. Many states already have safety laws in place, but the new recommendations also offer ways to treat.

Study: Women at risk for breast cancer may benefit from drugs

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 19:36:00 EDT

A government task force is out with new recommendations regarding the use of preventive medicines to lower the risk of breast cancer.

'Ouchless' ERs for kids gaining ground

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 19:13:00 EDT

One and-a-half year-old Antonella Frausto landed in the emergency room for the first time after she put her dinner -- peas and spaghetti with meatballs -- up her nose.

Injured teen's parents warn of car surfing

CBS News — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 20:10:00 EDT

An Oklahoma teenager went home from the hospital three and a half weeks after suffering a critical head injury while "car surfing" with friends. The incident highlights the dangers of a growing trend.

High-tech help fighting asthma

CBS News — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 20:50:00 EDT

About 25 million adults and 8 million children suffer from asthma in the U.S. Now, a cutting-edge inhaler is helping doctors create a more accurate treatment plan, pinning down a patient's location and possible triggers around them.

New worries about robotic surgery

CBS News — Tue, 9 Apr 2013 19:57:00 EDT

Robots help doctors perform thousands of operations every year in the U.S. But injuries and deaths from robotic surgeries are on the rise and federal health officials are taking a closer look.

Study: Chest radiation increases risk of heart disease

Mon, 8 Apr 2013 19:09:00 EDT

New research looks into the heart problems some cancer survivors can have after radiation.

New fix for fibroids

CBS News — Fri, 5 Apr 2013 20:12:00 EDT

There's new relief for the millions of women who suffer with painful fibroids. The FDA recently approved a new minimally invasive procedure.

Health officials bring vaccine to North Country

Thu, 4 Apr 2013 17:36:00 EDT

New Hampshire health officials used an emergency preparedness exercise to vaccinate hundreds in the North Country against whooping cough.

New tool for travelers with allergies

Jennifer Reading — Thu, 4 Apr 2013 20:06:00 EDT

There's a new tool for allergic and asthmatic travelers. A local doctor is making it easier for tourists to find hypoallergenic hotel rooms.

UVM professor helps discover rare blood type

Ali Freeman — Fri, 5 Apr 2013 13:34:00 EDT

A 60-year-old medical mystery has been solved, and experts say it will make blood transfusions safer for hundreds of thousands of people worldwide.

The high cost of dementia

CBS News — Wed, 3 Apr 2013 20:29:00 EDT

It's estimated that more than five million people in the U.S. suffer from dementia. Now a new study shows just how expensive that condition can be.

Tracking ADHD into adulthood

CBS News — Tue, 2 Apr 2013 20:11:00 EDT

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a common developmental disorder, affecting about 7 percent of all children. Now, for the first time, researchers followed children into adulthood and found ADHD has lasting effects.

Cash rewards provide weight loss incentive

Mon, 1 Apr 2013 19:41:00 EDT

Can cash rewards help people lose weight at work? A new study finds it can, but it's even better when employees compete for the money.

Study: Multiple vaccines don't increase autism risk

CBS News — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 20:04:00 EDT

Many parents are concerned about the amount of vaccinations children receive in the first years of life. Now, a new study is reassuring parents.

Stroke patients more likely to get lifesaving drug at certified centers

Bridget Barry Caswell — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 19:51:00 EDT

If you suffer a stroke, a new study shows you will be better off if you're close to a certified stroke center.

Is technology keeping you up at night?

Bridget Barry Caswell — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 18:00:00 EDT

Studies say all that technology that benefits our lives is also contributing to sleep deprivation.

Researchers work to identify cancer risk

CBS News — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 20:10:00 EDT

A massive study is being released that could help scientists identify who is at increased risk cancer.

Toddlers getting too much salt

CBS News — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 20:13:00 EDT

Americans eat more than twice the recommended amount to salt and experts say that can have serious consequences, even for kids.

Study: Parents introducing solid foods too early

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 20:00:00 EDT

Despite warnings from pediatricians, new research suggests many parents are
feeding their babies solid foods too soon.

New approach to fighting prostate cancer

CBS News — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 19:52:00 EDT

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men. In recent years, there's been much debate about how to treat early cancers detected through PSA tests. Now some experts are taking a holistic approach to the disease.

Report ranks Vt. hospital safety

WCAX News — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 18:22:00 EDT

Consumer Reports released its latest hospital ratings, and Central Vermont Medical Center is still the best in the state.

Essex roads flooded by strong rains

Molly Smith — Fri, 24 May 2013 09:51:00 EDT

Strong rains Thursday flooded roads in Essex.

Crews work to reopen flooded Vt. roads

Keith McGilvery — Fri, 24 May 2013 12:44:00 EDT

Heavy rains have caused more flooding problems around our region, and the situation could get worse as the rain continues to fall over the holiday weekend.

Dodge family vows to fight Vt. governor for land

Jennifer Reading — Thu, 23 May 2013 19:44:00 EDT

New developments in a WCAX News investigation into a land deal between Gov. Shumlin and an East Montpelier man. Jeremy Dodge's kids say the governor took advantage of their dad and they plan to fight the governor for the property.

Kidnapping arrests in Brattleboro

WCAX News — Fri, 24 May 2013 09:55:00 EDT

Four people behind bars, charged with kidnapping and burglary.

Flash floods hit Vermont

Melissa Howell — Fri, 24 May 2013 09:47:00 EDT

Many Vermont roads turned to rivers Thursday night. Flash flooding made it difficult to get around.

Fatal ATV crash in Concord

WCAX News — Fri, 24 May 2013 09:58:00 EDT

A Massachusetts man is dead after an ATV crash in Concord, Vt.

What is a tax sale and how does it work?

Kristin Carlson — Thu, 23 May 2013 20:00:00 EDT

There are several steps before a home is sold in a tax sale. Once it is sold, homeowners still have a year to try to get back their property. And many do find a way to pay their back taxes and stay put.

Race Day Forecast

Fri, 24 May 2013 09:15:00 EDT

Check here for the most up-to-date race day forecast.

Use caution in flooded basements

WCAX News — Fri, 24 May 2013 12:48:00 EDT

The heavy rains have left a lot of people with flooded basements. We want to remind people of potential dangers before tackling that mess.

CSWD to raise trash rates

WCAX News — Fri, 24 May 2013 12:49:00 EDT

It's getting more expensive to take out the trash in Chittenden County.