Study Suggests Glucosamine Won't Ease Hip Arthritis

MONDAY, Feb. 18 (HealthDay News) -- Glucosamine sulfate, a popular dietary supplement purported to ease the pain and inflammation of arthritis, does not seem to help people with arthritis in their hips.

  E-mails Improve Patient-Surgeon Communication

MONDAY, Feb. 18 (HealthDay News) -- Providing patients with e-mail access to their surgeon appears to improve communication, a new report shows.

  Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs May Ease Irregular Heartbeat

MONDAY, Feb. 18 (HealthDay News) -- Statins such as Crestor, Lipitor or Zocor that are prescribed to lower cholesterol levels may also cut the risk of atrial fibrillation, the abnormal heartbeat that boosts the odds of a stroke, French researchers report.

  Mix-Up Behind FDA's Failure to Inspect China Blood-Thinner Plant

MONDAY, Feb. 18 (HealthDay News) -- Due to a name mix-up, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) failed to inspect a Chinese plant that made the active ingredient in vials of heparin now linked to four U.S. deaths, the agency said in a Monday press conference.

  Antibiotics Do Little for Inner Ear Infections

MONDAY, Feb. 18 (HealthDay News) -- Antibiotics don't significantly reduce fluid buildup in young children with inner ear infections, a new analysis shows.

  Free Drugs After Heart Attack Would Save Money, Lengthen Lives

MONDAY, Feb. 18 (HealthDay News) -- Eliminating the cost of medications for people who have heart attacks would lead to longer lives and lower overall medical costs, new research suggests.

  Portable Computer Devices Can Aid Exercise Programs

MONDAY, Feb. 18 (HealthDay News) -- Specially programmed personal digital assistants (PDAs) can help encourage middle-aged and older Americans to increase their physical activity levels, a Stanford University study says.

  Health Highlights: Feb. 18, 2008

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

  New MS Drug Target Shows Promise

MONDAY, Feb. 18 (HealthDay News) -- A high-tech molecular fishing expedition has led researchers to two potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of multiple sclerosis.

  One Drink May Help Heart, But Two Is Too Many

MONDAY, Feb. 18 (HealthDay News) -- Whether it's red wine or another spirit, the heart and blood vessels benefit slightly from one drink, but a second erases the positive effects, say Canadian researchers.

  Timely Cancer Diagnosis Linked to Insurance Status

MONDAY, Feb. 18 (HealthDay News) -- People who either have no health insurance or rely on Medicaid are more likely to be diagnosed with advanced cancers than people who have private health insurance, researchers from the American Cancer Society report.

  Health Tip: Understanding Astigmatism

(HealthDay News) - Astigmatism involves distorted vision due to an abnormal curve in the eye's cornea. It's a very common condition, and is usually present at birth.

  Health Tip: Grinding Your Teeth?

(HealthDay News) - Frequent grinding of the teeth is a condition known as bruxism. Depending on severity, it could cause anything from pain and discomfort to fractures of the teeth.

  Pitch Patterns Play Greater Role in Speech Perception

MONDAY, Feb. 18 (HealthDay News) -- The pitch of language and sound affects the development of the brain more than previously thought, according to new research.