Breastfeeding May Bring Added Bonus for Women With MS

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 11, 2019 -- Women with multiple sclerosis often find that their symptoms ease during pregnancy. And evidence is growing that breastfeeding might have a similar benefit.

A new review of 16 studies found that overall, women with MS who breastfed were 37% less likely to have a relapse within a year of giving birth, versus those who bottle-fed.

Tighter Alcohol Laws Might Help Curb Cancer

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 11, 2019 -- Policies that reduce drinking may lower rates of alcohol-related cancers, researchers say.

"When thinking about cancer risk and cancer prevention, the focus tends to be on individual-level risk factors rather than environmental determinants of cancer, like public policies that affect the consumption of alcohol or tobacco," said study co-author Dr. Timothy Naimi.

AHA News: Cold Heart Facts: Why You Need to Watch Out in Winter

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 11, 2019 (American Heart Association News) -- When Arctic weather is on the way, forecasters often alert you to protect your pets or watch out on the roads. Perhaps they also should warn you about your heart.

Winter cold and other seasonal factors raise the risk of heart attacks and more. It's an issue whether you're in frigid Alaska or sunny California.

More Americans Are Now Dying at Home

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 11, 2019 -- Most folks would prefer a peaceful death at home, in familiar surroundings with the company of their loved ones.

Now, for the first time in a century, there's a rise in the likelihood of those dying wishes to be honored.

Two Drugs Make Inroads Against Aggressive Breast Cancers

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 11, 2019 -- Two experimental drugs show real promise against an aggressive, treatment-resistant form of breast cancer that's spread to other parts of the body, researchers say.

The tumors in question are called metastatic HER2-positive breast cancers -- named because the tumor cells' surface is populated with a protein called HER2, which is tied to cancer growth. HER2-positive breast cancers account for 15% to 20% of all breast cancers.

Sleeping Too Long Might Raise Stroke Risk

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 11, 2019 -- If you're the kind of person who sleeps nine or more hours a night or takes long afternoon naps, you may want to worry about your stroke risk, a new Chinese study suggests.

According to the research, people who sleep and nap too long may increase their risk for stroke by 85%. Regular 90-minute midday naps can raise the risk 25%, compared with not napping or napping for only 30 minutes.

What If 'Exercise Needed to Burn Off Calories' Was Included on Food Labeling?

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 11, 2019 -- Would you change your grocery list if a food label said "Walk an hour to burn off the calories in this product"?

That's the idea behind a new push to include food labeling that describes the amount of exercise needed to burn off calories consumed, the researchers behind a new study said.

Over 40% of Antibiotics Could Be 'Inappropriately' Prescribed

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 11, 2019 -- When your doctor prescribes an antibiotic, there's a 43% chance it may not be needed, a new study finds.

"While there has been a lot of research looking at inappropriate prescribing, our findings suggest that we still may be underestimating the proportion of prescriptions that are inappropriate," said lead study author Michael Ray, a researcher at Oregon State University College of Pharmacy.

Black Patients May Not Gain Heart Benefit From Low-Dose Aspirin

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 11, 2019 -- The daily use of low-dose aspirin against heart disease may have taken another knock.

New research shows that the practice may not provide black Americans with any lowering of their heart attack risk.

For Some, Follicular Lymphoma May Be Curable

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 11, 2019 -- Some patients in remission from the blood cancer called follicular lymphoma can be considered cured, a new small study suggests.

Using DNA sequencing, researchers were able to test the patients' blood to see if mutations that caused the cancer were still present two years after treatment. If these mutations aren't found, the patient can be given a clean bill of health, the study authors said.