For Some, Glaucoma Strikes at a Young Age

FRIDAY, April 20 (HealthDay News) -- Though only 15 when diagnosed with juvenile open-angle glaucoma, A.J. Esguerra said he's tried not to let the potentially devastating eye disease slow him down.

Glaucoma Need Not Steal Sight, Experts Say

FRIDAY, April 20 (HealthDay News) -- Though glaucoma has been nicknamed the silent thief of sight, eye experts now say it generally doesn't have to be that way.

Health Tip: When Your Child is Stressed

(HealthDay News) -- Stress is a fact of life, and children are no less immune than their parents.

Health Tip: Consider Kickboxing

(HealthDay News) -- Kickboxing is a fun way to burn calories and tone muscles. But experts say participants, especially beginners, should take precautions to avoid injury.

Lower Risk for Bowel Obstruction With Less Invasive Surgery: Study

FRIDAY, April 20 (HealthDay News) -- Patients are much more likely to develop small-bowel obstruction after abdominal or pelvic surgery if they have open surgery rather than minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery, a new study finds.

Depression Linked to Higher Odds for Poor Leg Circulation

FRIDAY, April 20 (HealthDay News) -- Depressed people may be at higher risk for the debilitating circulatory condition known as peripheral artery disease (PAD), a new study suggests.

Joint-Replacement Failure Rate Higher for Smokers: Studies

FRIDAY, April 20 (HealthDay News) -- Knee and hip replacements are more likely to fail in smokers than nonsmokers, according to two new studies.

Half-Siblings of Those With Autism at Raised Risk for Disorder: Study

FRIDAY, April 20 (HealthDay News) -- Half-siblings of children with autism are at increased risk for the disorder, according to a recent study that provides new genetic clues about autism.

Long MP3 Playlists Lead to Distracted Drivers

FRIDAY, April 20 (HealthDay News) -- Searching for a favorite song on your MP3 player in the car can lead to distracted driving, researchers say.

Could Your Personality Be Reflected in Your Pooch?

FRIDAY, April 20 (HealthDay News) -- The breed of dog a person chooses may mirror his or her own personality and outlook, a new study suggests.

Men More Prone to Complications After Brain, Spine Surgery

FRIDAY, April 20 (HealthDay News) -- Men are twice as likely as women to have complications after brain or spinal surgery, and also spend more time in the hospital after the operation, a new study finds.

Value of Metformin, Insulin Combo for Type 2 Diabetes Questioned

THURSDAY, April 19 (HealthDay News) -- It's not clear whether patients with type 2 diabetes gain any long-term benefit from taking the blood sugar-lowering drug metformin and insulin together rather than insulin alone.

U.S. Children Exposed to Hours of Background TV Daily

FRIDAY, April 20 (HealthDay News) -- American children are being exposed to background TV for nearly four hours every day, new research finds.

Talking to Yourself Could Have Mental Benefits

FRIDAY, April 20 (HealthDay News) -- People who talk to themselves while searching for specific objects may be able to find them faster, researchers say.

Bedbugs Can Infest Your Office, Too

THURSDAY, April 19 (HealthDay News) -- Add bedbugs to your list of potential occupational health hazards. A new report reveals nearly half of the employees of a U.S. government office in Tennessee were bitten by the blood-thirsty invaders while at work.

'Catastrophic' Head Injuries to High School Football Players Rising

FRIDAY, April 20 (HealthDay News) -- High school and youth football players sustained 14 brain injuries with long-lasting damage in 2011 -- the highest number in more than 25 years -- and this is a "major problem," a new report claims.

Childhood Obesity May Raise Odds of Adult Liver Cancer

FRIDAY, April 20 (HealthDay News) -- Adults who were obese as children are at increased risk for liver cancer, a new study suggests.

Health Highlights: April 20, 2012

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

U.S. Gives Green Light to Publish Controversial Bird Flu Research

FRIDAY, April 20 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. government is giving the go-ahead for publication of two controversial studies into the H5N1 avian (bird) flu virus, a top federal health official announced Friday.