Gadget Givers Urged to Consider Ramifications

FRIDAY, Dec. 14 (HealthDay News) -- Gifts of electronic gadgets, like smartphones and laptops, no doubt bring glee to the teens who receive them. But people thinking of gifting such devices to a kid might want to consider the broader ramifications.

Family Grapples With Kids' Tech Time

FRIDAY, Dec. 14 (HealthDay News) -- Every Christmas, Linda Russell knows her three children's wish lists will be chock-full of requests for the latest in electronic toys and gadgets. And, like most parents, she struggles to know when to give in and get the requested new computer or when to say no to the latest video game.

Back Pain May Ease for Smokers Who Quit: Study

FRIDAY, Dec. 14 (HealthDay News) -- Quitting smoking helps reduce back pain in people being treated for spinal problems, according to a new study.

Health Tip: Managing Fructose Intolerance

(HealthDay News) -- Fructose intolerance occurs when the body has difficulty absorbing fructose, a natural sugar found in fruits, vegetables and honey.

Health Tip: Balance Holiday Buffets With More Exercise

(HealthDay News) -- If you tend to indulge in your favorite holiday treats, you may want to schedule some extra exercise to help offset those added calories.

High Blood Pressure Poses Bigger Stroke Risk for Blacks, Study Says

FRIDAY, Dec. 14 (HealthDay News) -- Black people are known to be at greater risk for high blood pressure, and now a new study suggests that this places them at an even higher risk for stroke.

Olympic Medalists May Also Claim 'Survival Advantage'

FRIDAY, Dec. 14 (HealthDay News) -- Olympic medal winners live longer than people in the general population, but athletes who do high- or moderate-intensity sports have no survival advantage over those who do low-intensity activities such as golf, according to two new studies.

Dog Helps Super-Sleepy Woman in Her Travels

FRIDAY, Dec. 14 (HealthDay News) -- Dogs have been known to assist their human companions in surprising ways, and now a new case study suggests they can even help patients with severe sleep problems stay awake during the day.

Mind Wandering Drives Up Crash Rate

THURSDAY, Dec. 13 (HealthDay News) -- Drivers often "zone out" behind the wheel, and this mind wandering contributes to many car crashes, a new study finds.

Immune System May Not Weaken With Age: Study

FRIDAY, Dec. 14 (HealthDay News) -- Older people's immune systems are still strong enough to fight off viruses, according to a new study.

Trained Beagle Sniffs Out Troublesome Hospital Infection

THURSDAY, Dec. 13 (HealthDay News) -- In the ongoing battle to control in-hospital bacterial infections, Dutch researchers think they may have come up with a secret weapon: a dog named Cliff.

Health Highlights: Dec. 14, 2012

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