New Oral Drugs Hailed for Treating MS

MONDAY, Jan. 31 (HealthDay News) -- For decades, research into treatments for multiple sclerosis has plodded forward, making slow but significant gains in improving the lives of people with the degenerative nerve disorder.

Health Tip: Watch For Barrett's Esophagus

(HealthDay News) -- Barrett's esophagus may occur as a complication of gastroesphageal reflux disease (indigestion). When stomach acid backs up into the esophagus, it can cause changes in the esophageal lining, triggering Barrett's esophagus. In some cases, it can lead to cancer.

Health Tip: Dealing With Hot Flashes

(HealthDay News) -- What middle-aged woman hasn't begged the question: Is it warm in here or is it me?

Sex During Pregnancy Deemed Safe

MONDAY, Jan. 31 (HealthDay News) -- Having sex while you're pregnant is generally safe, a new review finds.

Super Bowl Loss Really a Heart Stopper for Some Fans

MONDAY, Jan. 31 (HealthDay News) -- Super Bowl fans, beware: Research warns that Sunday's match-up between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Green Bay Packers could be a killer, literally.

Hands-On Training May Save Workers in Hazardous Jobs

MONDAY, Jan. 31 (HealthDay News) -- Hands-on training helps improve the safety awareness and behavior of workers in highly hazardous jobs, according to a new study.

Why a Woman May Avoid a Mammogram

MONDAY, Jan. 31 (HealthDay News) -- Pain, embarrassment and being too busy are among the main reasons why women avoid having mammograms, a new study finds.

Odds of Quitting Smoking May Be Clear on Scans

MONDAY, Jan. 31 (HealthDay News) -- Brain scans can predict a smoker's chances of being able to quit, according to a new study.

Most X-Rays, Scans Unnecessary for Acute Low Back Pain

MONDAY, Jan. 31 (HealthDay News) -- X-rays, CT scans and MRIs may be routinely ordered for people with low back pain, but often these tests are unnecessary, suggests new guidance from the American College of Physicians.

Drowsiness May Decline After Apnea Surgery

MONDAY, Jan. 31 (HealthDay News) -- Daytime sleepiness, a common complaint of people with obstructive sleep apnea, improves greatly after surgery for the disorder, according to a new study.

FDA Panel Recommends Testing of Electroshock Devices

SATURDAY, Jan. 29 (HealthDay News) -- An advisory panel to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration decided on Friday that electroconvulsive (also known as "electroshock") devices should be subject to the same tough testing as other medical devices entering the market.

Boyfriend More Forgiving When Her Affair Is With a Woman

MONDAY, Jan. 31 (HealthDay News) -- A man is much more likely to continue dating a girlfriend who cheated on him with another woman than a girlfriend who had sex with another man, a new study finds.

Health Highlights: Jan. 31, 2011

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

Survival After Stroke Better for Blacks

MONDAY, Jan. 31 (HealthDay News) -- Although blacks face a higher risk of having a stroke, they appear to have better odds of surviving one than whites do, a new study finds.

With Hormone Therapy, Starting Later May Be Less Risky

MONDAY, Jan. 31 (HealthDay News) -- Women who begin hormone therapy at menopause, or before, face a greater risk for breast cancer than those who start the treatment later, a new study has found.

Clinical Trials Update: Jan. 31, 2011

(HealthDay News) -- Here are the latest clinical trials, courtesy of ClinicalConnection.com:

Fla. Federal Judge: Health Reform Law Is Unconstitutional

MONDAY, Jan. 31 (HealthDay News) -- A federal judge in Florida ruled Monday that the controversial health-care reform law passed by Congress last spring is unconstitutional because it requires people to purchase health insurance or pay a penalty.

New U.S. Dietary Guidelines Focus on Salt Reduction

MONDAY, Jan. 31 (HealthDay News) -- Long-awaited U.S. dietary guidelines released Monday -- the first since 2005 -- focus on getting Americans to slash their salt intake.

New Therapies Offer Insight Into Battling Deadly Melanomas

MONDAY, Jan. 31 (HealthDay News) -- Two new studies report some success in treating a particularly stubborn form of cancer: melanoma, a deadly malignancy that first appears in the skin before frequently spreading to other parts of the body.

Trained Labrador Can Sniff Out Colon Cancer, Researchers Say

MONDAY, Jan. 31 (HealthDay News) -- With powers of smell far superior to those of humans, dogs can sniff out buried earthquake victims. They can unearth hidden bombs or drugs. They can also apparently detect colorectal cancer, Japanese researchers suggest.

Brisk Walks May Boost Memory in Older Adults

MONDAY, Jan. 31 (HealthDay News) -- Older adults who took a brisk walk three times a week did better on memory tests and increased the size of their hippocampus, a portion of the brain involved with memory formation, researchers report.