Category Archives: Health

Troops in Iraq Bring Resistant Bacteria Home

American troops wounded in Iraq and brought back to the United States have unexpectedly high rates of infection with a drug-resistant type of bacteria. Hospitals like Walter Reed now see 6 to 12 infected soldiers a month; before 2003 they had no more than one a month. No American soldiers from the Iraq war have died from the bacteria, but five very ill patients in the same hospitals as wounded soldiers became infected in the hospital and subsequently died. It is not known whether the bacteria or the patients’ underlying illnesses caused their deaths.

Read (New York Times)

Alzheimer’s Risk May Be Cut

Middle-aged sons and daughters of people with Alzheimer’s disease may be able to reduce their risk of getting the disorder through lifestyle measures such as exercise, avoiding gum disease, moderate alcohol consumption and drinking fruit and vegetable juice.

Read (Washington Post)

Raisins may fight cavities and gum disease

They may be sweet and sticky but raisins contain compounds that suppress bacteria responsible for cavities and gum disease. While researchers have not shown that people who eat raisins have healthier mouths, they identified five compounds known as phytochemicals in raisins that can be beneficial for teeth and gums.

Read (Reuters)