WWMT Health Headlines

Bronson surgeon talks about Angelina Jolie double mastectomy

Tue, May 14 2013, 08:31 PM EDT

KALAMAZOO, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - It's the story we've been talking about all day.

After learning she was positive for a hereditary gene, Angelina Jolie made the controversial decision to have both of her breasts removed to lower her risk of developing breast cancer--a decision she says she made for her six children. ...

Researchers grow new teeth with stem cells

Thu, May 09 2013, 08:36 AM EDT

LONDON (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - If you lose a tooth, new technology may be right around the corner to help you grow a new one.

Researchers in London are using stem cell technology to grow immature teeth similar to those in an embryo.

They believe once they are implanted into an adult's mouth they will grow into fully functioning teeth with roots in the gums. ...

Gov't pushing for stronger indoor tanning guidelines

Tue, May 07 2013, 09:12 PM EDT

(NEWSCHANNEL 3) - The government is pushing for stronger warnings against indoor tanning, and urging anyone under 18 not to do it.

Research shows that more young people are being diagnosed with melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer.

Studies show that about 2. ...

NJ Gov. Chris Christie undergoes weight loss surgery

Tue, May 07 2013, 09:03 PM EDT

NEW JERSEY (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - New Jersey Governor Chris Christie admits he underwent weight loss surgery, and now the rumor mill is in full gear.

Christie says he had the surgery in February, after struggling with his weight for 20 years.

He says it was for his family, not politics, but political insiders suspect he may be preparing for a future Presidential run. ...

Pfizer to begin selling Viagra on the web

Mon, May 06 2013, 08:30 AM EDT

(NEWSCHANNEL 3) - Men who need a little extra boost in the bedroom no longer have to visit a drug store to buy that little blue pill.

Pharmaceutical company Pfizer says starting Monday it will sell Viagra directly to patients on its website.

Men would still need a prescription to buy the pill, but they won't have to face a pharmacist to get it. ...

Study: Facebook can make you psychotic

Mon, May 06 2013, 08:28 AM EDT

(NEWSCHANNEL 3) - A new study found that if you are dealing with a tough break-up, you may want to avoid spending a lot of time on Facebook.

Researchers in Israel found that the social networking site can make you psychotic.

They say vulnerable people who recently ended a relationship or lost a loved one showed gradually increasing psychotic symptoms including delusions, anxiety and confusion in connection with intensified use of social networking. ...

Program gives parents hope for kids with motor disabilities

Mon, May 06 2013, 08:27 AM EDT

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - Imagine if someone told you your child would never walk or button a shirt, or even sit up straight.

For many families with children who have motor disabilities that's a reality.

Alex Jokich checked out a special program in Grand Rapids that's giving hundreds of families hope in the video report above. ...

Study: 50 percent increase in food allergies for kids

Thu, May 02 2013, 08:14 AM EDT

(NEWSCHANNEL 3) - A study released Thursday shows more kids are getting allergies.

The study says one in 20 kids now have food allergies. That's a 50 percent increase from the late 1990's.

For eczema and other skin allergies it's one in eight children, which is an increase of 69-percent. ...

Morning after pill available OTC to 15 and up

Wed, May 01 2013, 04:41 AM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The government is moving the morning-after pill over the counter but only those 15 and older can buy it — an attempt to find middle ground just days before a court-imposed deadline to lift all age restrictions on the emergency contraceptive. ...

New plastic surgery trend among women

Mon, Apr 29 2013, 08:37 PM EDT

(NEWSCHANNEL 3) - A plastic surgery trend is gaining interest among women.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons says brachioplasty--or upper arm lifts--in women have shot up more than 4,000 percent over the last decade.

About 15,000 women had the procedure done last year. ...

Special glasses developed for dyslexia sufferers

Mon, Apr 29 2013, 08:27 AM EDT

(NEWSCHANNEL 3) - Some people with dyslexia are seeing words unscrambled for the first time in their lives.

It's all thanks to a new specialized pair of glasses.

Melissa Cabral has more on those state-of-the-art lenses in the video report above. ...

Studies: Heart failure to become a bigger problem in future

Wed, Apr 24 2013, 07:49 PM EDT

(NEWSCHANNEL 3) - Studies show heart failure is going to become a much bigger problem and a bigger burden on the country's health system in the coming years.

The American Heart Association says about 5 million people suffer from heart disease and that number could almost double by 2030 as baby boomers age. ...

Tooth decay most common chronic childhood disease

Wed, Apr 24 2013, 07:48 PM EDT

(NEWSCHANNEL 3) - Tooth decay tops the list as the most common chronic childhood disease, according to the Delta Dental Foundation.

The Michigan Department of Community Health has awarded nine communities fluoridation equipment grants, trying to improve oral health across the state. ...

Research: Younger women still getting mammograms

Fri, Apr 19 2013, 07:49 PM EDT

(NEWSCHANNEL 3) - New research shows that younger women are still getting mammograms, even though a federal task force recommends differently.

In 2009, the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force says women at average risk of breast cancer don't need annual mammograms until age 50 to avoid unnecessary biopsies. ...

Doc Talk : New breast cancer treatment procedure

Thu, Apr 18 2013, 07:55 PM EDT

KALAMAZOO, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - The battle against breast cancer leaves many women with scars--physical and emotional.

But, a new kind of procedure, performed by a fellow trained surgeon at Borgess Medical Center can cut down on--or eliminate--the seen and unseen marks a survivor bears. ...

Los Angeles residents fear meningitis outbreak

Tue, Apr 16 2013, 08:27 PM EDT

LOS ANGELES (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - People in Los Angeles are concerned that meningitis may be spreading through their community.

People in West Hollywood are lining up for the meningitis vaccine after a 33-year-old gay man died last week.

Health officials are investigating to see if there's a link to an outbreak of bacterial meningitis among gay men in New York City where 22 people have gotten sick and 7 have died since 2010. ...

New recommencations issued on using meds to lower cancer risks

Mon, Apr 15 2013, 09:23 PM EDT

(NEWSCHANNEL 3) - A government task force is out with new recommendations regarding the use of preventative medicines to lower the risk of breast cancer.

Ines Ferre introduces us to one woman who took the drug Tamoxifen to lower her chances of getting the disease. ...

Medical recall of Diabetes blood sugar tester

Mon, Apr 15 2013, 10:20 AM EDT

ABBOTT PARK, Ill. (AP) - Abbott Laboratories is recalling its FreeStyle InsuLinx Blood Glucose Meters after finding that they display and store incorrect test results for dangerously high blood sugar levels.

The Abbott Park, Ill., company says the meters will display and store readings for blood glucose levels of 1,024 milligrams per deciliter or higher at much lower levels. ...

Report: Mich. workers lost coverage at high rate in 2011

Thu, Apr 11 2013, 07:07 PM EDT

(NEWSCHANNEL 3) - A new report reveals that people in Michigan lost workplace health care coverage at a greater rate than any other state over the past decade.

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation found that nearly 63 percent of Michigan residents received their insurance through a job in 2011. ...

FDA approves morning sickness drug

Tue, Apr 09 2013, 08:18 PM EDT

(NEWSCHANNEL 3) - The FDA has approved a new drug to help reduce morning sickness for pregnant women--the same drug that was pulled off the market because of safety concerns 30 years ago.

The drug is called Diclegis.

Doctors may prescribe it to pregnant women who can't control their nausea through diet or other means. ...