A summary of the major health news of the year, including: more evidence of the hazards of not getting enough sleep, inexpensive genome sequencing, new avenues for treating inflammation, improving health insurance coverage, and breast MRI scans.
Seasonal affective disorder is thought to be caused by decreased exposure to sunlight during the winter months. Light therapy helps some people, and the FDA has approved the antidepressant bupropion for treatment as well.
Two books examine the health issues around aging and caregiving from different points of view, and offer advice and suggestions on how the United States health care system could be improved.
Most people with asthma can manage the condition with medication. Attacks can be minimized by avoiding triggers such as smoke, allergens, dust, mold, certain medications, and pet dander.
A comparison of several different diet strategies found that the choice of diet is less important than cutting daily calorie intake and exercising enough to burn extra calories.
Estrogen is beneficial for controlling symptoms of menopause, but its benefits for younger women seem to become risks for older women, so it should not be taken to prevent heart disease.
When a diagnosis of prostate cancer is made, tests such as PSA level and Gleason score provide valuable information about the stage of the disease and its probable progression, so doctors can determine the best course of treatment for each patient.
Dark chocolate may promote beneficial activity in the body such as lower LDL cholesterol and a slight decrease in blood pressure, but because it is high in calories and fat, it should be enjoyed in moderation as part of a healthy lifestyle.