Popular Procedures Archive for The Checkup

FDA cracks down on experimental autism therapy

Federal health officials are cracking down on a controversial therapy that has been promoted as an alternative for a variety of conditions, including autism, Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. The Food and Drug Administration warned eight companies Thursday that their over-the-counter products used for a procedure known as "chelation" are...

By Rob Stein | October 14, 2010; 1:09 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Alternative and Complementary Medicine, Autism, Cardiovascular Health, FDA, Kids' health, Popular Procedures
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Gallbladder surgery deaths rare

Rep. John Murtha served 19 terms in congress. (Melina Mara-The Washington Post) U.S. Rep. John Murtha's death yesterday from complications following gallbladder surgery he had in January was a very rare occurrence. According to the American College of Surgeons, among generally healthy people undergoing such surgery, deaths occur in...

By Jennifer LaRue Huget | February 9, 2010; 7:28 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: General Health, Hospitals, Medical Technology, Popular Procedures
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Do neti pots promote sinus health?

Ever since Dr. Oz showed Oprah how to use a neti pot in 2007, the devices have been the darlings of the nasal-irrigation world. Used for eons by practitioners of Ayurvedic medicine, neti pots are small, teapot-shaped vessels from which one empties saline solution (warm water with a bit of...

By Jennifer LaRue Huget | December 11, 2009; 7:00 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (15)
Categories: Alternative and Complementary Medicine, General Health, Is That Right?, Popular Procedures, Yoga
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Proton-Pump Inhibitors and Plavix Don't Mix

Research presented today at the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) Scientific Sessions in Las Vegas adds to the evidence that proton-pump inhibitors (a class of heartburn-fighting drugs better known as PPIs) interfere with the anti-clotting drug Plavix, making it less effective in preventing heart attacks, strokes and other...

By Jennifer LaRue Huget | May 6, 2009; 6:00 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Cardiovascular Health, General Health, Popular Procedures
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Five Facts about Aortic Valve Surgery

Former First Lady Barbara Bush had it the other day. And actor/comedian Robin Williams is about to have it, too. "It" is aortic valve surgery, a procedure in which one of the four valves that regulate the passage of blood in and out of the heart is replaced. Here are...

By Jennifer LaRue Huget | March 9, 2009; 7:00 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Chronic Conditions, General Health, Popular Procedures, Seniors
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Starry-Eyed Over Lasik?

As Rob Stein tells us today, officials at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are likely getting an earful -- or an eyeful -- at this morning's public hearing on Lasik surgery, the popular but pricey procedure in which a laser is used to slice open the eye, allowing...

By Jennifer LaRue Huget | April 25, 2008; 7:00 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Popular Procedures
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