More People Choosing Hospice at Life's End

FRIDAY, Jan. 28 (HealthDay News) -- People facing a fatal illness often find their fears and pain exacerbated by lack of control -- with doctors poking and prodding and treating and testing even as the end grows near.

Woman's Life Refutes a Hospice Myth

FRIDAY, Jan. 28 (HealthDay News) -- Vailia Dennis says she is living proof that entering hospice doesn't mean you die on anyone else's timetable.

Calls Go Out to Revive the Traditional Physical

FRIDAY, Jan. 28 (HealthDay News) -- "Getting back to basics" has become a mantra for those who think people have become too reliant on technology, and a growing number of medical experts would agree with the sentiment.

Health Tip: Crohn's Disease Can Lead to Complications

(HealthDay News) -- Crohn's disease causes inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, most commonly the lower part of the small intestine (the ileum).

Health Tip: Skin Disorders Affecting the Elderly

(HealthDay News) -- Skin problems are common among the elderly. Some are considered a normal part of aging, while others may indicate an underlying health problem.

'Western' Diet May Raise Risk of Kidney Function Decline

FRIDAY, Jan. 28 (HealthDay News) -- A Western-type diet that's high in red and processed meats, saturated fats and sweets is associated with an increased risk of kidney function decline, a new study reveals.

Will Loss of Lethal Injection Drug Harm Surgical Patients?

FRIDAY, Jan. 28 (HealthDay News) -- Anesthesiologists say they have grave concerns over a decision by a drug manufacturer to halt production of a long-used and powerful anesthetic because of the medication's use in lethal injections in prison executions.

Wild Hogs in Texas Pose Infection Risk to Humans

FRIDAY, Jan. 28 (HealthDay News) -- The bacteria that causes tularemia is present in a high number of feral hogs in Texas and people need to use caution when handling wild game, say researchers.

Psychopaths' Lack of Empathy Mimics Brain Injury: Research

FRIDAY, Jan. 28 (HealthDay News) -- People who have suffered a frontal brain injury have been known to have difficulty showing empathy, and new research shows that people diagnosed as psychopathic also have the same emotional deficiency.

Exercise Helps Ease Irritable Bowel Symptoms

FRIDAY, Jan. 28 (HealthDay News) -- Increasing one's physical activity routine can help improve symptoms among irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients, Swedish researchers report.

Depression in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Linked to Social Status

FRIDAY, Jan. 28 (HealthDay News) -- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with low socioeconomic status are at increased risk for depression, a new study finds.

Teens With Food Allergies May Feel Unsafe at School

FRIDAY, Jan. 28 (HealthDay News) -- Children and teens with potentially life-threatening food allergies may feel unsafe, isolated and excluded in their schools, a small study suggests.

Older Patients May Get Lower Quality Care at Trauma Centers

FRIDAY, Jan. 28 (HealthDay News) -- Trauma centers may not give the same high-quality care to severely injured elderly patients as they provide to younger patients, according to a new study.

Blood Protein Level May Not Influence Effectiveness of Statins

FRIDAY, Jan. 28 (HealthDay News) -- A new study debunks the idea that the cholesterol-fighting drugs known as statins work better in people with high levels of a certain protein and may not work at all in those with low levels.

Docs Rate Almost 1 in 5 Patients as 'Difficult': Study

FRIDAY, Jan. 28 (HealthDay News) -- A new study finds that about 18 percent of patients are considered difficult, and they're more likely than others to stay sick.

Health Highlights: Jan. 28, 2011

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

Retired NFL Players More Likely to Take Painkillers

FRIDAY, Jan. 28 (HealthDay News) -- Retired professional football players use opioid painkiller drugs four times more than people in the general U.S. population, a new study shows.

Clinical Trials Update: Jan. 28, 2011

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