Health Tip: Can't Stomach Dairy?

(HealthDay News) -- Lactose intolerance occurs when the body can't digest lactose, a sugar found in dairy products.

Health Tip: Soothe Swollen Gums

(HealthDay News) -- Gums can swell and become tender as a result of gingivitis, a side effect of certain drugs or pregnancy.

Human Brains Wired to Empathize, Study Finds

TUESDAY, July 26 (HealthDay News) -- A person's brain works hard to empathize or understand what it's like to walk in other people's shoes, no matter how different they may be, a new study indicates.

Certain Antidepressants Linked to Falls in Nursing Homes

TUESDAY, July 26 (HealthDay News) -- In the days after they start taking non-SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) antidepressants, such as bupropion or venlafaxine, nursing home residents are at significantly greater risk for falls, according to a new study.

Americans Show Rising Support for Abortion Rights: Poll

TUESDAY, July 26 (HealthDay News) -- Despite recent moves by some states to restrict access to abortion, more Americans now support a woman's right to choose than they did two years ago, a new Harris Interactive/HealthDay poll finds.

Afghan Medical Staff Face Ongoing Security Threats: Study

TUESDAY, July 26 (HealthDay News) -- Despite dramatic improvements in Afghanistan's health services between 2004 and 2008, security issues for the country's health staff and patients remain a serious concern, researchers warn.

Researchers Find 3 Genes Linked to Esophagus Disorders

TUESDAY, July 26 (HealthDay News) -- Mutations in three genes have been found to be more common among people with disorders of the esophagus, including esophageal cancer and Barrett esophagus (a complication of gastroesophageal reflux disease), a new study shows.

More Kids Eating Calorie-Packed Take-out Food

TUESDAY, July 26 (HealthDay News) The obesity epidemic is being fueled still further by a growing trend among kids to eat out and bring take-out food home, University of North Carolina researchers say.

Depression Higher in Wealthier Nations

TUESDAY, July 26 (HealthDay News) -- Depression rates are higher in richer countries than in low- or middle-income nations, according to researchers who compared socioeconomic conditions with depression.

Only 15% Use Calorie Info at NYC Fast Food Chains: Study

TUESDAY, July 26 (HealthDay News) -- Only about one-sixth of fast food restaurant customers in New York City use calorie information provided on menus and menu boards, but they do tend to buy food with fewer calories, a new study shows.

Fatty 'Comfort' Foods May Alter Brain's Response to Sadness

TUESDAY, July 26 (HealthDay News) -- New research suggests that fatty foods do more than satisfy our stomachs. They may also soothe our psyche, literally serving as comfort foods.

Lymph Node Test Doesn't Improve Breast Cancer Care, Study Finds

TUESDAY, July 26 (HealthDay News) -- A lymph node-sparing test hailed as revolutionary for its conservative approach does not lead to longer survival times for women undergoing lumpectomies whose early-stage breast cancer has spread microscopically, a large, new study suggests.

Heart Disease Prevention May Save Billions Annually in U.S.

TUESDAY, July 26 (HealthDay News) -- Prevention is the key to stemming the soaring cost of heart disease in the United States, which reached $450 billion last year, according to a new policy statement from the American Heart Association (AHA).

Methamphetamine Abuse May Raise Parkinson's Risk

TUESDAY, July 26 (HealthDay News) -- People who abuse methamphetamine or other stimulants are at increased risk for Parkinson's disease, a new study warns.

Health Highlights: July 26, 2011

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

Study Finds Savings From Medicare's Drug Plan Extend Beyond Cost of Meds

TUESDAY, July 26 (HealthDay News) -- The savings for U.S. seniors who participate in the Medicare Part D prescription drug plan may extend far beyond the cost of medications, a new study indicates.

Family History May Predict Heart Attack More Than Stroke

TUESDAY, July 26 (HealthDay News) -- Genetics may play more of a role in heart attacks than in strokes, a new British study suggests.

Poor Health Linked to Very Preemie Birth Stabilizes by Adolescence

TUESDAY, July 26 (HealthDay News) -- Children who are born at extremely low birth weights (below 2.2 pounds) are susceptible to a number of chronic health conditions, such as asthma. But, new research suggests that between 8 and 14 years of age, any lingering chronic illness in extremely low birth weight babies tends to stay about the same -- not getting better, but also not getting worse.