BBC News - Health

The latest stories from the Health section of the BBC News web site.

Child heart op ban 'should stay'

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 16:17:11 +0000

Children's heart surgery should remain suspended at Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital where four babies died, a report says.

What to do if stung by a Weever fish

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 10:49:14 +0000

What should you do if you are stung by Britain's most poisonous fish?

Addiction drugs 'aid weight loss'

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 00:28:51 +0000

A combination pill of two drugs used to treat addiction may help people lose weight, say US researchers.

Friends offer 'a survival boost'

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 00:48:42 +0000

Having good friends and neighbours appears to boost survival chances by 50%, say researchers.

In and out of trouble

Sun, 1 Aug 2010 00:03:07 +0000

US therapy system helping UK problem teenagers

Public health fear in NHS revamp

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 23:07:21 +0000

The overhaul of the NHS may harm the public health drive, a health think tank is warning.

Mother's grief

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 12:57:31 +0000

Living with the effects of the Oxford heart surgery deaths.

Calcium pills 'raise' heart risk

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 22:59:08 +0000

Calcium supplements taken by many older people could be increasing their risk of a heart attack, research shows.

Are we all ill?

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 09:05:30 +0000

New mental health manual could mean we'll all end up diagnosed

Churchill's teeth fetch £15,200

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 13:30:48 +0000

A partial set of false teeth made for Sir Winston Churchill are sold at auction in Norfolk for £15,200.

Coping with loss of armed forces parent

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 09:26:50 +0000

A special holiday break is helping UK children cope with the loss of loved ones killed in conflict

Calcium pill value 'pretty poor'

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 10:46:23 +0000

Professor John Cleland, cardiologist at Hull University, explains research that suggests calcium supplements may cause an increased risk of heart disease

Can your doctor call you 'fat'?

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 09:38:56 +0000

Doctors need to be more direct when they are dealing with overweight patients, according to the government's health minister.

Hip hope from stem cell technique

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 23:07:16 +0000

Doctors may soon be able to patch up damaged bones and joints anywhere in the body with a simple shot in the arm.

Super-sized school uniforms sold

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 17:41:11 +0000

As more and more children start primary school overweight, retailers are having to expand the waistlines on school uniforms.

Royal couple visit new hospital

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 16:41:47 +0000

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall have visited Birmingham to take a look around the city's new "super-hospital".

Choosing to be child-free

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 10:50:59 +0000

But why do others question the decision?

Drug prescribed after web search

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 18:06:35 +0000

A father persuades the NHS to give his sick daughter a "miracle" drug he found on the internet.

Pregnant women rights questioned

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 23:54:54 +0000

The right of women to choose whether they have home births is being questioned by a leading medical journal.

Life without a stomach

Sat, 31 Jul 2010 00:02:35 +0000

Sisters coping after operation to combat cancer threat

Weight, exercise and pregnancy confusion

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 05:46:37 +0000

NICE have issued new guidelines on women's weight during and after pregnancy.

Say fat not obese, says minister

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 10:48:19 +0000

GPs and other health professionals should tell people they are fat rather than obese, England's public health minister says.

Destination Harley Street

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 06:46:06 +0000

Referring patients to a specialist private clinic cheaper than NHS

Can music aid athletic performance?

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 04:56:32 +0000

Music has helped elite tri-athletes in Australia increase their endurance by 15%, researchers say.

Alcohol can 'lessen' arthritis

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 00:12:30 +0000

Drinking alcohol can reduce the severity of rheumatoid arthritis symptoms, a study has found

Ample bodied

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 11:29:30 +0000

How realistic is it for women to want this actor's shape?

Concern over rape medic shortage

Sat, 31 Jul 2010 00:03:26 +0000

A lack of specialist medics to care for rape victims could be hampering conviction rates, doctors believe.