Live normally despite a hole in heart Children born with a hole in the wall between heart chambers are often viewed as sickly or feeble. But a new study shows that kids with this relatively common congenital heart defect are just as healthy as other children. A researcher claims we are doing them a disservice by pathologising them.
Genetic tests uncover lethal legacy — at a price It’s become ever easier to test for mutations that increase a woman’s risk of breast and ovarian cancer. But what kind of psychological burden does the test impose on women who take it?
More colorectal cancer in Norway than elsewhere in Europe While fewer Norwegians are dying from colorectal cancer now than twenty years ago, other countries have done a better job in cutting mortality from the disease.
Genetically high cholesterol levels remain unseen Probably about 18,000 Norwegians have inherited high cholesterol but don’t know it. Exercise and a proper diet are not enough to counteract the condition.
Quicker treatment of newborn jaundice brings big benefits More effective light therapy reduces the risk of brain damage and minimizes infants’ separation from parents
Why whiplash becomes chronic for some Some patients are more likely to suffer long-term whiplash pain and complications than others.
Stress hormone linked to breast cancer Women with small bloodstream levels of a stress-lowering hormone run a higher risk of breast cancer, according to a new Swedish study.
Lounge lizards drawn to exercise in nature People who are the least active are most tempted to change their ways if their exercise can be had in the woods or the outdoors. Those who already train systematically, on the other hand, are content to work out at a gym rather than in the wilds.
Health personnel are careless with hand washing Employees were found to ignore hand-washing guidelines more often than not.
How different are we on the inside? We vary quite a lot on the inside and that can be a blessing. For instance, if you have a large liver you can save more than one life.
Well-educated men live seven years longer Men with more years of schooling can expect to live seven years longer on average than men who only have a minimum compulsory education. The comparable difference for women is five years.
Young Somali girls want modern circumcision Attitudes toward traditional circumcision are changing in Somalia, but new forms may be replacing the old.
Treating lumbar pain physically and mentally Removing the fear of acute aches and changing ways we move can reduce sick leaves resulting from lower back problems.
Talking can help heal crash victims Patients admitted to casualty wards are less prone to develop post-traumatic stress, anxiety and depression if followed up with nurse-led therapeutic interventions.
Unethical to restrict linkage of health data Letting data protection get in the way of linking health data stymies research into vaccination and patient care, and is ultimately unethical, argues Norwegian public health chief.
Cancer patients with high vitamin D levels live longer The risk of dying from cancer is more than 2.5 times higher in patients with low vitamin D levels compared to patients who have high levels of the same vitamin.
Music therapy in child welfare Playing in bands and organising concerts improves life in child welfare institutions.
Backs get strained by overweight Overweight women have a 60 per cent higher risk of chronic lower back pain. If the general population gets heavier, this will cause an increase in disabilities.
Serious ruptures during deliveries are on the decline in Norway For forty years the number of serious tears of tissue among women giving birth was on the rise in Norway. Now the occurrence of these injuries is declining due to preventive measures.
Old study gives new insight into life expectancy Almost 16,000 Norwegian men have been monitored over more than four decades to study life expectancy and its links to smoking, blood pressure and obesity.
Farmed salmon retains good fats Norwegian farmed salmon is still a good source of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, even though these fish are now fed more vegetable oils than previously.
Geriatric gaming Old people are saying “Yes Wii can” and have fun staying in shape with video games. Scientists now want to give them an array of suitable games.
Chronicles for the comatose Norwegian nurses keep diaries for their patients who are in comas. When patients wake up these special journals can help them cope with traumas.
Mental robustness wards off woes Being mentally robust can help against illnesses and decrease absences from work.
Younger kids use most asthma medicine A study of the use of asthma medicine shows that small children take the most while young adults take the least.
Screening for breast cancer to what effect? Researchers are disagreeing on whether the Norwegian screening program on breast cancer has had the intended effect.
The hard road off the sofa Type 2 diabetics struggle to adjust their lifestyles and habits in keeping with medical recommendations. Patient groups could be the answer.
