Swallowed Batteries Should Be Removed to Avoid Stomach Damage: Study

SATURDAY, May 18, 2019 -- Doctors might want to be more aggressive about treating children who swallow a button battery and appear to be out of danger, a preliminary study suggests.

The small, round batteries -- found in everything from watches to remote controls to toys -- have become an increasingly common cause of young children's trips to the emergency room.

Colon Cancer Increasingly Striking the Young Worldwide

FRIDAY, May 17, 2019 -- The rise in colon cases among younger adults that's been seen in the United States is also occurring in wealthier nations worldwide, new research shows.

In the decade leading up to 2014, the number of cases of colon cancer among people under 50 increased by 3% a year in Denmark, New Zealand, Australia and Canada, and by 1% per year in Britain.

Does Removing Your Appendix Put You at Risk for Parkinson's?

THURSDAY, May 9, 2019 -- It's a connection few have probably considered, but new research suggests that having your appendix removed may up your risk for Parkinson's disease down the road.

The finding follows an analysis that examined health records for roughly 62 million patients. Of these, about 488,000 had an appendectomy. Among those who had the surgery, just under 1% developed the progressive nervous system disorder later.

Could the U.S. Mail Deliver Better Colon Cancer Screening Rates?

FRIDAY, March 22, 2019 -- No one likes to get a colonoscopy, but new research suggests that mailing at-home colon cancer tests to folks who are overdue for their checks might prompt them to get screened.

"We believe that mailing kits directly to patients, which frames participation as the default, reduced steps in the screening process, making it easier for patients to get screened and catch colorectal cancer earlier or even potentially prevent it from occurring," said study senior author Dr. Chyke Doubeni. He is a professor at Penn Medicine in Philadelphia.

Is It Heartburn or Something Else?

THURSDAY, April 4, 2019 -- With so many heartburn medications available over the counter, it might be surprising to learn that heartburn itself isn't a health condition, but rather a symptom of something else.

First, be sure to distinguish it from indigestion, which is primarily an uncomfortable fullness after eating. With heartburn, there's a burning sensation in your chest or neck. It might feel like food is coming back up into your mouth, maybe with a bad taste.

Choose the Right Colon Cancer Screening Option

TUESDAY, March 26, 2019 -- Colon cancer is highly preventable through regular screening. But the right type of screening depends on your particular risk factors, an expert says.

Each year in the United States, more than 140,000 people are diagnosed with colon cancer, and about 50,000 die from the disease. It's the second-leading cause of cancer death in the country.