Mental health fears 'kept secret'
More than 80% of people in Scotland know at least two friends who have experienced mental distress, research suggests.
10 Apr 2007
News
Flexible working boost for carers
From 6 April millions more Britons are to be given the right to request flexible working. People who need to alter their working hours to give them time to care for an adult are the beneficiaries. This includes people who, for example, need to get away from work to look after parents suffering dementia or family members who are disabled or ill. More than two million people at present are struggling to juggle work with caring responsibilities, charities say.
3 Apr 2007
Baby 'name test' may spot autism
Routinely checking to see if babies can respond to their name at the age of one could help detect autism earlier than other tests, US experts believe. The disorder is usually not diagnosed until a child is three or four, as the symptoms are variable.
3 Apr 2007
'Lottery' of bowel disorder care
There are wide variations in the care provided for people with bowel disease, a national audit has found. The expert bodies who carried out the work said there were significant differences in the resources given to services and the care people receive. Three quarters of UK hospitals took part in the audit, which found 44% did not have a dedicated nurse specialist.
3 Apr 2007
Overweight 'higher asthma risk'
People who are overweight have a 50% higher risk of developing asthma, scientists have said. US researchers reviewed seven studies involving over 330,000 adult patients, the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine reported.
3 Apr 2007
Diabetes drug 'protects arteries'
A drug given to help people with diabetes may also slow thickening of the artery walls that can lead to heart disease, research suggests. Pioglitazone helps improve the body's sensitivity to the hormone insulin, often lacking in type 2 diabetes.
3 Apr 2007