Get some relief from lower back pain at this Web chat Wednesday

Lower back pain seems to be one of the most common – and most excruciating -- medical problems. What’s the best way to deal with such pain? This expert can help.

Free HIV tests aren't hard to find, if you know where to look

More Americans are getting tested for HIV, though not necessarily those at highest risk.

Influenza: What's the point of making good, safe vaccines if people won't accept them?

That H1N1 pandemic....no, it didn't lead to bodies piled high in the streets. But the point is, it could have -- pandemics sometimes do. And were we prepared? No, we were not.

Yo-yo dieting could have lasting implications

The unhealthful but popular practice of yo-yo dieting may have serious ramifications on the body, a study finds, which may make those who eat this way more vulnerable to packing on the pounds.

For some men with prostate cancer, the best treatment is no treatment, study finds

Last year, about 192,000 American men were diagnosed with prostate cancer. For 16% to 40% of them, the disease is deemed to be so low-risk that no immediate medical intervention is necessary. Instead, they can undergo “active surveillance,” which means regular PSA tests, physical exams, and periodic biopsies to monitor the cancer’s growth. Treatments, including surgery to remove the prostate and different types of radiation, can be put off until the cancer gets bigger – if it ever does. Most treatments result in at least one adverse effect (such as erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence). However, only about 10% men who have the option of delaying treatment opt for active surveillance.

Memory of boy's smile inspires grieving parents to help hundreds of other children

Sean Denlinger’s life has had a profound effect on others, though it’s not the life his parents had envisioned.

Autism may be linked to defects in mitochondria, UC Davis study says

Autistic children have a high incidence of defects in mitochondria, the "powerhouses" of cells, but it is not yet clear if those defects are a cause of the disorder or a byproduct of some more fundamental defect, UC Davis researchers said Tuesday. Mitochondria create energy for cellular metabolism and when they are dysfunctional, cells do not operate efficiently. That can be particularly disruptive for cells, such as brain cells, that have high energy demands. A lack of energy for brain cells during development could help explain why children with autism do not function properly. Only the heart consumes more energy than the brain, and defects in mitochondria have already been shown to accompany other neurological conditions, including Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Acne medicine is 'critically important,' dermatologists say

The acne drug isotretinoin, or Accutane, has been under attack for many years because of safety concerns. Reports have linked the drug to an increased risk of suicide and of inflammatory bowel disease. But in an updated position statement, the American Academy of Dermatology defends the availability of the drug and says the reports of serious side effects are not supported.

Walking may preserve brain function and slow the development of Alzheimer's disease

Walking may put the brakes on cognitive decline in healthy older people as well as those with cognitive impairment, a new study finds.

She's got some advice on aging -- and the years to prove it works

Aging gracefully has little to do with wrinkle creams and much to do with exercising and staying active in the community. That's what works for Marguerite Miller, anyway, and that's also what has brought the 90-year-old a bit of celebrity.

More Americans getting HIV testing, according to the CDC

At least 45% of American adults have been tested for HIV at least once, an increase of five percentage points and 11.4 million people since 2006, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Tuesday. But that still leaves 55% of adults, and 28.3% of adults with risk factors for contracting HIV, who have never been tested, the agency said in a Vital Signs report. About 48% of women have been tested, but only 41% of men.

Endurance runners' changing bodies revealed in a new study

Ultra athletes are a special breed, running or cycling hundreds and sometimes thousands of miles to compete in exclusive races. But what really happens to their bodies hour after hour and day after day of intense exercise? A new study reveals some dramatic changes may take place.

How to keep kids with food allergies safe at school? Ask an expert at this Web chat Tuesday

Children with food allergies need careful menu planning and monitoring, but what happens when they’re at school?

Could the 'cuddle hormone' make you (think you) love your mom?

Some have called oxytocin, the "cuddling hormone" produced during childbirth, nursing and sex that is believed to promote long-term attachment, a "love drug."

Skin cancer prevention could involve using Celebrex

Skin cancer rates are rising in the United States despite the well-known warnings to use sunscreen and avoid excessive sun exposure. There may be another tool to guard against non-melanoma skin cancers, however. A study released Monday shows the painkiller celecoxib -- or Celebrex -- helped prevent skin cancers in patients with precancerous lesions.

Severely burned girl thrives, helps her family heal too

Amira Williams was 3 years old when fire swept through her home and burned more than 95% of her body. Children so young and so badly burned normally aren’t expected to live.

Eating disorders among children are increasing, a new study finds

Eating disorders among children and adolescents appear to be on the rise, especially among younger kids.

What's the secret to staying fit over the holidays? This Web chat Monday can help

Thanksgiving kicks off the holiday food fests and parties that last until the New Year. So what’s the best way to stay on a fitness schedule and still have fun? Here's an expert who can help.

Do flu shots help very young children? Here's what one study says

With flu season underway, flu shots are particularly important for very young children. A new study finds that vaccinations do help prevent babies from getting sick.

Low-glycemic-index diet can be confusing

Diet researchers reported Thursday that a high-protein, low-glycemic-index diet may work best for maintaining a weight loss. But they concede that many people may not understand just how to achieve such a diet.