Health Tip: When Kitty Scratches You

September 27, 2004 06:02:32 AM PDT , HealthDay

(HealthDayNews) -- When Tabby scratches or bites you, don't just dismiss her bad temper. You could get cat scratch disease, a bacterial infection.

The condition is caused by Bartonella henselae bacteria, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Warning signs include swollen lymph nodes, especially those around the head, neck and upper limbs. A person with cat scratch disease also may experience fever, headache, fatigue and a poor appetite.

About 40 percent of cats carry B. henselae at some time in their lives, but because cats don't show any signs of illness, you can't tell which cats can spread the disease.

To reduce your risk, avoid "rough play" with cats, especially kittens, wash cat bites and scratches with running water and soap, and if you develop symptoms of an infection, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Health Tip: Get the Right Shoes

September 27, 2004 06:02:32 AM PDT , HealthDay

(HealthDayNews) -- If you've got foot pain that isn't the result of a known injury or condition, your shoes may be to blame.

Here are some helpful shoe-buying tips from the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons:

• Buy shoes at the end of the day (when your feet are larger) to be sure they won't be too tight.
• If you can't wiggle your toes, the shoes are too small. Round or square-toed shoes have the most room; narrow or pointed-toed shoes have the least and can aggravate conditions such as bunions and hammertoes.
• Measure both feet. One usually is larger, and the shoe should fit comfortably on that foot.
• Try on shoes with socks, hose or any special inserts you normally wear.
• Walk around the store in the shoes to make sure they're comfortable. Do not expect shoes to stretch to fit your foot.
• Footwear with added cushioning or shock absorption absorb more stress and protect your feet. This is noteworthy for anyone with heel pain.
• Shoes should have good arch support. Those that bend in the mid-sole area can lead to arch pain.

Genes Boost Fish Oils' Effect Against Breast Cancer

September 24, 2004 01:03:40 PM PDT , HealthDay

FRIDAY, Sept. 24 (HealthDayNews) -- Women with certain genes get an extra protective boost when they take fish oils called marine n-3 fatty acids that may reduce the risk of breast cancer.

That's the conclusion of a study by researchers at the University of Southern California and the National University of Singapore.

The study found that women whose bodies do a poor job of eliminating the fish oils' byproducts seem to derive the most benefit from taking them. It's believed the fish oils' byproducts provide the cancer-fighting properties.

"In this study, we found that women with certain common DNA patterns experienced more breast cancer protection from marine n-3 fatty acids than women with other common patterns," study author Dr. Manuela Gago-Dominguez, an assistant professor of preventive medicine at USC's Keck School of Medicine, said in a prepared statement.

Researchers examined data from the Singapore Chinese Health Study of diet and cancer risk in more than 63,000 Chinese women and men who live in Singapore.

The findings could help scientists better understand how fish oils may protect against cancer.

The study appeared in the Sept. 21 online issue of Carcinogenesis.

More information

The U.S. National Cancer Institute has more about breast cancer prevention.