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Health News from the BBC and the NHS

BBC Health

'Miracle' six-day-old baby survives Ebola
It took five weeks of round-the-clock treatment to keep Benedicte alive after her mother died.
Obamacare: Texas court rules key health law is unconstitutional
The challenge from a coalition of 20 US states is now likely to go to the US Supreme Court.
Why did Rachel Johnston die after having all her teeth removed?
The families of three people with learning difficulties tell the BBC all their teeth were taken out.
Breast cancer screening error 'overstated'
There was no major incident, just confusion, and the scale of the problem was overstated, a report finds.
Meat or two veg? Find out your food’s climate footprint
Check the environmental impact of what you eat and drink.
Overweight patient denied NHS operation by York CCG
Roland Crooke took a loan to pay for private treatment after being told to lose weight for hip surgery
Hospitals 'overcrowding risk' ahead of Christmas
Winter pressures are beginning to bite as hospitals report too many patients are on wards and ambulances face delays at A&E.
Teething gels to be taken off supermarket shelves
Parents are advised to massage their child's gums or use a teething ring before trying the gels.
Sit-down meals 'less healthy than fast-food'
Only one in 10 meals was classed as healthy which is a cause for concern, say researchers.
Organ donors to be asked if they are religious
It is hoped the measure can boost the low proportion of donors from black and Asian backgrounds.

NHS Choices Behind the Headlines

NHS Choices
<strong>Health A-Z</strong><br> Symptoms, conditions, medicines, treatments and guides<br> Find...
Cancer treatment response may be affected by gut bacteria
"Gut bacteria 'boost' cancer therapy," BBC News reports. The news comes from research into whether people...
Could a blood test in middle age predict dementia risk?
"Tissue inflammation blood test points to dementia risk," is the headline in The Times. Researchers in...
Acid reflux drugs linked to increased stomach cancer risk
"A drug commonly used to treat acid reflux is linked to a more than doubled risk of developing stomach...
Nutrient drink for Alzheimer's has disappointing result in trial
A new study investigating the effects of a nutrient drink for Alzheimer's disease has led to very different...
Marriage may help lower dementia risk
"Marriage and having close friends may help protect against dementia, according to Loughborough University...
Afternoon open heart surgery 'leads to fewer complications'
"Afternoon heart surgery has lower risk of complications, study suggests," says The Guardian. Researchers...
Report calls for better mental health support in the workplace
"Up to 300,000 people with long-term mental health problems have to leave their jobs each year, a report...
Blood-thinning drugs may reduce dementia risk in people with irregular heartbeats
"Common blood thinning drugs halve the risk of dementia for patients who have an irregular heartbeat,"...
New genetic variants associated with breast cancer identified
"Do you have one of the 180 breast cancer genes? One in five women has a variant that raises her risk...