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Health News from the BBC and the NHS

BBC Health

Pregnancy weight gain 'going unmeasured'
Midwives want clear advice about how much weight is healthy for women to put on during pregnancy.
South Africa's highest court legalises cannabis use
Pro-marijuana activists cheer following a landmark ruling by the country's highest court.
Hiding my psychosis for 10 years from the age of 12
Luke Watkin first experienced psychosis at 12 years old - he didn't talk about it for a decade.
Bedside light tool could detect baby brain injury earlier
A new bedside tool can detect brain damage by measuring oxygen and energy levels using light.
Deaths spiked during UK heatwave
When temperatures went up in England this summer, so did deaths, Office for National Statistics data shows.
Targeted treatment for melanoma to be free on NHS
Trials showed the risk of the cancer returning after surgery was reduced with the therapy.
Call to ban early baby sex tests
The party fears the eight-week blood test, available privately, may lead to selective abortions of girls.
'Aspirin-a-day risky in old age' - major study
A major study suggests elderly people in good health should not take the drug every day.
Pathologists shortage 'delaying cancer diagnosis'
Severe staff shortages are affecting services vital to diagnosing cancer, according to a report.
'My girl's meningitis was diagnosed as ear infection'
A charity warns the NHS must be more vigilant over deadly meningitis and sepsis cases.

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...