As younger people seek medical advice, treatments are changing. Initially, doctors try conservative therapies, like weight loss, exercise (to strengthen the muscles around the bones), physical therapy, and injections of medications.

One of the best ways to reduce the risk of getting the flu is with a flu shot. The flu shot is an injected vaccine that contains three inactivated (killed) strains of the flu virus expected to circulate in the U.S. in the current flu season. In June 2003, the FDA approved another option for flu prevention – the nasal spray flu vaccine (FluMist®). The nasal flu vaccine protects against the same strains of the flu virus as the flu shot. However, the spray contains live, but weakened forms of the viruses.

The U.S. Geological Survey says it’s first comprehensive examination of intersex fish in America show sporadic discoveries of feminized male fish.

The new Memorial Waterfront Park Playground will close temporarily next week.

Seasonal flu kills predominantly the frail elderly. Researchers are trying to determine why the H1N1 swine flu virus, much like the Spanish Flu of 1918, is lethal to a portion of young people in good health.

Sensible shoes don’t have to be boring, it just may take time to find a pair that look as good as they feel. For those occasions when fashion overrules practicality (like a party or special event), experts recommend women limit the amount of time they spend on their feet and take along an extra pair of shoes to slip into before arriving and after leaving.

President Obama delivered the speech in hopes of rejuvenating his flagging push for an overhaul of the $2.5 trillion healthcare system, which has bogged down in Congress amid a flood of criticism.

The European subsidiary of Ladson-based Force Protection Industries Inc. unveiled its Ocelot at a trade show in London on Tuesday.

An autopsy confirms that part of the meat from a hot dog was lodged in Jeremy Sailem’s airway. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

As SC legislators discuss impeachment proceedings against Governor Mark Sanford, the State Ethics Commission is conducting it’s own investigation.  Meantime, Lt. Governor Andre’ Bauer is now being criticized for asking the Governor to step down so that he can promote his own polictical agenda.

An earlier recommendation from the Cooper River Bridge run staff to move 2 day expo from the Gailliard Municipal Auditorium to the Charleston Area Convention Center in North Charleston failed. The expo is March 25th and 26th.

As things look now, H1N1 is causing only mild to moderate illness, not the widespread deaths people are worried about.  CNN’s Sanjay Gupta recently visited emergency rooms to gauge the level of concern about H1N1.  The following is his 5 point panic prevention plan for parents.

It is very difficult to distinguish the flu from other infections on the basis of symptoms alone. A doctor’s exam may be needed to tell whether you have developed the flu or a complication of the flu. There are tests that can determine if you have the flu as long you are tested within the first 2 or 3 days of illness.

More than 1.4 million school-aged children have a speech or language impairment.

In school-aged children, speech or language problems can lead to isolation from classmates and poor school performance.

A speech-language pathologist can evaluate a child and provide therapy and support to enhance communication ability.

The Quotient test is approved by the FDA and can be used for children and adults. Once the test is done, the data is submitted to the company’s online server. Within a short time, the information is processed. The physician can access the report and download or print the results from the company’s website.