David Heitz
A professional journalist nearly 30 years, David Heitz started his career at the Quad-City Times in Davenport, Iowa before moving to Los Angeles. He led the Glendale News-Press to best small daily newspaper in the state (CNPA) as managing editor and also worked as executive news editor of the Press-Telegram. He worked briefly as deputy news editor of the Detroit News before returning to the Quad-Cities, where he has worked as a freelance medical writer since 2012 for several national websites. He recently purchased his childhood home and says he truly is "living the dream."
Bleeding Risk From Aspirin Regimen Found to Increase With Age
Theres especially a risk for people aged 75 or older.
This Wearable Patch Detects Sleep Apnea
Read about the innovative new wearable that can diagnose sleep apnea as well as traditional methods.
Drones to the Rescue: Flying Defibrillators Reach People Faster Than Ambulances
Swedish researchers found that attaching defibrillators to high-tech drones shaved off an average of 16 minutes for response times, a difference that can mean life or death for heart attack patients.
Economic Cost of Heroin Epidemic in U.S. Is Staggering
The cost to society emphasizes the need for healthcare that reduces the risk of abuse and offers care to those struggling with opioid addiction.
Pets Bring Beneficial Bacteria Into Homes
Here's why you may want to have a pet around if you're expecting a baby on the way.
High-Tech Melatonin Product Promotes Better Sleep
A new melatonin product called REMfresh helps people sleep longer and better than traditional melatonin pills do.
Why Aren’t All Hospital Patients Screened for Depression?
Considering the high depression rate among hospitalized patients, a new study asks why we aren’t screening all patients for depression, just as we do for high blood pressure or diabetes.
Chronic Lack of Sleep May Increase Alzheimer’s Risk
Researchers are further revealing why getting consistent, sufficient sleep is crucial to brain health as we age.
From AIDS to Cancer, Scripps Laboratories Are Revolutionizing Medical Research
At Scripps Research Institute, scientists are making some remarkable discoveries in their research into how disease infects our bodies.
Americans Are Eating Less Packaged, Salty Foods
Researchers of a new study recorded an almost 150 percent plunge in sodium intake from salty snacks and a more than 100 percent dive in sodium intake since the turn of the century.
Better Sleep May Lead to Better Sex
The next time you think about passing on sex because you’re too tired, you may want to reconsider. A new study shows sex and sleep go hand in hand.
Circadian Clock Disruptions Could Impact Your Waistline
A new study on your body’s internal clock could lead to innovative new treatments for obesity.
Alzheimer’s Death Rate Continues to Spike
With the Alzheimer's death rate continuing to spike in the U.S., the quality of care that Alzheimer's patients are getting is a major concern.
Why People With Colon Cancer May Want to Eat More Nuts
In a study of people with stage II colon cancer, those who ate tree nuts slashed their chance of cancer recurrence and death roughly in half.
Mushrooms Are More Nutritious When Cooked This Way
A new study explores the various ways we cook mushrooms and what impact each method has on their nutritional value.
Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients Are Living Nearly Twice as Long
Survival rates for women diagnosed with breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body are increasing two-fold.
Robotic Hip Device Works to Prevent Devastating Falls
A device called Active Pelvis Orthosis, or APO, can prevent elderly persons from falling, even when put through hazardous conditions on a treadmill.
Segregated Neighborhoods Increase Heart Attack Risk for Black Americans: Study
These findings are extra relevant because African Americans already are at greater risk of cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, stroke and heart attack.
Teen Depression May Be Linked to Hippocampus Size
In a study, Mexican-American students with larger hippocampus brain areas had heightened sensitivity to depressive symptoms.
Researchers Get Closer to First Lab-Grown Blood Stem Cells
The breakthrough puts the researchers on pace to make a tremendous impact on patients with genetic disease.
Eating Cheese Is Not Bad for Heart Health: Study
A new study debunks claims that eating dairy products has an adverse effect on cardiovascular health.
Women Are Genetically Predisposed to Developing PTSD
Overall, women are twice as likely to develop PTSD than men.
Here’s Why Talking to Yourself Is Healthy
Despite the associated stigma, talking to ourselves is partially what makes us human.
2016 Miss USA Deshauna Barber on Military Life and Mental Health
Vital Updates spoke with Miss USA Deshauna Barber about her lesser known role in the Army Reserves, what it's like to be a woman in the military, and what she thinks of the controversial show "Thirteen Reasons Why."
Scientists Have Removed HIV from the Genes of Infected Mice
The researchers had conducted previous experiments on mice using CRISPR/Cas9 but with less impressive results.
Breast Milk Establishes Gut Microbiomes of Babies
The more breast milk the infants received, the more closely their gut’s microbiome resembled their mother’s.
Preschoolers With Vision Problems on the Rise in America
More and more children in the U.S. are experiencing eyesight problems but aren't getting the corrective care they need.
Frog Slime May Protect Against Deadly Flu Strains
The discovery of a peptide in the frog slime is a potentially important one to global public health.
Binge Drinking Leads to Dangerous Heart Arrhythmias
German researchers gathered data from 3,000 people at Oktoberfest to study the effects of binge drinking on the heart.
Umbilical Cord Blood May Boost Memory and Learning
Researchers from the Stanford University School of Medicine identified a specific protein in the plasma of umbilical cord blood that increased cognitive functioning in animal studies.
Too Much Legal Marijuana Is Falling Into the Wrong Hands
A new report shows illegal pot use is up significantly in states with medical marijuana laws, compared to those without them.
This Hand-Held Device Treats ‘Suicide Headaches’
The FDA just approved a device called gammaCore that targets the vagus nerve to treat debilitating cluster headaches.
Virtual Reality Could Help Prevent Older People From Falling
Utilizing virtual reality to assess the muscles used in maintaining balance could lead to new therapies to help the elderly avoid falling.
Strawberries Found to Knock Down Breast Cancer in Mice
The scientists' success in animal trials may suggest strawberry extract as a curative remedy for breast cancer, although many more studies would need to be done before extrapolating to humans.
Kids’ Hands May Be Covered in Nicotine: Study
New research has found that there are high levels of tobacco and nicotine getting onto kids' hands, even when no one is smoking around them.
CRISPR Pills Could Replace Antibiotics
Scientists are utilizing gene-editing technology to create pills that could destroy bacteria within the body.
People Still Aren’t Taking Statins After a Heart Attack
A new study found that a significant number of patients aren't taking their medication as directed two years after discharge.
FDA Issues Warning About Bogus Autism ‘Therapies’
Many of the so-called therapies for 'curing' autism are dangerous and misinformed, warns the FDA in a recent consumer alert.
‘Sesame Street’ Welcomes First Muppet With Autism
The lovable Muppets living on "Sesame Street" have welcomed Julia, a character with autism, to the neighborhood.
Bacterial Spray Could Help Clear Up Eczema
Scientists have developed a spray loaded with the good bacteria that people with eczema are missing.
Now You Can Drink Your Water and Eat It, Too
Believe it or not, this ball of water is entirely edible.
Scientists May Be Getting Closer to Curing HIV
City of Hope currently has active clinical trials of gene therapy for AIDS using blood stem cell transplantation.
Task Force Dials Back on Prostate Screening Recommendations
In 2012, the U.S. Preventive Series Task Force didn't recommend doctors give regular screening tests for prostate cancer, but now they're recommending the test for men ages 55 to 69.
These Are the Most Stressed Out States in the Country
The stress levels of Americans all over the country have been assessed; where does your state rank?
Coca-Cola Funded Media Conferences to Sway Journalists: Report
A report reveals that industry money was used to sway journalists to report that inactivity is a bigger problem than sugar consumption in the obesity epidemic.
Doctor Recommends Against Antipsychotic Medications for Older Patients
Dr. Melissa Mattison's key message at the American College of Physicians Internal Medicine Conference last weekend warned against the effectiveness of antipsychotics for elderly patients.
Overweight Moms Are More Likely to Have Children Who Develop Epilepsy: Study
A new study found that the greater a mother’s body mass index, the greater the risk of having a baby that developed childhood epilepsy.
Your Microbiome is a ‘Sexy’ Topic for These Leading Doctors on Gut Health
Gut health was one of many topics discussed at the 2017 American College of Physicians Internal Medicine Meeting in San Diego.
Children Exposed to Lead Feel the Effects Well into Adulthood: Study
A new study reveals that the cognitive effects of lead exposure can last for decades.
FDA Warnings About Medications Aren’t Taken Seriously Enough
In a session at the American College of Physicians’ Internal Medicine Meeting in San Diego this week, Dr. Douglas S. Paauw stressed the importance of heeding medication warnings from the FDA.
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