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."
This Weight Loss Drug May Reduce Opioid Cravings: Study
Lorcaserin is a prescription weight loss pill that works by altering the brain’s serotonin circuitry, and now it's been shown to reduce opioid cravings in animal tests.
America’s Fattest Cities Are All in One Part of the Country
Except for one city, most of the top 20 fattest American cities are all in the South.
Young Cancer Survivors Are More Likely to Have Premature Babies: Study
The authors hypothesized that long-term effects of cancer treatments may be to blame.
Mixing Alcohol and Energy Drinks Is a Recipe for Injuries: Study
Energy drinks can mask the effects of alcohol, which can lead to consuming more alcohol and experiencing more hazardous situations.
Hepatitis C Now Easily Treated With Oral Medications
Before the advent of these drugs, treatment for Hepatitis C included interferon, which many people say is worse than the symptoms of Hepatitis C itself.
Climate Change May Be Making Our Nation Sick
A group representing about half of all doctors in the U.S. is discussing the adverse ways that climate change is affecting human health.
Here Are the Happiest Cities in America
Check out the list to see if your city made the cut.
Girls Who Play Soccer Suffer More Concussions Than Football Players
High school girls who play soccer get more concussions than boys who play football, according to new research.
Strawberries Top the ‘Dirty Dozen’ List of Produce Containing Pesticides
From the "Dirty Dozen" to the "Clean Fifteen," here are the fruits and vegetables claimed to contain the least and most pesticides this year.
Overweight Moms More Likely to Give Birth to Child with Cerebral Palsy
While the authors aren’t certain exactly why overweight women are more likely to give birth to babies with cerebral palsy, one theory is that these babies are more prone to asphyxia-related complications.
As Americans Become More Obese, Fewer Are Trying to Lose Weight
Overweight Americans are becoming more satisfied with their weight and appearance, which has lead to a decrease in their attempts to shed pounds.
Too Many Melanoma Survivors Are Still Seeking Sun
People who survive a melanoma diagnosis are advised to avoid the sun as they're at high risk for another diagnosis.
Probiotic Cream Made From Body’s Own Bacteria May Cure Eczema
This “natural antibiotic” is superior to pharmaceutical approaches because it doesn’t kill the protective, beneficial bacteria on the skin.
Chewing Gum Can Damage Digestive System, Even If Not Swallowed
It's a chemical called titanium oxide, present in chewing gum, candy and even toothpaste, that's been shown to be harmful to the digestive system.
Dirty Dozen: Here Are the World’s Most Dangerous Bacteria
They are a veritable deadly dozen of bacteria for which antibiotics have no impact.
Killer ‘Smart Bacteria’ Found to Wreak Havoc on the Gut
The researchers figured out that the bacteria can somehow sense they have become attached to intestinal cells inside a human and begin to express their genes.
Websites Used to Grade Physicians Get an ‘F’ in Helpfulness
Dozens of sites did not even meet the researchers’ inclusion criteria, which required having written reviews of doctors, no fee for use, a search-by-name option, and not being restricted to a certain specialty or insurance plan.
Probiotics May Be Helpful for Premature Babies
Although they still pose risks for extremely low birthweight babies, probiotics have been shown to significantly reduce the risk of deadly gut-related conditions in premies.
Scientific Formula Reveals ‘Ideal’ Female Lips
In an effort to hopefully reduce the amount of botched lip surgeries, researchers took to Facebook to create a poll about ideal female lip size and appearance.
New Fathers Get Depressed After Childbirth, Too
A new study shows that men who are depressed during their partner's pregnancy experience an upswing in their symptoms nine months post childbirth, which can be due to several factors.
Eating Less May Contribute to Living Longer
It turns out that the cells our bodies use to digest food need a break every now and then.
Bigger Bellies Linked to Bigger Heart Disease, Diabetes Risk
This sort of research allows doctors and scientists to examine whether variations in genes directly impact disease function.
Meds For Low Back Pain Should Only Be Used When Other Treatments Fail
New guidelines from the ACP advise that other therapies for treating lower back pain, like acupuncture and rehab, should be considered before taking potentially addictive pain medications.
Campaign Launched to Get More Women Into HIV Heart Health Study
Since antiretroviral medications used to treat HIV increase one's risk of heart disease, a clinical trial seeks both male and female participants to test whether a heart disease pill will help.
Too Many Children Are Getting Their Hands on Pet Medications
While most parents are vigilant in keeping medication out of the reach of children, it seems they can be a little lax when it comes to medications for pets.
Dental Care: Where You Live Determines Quality and Cost
See how your state ranks in terms of quality and cost of dental care in the United States.
Children Are Burning Their Eyes by Playing with Laundry Pods
Some children who ingested the pods also experienced profuse vomiting, trouble breathing, and a few even died.
E-Cigarettes Are ‘Safer’ Than Traditional Cigarettes: Study
Although the carcinogens present in e-cigarette "juice" are not fully known, a group of researchers have concluded that they are still less harmful than traditional tobacco cigarettes.
Campaign to End HIV/AIDS Expands to More States
Scientists and activist groups are joining forces once again to battle and ultimately end the prevalence of HIV in the Deep South.
E-Cigarettes May Be Harmful to Your Heart
While there is still considerable debate over the health effects of e-cigarettes, a new study measuring heart activity of e-cigarette users may be tipping the scale.
The World Is ‘Grossly Unprepared’ for Infectious Disease Outbreaks
Our unstable world adds even more urgency for being prepared for future disease outbreaks, which experts warn we are not presently ready for.
Doctors Are Spending More Time Doing Paperwork Than Actually Seeing Patients
It's a problem that's getting worse: Doctors are increasingly relying on computers to document their patients' visits, and issues with medical records persist.
Cervical Cancer Death Rates Are Higher Than Everyone Thought
When calculating cervical cancer risk, previous studies did not consider women who had undergone hysterectomies.
Where You Live May Determine Your Risk of Dying From Certain Cancers
Cancer deaths in the U.S. plummeted 20 percent between 1980 and 2014, but a county-by-county breakdown reveals some areas actually saw cancer cases rise.
New Guidelines Make It Easier for Pregnant Women to Eat Fish
The new guidelines will make it easier for pregnant women to make informed choices about consuming fish.
Most Doctors Overcharge Patients: Report
The study authors found that doctors on average are charging more than two and a half times what Medicare pays.
Going ‘Umbrella Chic’ at the Beach Won’t Prevent You from Getting a Sunburn
Beach umbrellas are stylish and functional, but you still need to apply some sunscreen if you want to avoid a sunburn, even in the shade.
New Blood Pressure Guidelines for Americans Over 60
The new guidelines call for beginning treatment in those with a systolic blood pressure of 150 or higher.
Somebody Get Me a Doctor: A Lesson on Elder Care From Van Halen
There are very specific things that doctors should pay attention to when checking up on elderly patients.
Best & Worst Cities for Active Lifestyles Revealed
Where does your city rank? Learn about the factors that determine what makes America's cities more or less active than others.
‘Weekend Warrior’ Workouts Linked to Longer Lives
One to two vigorous workout sessions per week may be all you need to maintain your health.
Give Peanuts to Infants? New Allergy Recommendations May Surprise You
Give babies peanuts to ward off deadly allergy. Being around dogs and dirt promote healthier growth, too.
Bad Gut Bacteria Could Sabotage Your Weight Loss Resolution
Researchers find that both good and bad bacteria are essential to a healthy gut.
Cardiac Arrests May Have ‘Domino Effect’ in Hospitals
New research shows that cardiac arrests and intensive care unit transfers might happen in bunches, and for a reason.
Melanoma Rates Climb Nationwide
Melanoma deaths have climbed nationwide during a recent 10-year span, with only one region of the country seeing a decline.
Pregnant Women Who Eat American Diet Are More Likely to Have Obese Children
A study in rodents found that the typical diet consumed by American mothers increased the chances of offspring becoming obese.
HIV Patients Have Nearly Double the Heart Attack Risk: Study
A paper published in JAMA Cardiology shows that people with HIV have almost double the risk of heart attack than people who do not have the disease.
Study Finds ‘Alarmingly High Rate’ of Unnecessary Double Mastectomies
Double mastectomies when cancer is present in only one breast, also known as contralateral prophylactic mastectomy, or CPM, have skyrocketed in recent years.
Fossils Show Cavemen Ate Butterflies and Used ‘Toothpicks’
New clues about the lives of cavemen are giving scientists a better idea of their eating habits and hygiene routine.
Aspirin May Cut Your Risk of Pancreatic Cancer in Half
You’ve probably heard that taking aspirin may lower your risk of heart attack. But taking aspirin to prevent pancreatic cancer?
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