The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) approved a new medication for high blood pressure on Monday.

The Tekturna hypertension tablets manufactured by Novartis AG lowers blood pressure to prevent stroke, heart attack, kidney failure, heart failure and death. It works by inhibiting the production of the enzyme renin by the kidney. The enzyme is responsible for starting the chemical process that increases blood pressure

A meatpacking company in Minnesota has recalled 188,000 pounds of ground beef patties distributed to food establishments nationwide after five cases of illnesses caused by a bacteria in the product was found.

Lacrossetribune.com reported on Monday that the U.S. Agriculture Department's Food Safety and Inspection Service announced on Saturday the recall issued by the Rochester Meat Co. of Rochester for its beef patties produced on Oct. 30 and Nov. 6

A new study conducted by German gastroenterologists revealed that chewing as many as 14 sticks of gum a day may cause unintended weight loss among people, regardless of sex and age.

In a case study published Saturday in the British Medical Journal, the German doctors disclosed that chewing too much gum containing sorbitol, "a sugar substitute that is also a laxative," may lead to chronic diarrhea leading to "potentially dangerous weight loss

A group of German scientists concluded from their study that excessive chewing of sugar-free gum releases the artificial sweetener sorbitol to the body, resulting in diarrhea strong enough to cause weight loss of an alarming rate.

The scientists of Berlin's Humboldt University found that individuals who ate 16 to 20 sticks of chewing gum artificially sweetened by sorbitol lost a total of 20 percent of their total weight

More than 100,000 Britons have been downed by winter vomiting virus, its worst outbreak in the U.K. for five years. Health authorities anticipate a bigger number of victims in the coming days as the weather conditions worsen. The Health Protection Agency said the figure could double within the month.

The severe stomach bug, called norovirus, causes vomiting and diarrhea. To prevent the spread of the virus, victims have been advised to stay at home. The Royal College of General Practitioners said those affected by the norovirus must remain at home for two more days after they last experienced the bug's symptoms