Doctors treating overweight or obese patients usually prescribe exercise as part of a regimen to help patients shed the pounds. However, a new study indicates that some people's ability to exercise may be hampered by a variety of gastrointestinal problems that frequently affect individuals who are overweight.

Researchers studying nearly 1,000 men and women in weight-loss programs in Minnesota found ties between gastrointestinal symptoms, diet and exercise may have repercussions for health professionals treating both obesity and gastrointestinal problems

At an average of 77.6 years of age, U.S. life expectancy has hit another all-time high. Deaths from heart disease, cancer and stroke are also reported to be on a continuous decline. The latest data is collected by the National Center for Health Statistics and dozens of other health agencies and organizations. Deaths from heart disease, cancer and stroke, the nation's three leading killers, all dropped in 2003 between 2 and 5 percent. The report adds Americans' life expectancy increased again in 2003 to 77.6, up from 77.3 the year before - it was 75.4 in 1990. Life expectancy in the U.S. has been rising almost without interruption since 1900, thanks to several factors, including extraordinary advances in medicine and sanitation, and declines in some types of unhealthy behavior, such as smoking

Christopher Reeve's widow, Dana Reeve says she is responding well to lung cancer treatment and is "feeling great."

Reeve, 44, was diagnosed with the killer disease in August - less than a year after her "Superman" star husband died

Christopher Reeve's widow, Dana Reeve says she is responding well to lung cancer treatment and is "feeling great."

Reeve, 44, was diagnosed with the killer disease in August - less than a year after her "Superman" star husband died

An outbreak of whooping cough cases in Kansas this year has resulted in the death of one child and the infection of 54 people statewide, health officials said Wednesday.

So far this year, whooping cough cases have soared more than tenfold in Kansas compared to 2003, killing one young child and infecting people in 54 Kansas counties, health officials said Wednesday