HealthBeat

The findings Most asthma drugs are OK to use during pregnancy. A study of nearly 1,000 pregnant women by the University of California at San Diego found that most asthma medications, including inhaled steroids and inhaled bronchodilators, did not impair fetal growth. Women who took oral steroids, however, were more likely to deliver babies who were on average 7 ounces lighter than babies of women who used other medications.

What you should do Talk to your doctor about the best way to control your asthma during your pregnancy. If you take oral steroids, ask your doctor if taking a lower dose or switching to an inhaled variety may be better for you and your baby.

The findings Two drugs conquer migraines better than one. According to a study from Mercy Health Research/Ryan Headache Center in Chesterfield, Mo., 65 percent of migraine sufferers got more pain relief and experienced less nausea and light sensitivity when they took 50 milligrams (mg) of sumatriptan, a type of drug commonly prescribed for migraines, along with 500 mg of the anti-inflammatory naproxen. The combination proved significantly more effective than sumatriptan alone or naproxen alone. Triptan drugs combat migraines by preventing inflammation in the nerve endings. But anti-inflammatory drugs reduce inflammation already underway, so taking both offers better relief.

What you should do If you use a triptan drug for migraines, ask your doctor to recommend a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug to take along with it.

The findings Not getting enough shut-eye could lead to weight gain, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of NAASO, the Obesity Society. Researchers found that people who slept seven to eight hours a night weighed less and had less body fat than people who slept five to six hours. Regularly scrimping on nightly zzzs can reduce levels of leptin, a hormone that helps control weight by burning calories.

What you should do Establish a regular sleep schedule that lets you wake up refreshed. Not only will you feel better, you may end up thinner, too.

The findings Not getting enough shut-eye could lead to weight gain, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of NAASO, the Obesity Society. Researchers found that people who slept seven to eight hours a night weighed less and had less body fat than people who slept five to six hours. Regularly scrimping on nightly zzzs can reduce levels of leptin, a hormone that helps control weight by burning calories.

What you should do Establish a regular sleep schedule that lets you wake up refreshed. Not only will you feel better, you may end up thinner, too.

The findings Women with higher-than-average levels of anxiety have an increased risk of death, according to a study recently reported in the journal Psychosomatic Medicine. After analyzing data from the Framingham Offspring Study, researchers learned that women who suffered from high degrees of anxiety—a mood disorder marked by excessive worry, fatigue, irritability, impatience, shortness of breath and a pounding heart—were 27 percent more likely to die from any cause over the following 10 years.

What you should do Cut your anxiety down to size. Find ways to relax—take a walk with a friend or make time for a new book or hobby. Eat right, exercise and get enough rest. See your healthcare provider if anxiety persists. Medication or talk therapy can help.

The findings Two drugs conquer migraines better than one. According to a study from Mercy Health Research/Ryan Headache Center in Chesterfield, Mo., 65 percent of migraine sufferers got more pain relief and experienced less nausea and light sensitivity when they took 50 milligrams (mg) of sumatriptan, a type of drug commonly prescribed for migraines, along with 500 mg of the anti-inflammatory naproxen. The combination proved significantly more effective than sumatriptan alone or naproxen alone. Triptan drugs combat migraines by preventing inflammation in the nerve endings. But anti-inflammatory drugs reduce inflammation already underway, so taking both offers better relief.

What you should do If you use a triptan drug for migraines, ask your doctor whether a combination drug would better help your symptoms.