Women's health: Prevent the top threats

Rochester, Minnesota - Many of the leading threats to women's health can be prevented - if you know how. The top causes of death among adult women in the U.S. include heart disease, stroke, cancer, chronic lower respiratory disease, Alzheimer's disease, and unintentional injuries, according to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Cleaning products and lung health

Rochester, Minnesota - A recent international study found that women who use cleaning products regularly, particularly those who work as professional cleaners, may have a more rapid decline in lung function over time than women who do not use those products regularly. Although the study did not examine specific products, it is a good idea to choose cleaners that have low levels of potentially toxic chemicals, or alternative products - such as white vinegar, baking soda or washing soda, whenever possible. You also should keep the area you’re cleaning well-ventilated and never mix cleaning products.

Benefits, dangers of fentanyl

Yuma, Arizona - Fentanyl is an opiate pain medication, that generally is used to treat severe pain, especially for cancer patients. Fentanyl is 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine, and illegal use of the drug is on the rise, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Dr. Michael Hooten, a pain management specialist at Mayo Clinic, talks with reporter Vivien Williams about the benefits and dangers of fentanyl.

Transfat is double trouble for your heart health

Scottsdale, Arizona - Many health care providers consider transfat to be the worst type of fat you can eat. Unlike other dietary fats, transfat, also called transfatty acids, raises your low-density lipoprotein or LDL ("bad") cholesterol and lowers your high-density lipoprotetin or HDL ("good") cholesterol.

Osteoporosis, What are your risks?

Scottsdale, Arizona - You might not think of bones as being alive, but they are. Every day, your body breaks down old bone and replaces it with new bone. As you get older, however, the ratio becomes unequal: more bone is lost than gained. If too much is lost, then you can develop the bone disease osteoporosis.