BBC News - Health

Calcium pills 'raise' heart risk Calcium supplements taken by many older people could be increasing their risk of a heart attack, research shows.

Pregnant women rights questioned The right of women to choose whether they have home births is being questioned by a leading medical journal.

Drug prescribed after web search A father persuades the NHS to give his sick daughter a "miracle" drug he found on the internet.

Addiction drugs 'aid weight loss' A combination pill of two drugs used to treat addiction may help people lose weight, say US researchers.

Child heart op ban 'should stay' Children's heart surgery should remain suspended at Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital where four babies died, a report says.

Public health fear in NHS revamp The overhaul of the NHS may harm the public health drive, a health think tank is warning.

Say fat not obese, says minister GPs and other health professionals should tell people they are fat rather than obese, England's public health minister says.

Hip hope from stem cell technique Doctors may soon be able to patch up damaged bones and joints anywhere in the body with a simple shot in the arm.

Alcohol can 'lessen' arthritis Drinking alcohol can reduce the severity of rheumatoid arthritis symptoms, a study has found

Warning for obese mothers-to-be Obesity levels among pregnant women have reached epidemic levels, putting the health of their babies at risk, experts say.

Friends offer 'a survival boost' Having good friends and neighbours appears to boost survival chances by 50%, say researchers.

Churchill's teeth fetch £15,200 A partial set of false teeth made for Sir Winston Churchill are sold at auction in Norfolk for £15,200.

Calcium pill value 'pretty poor' Professor John Cleland, cardiologist at Hull University, explains research that suggests calcium supplements may cause an increased risk of heart disease

Can your doctor call you 'fat'? Doctors need to be more direct when they are dealing with overweight patients, according to the government's health minister.

Coping with loss of armed forces parent A special holiday break is helping UK children cope with the loss of loved ones killed in conflict

Royal couple visit new hospital The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall have visited Birmingham to take a look around the city's new "super-hospital".

Weight, exercise and pregnancy confusion NICE have issued new guidelines on women's weight during and after pregnancy.

Can music aid athletic performance? Music has helped elite tri-athletes in Australia increase their endurance by 15%, researchers say.

What to do if stung by a Weever fish What should you do if you are stung by Britain's most poisonous fish?

Super-sized school uniforms sold As more and more children start primary school overweight, retailers are having to expand the waistlines on school uniforms.

Destination Harley Street Referring patients to a specialist private clinic cheaper than NHS

Choosing to be child-free But why do others question the decision?

Mother's grief Living with the effects of the Oxford heart surgery deaths.

Are we all ill? New mental health manual could mean we'll all end up diagnosed

Ample bodied How realistic is it for women to want this actor's shape?

Asian donation Organs for the community are in short supply

Creative block Robert Winston on the torment of scientists not just artists