Since his death at age 93 Saturday , much has been written about hard-edged ex-"60 Minutes" reporter Mike Wallace's epic verbal battles with world leaders, swindlers and alleged crime bosses. But in 2005, Wallace made news of his own when he acknowledged his longtime war with depression – a fight that nearly caused him to take his own life. "I came perilously close to committing suicide," Wallace wrote in his memoir "Between You and Me." He described in dramatic detail how he was crushed by a devastating depression fueled by stress from a $120 million libel suit over a 1982 CBS documentary about the Vietnam War. The subsequent trial, he wrote, pushed him "more deeply into a dark and devastating malaise, which was crushing my spirit and even sapping my will to live." Going public with his struggle did much to help others know they weren't alone, said Dr. Charles Raison, CNNhealth's mental health expert. Telling everyone that someone as famously intelligent and successful as Wallace could be taken down by the disease helped to lessen the social stigma that often comes with the label "clinically depressed," said Raison, an associate professor of psychiatry at the University of Arizona College of Medicine. It wasn't surprising the pit bull of old-school TV journalism had the tenacity to confront his demons in public – displaying his dirty laundry on his own terms. It was classic Wallace, the king of confrontation using the tools of his trade to melt away the stigma like so many scandal-plagued politicians sweating under hot TV lights. Wallace's admission humanized him against a self-described "tough guy" reputation, said Dr. Aaron Rochlen, a professor of psychology at the University of Texas at Austin. "There was a lot of positive reaction and appreciation for his public acknowledgment of what was going on for him. It took self-awareness and courage for him to admit that." Americans have been more open about their depression in recent years, Rochlen said. The issue has been appearing in pop culture, such as Tony Soprano's discussion of depression. Soprano's therapy was a central theme of "The Sopranos," which was "important in impacting impressions about men and mental health and in therapy," Rochlen said. "Former NFL quarterback Terry Bradshaw has been very open about his struggles with depression. So I do think there's been a cultural shift in terms of decreasing stigma, but there's a long way to go." Wallace wrote in his book that he'd sought help from a doctor he'd been going to for years. But that doctor, he said, failed to recognize Wallace was sliding into a clinical depression. "That's terribly common," Raison said. "Studies in both the UK and the U.S. suggest that that happens more than 50% percent of the time. There have been studies in the United States that suggest that of all the people that have clinical depression – probably less than 25% get adequate, appropriate treatment." Wallace wrote he was losing his appetite and was taking sleeping pills to offset insomnia during the trial. "This is a classic symptom," Raison said. "Among men, somewhere between 90% and 95% of people who get emotionally depressed will demonstrate changes in sleep and appetite. In women, it's almost 100%." Wallace also wrote that he feared the lawsuit and trial – brought by William C. Westmoreland, the retired U.S. Army general who had led U.S. troops in Vietnam – would irreparably damage his reputation as a reporter, which experts say also would have contributed to his deepening depression. Men often connect their sense of well-being to their careers and their career-related success, Rochlen said. "When there are threats to that success or obstacles to reaching their goals, that can spur on a depression," he said. Raison added, "The stressers that are most likely to make people depressed are things that threaten their image of who they are.  Things that are likely to make you lose status, lose power, lose the respect of other people, lose everything you've built, destroy what you think your life is about. Even when the stresser gets fixed, the depression often persists." Wallace wrote it was only because of the "love and caring support from a friend" that he was able to avert taking his own life. "Mood disorders seem to be linked to both creativity and intelligence, according to a number of studies,"  Raison said. The message: Anyone can suffer from clinical depression. "Anyone who saw Mike Wallace decimate these people during interviews, you wouldn't pick him as a guy that had depression," Raison said. "When you're depressed, it's very, very hard to do anything. Isn't it amazing that a guy who was so bullish, so pro-active, so driven, could at the same time suffer with the condition that eliminates those traits? That's what really struck me." Filed under: Depression , Mental Health Tagged: Thom Patterson CNN.com Writer/Producer

Sheri McCoy, during her tenure running Johnson & Johnson’s pharmaceuticals group, was the highest-ranking woman in the industry. Now, she’s leaving to run a beauty business, Avon Products. McCoy’s losing the horse race to become J&J’s CEO in February disappointed women in and around the pharmaceutical industry, whose executive ranks are dominated by men. J&J’s choice, Alex Gorsky, is considered a more than worthy pick, but McCoy was also considered capable and would have been a role model for the many women making their way up Big Pharma ladders. “Where we see women in CEO roles is not in the Rx business,” said DeeDee DeMan, founder and chief executive of search firm Bench International. DeMan hopes the state of affairs will change, and says McCoy might be the first woman to run a drug maker, after further validating her worth at Avon. Yet there are plenty of examples of high-ranking women in Big Pharma who have departed. At J&J, for instance, McCoy had followed Chris Poon as the company’s highest-ranking female after Poon retired and took a job in academia. All this said, J&J and its rivals have nurtured the talents of a number of women now climbing various company management ranks. At J&J, a spokesman pointed out, women lead its commercial pharmaceutical businesses in North America, Europe and Asia. “Johnson & Johnson is committed to having a robust pipeline of diverse business leaders, and we are proud of our record of promoting and developing women leaders in our company.  Sheri McCoy made important contributions across Johnson & Johnson throughout her career, and we continue to cultivate other talented women in prominent leadership roles,” the J&J spokesman said.

Formula Comes Up Clean: Mead Johnson Nutrition said Sunday that fresh tests on its Enfamil Premium Newborn formula, a batch of which was pulled from the shelves of retailers including Wal-Mart, Walgreen and Kroger, have turned up no traces of a bacteria implicated in the death of a 10-day-old infant, the WSJ reports . The infant died from a rare infection caused by Cronobacter sakazakii, which is ubiquitous in the environment but has been found previously in formula. Avian Flu Research Debate: Some biosecurity experts are saying that experiments that created a form of avian flu that is more transmissible among laboratory animals should never have been done, the New York Times reports . Many public-health experts, however, argue that such research is necessary in order to discover the mutations in the virus that might be particularly dangerous, the paper says. The U.S. government has asked the researchers and scientific journals involved not to publish certain details of the latest research out of fear of bioterrorism. Changeover Coming: On Jan. 1, insurers and health-care providers such as physicians and hospitals are due to switch to a new format — known as version 5010 — for claims filed digitally as well as other electronic communications, the WSJ reports . The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services says consumers shouldn’t see any disruptions due to the changeover, but some are warning that if things don’t run smoothly, patients may see delayed payments to their doctors from insurers and unexpected bills, the paper says. Toxic Stress: A policy statement and technical report from the American Academy of Pediatrics note the dangers of “toxic stress” in childhood, saying it can cause physical, cognitive and psychological problems, the Los Angeles Times’ Booster Shots blog reports . That kind of stress can be caused by extreme parental neglect, domestic violence, a parent’s substance abuse or a mother’s chronic depression, the LAT reports. Image: iStockphoto

The holidays are all about best intentions: Finish shopping early, mail those cards on time, and survive the annual fat-filled feeding frenzy. Sorry, we can’t lick envelopes or shop for you, but we can arm you with these nine eat-smart tips for indulging without gaining weight. 1. Be a food snob . Don’t waste precious calories on blase fare like chips or crackers. At parties, follow the lead of Leslie Kelly, 48, a restaurant reviewer in Memphis, and try a decadent hors d’oeuvre or the host’s signature dish. “I always pick the special items that have lots of love poured into them, take just a small amount, and savor every bite,” Kelly says. When you discover something that’s not-so-wonderful, though, ditch it (but do it discreetly, of course). 2. Step away from the table . If you don’t put your choices on a plate, “you have no idea how much you’re really eating,” says Barbara Rolls, PhD, a Pennsylvania State University nutrition professor and author of The Volumetrics Eating Plan . “The worst thing you can do at a party is stand around the table dipping into the bowl.” 3. Veg out . At the start of a buffet, pile the greens and other tasty veggies on your plate, leaving just a little room for those high-calorie treats like sweets and cheeses. In a survey of more than 7,000 adults, Rolls found that those who ate the most fruits and vegetables were the least likely to be obese, even when they ate more food overall. Next Page:  Pare down those portions 4. Pare down those portions . Choose the smallest plate possible, suggests Brian Wansink, PhD, a Cornell University professor of nutrition science and marketing. In researching how the eye tricks the stomach, he’s found that whether it’s Chex Mix, pasta, or even stale popcorn, the bigger the bowl, plate, or package, the more you’re likely to eat. 5. Don’t talk with your mouth full . One of the best ways to keep from stuffing yourself at a big family dinner is great conversation, says Rick Bell, ScD, an adjunct associate nutrition professor at Tufts University. But, like Mom says, finish chewing before you start chatting. “When you eat and talk at the same time, you’re not really paying attention,” Bell explains. Plus, you look pretty gross. 6. Curb your options . Variety might be the spice of life, but it’s also a recipe for overeating. Rolls found that students who were offered sandwiches with four different kinds of filling ate a third more than those who got only their favorite sandwich. Health Advisory Board member David Katz, MD, an associate professor of public health at Yale University, advises bundling together similar flavors. For instance, put only salty (or meaty) foods on your plate at once. You’ll grow tired of that flavor more quickly and end up feeling full and satisfied on fewer calories. Next Page:  Pace yourself 7. Pace yourself . Take your cue from the slowest eater at the table. Research shows people may eat as much as 50 percent more when dining with friends. That’s why on Thanksgiving it seems like you can scarf down five times more food than on any other day. “When someone gets seconds or orders that third glass of wine, you kind of go along by default,” says Wansink, author of Mindless Eating: Why We Eat More Than We Think . If you’re surrounded by speed-eaters, take a sip of water between bites to slow down. 8. Drink slimmer . Alcohol is a double whammy during the holidays. It tends to weaken your resistance when it comes to eating, and the calories in drinks add up rapidly. “If you want to be a slender drinker, drink out of a slender glass,” advises Cornell’s Wansink, whose research shows that people tend to drink more from short, fat glasses. So try this optical illusion: Use a white wine glass rather than a goblet, or a highball over a tumbler. 9. Slip, don’t slide. If you eat three helpings of mashed potatoes and half a chocolate Santa, don’t just say you blew it and decide you might as well polish off St. Nick. Learn from your slip-up. Did you arrive at the party starving? Did you befriend the buffet because you didn’t know anyone? Next time, eat a salad first, start a conversation, and park yourself far from the danger zone. And let next time start today.

Each year, nearly 20 million men, women and children in the United States fail to see a family physician or similar health care professional, but they do pay at least one visit to the dentist, according to a new study in the American Journal of Public Health. For this segment of the population, dentists may be the only doctors in a position to spot the warning signs of chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, and provide referrals or advice to prevent serious complications, says Shiela M. Strauss, Ph.D., the lead author of the study and an associate professor at New York University's Colleges of Dentistry and Nursing. Oral or dental abnormalities can signal a broad range of body-wide health problems, including HIV, sexually transmitted diseases, eating disorders, and substance abuse, in addition to diabetes. In a previous study, for instance, Strauss and her colleagues found that 93% of patients with gum disease (such as gingivitis) also met the criteria that should trigger blood-sugar screening under American Diabetes Association guidelines. Health.com: Signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes "I'm not advocating for dentists to become general health care providers," Strauss says. But, she adds, dentists can easily measure blood pressure and administer simple screening questionnaires – both of which could potentially make a big difference to the health of someone at risk for diabetes who hasn't seen a doctor recently. In the new study, Strauss and her team analyzed data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, a nationally representative government-sponsored survey of health care use. In 2008, the researchers found, roughly one-quarter of adults did not see a physician, nurse practitioner, or other general health care provider – but of that group, 23% did see a dentist. The pattern was similar among children. It's not clear what's leading these people to see a dentist but skip medical care. Most of the adults – and nearly all of the kids – had health insurance, so lack of coverage can't fully explain it. In fact, the authors note, the dentist-only group was "quite diverse" ethnically, socioeconomically and geographically. Health.com: 20 things that can ruin your smile It could be that dental problems – unlike some chronic diseases – are often too painful to ignore, Strauss says, or it could be that dentists are simply better than doctors at reminding patients when it's time for a checkup. Getting dentists in the habit of screening for health conditions will probably require changes to dental-school curricula, the researchers say. However, dentists and dental hygienists are typically already trained to check blood pressure and conduct other types of general medical screening. Health.com: Natural ways to lower blood pressure And while they might be hesitant to take on more patient responsibilities, Strauss says, doing so may have unexpected benefits. She points to the experience of some Swedish dentists who participated in an insurance plan that required them to implement diabetes screening for their patients. "The reputation got out there that these were dentists that really cared about the patients," she says. "It was an initial investment of a bit more time on the part of the dentist, but it reaped great rewards for them in terms of growing their practice." Filed under: Dental health , Health.com Tagged: Anne Harding – Health.com

‘Tis the season for holidays parties, and with the festivities come a myriad of tasty treats. But you don’t have to resist every temptation to keep a healthy diet. With just five fit tips, we’ll show you how to eat smart while you celebrate. Eat a healthy snack before a party, be choosy with your sweets, and B.Y.O.B: Bring Your Own Broccoli! When making your contribution to a party, opt for a veggie platter rather than a cookie tray. But no matter your strategy, enjoy yourself!

Nothing motivates me more to work out than a fully stocked gym bag waiting for me in the morning. Except, perhaps, a cute gym bag that’s not only filled with gym essentials but also has all the compartments and room I need to transport my workout gear. If your friend is the same, gift her this holiday with a cute and functional gym bag. From sporty to fashionable to she’ll-want-to-carry-this-everywhere, here are five gym bag picks to suit your friend’s tastes! View Slideshow ›

Pfizer Reports: Pfizer earnings rose 5.5% in the second quarter, to $2.61 billion, or 33 cents a share, from $2.48 billion, or 31 cents a share, the WSJ reports . Excluding restructuring charges, earnings fell by a penny to 60 cents. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters had expected 59 cents. Sales slipped to $16.98 billion, slightly less than analysts’ expectations of $17 billion. Big Drops: Shares in nursing-home operators including Sun Healthcare, Skilled Healthcare, National HealthCare and Kindred Healthcare fell yesterday following Friday’s announcement that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will cut reimbursement to skilled-nursing facilities by 11.1%, the WSJ reports . Wells Fargo analysts said investors were expecting cuts in the 5% to 7% range, the paper reports. The lobbying group for the nursing-home industry criticized the move, saying it would jeopardize patient care and jobs. Back on the Market: Health Net says CMS has allowed the company to once again market and enroll people in its Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plan products, Reuters reports . CMS imposed sanctions on the company last fall, citing compliance issues with certain Medicare rules. At present, CMS won’t automatically assign low-income enrollees to the company’s prescription-drug plans, though people can choose to sign up on their own, Reuters says. FDA Warning: The FDA is warning the maker of brownies containing melatonin and marketed as a stress reliever that the agency may pull the products from retail outlets, the Associated Press reports . The FDA says there isn’t data showing that melatonin is a safe food additive and that the “Lazy Larry” products, previously called “Lazy Cakes,” are thus considered adulterated, the AP says. Manufacturer HBB LLC didn’t comment about the warning to the AP. Mobile Control: Virtual coaching software on mobile phones helped diabetics cut their average A1C levels, a measure of blood sugar, by 1.9 percentage points compared to 0.7 points among patients not using the technology, the WSJ reports . The findings were published online by the journal Diabetes Care. The FDA-approved app used in the study is developed by WellDoc; Sanofi’s own diabetes-management product is under FDA review, while Medtronic and Johnson & Johnson are also developing apps. Image: iStockphoto

Research led by the National Institutes of Health may suggest new avenues of treatment for a rare childhood disorder–and insights into the aging process. A group of scientists led by NIH director Francis S. Collins are reporting that the drug everolimus clears out a protein called progerin from cells of children with progeria. This protein builds up to toxic levels in patients with progeria, a rapid-aging disorder that causes children to die of heart attacks or strokes in their teens. Everyone makes progerin, a mutant form of the protein Lamin A, which is critical to organizing the genome inside the body’s cells. As WSJ has reported , there is a growing body of research that shows progerin accumulates as we grow older. In today’s study, the researchers found that everolimus also reduced progerin in cells from healthy people and prolonged cell life. Everolimus is a derivative of the immunosuppressant rapamycin, which has been shown in previous work to extend the life span of mice. The study, published today in Science Translational Medicine  , found that everolimus appears to rev up cells’ own recycling system so they clear the toxic progerin out more rapidly. The underlying defect driving the genetic disease remains, Collins told the Health Blog, “but the amount of protein is reduced by 50% in treated cells, which has a profound effect on survival.” In the paper, the researchers concluded that the data are so compelling that the drug should be tested in children with progeria. They point out that everolimus has been tested in children before. Last November, the FDA approved Afinitor, the brand name for everolimus tablets made by Novartis Pharmaceuticals, for the treatment of patients with benign brain tumors associated with another rare disease called tuberous sclerosis. The FDA approval was based on a 28-patient study conducted by Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. The median age in that trial was 12, according to David Neal Franz, a neurologist who led the trial. Leslie Gordon, medical director of the nonprofit Progeria Research Foundation, which helped fund work in the new paper, said researchers are considering how to launch an everolimus trial. She is also co-chair of a trial of a three-drug cocktail trial currently under way at Children’s Hospital Boston in 45 children with progeria. That trial team has had preliminary conversations with the FDA about the possibility of a new everolimus trial, she told the Health Blog. Researchers are excited that everolimus appears to use a different avenue of attack on progerin than the three drugs. Gordon said, “This offers a new option to test.”

Are you still in that pleasant dream-like situation even after the sexual intercourse? Nothing can bring you back to reality when you discover that you are bleeding. Various reasons can result in bleeding after sex. Here are some of the major causes of vaginal bleeding after sex : 1. Chlamydia: This is a type of STD caused due to the bacteria called Chlamydia trachomatic. This is transmitted by sexual activity, vaginal fluid, blood or contact with semen. 2. Cervical dysplasia: This condition causes precancerous changes in the epithelial cells, which line the cervix. Risk of this condition increases by participating in sex with more than one person, sex before 18 years of age, childbirth before 16 years of age, or a history of STDs. Usually, treatment options for cervical dysplasia include conisation or cryosurgery. 3. Cervical polyps: These are smooth, purple or red, finger like tumors that develop outside the cervical canal or mucus layer of the cervix. They are particularly fragile and extend out of the cervix and they can be removed easily and painlessly. 4. Endometritis or adenomyosis: It is an inflammation of endometrium. These two conditions are associated with endometriosis. Adenomyosis occurs when endometrial tissues attach themselves to uterus or some other organs like ovaries and develop out of the uterus. 5. Fibroids: They are benign solid masses and made of fibrous tissues. Symptoms greatly vary and sometimes they won’t show any symptoms. Fibroids disappear on their own when you enter into the menopausal stage because estrogen production decreases. 6. Gonorrhea: An STD caused by bacteria. You will find various treatments to avoid the condition. 7. Trichomoniasis: It is an STD caused due to protozoan. This can also be transmitted to newborns during birth. It can cause vaginitis. 8. Vaginal yeast infection: It is an increased growth of normal fungi that restrains the vaginal area. This condition causes itching, cheese, odorless and whit colored discharge. 9. Uterine polyps: Overgrowth of the endometrium that causes protrusions in your uterus can lead to uterine polyps. These tumors can be benign or malignant. Uterine polyps can cause bleeding between menstrual cycles, vaginal bleeding after sex, menorrhea, spotting, bleeding after menopause, and bleeding in hormone therapy. 10. Vaginitis: This is also called as cervicitis. It causes swelling or inflammation and infection of your cervix or vagina. Treatment procedure mainly depends on the causes. 11. Cervical ectropion: This is the state in which cervical tissues are more susceptible to abrasion. 12. Pelvic inflammatory disease: It is the infection of vagina or cervix that spreads to uterus, ovaries and fallopian or uterine tubes. Sexually active women are at high risk of developing this condition. 13. Cancer of the cervix, uterus or vagina: All these conditions can cause vaginal bleeding after sex. The cells on the cervix undergo changes, which can be pre-cancerous and these can cause bleeding after sex. If you have pre-cancerous cells or cervical cancer, avoid having sex. 14. Menopausal changes: When you enter into menopause state, there is a decrease in vaginal lubrication and the vaginal area becomes dry because of decreased estrogen levels. Estrogen is the key to maintain vaginal health and elasticity. 15. Postpartum changes: Most of the women experience cervical changes during and after pregnancy, which can lead to bleeding after sex. This is one of the reasons why most women have Pap smear within 2 months after delivery.