December 15-21, 2009 - Original Health Articles
People who suffer from fibromyalgia have a lot to deal with. Not only do they often have intense pain, but research indicates that up to 90 percent of sufferers also suffer from fatigue—which can make the pain of the illness even harder to bear.
You've probably seen someone whose face looks young but neck is riddled with wrinkles and age spots. Neck skin tends to be thin and dry, plus loses elasticity as we age. But there are things you can do to keep—or renew—its youthful appearance.
If you have rheumatoid arthritis, you may be concerned about reports that suggest you are at higher risk for also developing lymphoma. Before you worry unnecessarily, here's what you need to know about the link between these two diseases. What is Lymphoma? Lymphoma is a form of cancer that affects white blood cells, or lymphocytes.
Did you ever notice that you have two different relationships with food? One is physical, and it is based on the type of diet you follow and the different types of foods you choose to eat to satisfy hunger. The other relationship you have with food is psychological, or emotional, based on how you think about food and how your thoughts affect your weight, health, and body image.
Indoor Asthma Triggers Experts say that the smoke and toxins released when you light a fire in your fireplace--or even your wood burning stove—can actually lead to a dangerous reaction for some people who're prone to have respiratory symptoms. The Danger that Exists Consider the facts.
In a 2007 study conducted by a student-and-professor team at the University of Chicago, the researchers found that almost half of their doctor respondents (45 percent) had prescribed placebos in their regular clinical practice and, of those, half had also prescribed them in the previous year.
Historically, Crohn's disease, an inflammatory bowel disorder, has been difficult to diagnose. This is in part because its symptoms are similar to other bowel disorders, such as ulcerative colitis, which also cause abdominal cramping and diarrhea. However, the bigger problem has been that the small intestine is difficult to examine using conventional diagnostic methods.
It seems so difficult today to find someone you really like to the point that, when you do, you are tempted to rush the connection by telling too much too quickly about yourself. But don't act on this impulse. Here are the dangers of moving too hastily and how to handle revealing details about your past.
3. Remain active At least 30 minutes of moderate exercise five days a week will help you stay physically fit and better able to ward off disease.
2. Get your z's Studies have shown that individuals who get six to seven hours of sleep a night live longer than those who sleep only four to five hours.
4. Test yourself It's important to get regular checkups, as well as key exams such as cholesterol and blood-pressure tests.
6. Quit smoking According to the Surgeon General, kicking the habit, even after decades, can reduce your cancer and heart-disease risk and increase your life expectancy.
It's a delicate balance—making smart food choices to control your blood glucose levels, while keeping the fun in food.
A diet rich in the following fruits, veggies, spices and meats will lower your need for diabetes medication and help you avoid complications such as nerve damage and kidney disease.
Cinnamon This spice is everything nice when it comes to fighting diabetes and is a tasty diabetic food. It increases your body's sensitivity to insulin so that glucose can enter cells. Just half a teaspoon of cinnamon can lower blood sugar levels significantly.
Figs These fruit are packed with fiber, so they do a great job at helping to control your blood sugar levels. Studies suggest that fig leaf supplements can also lower blood sugar levels, which boosts this fruit's reputation as a super diabetic food.
Now you're aware of the bounty that has gained the nickname of "diabetic food" such as whole grains, fish and vegetables. Add these eight super diabetic foods to your diet today.
Soy The Harvard University School of Public Health found that soy protein and soy nuts can improve insulin sensitivity, and lower bad cholesterol.
1. Keep your teeth clean Good oral health has been linked to prevention and better management of heart disease, diabetes, and osteoporosis.
Although genetics and sheer luck play some part in life expectancy, our longevity also depends largely on the habits we keep. So, whether you're in your twenties or already a senior citizen, adopting these behaviors into your daily routine can help add years to your life.
Men and women communicate differently, experts say. When we talk with each other, men tend to sit side by side rather than face to face, which seems unconfrontational to them, says Mary Jo Rapini, LPC, an intimacy/sex relationship psychotherapist. And men often don't make eye contact when they talk, she says, because they find it "threatening.
It sounded like a diabetic's dream come true: the idea of inhaling insulin rather than injecting it. But Pfizer's Exubera, the first inhaled insulin product on the market, wound up a commercial failure. After that, other companies like Eli Lilly-Alkermes stopped studies of similar products.
Your best bet for health is to start a lifelong fitness habit. But you may find yourself breaking that habit unless you find ways to keep it fun, fresh, and energizing. So, what gets in the way of lifelong fitness? Most people cite boredom, lack of time, and no motivation as reasons why they stop working out.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects as many as one in five Americans, making it one of the most common ailments diagnosed by doctors. It's more common in women than men; and in about 50 percent of the population, it strikes before the age of 35. While symptoms can vary from person to person, the hallmarks of the disorder frequently include abdominal pain, bloating, cramping, and fluctuations between diarrhea and constipation.
In school, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered (LGBT) youth express concern for their safety. Over two thirds of LGBT youth, report feeling unsafe because of their sexual orientation and nearly half feel threatened due to their gender expression.
Living in a noisy environment may be more than just annoying-it could also be hazardous to your health. A new study published by Swedish researchers in the online journal Environmental Health found that people who live near roads with heavy traffic noise were more likely to report having high blood pressure than those who reside in more tranquil areas.
2. Choose mustard over mayo While most mayo brands pack 100 calories into just one tablespoon, the average serving of mustard contains only three.
Physicians use mammograms in two ways: to screen women who have no signs of breast cancer and as a diagnostic tool to check for cancer after a woman or her physician notice other symptoms. The medical community has long advised women to begin screening for breast cancer at age 40 unless they have known risk factors, such as a family history of cancer.
4. Stop the pop Drink water instead. Or, for a refreshing twist, try seltzer with lemon or lime.
6. Don't supersize You don't even have to skip the fries altogether. Simply downsizing to a medium instead of a large will save you up to 188 calories.
5. Forgo the frying Enjoying a serving of roasted chicken instead of fried chicken can save you as much as 150 calories in one meal.
8. Slash the sugar When ordering a cup of morning joe, do you get whipped cream on top? Next time, say no, and you'll cut 100 calories before you even start your day.
7. Mesh with mushrooms Substituting some portabella mushrooms for a couple ounces of beef will reduce your calorie intake by over 100.
9. Think thin Eating two slices of thin crust pizza instead of thick pan pizza could save you about 160 calories. Skipping the pepperoni on those two pieces will eliminate another 80.
Top 8 Healthy Snacks and Treats Please review the following suggestions, which are adapted from the American Dietetic Association's website, for simple recipes you can make together. Better yet, when it comes to helping to fill your child's daily quota of protein, calcium, fiber and other essential nutrients, these recipes are sure to make the grade.
It's no secret that women generally live longer than men, often by as much as ten years. Check out any senior center or nursing home and chances are you'll find more (sometimes many more) women. Widows far outnumber widowers in this country and others.
Waxing is a popular, cost-effective option for hair removal. In addition to lasting 2-8 weeks, it's a method that you can even do yourself. But it does pose risks for skin damage, irritation, and infection. Here's an overview of waxing and some suggestions for avoiding complications.
The use of antidepressants in the United States has skyrocketed over the last two decades. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, adult use of antidepressants almost tripled between 1988-1994, and according to a study conducted by Dr.
As many as 5 million Americans suffer from hernias every year, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. We tend to think of hernias as being the result of lifting very heavy objects, but in fact, they can have a number of causes. If you are someone who has suffered from a hernia, knowing more about the causes can you help you prevent a hernia from recurring.
Nut Allergy 101
When you're dealing with a child who has a nut allergy, you probably insist on keeping your kitchen nut free. But what happens when he leaves the confines of your home? Other settings may pose many dangers that are out of your control.
Avocados are more than just a delicious fruit to be enjoyed in favorite party dips like guacamole or as a garnish on sandwiches; they're a nutrient-rich food that packs a variety of nearly 20 vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients. They're also high in heart-healthy, unsaturated fats.
If you live in one of the Southern or Appalachian states, you better be extra vigilant about your health. Diabetes prevalence is higher in these places than in any other part of the country, according to Medical News Today. "This concentration of cardiovascular risks and diabetes points to the need for lifestyle and health care interventions in these states," said the Harvard School of Public Health's Goodarz Danae.
Uh-oh. It's that time of year again. No matter how good or bad your past twelve months have been for you, the reality of starting a new year almost automatically trips off feelings of sadness or regret. And in these tough economic times, it's easy to fall into the "I Shoulda/Why Did I?" trap.
If you suffer from asthma, you probably know there're a host of items in your home and in the environment that can trigger your condition. But did you know that your emotions can also play a key role in bringing on your symptoms? The Link between Asthma and Emotions The fact is that feeling strong emotions alone isn't enough to cause you to develop an asthma condition.
There are so many good reasons not to exercise. One of the biggies is boredom. Using the same old machines and running the same old track can bore you to tears. Almost 50 percent of people who start exercising quit after only six months, because they're bored and unmotivated.
If you cut just 100 calories a day, you could lose a pound a month—and as many as 12 pounds in a year. But where do those 100 calories come from, and how can you eliminate them from your diet? Here, we show you how. 1. Skip the bread Those one or two slices you devour before your meal can pack on an extra 60 to 200 calories.
What are the most common topics that wives tend to keep mum about? "Usually money and sex," says Sheenah Hankin, Ph.D., a psychotherapist and the author of Complete Confidence. "Women spend money on things like shoes, facials and hair coloring, and then they feel guilty about what they spent.
You'll find alpha hydroxy acids in moisturizers, cleansers, exfoliants, and myriad other beauty products. Proponents say they reduce signs of aging like discoloration caused by the sun or acne, sun-damage, and wrinkles, plus stimulate your skin to produce elastin and collagen - all resulting in a more youthful you.
While colds and flus are common during the coldest months, if your symptoms seem to linger longer than a week or two, winter allergies could be the culprit, since your house is likely filled with a wide variety of indoor triggers. That means that your discomfort may really just be your summer allergies continuing.
