July 8-14, 2010 - Original Health Articles

You heard over and over by your mother, your doctor, and the media that too much time in the sun could lead to skin cancer and premature aging. While it is true that excessive UV exposure can increase your risk of skin cancer and potentially add a few wrinkles sooner than later, it turns out that small doses of sunlight are actually essential for your health.

It is not uncommon for people to end up with pain in their gluteal region and confuse it with back pain. This is because there seems to be some confusion as to where the lower back ends and the gluteal region begins. If you place your hands on your hips, anything above that line is your lower back and anything below that line is part of the gluteal region or your buttocks.

By now we all know that having consistently high blood pressure (120/80 mmHG or above) can cause myriad health problems, including heart attack and stroke. But should you be concerned if your problem is blood pressure that's too low? For most healthy adults, the systolic blood pressure (top number) is between 90 and 120 mmHG and the normal diastolic blood pressure (bottom number) falls between 60 and 80 mmHG.

Of the 35 million Americans 65 and older, roughly seven million suffer from either major depression or a less severe form of depression. Although depression is highly treatable, many older adults--especially those living in senior facilities--are never diagnosed.

The conclusion of cancer treatment does not necessarily mean that cancer-related stress, anxiety, and treatment side effects end as well. Cancer survivors frequently report post-treatment difficulties, particularly fatigue, and poor sleep quality. Yoga shows great promise for providing relief, which is great news for the millions of cancer survivors in the U.

Do you suffer from rheumatoid arthritis? One simple way to help treat this condition is to take care of your teeth. Although at first glance the connection between a joint disease and oral health seems odd, studies have found that the link between poor tooth and gum care and rheumatoid arthritis is very real.

No one likes to be stung by a bee. But for the two million Americans with serious insect allergies, a bee sting is more than just a nuisance. It can also cause a serious, or potentially fatal, reaction if not treated promptly. Stinging Allergies The presence of bees, wasps, hornets, and yellow jackets are a common occurrence during the summer months.

Tired of walking around with your elbows held in tight, trying to hide those armpit stains? While most people sweat when they exercise, or are nervous, anxious, or under stress, walking around with sweat stains can be embarrassing. For some people, the answer to put an end to armpit stains may be simple: an over-the-counter antiperspirant.

That the morning cup of coffee to get your day started is a hard thing to imagine letting go of—especially if you've been in the habit for years. But the question on many people's minds is if injesting caffeine is good or bad for their health. Caffeine today is considered the most commonly used mind-altering drug in the world.

If you have fibromyalgia, simple movement may be the last thing you want to do. But simple movements through physical therapy may be just the right treatment for you. How does physical therapy provide fibromyalgia relief? The answer: With a hands-on approach to reduce fatigue, pain, stiffness and loss of strength that accompanies fibromyalgia.

Abdominal bloating-that uncomfortable feeling of tightness or fullness in the stomach caused by either a buildup of gas or fluid retention-is very common affecting about 30 percent of people. Bloating is especially common and bothersome in sufferers of irritable bowel syndrome and is the result of gas trapped inside the bowel.

Melanoma is a serious form of skin cancer that can strike in unexpected places—including the eye. Melanoma of the eye, also called ocular or uveal melanoma, arises in the uveal tract of the eye. The uveal tract includes the iris (the colored part of the eye), the muscles that change the size of the pupil and shape of the lens (ciliary body), and the layer of blood vessels (choroid) that supports the eye.

When you don't get enough sleep, it can make you feel groggy and cranky. But it can also result in insulin resistance that can lead to the development of type 2 diabetes, research shows. Even worse, it doesn't take long for this to happen. In one study, when sleep was restricted to four hours a night for two nights in a row, glucose tolerance—when the body does not process glucose properly because it's not using insulin right—was reduced by 40 percent.

If you want to lower your risk for type 2 diabetes, you may be better off cutting into a steak than grilling sausages for dinner. Research shows that processed meat bumps up your risk of diabetes more than red meat. In fact, in some U.S. studies, for each serving of processed meat that was consumed, there was a 53 percent increase in the incidence of type 2 diabetes.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), also called talk therapy, effectively relieves symptoms of depression for many people. In fact, there's a lot of evidence that the combination of antidepressants and short-term therapy is more effective in treating depression than medication alone.

The right exercise mat can make a big difference to your workout in terms of comfort, safety and performance.  The market is flooded with mats in different styles, sizes, thicknesses and colors.  Some are sport-specific, while others are designed for fitness on the go.

Why does menopause get all the attention when it's actually perimenopause that brings those infamous symptoms? Because, most people don't know there's a difference.  Understanding perimenopause however, might help women enter a new time of life healthier, happier and more in control.

If you love the outdoors and have an affinity for nature, you probably appreciate the trees in your yard and in your neighborhood. Trees bring a variety of important benefits, such as producing oxygen in the air, lowering carbon dioxide levels, preventing soil from eroding, and helping to control ground temperatures.

A simple, inexpensive way to predict a woman's risk for a future heart attack may be just a fingertip away. According to a study published in the British Medical Journal, a woman's resting pulse rate is a good measurement of her heart attack risk regardless of other risk factors, including smoking and alcohol consumption.

If you're one of 36 million Americans who suffer from migraines, what you put in your mouth may go to your head. For some, certain foods pull the trigger that leads to crippling headaches. What is a Migraine Trigger? The American Council for Headache Education says there are specific factors that increase risks for having a migraine.