June 22-30, 2010 - Original Health Articles
Running has become enormously popular in the last few decades. No longer just a pastime for the young and slim, many people of all ages and sizes have taken up the sport in order to improve their endurance and get fit. For converts, the health benefits of running are second to none.
Of course setting the stage for great sex involves the obvious--candles, soft music, low lights, and maybe some rose pedals. But why not also whip up a sensual feast to put you both in the mood for amore? Enjoying a meal that's light, yet slightly exotic and replete with the foods that encourage romance gives both of you the delicious opportunity to share a feast as you anticipate what's to come after dessert.
Six artificial sweeteners are currently approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They are all controversial because of questions about their safety and effectiveness. Information and misinformation abounds. Here's what you need to know to decide if sugar substitutes are right for you.
Few have heard about the link between allergies and ear infection, but many have experienced it. While it makes sense that the nasal congestion that goes along with allergies can cause your ears to feel blocked and/or painful, it wasn't until a decade ago that the full extent of how allergies and ear infection diagnoses relate was understood.
If you have diabetes, the old adage--ignore your teeth and they'll go away--is worth heeding. Your risk for a myriad of dental problems increases if your blood sugar is not in control. Even when you're in good blood sugar control, however, you still should be extra vigilant about oral health, experts say.
Treadmills are the perfect fitness tools for anyone who can walk. They keep you moving in poor weather, help you cross train and let you work out at home. Don't let your treadmill workout become a walk on the wild side, though. Every year, thousands of people land in the emergency room from tripping, falling, or scraping themselves up on the treadmill.
Chemotherapy drugs are part of many patients' overall cancer treatment. Despite safety precautions and the diligence of healthcare providers, sometimes physicians and nurses make medication errors. Because chemotherapy is so potent, mistakes can be life threatening, especially for children, who are three times more likely to be victims of medication errors.
An analysis by researchers at the UCLA Stroke Center in Los Angeles of 13 clinical trials studying folic acid and stroke found that taking folic acid supplements doesn't appear to prevent strokes. The clinical trials involved more than 39,000 participants with medical histories that included kidney and heart disease as well as stroke.
Tampons are among the most popular feminine hygiene products. But rumors claim they contain asbestos, rayon, and dioxin-chemicals that are associated with cancer, Toxic Shock Syndrome, and other serious health risks. But are these fears realistic? Let's sort fact from fiction about tampon safety.
Did you know that when it comes to eating as healthfully as possible, one size doesn't necessarily fit all? While fats, proteins, and carbohydrates are the building blocks that keep our bodies running smoothly, the precise formula that works best for one person is not exactly what another needs.
If you pay attention to the nutrients in your food, you probably know that fruits and vegetables are high in potassium. To get enough of this essential nutrient every day, however, it's not enough to go bananas. A banana a day is a great way to get some potassium in your diet, but you need a lot more than a piece of fresh fruit each day to provide your body with all it needs to stay healthy.
The act of sweating is our body's built-in cooling system. We normally sweat when we're in a warm environment or are exercising. When we have a fever due to the flu or other illness, it may also trigger sweating. And, as many women will attest, sweating and hot flashes are a frequent—and unwelcome—side effect of menopause.
Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that causes dramatic shifts in mood along a continuum between depression and mania (euphoria). A chemical imbalance in the brain that affects emotions causes bipolar disorder. It often co-exists with other anxiety disorders.
If you keep up on the latest news in berries high in antioxidants, you're probably familiar with the health benefits of blueberries and strawberries. You may even have flirted with goji, pomegranate, and acai berries. But have you heard of the latest...
Dieting presents its own special set of challenges to people who have diabetes. And while there's no magic weight loss regimen that will effortlessly melt away the pounds while keeping your blood sugar in the ideal range, clearing up misconceptions may help you shed unwanted pounds for keeps.
It's a pretty common pattern for men to date younger women--and this extends to marriage too. In the Unites States, on average, a groom is 2.3 years older than his bride, according to the US Census Bureau. While it might seem obvious that dating a younger...
If your plumbing is clogged and you don't know why, take a good look at your recent diet. If it's low in fiber and fluids, or high in dehydrating ingredients like salt and alcohol, you may have found your answer. Although constipation is often the result of what you're not eating, rather than what you are, some foods should go on your "limited" list until things start moving again.
Have you searched high and low for just the right shoes to help you deal with your osteoarthritis of the knee? Perhaps the solution lies in your nearest sneaker supercenter. A recent study has found that flip-flops and sneakers that have flexible bottoms are easier on painful knees than even clogs or walking shoes.
Think you've got food allergies? You may need to think again. The majority of Americans who believe they're experiencing an allergic reaction may actually be suffering from some other ailment. This finding was revealed as part of a widespread effort by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) to weed through the many inconsistencies and misconceptions that exist in defining food allergies and create some standardized guidelines for diagnosing this serious problem.
You're in a dimly lit room. Your favorite music is playing and the scent of lavender wafts through the air. You can feel your muscles slowly relaxing. It feels as though your body has becomes one with the bed. You can simply feel the stress and tension flowing out of your body just imagining this scenario.
If your back and shoulders are covered in a pimples or pustules that make you embarrassed to bare your skin, you're not alone: More than 20% of men and women suffer from this condition. What Causes It? The same factors that cause facial acne are responsible for back-ne, even though you may have one kind without the other.
The only thing an exhausted new mother wants to do when she's lucky enough to fall into bed is sleep. Husbands may be okay with the no-sex routine for awhile—they're exhausted, too—but then they start wondering whether they've been permanently displaced by an tiny intruder whose needs must be met 24/7 and who seems to know just when Mom and Dad are trying to have a little alone time.
Sleep disturbances are common in people who have cancer—especially those undergoing chemotherapy—which makes a challenging situation even more difficult. Chemotherapy and other treatments cause side effects, such as pain, itching, fever, and hot flashes that make sleep difficult.
Does your 'do need some youthful invigoration? Try these tips for rolling back the clock on your tresses. Chop Long Hair to Chin Length Shorter cuts offer an infusion of energy and sex appeal because they show off your face and skin. They suggest that anyone will look good in a bob, especially women with very straight hair.
It's easy to blame the symptoms on something else—job stress, an exciting TV show right before bed, or waiting up for a teenager who's late getting home. But if you suffer from constant fatigue, chronic poor concentration, depression and a lack of energy, you may have obstructive sleep apnea and not even know it.
If you've ever had a sinus headache, you know they're hard to miss. There's that telltale aching head, stuffy nose, and dizziness you have to suffer through. If this sounds like an all-too common scenario, you probably feel desperate for anything you can do to relieve the symptoms.
Gluten-sensitive enteropathy, commonly called celiac disease (CD), is a chronic intestinal disorder caused by a hypersensitivity to gluten proteins found in wheat, rye, barley, and possibly oat products. Although ingesting gluten proteins doesn't normally cause an immune response, the immune system of people with celiac disease is abnormally activated by gluten, triggering an inflammation in the small intestine.