March 8-14, 2010 - Original Health Articles
Feeling stressed? Overwhelmed? Depressed? Did you ever think that where you live could be making you miserable? According to experts, environmental factors can have a major impact on your mood. And if you live in a dangerous place or a city known for high stress levels, it's possible that your location could be dragging you down, too.
For children, October 31 is one of the most eagerly anticipated nights of the year. And is it any wonder? Not only is Halloween an excuse to dress up in scary costumes; it's also an opportunity to snatch up massive amounts of sugary treats.
According to the National Confectioner's Association, 93 percent of U.
Want greater results from your workout in less time? Want to burn more fat, build more muscle, and speed up your weight loss? Interval training may be for you. Studies suggest that adding high intensity bursts of exercise into your usual cardio workout will do all that and more.
How can you be sure that the foods you eat are free from your biggest allergens? Thanks to federal food allergen labeling laws, food manufacturing plants are required to step up to the plate and tell you in advance what their pre-packaged foods contain.
Public-health programs and rising cigarette taxes reduced smoking rates from 37 percent in 1970 to 21 percent in 2008, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While the declining number of smokers has resulted in health improvements in U.
While many people with arthritis keep it under control with a regimen of pain relievers, exercises, and hot and cold baths, for some, surgery is a better option. Here's what you need to know if your doctor recommends cartilage surgery for your arthritis: Who should get cartilage surgery? In most cases, the best candidates for cartilage restoration surgery are young people who have suffered an injury or have one small area of damage.
Milk. Butter. Cheese. Ice Cream. These are just a few popular dairy products that you may love. But if you suffer from asthma, they may also be on your "do not consume" list. This is because many people think that asthma and dairy have a strong negative relationship.
Milk. Butter. Cheese. Ice Cream. These are just a few popular dairy products that you may love. But if you suffer from asthma, they may also be on your "do not consume" list. This is because many people think that asthma and dairy have a strong negative relationship.
Did you know that encouraging your child to go outside to play can be a step towards helping her do better in school? Researchers have found that children who are more physically active actually perform better academically. Wonder why this is the case? There are several reasons why physical fitness and school performance seem to relate.
If you feel like you're always dieting but never losing weight, take a closer look at what you eat (and drink) on weekends. Grabbing meals at malls and fast-food stands, going to parties and other social events, or indulging in a little bar food while having a few drinks, are all sure ways to sabotage a diet.
Those who suffer from SAD during the winter months are reported as having many of the same signs as an individual diagnosed with depression. These common symptoms include feelings of sadness, anxiety, irritability, loss of interest and/or pleasure in the individual's usual activities, withdrawal from social activities, and inability to concentrate.
If you suffer from heartburn, you're not alone. At some point, nearly everyone will experience a painful, burning feeling in their chest or throat caused by acid or other stomach contents backing up into the esophagus (the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach.
Are you utterly reliant on your cell phone, laptop and big screen TV? If so, you're certainly in good company. But did you know that for a small portion of the population, the existence of these and other such modern electronic devices can cause a host of physical ailments? Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity There's been increasing awareness in recent years about a condition called Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity.
Most people aged 18 to 21 today prefer texting to emails or phone calls. In fact, every day, 3.5 billion text messages are sent—and that number is on the rise. Go on any college campus across the country and you will see students busy on their cell phones, typing away.
When you have a headache, you probably reach for a bottle of aspirin. But did you know that the benefits of aspirin may extend beyond your head to also protect your lung capacity? Some researchers now believe that taking a low dose of aspirin on a regular basis can actually lower your risk of being diagnosed with adult onset of asthma.
We've long known that vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium and is a key player in keeping our bones and teeth healthy and strong. Now, two new studies are adding to a growing body of evidence showing that vitamin D could have a crucial role in protecting our hearts as well.
The time is set, the meeting place arranged. The mirror confirms that your hair and outfit look great. Then what's with the butterflies in your stomach? The perfect date is well within your grasp, experts say, whether you're single or married. You just need to keep a few pointers in mind.
Every marriage has challenges even among the most healthy, well-adjusted adults. When you add a mental health condition such as bipolar disorder into the mix, it can really strain a relationship. If you or your significant other has bipolar disorder, you can still make your relationship work.
Scientists have discovered that a phytochemical called solasodine glycoside, found in common fruits and vegetables like tomatoes and eggplant, has cancer-fighting properties. These properties have been discovered in natural substances before, but when extracted and developed into treatment therapies, they often prove ineffective.
According to an article in ScienceDaily, a compound found in grape skin can protect blood vessels from the cellular damage that occurs when blood sugar levels are elevated. Resveratrol, the ingredient that makes red wine heart-healthy, stops the damage by actually helping the cells form protective enzymes.
The role of soy in breast cancer is controversial in the medical community and confusing for consumers. Does soy prevent breast cancer or does it contribute to breast cancer? For every study that supports one position, there seems to be another supporting the opposing view.
Amidst gloomy reports about the rates of cancer, there is a ray of good news. Over the past several decades, the incidence of colon and rectal cancers (colorectal, or CRC) has declined significantly. CRC is the fourth most common type of cancer in the world, and the leading cause of cancer deaths in North America.
You're faithfully taking each dose of your diabetes medication. Yet judging from how you feel, you're beginning to suspect they may not be as effective as they'd once been.
Could meds simply stop working? Unfortunately, yes. And once you find out why, you can get back on track.
Considering 10 to 25 percent of the population experiences depression at some point, it's not surprising that this disorder takes a toll on marriage. In fact, research suggests that one spouse in 50 percent of all distressed couples is clinically depressed.
While evidence has been building about the overall health benefits of sexual activity, including easing depression and stress and relieving pain, a new study has found that men who have sex twice a week have a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. ...
If you're ready to kick up your heels and party, you're ready for Zumba®. It isn't just the latest fitness craze; it's a way of transforming fitness into pure fun. With a combination of Latin music and dance moves, Zumba has soared to the top as the hottest way to get fit.
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by widespread pain in a person's muscles, ligaments and tendons, as well as multiple tender points and fatigue. The condition affects about two percent of the population in the U.S., with women more likely to develop the disorder than men, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Fifty years ago, one of the greatest health advancements hit the market: The birth control pill. Today, the pill is all grown up and includes low-dose pills, continuous (no period) pills, patches, and rings. It's even used to treat acne, migraines, and other health issues.
I often treat people who have pain in the knee joint, the shoulder, or the wrist. Inevitably, the person sees their physician and an x-ray is taken. Arthritis is found and a cortisone shot is given and/or an anti-inflammatory drug is prescribed. When these don't work or they work for a short period of time, surgery is suggested to remove the arthritis.
Proponents claim that products extracted from the Dead Sea have miraculous properties and can clear up anything from eczema to psoriasis. But are Dead Sea products really more than a brilliant marketing plan?
The Dead Sea is a geographical phenomenon located in-between Jordan and Israel.
Have you ever tried any alternative allergy treatments to help relieve your worst seasonal symptom? Some people with hay fever and other allergies find that traditional Chinese medicine techniques can be quite effective. Alternative Allergy Treatments...
Take a tip from the British and start drinking tea on a regular basis. Why? Tea has numerous health benefits, costs little to make, and does a superb job of warming you up on a chilly day. Plus, you can enjoy it with a small scone for a satisfying afternoon snack.
Perhaps you've tried all of the time and your body aches, but your doctor can't find anything specificly wrong with you. If this sounds all too familiar, you could have a chronic condition called fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia and Allergies Often Co-Exist Fibromyalgia affects about two percent of Americans, and women are affected more often than men.
The skin around your eyes reveals quite a bit about your overall health and true age. This skin is thin, delicate, and has no oil glands. Plus, it's constantly moving—folding into the 10,000+ facial expressions you make each day. To protect the skin around the eyes and keep it looking as youthful as possible, follow these simple tips.
You may have caught yourself speculating about your partner's former flames and wondering whether they've enjoyed the same intimacy that the two of you do now. You may also wonder whether your partner thinks the sex is better this time around. Somewhere there may even be that lingering worry as to whether you can keep things hot between the two of you.
Osteoarthritis is a prevalent disease that affects about 27 million Americans, and some estimates nearly everyone suffers from it to some degree once they hit age 70. Known as the "wear and tear" type of arthritis, osteoarthritis is a chronic condition that occurs when the cushiony cartilage between the bones wears away.
If you have heart disease and are on heart medication, you may want to avoid taking herbal supplements, according to a new report published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. Study experts found that while commonly used herbal products such as ginsing, ginko biloba, St.
The Risk of Inhaler Overuse When your asthma starts to get out of hand, you may turn to your inhaler to help you feel better. Yet some studies have shown that over-reliance on an asthma inhaler to improve respiratory functioning can sometimes backfire and leave you worse off than you were when you began.
