The next time you reach for an over-the-counter (OTC) product to treat your upset stomach or heartburn, consider whether you should use one of the many antacids that don’t have aspirin. Why? Aspirin-containing medicines to treat heartburn, sour stomach, acid indigestion, or upset stomach can cause stomach or intestinal bleeding, especially in some people, warns… Continue reading Beware of Antacids Containing Aspirin
Author: Jane Farrell
The Human/Animal Connection
Editor’s note: There’s evidence that owning a pet has several health benefits: lowering blood pressure, reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, increasing exercise and social interaction. And while we may think of pets as primarily dogs and cats, the connection between humans and horses is just as strong. Here, Eve Marx (shown with her horse,… Continue reading The Human/Animal Connection
Fighting Zika on a Cellular Level
Scientists have shown that a very small protein we have in our bodies can dramatically reduce the ability of the Zika virus to infect human and mouse cells, and in some cases can also prevent Zika from killing our cells. The findings, about interferon-induced protein 3 (IFITM3), were published in the journal Cell Reports. “This… Continue reading Fighting Zika on a Cellular Level
Vacation Tips for Diabetes Patients
Everyone loves going on vacation – and to have the best possible time, diabetes patients need to do some extra preparation before they leave. Here, from the American Diabetes Association (www.diabetes.org) are some suggestions for a safe holiday: Before you leave, the ADA says, ask your doctor for two documents: a letter and a prescription.… Continue reading Vacation Tips for Diabetes Patients
Are You Really Eating in Moderation?
It’s a truism that “eating in moderation” is the best way to lose or maintain weight, but exactly what that term means varies widely. In fact, a new University of Georgia study says that the term may be so subjective that it’s useless. The more people like a food, the more forgiving their definitions of… Continue reading Are You Really Eating in Moderation?
Specialized Tests for Melanoma
According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), melanoma rates in the United States have doubled over the past two decades. Luckily, though, this increase has been accompanied by the development of more effective tools for diagnosis and treatment, including genetic and molecular testing. In some cases, these tests can yield valuable information that helps… Continue reading Specialized Tests for Melanoma
Junk Food and Teen Advertising
Worried about your grandkids eating junk food? You’re not wrong; a new study reveals that children are being subjected to a barrage of unhealthy food commercials starring their favorite celebrities. And that kind of advertising is contributing to the alarming rise in childhood and teen obesity, according to the New York University researchers. Soda and… Continue reading Junk Food and Teen Advertising
Devices That Make Life Easier for Caregivers and Patients
By Nancy Wurtzel The Alzheimer’s caregiving industry is ripe for innovation. Currently, more than 17 million Americans are caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease. As our population ages, and the disease affects more and more people, the number of unpaid caregivers will also steadily increase. That’s why companies and entrepreneurs are scrambling to come up… Continue reading Devices That Make Life Easier for Caregivers and Patients
If You Fall
For seniors, falling is a frightening prospect. Depending on the severity of the fall, it can cause anything from a broken wrist to a traumatic brain injury, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control. Here, from the experts at SeniorHealth, a division of the National Institutes of Health, is what you can do if… Continue reading If You Fall
Two Kinds of Medicare
Seniors who get their health coverage through Medicare Advantage plans, which are run by health insurance companies, are likely to be healthier than those who get the coverage directly from the federal government. Writing in JAMA Internal Medicine, a University of Michigan Medical School team drew their findings from data on a representative sample of… Continue reading Two Kinds of Medicare
10 Ways to Cut Back on Salt
Although the dangers of fat might get more media attention, salt is also something to watch out for. It has been linked to hypertension and heart disease. But controlling it in the food supply isn’t simple. That’s because, according to the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the majority of sodium consumed comes from processed… Continue reading 10 Ways to Cut Back on Salt
Stress and Diabetes: What’s the Link?
Researchers have found a link between emotional stress and diabetes, with roots in the brain’s ability to control anxiety. That control lies with the brain’s executive functions, processes that handle attention, inhibition, working memory and cognitive flexibility and are also involved in reasoning, problem-solving and planning. The study by Rice University researchers, published in Psychoneuroendocrinology,… Continue reading Stress and Diabetes: What’s the Link?
Rage and “Stonewalling” Linked to Different Health Problems
Conflict can cause health problems – but exactly what kind of problem depends on whether you let your rage out or shut down emotionally. New research from UC Berkeley and Northwestern University, based on how couples behave during conflicts, suggests outbursts of anger predict cardiovascular problems later in life. Conversely, shutting down emotionally or “stonewalling”… Continue reading Rage and “Stonewalling” Linked to Different Health Problems
Create A Garden “Room” You’ll Love
No matter your budget, space or gardening experience, you can design an outdoor entertainment area for you, your family and friends to enjoy. Start by gathering ideas from magazines, the internet and websites like Gardener’s Supply Company for examples of outdoor garden spaces. Next, select an area that is convenient and suitable for your outdoor… Continue reading Create A Garden “Room” You’ll Love
Bright Lights in Restaurants Linked to Healthy Food Choices
If you want to make healthier choices while dining out, you might want to go to a brightly lit restaurant, researchers say. On the other hand, eating in restaurants that are dimly lit encourages slower eating and, ultimately, eating less. It’s a problem. But caffeine, or just making yourself feel perkier, may be part of… Continue reading Bright Lights in Restaurants Linked to Healthy Food Choices
High Blood Pressure Linked to Some Air Pollutants
High blood pressure has been linked to both short- and long-term exposure to some air pollutants commonly associated with coal burning, vehicle exhaust, airborne dust and dirt, according to results published by the American Heart Association. The conclusions were published in the AHA’s journal Hypertension. The findings are especially significant because high blood pressure is… Continue reading High Blood Pressure Linked to Some Air Pollutants
Choosing the Best Sunglasses
Editor’s note: With summer getting closer, lots of people are thinking about getting a new pair of sunglasses. Here, from the experts at the SeniorHealth division of the National Institutes of Health, are some tips on picking the best pair for you and your vision health: Sunglasses are a great fashion accessory, but their most… Continue reading Choosing the Best Sunglasses
The Brain and Our Habits
Researchers have now demonstrated what happens in the brain for habits to control behavior, and the finding could lead to new treatments for obsessive-compulsive disorder and addictions. The study, published in Neuron, was led by Christina Gremel, assistant professor of psychology at the University of California San Diego, who began the work as a postdoctoral… Continue reading The Brain and Our Habits