Simulated Blindness Sharpens Hearing By article Researchers at the University of Maryland and Johns Hopkins University have overturned the long-held belief that adult brains can’t be re-wired to improve hearing by simulating vision loss. The findings, published February 5th in the journal Neuron, may lead to treatments for people with hearing loss or tinnitus, according to lead author Patrick Kanold and his research partner Hey-Kyoung Lee.
Re-Emerging By blog One definition of the word re-emerge is to once again make popular. Life has a way of going full circle and dreams from our past at times re-emerge. I found this to be true when my husband completed an improv class a few months ago. As a child, Kevin enjoyed entertaining his family by putting on silly shows and making them laugh. Many times things we are passionate about are things we did when young. If we are lucky and smart when grown we allow ourselves to let them re-emerge.
_ Humidifiers and Your Health By Jane Farrell article Dry sinuses, bloody noses and cracked lips — humidifiers can help soothe these familiar problems caused by dry indoor air. Humidifiers can also help ease symptoms of a cold or another respiratory condition. But be cautious: Although useful, humidifiers can actually make you sick if they aren't maintained properly or if humidity levels stay too high. If you use humidifiers, be sure to monitor humidity levels and keep your humidifier clean. Dirty humidifiers can breed mold or bacteria. If you have allergies or asthma, talk to your doctor before using a humidifier.
_ How to Eat Healthy with Other Cultures By Jane Farrell article As a diverse nation, we can embrace our cultural traditions for the foods we love and still prepare them in healthier ways. Here, from the program MyPlate, of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is how to eat the best of other cultures’ cuisine without abandoning your health goals:
_ Video Game Teaches Kids to Call 911 If YouΓÇÖre Having a Stroke By Jane Farrell article The grandchildren could save your life if you let them play a video game called “The Stroke Hero” that teaches them to recognize stroke symptoms and quickly call 911, according to an article published in in the American Heart Association journal Stroke.
Why the Next Big Frontier in Medicine is Energy Medicine By blog I first heard about Dr. Mehmet Oz in 2000 when I was writing my book The Whole Man Program: Reinvigorating Your Body, Mind, and Spirit After 40. Dr. Oz was one of the top heart surgeons in the world at New York Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia Medical Center. I wanted to find someone with the best scientific credentials to help me better understand heart disease so I could help other men. Dr. Oz was a wonderful resource. He is still one of the best surgeons in the world but he has since expanded his view of what constitutes good medicine.
Managing Your Medications By Jane Farrell article Editor’s Note: A crucial part of looking after yourself is managing the medicines you’re taking – by, among other things, understanding how and when you’re taking them; being consistent; storing them properly; and noting when you should ask for a refill. Here, the best tips for being an efficient medication manager, from the SeniorHealth division of the National Institutes of Health:
Midlife Bloggers Want a Seat at the Table By blog It is that time of year again. Almost daily, I receive an invitation or update in my inbox about upcoming blogging conferences. Since I started blogging three years ago, I’ve attended my share of blog events, from small gatherings with only a handful of attendees to huge conferences with thousands of bloggers from far-flung locations. However, last year I opted out of blogging conferences and this year doing the same.
_ Needed: A New Approach to Health-Care Surrogates By Jane Farrell article Almost half of hospitalized Americans 65 and older need decision-making assistance from family members because they are too impaired to make decisions on their own, a new study has found. And those health-care surrogates need to be taken more seriously. Most surrogates are children or spouses. Some patients have two or more family members making decisions toether. Researchers from Indiana University said the problem is only going to grow more prevalent as the U.S.
The Joys of a Birthday Morning on Facebook By Sondra Forsyth blog When I booted my computer early on the morning of January 14th 2014, I went straight to my Facebook timeline. Sure enough, the birthday wishes had already begun to arrive. What a joy to be in touch with such a diverse group of people! I had long since lost touch with many of them before I started to use Facebook at the end of 2008. In a very real sense, the hundreds of people who are my Facebook friends give me the invaluable benefits of social support -- the buzz phrase for having frequent contact with people you care about and who care about you.
Reiki 2: Taking Your Healing to the Next Level By blog When I started my Healing journey in 2001, I found that most people hadn't heard of Reiki, let alone experienced it. Nowadays, I find this has changed. Most people I run across have at least heard of Reiki and many have even given it a try. Because anyone can learn Reiki, the number of practitioners in the world is growing by the day.
Don't Be the Ex Who Won't Go Away By blog Breakups are excruciatingly painful, especially if the breakup came out of nowhere. It puts us into total shock and disbelief, which are two very difficult emotional states to harness. As sad, confused and upset as we are, there is nothing more unattractive then when we are not able to have some modicum of control over our emotions after a breakup when dealing with our ex. Never be that ex, you know the one, who will not let go or go away. Think about the future: What do you want your ex to be saying about you at the dinner table with friends or family?
Make This Your Year for Change, 2014 By Jane Farrell blog The reality of life can be painful and widowhood is a harsh reality. I remember feeling sad about another year coming, identifying myself as a “widow”, and rather than being excited about what I could create in the new year personally, professionally, physically, or spiritually, I just stayed in my “widowhood”. That had to change, and it did.
_ Restoring Insulin-Producing Cells for Diabetics By article Two recent studies led by University of California-San Francisco scientists have shed new light on the nature of beta cells, the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas that are compromised in diabetes.
_ Caregiving is Tough Even for Geriatrics Professionals By Jane Farrell article The difficulties of caregiving seem to be universal: even specialists in geriatrics can find it hard to deal with in their own lives. That discovery, by researchers from Boston Medical Center (BMC) and Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM), appears in the journal Gerontologist.
Awaken Your Genius: How to Free Your Creativity and Manifest Your Dreams By blog Over the last 40 years I have been helping men, and the people who love them, to live well. I’ve learned that we never heal alone. There are always helpers and guides along the way that give us the love, support, and the wisdom we need to find our true selves and manifest our dreams.