When the city of Flint, Michigan made headlines in 2015 for its lead-contaminated water, clean water became a hot-button issue. Before then, most Americans took the safety and availability of water for granted, thinking these problems only happened in third world countries. However, even though the United States has one of the highest quality of… Continue reading The Safety of Water and the Impact on Health in U.S.
Tag: Health
Your Marital Status and Your Health
Marital status can affect women’s health in a number of ways. A University of Arizona study suggests that women who marry later in life may gain a few extra pounds, while older women who are undergoing a divorce or separation may lose a few pounds and see improvements in health habits. “Earlier studies on marriage… Continue reading Your Marital Status and Your Health
7 Things to Know about Anxiety and Complementary Health
Editor’s note: If your anxiety is overwhelming, or you’d rather avoid prescription medications for the conditions, you may be thinking about using some natural “remedies.” But before you do, read these tips from the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, part of the National Institutes of Health. They might surprise you. Occasional anxiety is… Continue reading 7 Things to Know about Anxiety and Complementary Health
Fabulous Fitness Travel
Staying in shape is easy when you’re on home turf. But what happens when you travel? It’s the perfect time to try a new fitness regimen! A change of scenery may be just what you need to make your fitness anything but routine. Check out these destinations across the country and see how you can… Continue reading Fabulous Fitness Travel
The Dangers of Multitasking
We’re all beyond busy these days. Whether we’re texting while we’re waiting in line, or decluttering and cleaning the house at the same time, doing it constantly can take a toll on us in a number of ways. Here, Dr. Amit Sood, author of The Mayo Clinic Guide to Stress-free Living, lists the main drawbacks… Continue reading The Dangers of Multitasking
My Sister’s Lungs, Part Five: We’re Still Waiting
Editor’s Note: In the final part of a five-part series, thirdAGE contributor Nancy Wurtzel (at right in the above photo) shares the ordeal her sister Barbara (at left in the above photo) is undergoing as she waits for a match for a lung transplant. Barbara’s situation is complicated by the fact that her husband, Jim,… Continue reading My Sister’s Lungs, Part Five: We’re Still Waiting
The Health Benefits of Pets
Millions of people around the country have pets, most commonly cats and dogs, and they can feel the benefits, but there are some they may not even be aware of. Pets bring more to our lives than just a few laughs as they do something silly and pose for the camera. They give us a… Continue reading The Health Benefits of Pets
Benefits of Dog Ownership for Seniors
Dogs provide their older-adult owners with more than companionship – a new study shows that dog walking is associated with lower body mass index, fewer doctor visits, more frequent exercise and an increase in social benefits for seniors. “Our study explored the associations between dog ownership and pet bonding with walking behavior and health outcomes… Continue reading Benefits of Dog Ownership for Seniors
Electronic Health Records Provide Unexpected Diagnoses
Researchers who have investigated thousands of electronic health records say there could be more accurate and less expensive ways to identify who have undiagnosed Type 2 diabetes. Not only did they develop an algorithm with the potential to vastly the number of diagnoses, they also uncovered several previously unknown risk factors for diabetes, including a… Continue reading Electronic Health Records Provide Unexpected Diagnoses
The Anger Epidemic: How It Affects Mental and Physical Health
Irate people seem to be everywhere these days, on airplanes, in cars, at school, on social media platforms and at political rallies across the country. In fact, voter rage often makes more headlines than the candidates seeking office. Has anger reached a fever pitch in America? According to a November 2015 national survey conducted by… Continue reading The Anger Epidemic: How It Affects Mental and Physical Health
Exercise DVDs May Not Be Healthy
Using fitness DVDs may seem like an ideal way to get into shape, but they could have a negative effect on you, according to new research. A study of 10 popular commercial exercise DVDs showed that the imagery in the fitness videos may be perpetuating and reinforcing hyper-sexualized and unrealistic body images, said Brad Cardinal,… Continue reading Exercise DVDs May Not Be Healthy
Get Set for A Healthy Winter
Although contagious viruses are active year-round, we’re most vulnerable to them in fall and winter. That’s because, in large part, we spend more time indoors with other people when the weather gets cold. Fortunately, you can fight back with several FDA-approved medicines and vaccines. Colds and Flu Most respiratory bugs come and go within a… Continue reading Get Set for A Healthy Winter
Make Your Home Smoke-Free in 2016
It’s not unusual for restaurants or other public buildings to be smoke free – either voluntarily or by state law – to protect nonsmokers from secondhand smoke. But the secondhand-smoke problem persists in private homes where each family sets its own rules. While the family smoker sometimes is banished to the patio, that’s not always… Continue reading Make Your Home Smoke-Free in 2016
How to Find a Good Complementary Health Practitioner
Choosing a complementary health practitioner – such as a massage therapist – can be a tricky task. And you should make your choice with as much care as you do with a practitioner of conventional medicine. Here, the experts from the SeniorHealth division of the National Institutes of Health share the best ways to pick… Continue reading How to Find a Good Complementary Health Practitioner
What Your Mouth Has to Do With Your Overall Wellbeing
Would you floss more often if you knew it could prevent erectile dysfunction? Would you brush your teeth better if it reduced your chances of a terrible disease like cancer or heart disease? What goes on inside your mouth has a direct impact to what goes on in the rest of your body. Dr. Susan… Continue reading What Your Mouth Has to Do With Your Overall Wellbeing
Winning the Vaccination Debate
Instead of arguing with someone who doesn’t believe in vaccinations, it’s better to focus on reminding them of their child’s well-being, a study shows. The researchers report their findings in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The widespread fear that vaccines causes autism began in 1998, when The Lancet medical journal published a… Continue reading Winning the Vaccination Debate
Taking Care of Sprains and Strains
Editor’s note: Sprains and strains are common injuries that can cause a surprising amount of pain and harm. Here, from the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health, is what you need to know about each condition: What Is the Difference Between a Sprain and a… Continue reading Taking Care of Sprains and Strains
Why You Need A Personalized Health Journal
By Nancy Wurtzel Two years ago, just before a long-planned vacation, I came down with a summer cold. At first it was only a minor inconvenience, but midway into my trip I was feeling horrible. My ears were causing the most discomfort. They were both plugged, which left me feeling light-headed and sleepy. Seeking relief,… Continue reading Why You Need A Personalized Health Journal