Daily Health News Blog

Imagine having the hiccups for almost your whole lifetime! Charles Osborne of Anthon, Iowa, did, hiccupping for over 68 years. He started hiccupping in 1922. Two wives and eight children later, in 1990, his hiccups finally went away. Thankfully, this type of condition is incredibly rare. Believe it or not, hiccups are somewhat of a mystery to the medical profession. Although many causes of hiccups are understood, such as eating spicy foods or drinking too much, many cases are unexplained. Hiccups can also be a symptom of a stroke or a tumor. But many times, the cause is just "nothing." Hiccups have been studied for thousands of years, since the time of Hippocrates. In fact there is even a technical term for hiccups, "singultus." But as of yet, there is no known cure. There are, however, many home remedies. Some involve stimulating the back of the throat, like sipping ice water, swallowing sugar, or sucking on a lemon. Others interrupt normal breathing, like holding

To prevent skin cancer:  FDA pushes for more-informed daily sunscreen use. Even the most dedicated daily sunscreen users may not be using the right kind of product, and many are not using enough of what they do use, says the Food and Drug Administration. Three types of products are involved: Sunscreen. A broad-spectrum sunscreen protects against UVA and UVB rays. It should have a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. People with fair skin should use SPF 30. Antioxidant cream. Face cream containing antioxidants helps to prevent the sun's rays from causing free-radical damage, which can accelerate aging and wrinkles. Some sunscreens also have antioxidants. Makeup. Cosmetics with SPF act as an extra shield against the sun, especially when their SPF comes from a natural sunscreen like zinc oxide. Dermatologists quoted in The Wall Street Journal suggest applying makeup before sunscreen. * FDA guidelines say any product with an SPF of 14 or lower and pr

Summer is a great time to travel. If you or a loved one is a senior, you should be aware of some extra precautions to take before hitting the road. Check with your doctor before you leave. Ask if you should take any special precautions while away. Your doctor may ask you to come in for a check-up and will be able to suggest any vaccinations you may need if you are leaving the country. On your trip, you should bring a list of your current medications, copies of your prescriptions, and details of any medical conditions you have. You should also pack a list of contact information for not only family, but also all of your physicians. All of your medications should be placed in your carry-on bag and should be kept in their original containers. This can help you get through customs more easily and is helpful in the event you need a refill while you are away. Finally, enjoy some of the perks of being a senior. Ask about special shuttle services, early boarding procedures, and discounts for se