Daily Health News Blog

 A team of scientists at Umeå University, in collaboration with colleagues in Melbourne, Australia, have found that television viewing and lack of exercise at age 16 is associated with the risk of developing metabolic syndrome at 43 years age. Metabolic syndrome is a name for the disorder of metabolism -- a combination of abdominal obesity, elevated blood lipids, hypertension and impaired glucose tolerance -- which provides for a significantly increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, stroke and cardiovascular disease. It has previously been shown that lack of physical activity increases the risk of metabolic syndrome. It is also known that low leisure-time physical activity, for example, how much time spent watching TV is linked to the risk of metabolic syndrome independent of exercise habits. The new research findings have now been able to show is that these relationships extend over a large part of life, specifically between 16 to 43 years of age. The study is published i

 Forget "slow and steady wins the race." A new study shows that, at least sometimes, the best way to conserve energy and reach your destination on time is to alternate between walking and running -- whether your goal is the bus stop or a marathon finish line. In the January 30, 2013 issue of the Journal of the Royal Society Interface , researchers examined how people budget their time as they travel on foot to reach a destination at a particular appointed time. The study found that when people have neither too much time nor too little time to reach their destination, they naturally switch back and forth between walking and running, which turns out to be the best strategy for saving energy. The study is the first of its kind not conducted on treadmills, and it supports the notion that the human body has an innate sense of how to vary speed to optimize energy when we're on the move in our natural environment. "We don't live our lives on a treadmill,"

A new study from Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) researchers has found that red meat consumption is associated with an increased risk of total, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality. The results also showed that substituting other healthy protein sources, such as fish, poultry, nuts, and legumes, was associated with a lower risk of mortality. "Our study adds more evidence to the health risks of eating high amounts of red meat, which has been associated with type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers in other studies," said lead author An Pan, research fellow in the Department of Nutrition at HSPH. The researchers, including senior author Frank Hu, professor of nutrition and epidemiology at HSPH, and colleagues, prospectively observed 37,698 men from the Health Professionals Follow-up Study for up to 22 years and 83,644 women in the Nurses' Health Study for up to 28 years who were free of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer at bas

Wellness screenings can not only give you peace of mind, they can find potential threats at an early stage when treatment is most successful. * Eye Exams can spot degenerative conditions, and they can give you information about your overall health, says cardiologist Dr. Shyla High. The eyes are a window to your health and should be examined every year or two. * A skin exam by a dermatologist will check any suspicious moles using a special microscope. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. Everyone from age 21 on should be tested, say dermatologists at the University of Minnesota. * For heart disease, the National Cholesterol Education Program recommends that individuals age 20 or older have a fasting lipoprotein profile done every few years. And your blood pressure should be checked periodically from age 18 on. At-home screenings and free drugstore testing machines can help. * Thyroid disease comes on graduall

When you decide to have a beer or a glass of wine, the number of calories involved may not even be on your mind. But those calories can add up fast.  * Men ages 20 to 39 consume the most alcoholic beverage calories, 174 calories a day, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . * About 20 percent of men and 5 percent of women drink beer on any given day; 4 percent of men and 7 percent of women drink wine.  * Caloric intake from alcoholic beverages was slightly higher in people with the highest income levels.  * According to the University of Rochester, a 1.5-oz. shot of liquor has between 115 and 200 calories, compared to a 4-oz. glass of wine that has between 62 and 160.  A 12-oz. can of light beer, depending on the brand you choose, may have 100 calories or more. Regular beer has between 140 and 200 calories.

Home remedies for toenail fungus, or onychomycosis, abound, but unfortunately none of them actually work. To really treat nail fungus, you have to take a trip to your doctor. Toenail fungus -- characterized by discolored, thick and brittle nails -- is a common condition caused by an infection in the nail bed. The most effective treatments for toenail fungus are oral antifungal medications like itraconazole (Sporanox) and terbinafine (Lamisil), which are available by prescription and taken daily for three months. These medications work by killing the fungus at the nail root. People who have liver problems or congestive heart failure shouldn't take oral antifungal medications. In this case, your doctor may recommend ciclopirox (Penlac), a prescription anti-fungal topical lacquer that you use like nail polish. It's sometimes used for people whose toenail fungus is caught early and hasn't spread to the entire nail. However, topical therapy isn't as effective as or

(BPT) - With football and basketball season in full swing, it's the perfect time to invite family and friends over to root on the home team. Hosting a crowd-pleasing party can be simple with a little preparation. Score big with these simple game day entertaining tips. *Create a game plan. Organize the menu ahead of time so you're not scrambling to finish everything at the last minute. Tackle recipes that can be made prior to the big event, and prep any ingredients so they're ready to cook on the day of the party. *Block extra mess and stress. Finger foods are a great way to reduce utensil and dish use. Look to serve items that can be eaten in one bite, and set out napkins for party guests to use. *Score with decor. Print out team logos and glue or tape to cups. Purchase green or yellow felt fabric - green to evoke a football field, yellow to evoke the hardwood of a basketball court -- from the local craft store to use as a table cloth. Tie team-colored ribbon bows on

A growing number of medical professionals are finding that yoga can provide relief for some low back pain sufferers. Within the past few years, findings from well- designed, peer-reviewed studies have begun to move the practice of yoga beyond the category of alternative therapy. One widely cited study from Annals of Internal Medicine followed three groups of adults (101 people total) with chronic low back pain over a 12-week period, comparing their experiences with yoga, conventional physical therapy or a self-help book. Yoga yielded significantly better results overall, with benefits that included reduced pain and improved back function. Importantly, these benefits lasted at least 14 weeks after the yoga intervention ended. Researchers have not yet determined how yoga helps relieve low back pain. Among the possible hypotheses: Yoga increases muscle strength and flexibility, reduces muscle tension, decreases fear and avoidance of movement and reduces psychological stress. Is

Early diagnosis and immediate, aggressive treatment of rheumatoid arthritis are crucial because only a brief window of opportunity exists to prevent permanent disability and lifelong complications. But early diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis is often difficult because the initial symptoms may mimic those of osteoarthritis, influenza (flu) and other viral illnesses. Also, in the early stages of rheumatoid arthritis, joints may not be red or swollen and may appear normal on X-rays. Rheumatologists follow standardized guidelines for evaluating anyone who might have rheumatoid arthritis. No single laboratory test or diagnostic procedure can confirm the diagnosis. Instead, seven diagnostic criteria are used: Morning stiffness Arthritis in three or more joints Arthritis in the hand joints Symmetrical arthritis Rheumatoid nodules Elevated blood level of rheumatoid factor Radiographic (X-ray) changes The diagnosis will be rheumatoid arthritis if the first four criteria have been

Erectile dysfunction can be a sign of elevated risk for cardiovascular disease. The good news: if you seek diagnosis and treatment, and make some lifestyle changes, you may be able to solve both problems at once. A man’s heart is connected to his penis in more than a figurative way—and not surprisingly, since from a physiological point of view, an erection is certainly an affair of the heart. Both erectile dysfunction and impaired heart function can be caused by reduced blood flow, which can happen when blood vessels become less flexible because of smoking or high blood pressure, for instance, or reduced production of nitric oxide. This substance causes vessels in the penis (and elsewhere) to dilate, allowing for increased blood flow and thus an erection. Some drugs for erectile dysfunction boost nitric oxide. Erectile dysfunction shares many risk factors with cardiovascular disease, notably increasing age, smoking, diabetes, depression, obesity, physical inactivity, and high blo

Having a colonoscopy can be a lifesaver. But if you dread the standard “prep,” there are regimens that are easier and still effective. It’s essential to clean out your colon adequately before a colonoscopy, so the doctor can see what’s going on inside. If you don’t, the test is more likely to miss polyps and cancerous lesions that may be present, may take longer, and may even have to be redone (along with the prep). With all regimens, you go on a clear-liquid diet the day before the test. The most common prep involves drinking about 4 quarts of polyethylene glycol solution (such as Golytely or CoLyte), typically half the evening before and half that morning, depending on the time of the test. Available as generics, these are the least expensive and come in various flavors. It’s easiest to drink 8 ounces chilled every 15 to 20 minutes. Lower-volume regimens (such as MoviPrep and HalfLytely) use about 2 quarts of the solution, plus often a standard laxative. Another option is to

Many people taking medications have learned to be leery of grapefruit and its juice—which is too bad, since grapefruit is not only delicious, but also heart-healthy and nutritious. Here's what you need to know. Grapefruit and its juice raise blood levels of certain drugs, and the effect can be dangerous. This occurs because grapefruit contains substances that disable an enzyme (known as CYP3A4) in the small intestine that would otherwise help break down the drugs. The interaction happens fast and can last 24 hours or longer—the time it takes for your body to make new enzymes—though it trails off. On the other hand, grapefruit juice can also lower blood levels of a few drugs by reducing absorption. These effects can vary from person to person—and even from grapefruit to grapefruit. This makes the scenario highly unpredictable. The drugs include many cholesterol-lowering statins, as well as certain calcium channel blockers (for high blood pressure), tranquilizers, antihista

Low-dose aspirin may do more harm than good in people without a history of a heart attack or stroke, according to an analysis of nine previously published clinical trials . The study, which was reported in the  Archives of Internal Medicine earlier this year, found that low-dose aspirin reduced nonfatal heart attacks by 20 percent. But that was outweighed by a 30 percent increase in serious gastrointestinal bleeding. For every 150 or so people who took aspirin for six years, the drug prevented one nonfatal heart attack, but caused two cases of serious bleeding. Moreover, aspirin did not reduce deaths from heart attacks and strokes. People who have already had a heart attack or stroke clearly benefit from low-dose aspirin. That’s the only explicit heart-health claim the FDA allows for aspirin. But people without a history of cardiovascular disease should not routinely take aspirin, or should at least talk to their doctors about their risk factors before taking the drug, the re

More than one-third of Americans are obese, and these individuals often experience accompanying health issues, such as Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular problems. In response to the so-called "obesity epidemic," many medical professionals have suggested ways to improve the health outcomes of obese individuals through diet and exercise. Now, research conducted at the University of Missouri suggests certain exercises that benefit obese men may not have the same positive results for obese women. These findings could help health providers and researchers develop targeted exercise interventions for obese women. "Our results indicate gender may contribute to differences in cardiovascular function of obese individuals with Type 2 diabetes," said Jill Kanaley, a professor in the Department of Nutrition and Exercise Physiology at MU. "Men saw improvement after aerobic exercise training, but the women did not experience the same benefits." Kanaley and her col

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ) this week issued a warning about certain types of hip implants. Metal-on-metal implants have been found to cause soft tissue damage, leading to pain or the failure of the device. The devices, made of cobalt-chromium-molybdenum alloys, slide against each other when patients walk or run using them. With enough of that sliding, small bits of metal particles can wear off the cup or other parts of the implant where components connect. The particles can then cause damage to soft tissue and bone around the implant and joint. In addition to the pain caused by what doctors call an “adverse reaction to metal debris” (ARMD), the process can loosen the implant. In extreme cases this can cause the hip implant to fail, meaning more surgery would be required to replace it. The FDA also stated that metal ions can be released into the bloodstream, traveling to other parts of the body where they can cause symptoms or illnesses. However, reactions t

The rates of type 2 diabetes are lower in countries where there is a high consumption of black tea according to a recent study. Researchers in Switzerland examined 50 countries and compared the amount of tea consumed to the rates of diabetes. The top three tea drinking countries were Ireland, the United Kingdom, and Turkey. The nations with the lowest consumption were South Korea, Brazil, China, Morocco, and Mexico. In those countries with high levels of black tea consumption, the diabetes rates were low. The researchers also looked for a link between this consumption level and the rates of cancer, respiratory, infectious and cardiovascular diseases, but there was no correlation found. It seems that tea drinking only affects diabetes risk. Drinking a cup or two of tea every day won't prevent you from developing type 2 diabetes, as the research did not prove a cause-and-effect relationship. But it may reduce your risk and keep you healthy longer. So raise your teacup to better healt

As you age, you may notice a change in your driving ability. It may become harder to look over your shoulder to change lanes or leg weakness may make it difficult to move quickly from the gas to the brake pedal. There is also a decrease in reaction times as we age. It is a challenge sometimes to know when a senior is unable to continue driving. These signs can help you to decide if there is reason for an older motorist to give up driving. -  Eyesight problems may interfere with the ability to focus, to use peripheral vision, or to see at night. If there is a reduction in functional eyesight, this should be evaluated by a doctor. -  If your hearing is decreasing, it can affect your driving ability. You should still be able to hear other cars honking, sirens, and the sound of cars accelerating next to you. -  Reflexes diminish as we age and can cause a change in our driving functions. A good driver should be able to brake and look behind very quickly. You should also be able to move quic

Weight loss is the most frequently discussed topic globally. A lot of people are aware of the importance to lose weight to improve their looks and to improve their health. It is of no wonder that new products are introduced everyday to help in losing weight and new researches are conducted all over the world to find new facts about weight loss. The new finding that has made coffee lovers happy is the report that drinking coffee to lose weight is a fact. Drinking coffee to lose weight - Is it possible? Some experts feel that drinking coffee to lose weight is a myth but some researchers have concluded that drinking coffee does help in shedding the extra pounds that you carry. Are you interested in knowing how drinking coffee helps in weight loss? Read further. Increasing metabolism It is a known fact that coffee is a stimulant. It stimulates the nervous system of the body. When the nervous system is stimulated, the fatty acids are pulled out of the fat cells. This helps in incre

Every year, more than a million Americans are diagnosed with skin cancer. Most people think it’s caused by sun damage, whether from the real deal or tanning beds. While that’s true in many cases, there are other risk factors for all three forms of skin cancer. Even if you’re not fair skinned or a beach bunny, you might be at risk. What’s Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)? BCC is the most common skin cancer and it originates in the basal cells, found at the bottom of the epidermis (the skin’s top layer). What’s Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)? The second most common type of skin cancer is SCC. It can be found in the squamous cells (just above the basal cells). It’s similar to BCC because it occurs mostly in areas exposed to UV light like your face, scalp, neck, hands, arms and legs. What’s Melanoma? Melanoma is the least common but the most dangerous form of skin cancer. Melanoma originates in the melanocytes (found in the lower epidermis with basal cells). Who’s at risk for skin canc

Invisible to the naked eye, dust mites inhabit more than 80 percent of all U.S. households, no matter how clean and neat. That can be a problem if you’re allergic to them.  Dust mites are actually on the clean-up committee: they eat our discarded skin cells, as well as animal dander, pollen, fungi, bacteria, and other microscopic organic material in the domestic environment. They thrive in mattresses, pillows, carpets, and clothing. Thousands of mites can live in just one gram of dust. Fortunately, dust mites don’t carry disease and don’t bite, but they can trigger asthma, hay fever, and skin reactions in some people. In fact, dust mites are probably the most common indoor allergen, especially in warm, humid climates and for people with asthma. They are virtually nonexistent in very dry climates. There’s a surprising amount of debate about how to reduce dust mites and the symptoms they cause. In recent years, much of the conventional wisdom has been called into question, mostly

Soda, Sugary Drinks Increase Blood Pressure, Experts Suggest Water With Lemon, Lime New research may suggest a potential link between  blood pressure  increases and drinks containing loads of sugar, like soda. These findings were determined by researchers at the School of Public Health at Imperial College London. What they found was that for each drink that participants consumed that contained a lot of sugar, both systolic and diastolic  blood pressure  increased. High fructose corn syrup, the beverage industry’s favorite sweetener, contains both glucose and fructose. Both of those sweeteners were directly linked to higher blood pressure figures. Additionally, researchers noticed that individuals who consumed higher levels of sodium and sugar experienced greater risks of hypertension. Another finding during the study showed that while  diet soda  showed no link to increased blood pressure,  diet soda  drinkers typically had lower activity levels and also had  body mass i

Money talks, particularly when it comes to losing weight. In an effort to cut their expenses, companies have launched wellness programs that pay workers to lose weight and hopefully lower their health risks and time and money spent on care. “Weight loss is more fun and more successful if you offer individuals cash,” says David Roddenberry, CEO of wellness program HealthyWage.com. The obesity epidemic plaguing the country not only adds billions of dollars in costs to the nation’s health-care system, it also weighs on employees’ productivity. According to HealthyWage, workers dealing with obesity and other chronic health issues cost more than $153 billion a year in lost productivity due to absenteeism. Reduced productivity and the rising costs associated with health insurance, employers are increasingly looking for programs that will get workers fit and drive down health-care costs. Some programs offered by HealthyWage have the employees putting in the money to lose wei

Women who ate at least three servings of blueberries and strawberries per week had fewer heart attacks. Blueberries and strawberries contain high levels of compounds that have cardiovascular benefits. Eating three or more servings of blueberries and strawberries per week may help women reduce their risk of a heart attack by as much as one-third, researchers reported in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association . Blueberries and strawberries contain high levels of naturally occurring compounds called dietary flavonoids, also found in grapes and wine, blackberries, eggplant, and other fruits and vegetables. A specific sub-class of flavonoids, called anthocyanins, may help dilate arteries, counter the buildup of plaque and provide other cardiovascular benefits, according to the study. "Blueberries and strawberries can easily be incorporated into what women eat every week," said Eric Rimm D.Sc., senior author and Associate Professor of Nutrition and Epidemi

Typically marketed as dietary supplements, “energy drinks”—such as Red Bull, 5-Hour Energy, and Wired—are a fast-growing billion-dollar industry. Before you get buzzed, read on. Energy drinks contain or claim to contain a variety of “energy boosters,” such as tyrosine, phenylalanine, taurine, and other chemicals. Many boast of antioxidants, “green-tea based energy,” and megadoses of B vitamins, as well as ginseng and other herbs. Some energy drinks are sugary, some peppery, some sugar-free. Some are sold as “shots” or “vials” to add some phony swagger. But the only ingredient in energy drinks guaranteed to make you feel energetic or “wired” is the hefty dose of caffeine (or caffeine-containing ingredients such as yerba maté). Some supply two or three times as much caffeine as a cup of brewed coffee. A few are simply herbal cocktails, with the same claims but no caffeine. These products are pitched at the young, who are consuming them in increasing amounts worldwide. They promis