Daily Health News Blog

Inactive People Can Achieve Major Health and Fitness Gains in a Fraction of the Time                                                                                                                                                                      With so many of us struggling to get enough exercise, scientists have been working on a time-saving solution. According to new research published in The Journal of Physiology , instead of long stints in the gym and miles of running in the cold, the same results could be achieved in less than a third of the time. People of all a...

The cold season lasts through March and April Deciding if you should stay home with your cold or go to work. In the United States, more colds occur in fall and winter, but the numbers remain high until the end of April. Winter is on its way out, but you can still get a cold in February, March or April. Then you have to ask yourself whether you should drag yourself into work even if you're feeling awful. Some employers set policies to discourage coming to work with a cold. They offer a specified number of paid days off for any purpose, according to the Society for Human Resource Management. Cold viruses survive for several hours on inanimate objects and on the skin, says The Wall Street Journal. Cleaning environmental surfaces with a virus-killing disinfectant might help prevent the spread of infection. Epidemiologists at the University of Iowa recommend staying home for 24 hours after the fever and serious symptoms are gone. Bosses in the workplace wrestle with the two...

In the United States, heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women. Since 1963, February has been celebrated as American Heart Month to urge Americans to join the battle against heart disease. Since 2004, February also has been the signature month for the American Heart Association's Go Red For Women campaign, which emphasizes that heart disease is not only a man's problem. Know your numbers. Understanding your blood pressure reading, cholesterol levels and body mass index are an important part of preventing and managing heart disease. BLOOD PRESSURE: When someone checks your blood pressure, they are looking to see how much force is being put on your arteries as your heart pumps blood through your body. CHOLESTEROL: It's a soft, waxy substance found in all parts of the body. Having some cholesterol in your body is important because it's needed for several bodily functions. In adults, the systolic pressure (top number) should be less th...

As you get older, you are sure to recognize how hard your heart works for you. This Valentine’s Day, think about your heart health and show your heart some tender loving care with these simple tips. Get moving. As you age, you may feel the tendency to slow down, but be sure to get some exercise each day. One fun activity for Valentine’s Day is to dance with your sweetheart. Even just taking a romantic walk can get you some good exercise.  Do your favorite thing. Make time for your favorite hobby or activity. Keeping your body and mind active can lead to a longer life. Quiet activities like knitting, painting, yoga, or praying help slow down your heart and can lower your blood pressure, which are good for your heart and your whole body. Give something up. If you smoke, don’t think it is too late to quit. Quitting smoking at any age has demonstrated benefits for your heart and your general wellbeing. Find a support group and talk to your doctor about medications that can help incre...

A surprise dinner on the Riviera. A huge diamond ring. The new car you always wanted. Sounds like a great Valentine’s Day, huh? Well, for the rest of us, there is reality! Although we can’t always come up with expensive, extravagant surprises for our sweetheart, there are ways you can show your love without breaking the bank. Here are some ideas to get you started. A Getaway Although it may not be possible to take a long romantic weekend away in an exotic locale, you may be able to swing a night away. Look for a local bed and breakfast inn or stay in a local resort for a night. If this isn’t possible, consider taking a weekend away at home. Go shopping together on a Friday night for the food you’ll need for the weekend. Once home, unplug the phone and keep the TV and computer off for a couple of days. Add in some gourmet cooking together, chocolates on the pillows, and sleeping in, and you’ll feel like you had a vacation together! Dancing in the Dark If you can't afford an evenin...

Are you looking to eat better, feel better, look better… but you just don’t know where to begin? You can start by… 1. Cutting down on the sugar. Excess sugar causes anxiety and mood swings. It makes the body more acidic, aggravating chronic illnesses and even acne. I was shocked to find that one large chocolate milkshake at Burger King (22 oz) contains 1110 calories and just over 100 grams of sugar! *brief pause to gather composure* What human being would knowingly consume this? I myself used to be a sugarholic. A nice specialty drink or Cinnabon roll would always give me a quick emotional AND physical pick-me-up. The more I became reliant on sugar for this, the more I began to feel rundown. I eventually had to cut back. I recommend baby steps… Start by swearing off soda and energy drinks (if you consume them at all). When it comes to beverages, they are the worst of the worst. Not only do they contain massive amounts of sugar (usually 36 grams or more a can) but they...