Daily Health News Blog

If I suggested to you that a glass of grapefruit or orange juice in the morning might be harming your health, you’d probably think I’d lost my mind. Everybody knows that citrus juice is rich in vitamin C and other antioxidants. You also know that juice is an easy way to boost your fruit and vegetable intake, so it can be part of a healthy diet. But if you take prescription drugs, you need to think twice before you reach for a glass of  juice . New research shows that many different kinds of juices change the affects of prescription drugs. For a long time, doctors and scientists have known that grapefruit juice and many drugs don’t mix, but it turns out grapefruit juice isn’t the only juice you need to worry about. It is one of the most dangerous, though, so let’s start by looking at why if you take prescriptions, you should avoid  grapefruit juice . How Grapefruit Juice Can Turn Your Prescription Into a Killer Among juice and drug interactions, grapefruit juice is unique. A

If you’ve stopped exercising due to illness, injury, or any personal setback, these six simple steps will help you get back to being fit. I have a friend who spent much of last spring training for a half marathon. She printed out a training schedule and gathered a group of friends to run with in the early morning before her kids woke up. She spent 12 weeks building her endurance, experimenting with running at different speeds, and getting mentally ready. Three days before race day she developed a deep cough. She tried to run the race but had to drop out after two miles due to the pain in her chest. Eventually the cough morphed into pneumonia. All told, she stopped exercising for 29 days, which meant that when her body was finally healed, she was sorely out of shape -- and demoralized to boot. Sound familiar? I'll bet you've thought at some point, "I'll never get in shape again.” Maybe your exercise plans got derailed by an injury. Or maybe it was work demands, f

The stress of a colon cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming, so it's very important to have a support system of family and friends to help you with the questions and decisions you face. In this Health Alert, Johns Hopkins provides practical advice to help you cope. Q. My doctor just told me that I have colon cancer and will need to undergo colon cancer surgery. Should I get a second opinion? A. It is common for people to request a second opinion, especially before surgery or other involved treatment. Indeed, many insurance companies require a second opinion. Ask your insurance company what your policy covers and if it requires you to see a doctor within that plan. Also tell your doctor you would like to have a second opinion. Most doctors are accustomed to this and will be supportive. Ask for a referral and for copies of your medical records, including all test results, x-rays, and other imaging tests to take with you to the next doctor. You may have to sign a release a