Daily Health News Blog

So you may be wondering what to do about the fibromyalgia pain and other devastating symptoms you have. You may be wondering if there is a fibromyalgia diet out there that works. See if this scenario sounds familiar to you. You have gone from doctor to doctor looking for a diagnosis. You have terrible pain in the trigger points, you are severely fatigued, anxious, experiencing brain fog, but don’t know what to do. Doctor’s are having a hard time diagnosing you and treating your symptoms. You may feel crazy, like no one understands how you are feeling and what you are going through. Doctor’s may not know how to treat you, but there is help. You are not crazy! There’s a secret out there in the medical community that can help your Fibromyalgia symptoms get better. Many studies have been done to show that changing your diet can help you alleviate the severity of your symptoms. A magic diet? No, there is no such thing. But there are some things that research is validating when it comes to ...

YOU die alone, philosophers say. But you could die sooner if you live your life in loneliness. Close connections to friends and family may ward off poor health and premature death, recent research suggests. Loneliness is a risk factor for functional decline and early death in adults over age 60, according to a University of California, San Francisco study  published in July. More than 43 percent of the 1,604 participants reported that they often felt left out or isolated or lacked companionship. In the six-year follow-up period, more than half of the self-identified lonely people had difficulty with basic housekeeping and personal tasks. They also had a 45 percent greater risk of dying earlier than older adults who felt more connected to others. The majority of lonely people (62.5 percent) were married or living with others — an indication that feeling lonely and being alone are not the same. “It’s not the quantity but the quality of your relationships that matters,” said D...

As winter closes in, it is important for seniors and those who care for them to be aware of some simple precautions. Seniors are at risk during the winter months for several reasons. Winter weather and storms may isolate the elderly more than usual. Diseases such as the common cold and the flu are more prevalent and present a particular risk to those who are older or already in weakened health. There are also the dangers that the cold weather itself presents to those who are vulnerable. In response to these circumstances, the American Red Cross has issued its annual winter-preparedness tips for senior citizens. Be sure to arrange to have someone check on older persons regularly. It is also a good idea to have a plan to signal the need for help. For example, a daily phone call to check in might be appropriate. Post emergency numbers near the phone as well. We never know when severe weather might hit. If specialized care, medical supplies, or equipment is needed, plan ahead ...

The day after Thanksgiving Day will be marked by millions of shoppers and businesses as something worth celebrating. Some people like it as much as the holiday turkey.  Store sales are plentiful and prices are dramatically lowered on the 23rd. Although Black Friday comes during what many have come to believe is a 4-day holiday, it's not. Most people have to work on Friday, unless they've taken the day off or their state has proclaimed a legal holiday. Mail delivery resumes. Some major retailers open at midnight with a "midnight madness" tactic; some even earlier. They want to capture as many shoppers as possible before they run out of spending money. But that's not a problem in many stores that have layaway programs: buy now, bail out your stuff before Christmas.  Increasingly, people are concerned sales will begin on Thanksgiving Day, and some already do. They're signing petitions against Thursday hours that can spoil the attitude of togetherness and...

Discover the Value of Vitamin D By Sara Lovelady The US Institute of Medicine of the National Academies recently tripled the recommended daily vitamin D intake to 600 IU for people between 1 and 7 If there was ever such a thing as a “popular” vitamin, then vitamin D surely qualifies. After a flurry of scientific studies showed a link between vitamin D deficiency and increased risk of several chronic diseases, it captured widespread interest. Here are the basics to know about this compelling nutrient. What does D do in the body? Vitamin D helps maintain blood levels of calcium, so it increases bone strength. It also works with calcium to prevent falls in seniors. But vitamin D is more than just calcium’s sidekick. Intervention studies have shown that supplementing with vitamin D may provide modest benefits in helping you kick the winter blues and tamp down high blood pressure—and, if you have diabetes—balancing blood sugar. Population studie...

(BPT) - The holidays are full of fun activities, tasty treats and plenty of celebration, but being busy and eating all the extras can quickly lead to weight gain. With a few key strategies, it's surprisingly easy to enjoy the season to the fullest and still avoid Santa's extra bulge. Dr. Christopher Mohr is a fitness and nutritional expert who consults for television, print and radio outlets throughout the country. He understands the difficulties of staying health-focused during all the festivities. Mohr offers some good reminders and unique insights on how to avoid gaining extra weight during the holidays. Eat quality calories 'Too many people think that to avoid weight gain you need to avoid calories. In reality, you need to eat calories to stay healthy, but you need to focus on quality calories,' says Mohr. 'Choose foods that are packed with vitamins and nutrients, rather than just empty calories.' Seek out 'real' foods for snacks and meals ove...

- There are almost 22 million military veterans in the United States. - Female veterans number over 1.6 million. - There are three U.S. states with over one million veteran residents: California, Florida, and Texas. - Almost 10 percent of all U.S. businesses are owned by military veterans. - There are about 54,000 living veterans who served during all three of World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam era. Source: U.S. Census American Community Survey