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

Overeating is the result of habits and if you can target those habits and resolve them then the overeating and subsequent weight gain will be a thing of the past. Humans are habitual beings and most things we do in life are the result of habits. The problem with habits is the fact that they generally start with very small changes in our life and more often than not we don't even notice them. Once they become habits though it is very hard to break the cycle and make changes. Many people who are overweight have a number of habits that all combine to create the state that they find themselves in. And what makes matters worse when food is involved is the way that it reacts with our body and in particular those foods that are low in nutritional value causing hunger and the need for ever increasing quantities in an attempt to keep us satisfied. How often do you find yourself eating due to the particular emotional state of mindthat you are in?  It is common for people

A Prescription for Longevity: Live long, Live Well In the first decade of the 20th century, one in five persons lived to celebrate his 65th birthday. Today, at least 70 percent live to age 65. A healthy middle and old age, however, cannot be taken for granted. But illnesses such as arthritis, heart disease and diabetes can often be delayed. Research at Johns Hopkins Medical Centers shows that genes account for only about one third of the problems associated with aging. Lifestyle factors have a greater impact on health during middle-and late- life than during early adulthood. To delay the onset of disabling disease, doctors recommend: 1. Exercise. It is the single most important anti-aging step anyone can take, regardless of age or level of fitness. Exercise should include endurance training such as walking, jogging and cycling, as well as strength training using light weights. 2. A healthy diet. One that is rich in fruits and veget

Okra: This Creole favorite fights colds, cancer, and heart disease September and October are the best months for choosing fresh okra. Though it's not everyone's favorite, it is a strong player in side dishes and in gumbos. For nutritional power, this Southern favorite takes a back seat to no other vegetable. Researchers at Emory University in Atlanta say it contains glutathione, a powerful compound that plays a role in fighting cancer and heart disease. It also has plenty of vitamin C, calcium, and potassium. Glutathione fights cancer in two ways. It's an antioxidant which attacks free radicals that can damage healthy cells. And it prevents carcinogens from damaging DNA. Doctors at Emory say people with high levels of glutathione are half as likely to develop oral and throat cancers than those with low levels. Glutathione is also found in watermelons, avocados, and grapefruit. Okra is a good source of fiber, about the same value as in carrots or appl

Last year 10 million Americans were victims of the fastest-growing crime in the country. The number of identity thefts has been doubling every year since 2000. Sometimes people don't know what happened until they find big charges they didn't make on credit cards, begin getting calls from debt collectors, or get a summons to go to court for crimes they didn't commit. To reduce your chances of being victimized: * Never give your Social Security number or personal information over the telephone unless you initiate the call. * Shred or burn bank and credit card statements, cancelled checks, preapproved credit card offers, and bills with account information. * Don't put checks and bills into the mailbox and put the flag up. It's easy to steal from a mailbox. * Check your credit reports. Look for a change of address or a new account you didn't open. Cancel accounts you don't use or rarely use. Thieves love open credit. * Check your bank acc