Daily Health News Blog

Did you know that if you had chicken pox as a child, the infection can stage a painful reappearance later in life in the form of herpes zoster -- better known as shingles? Your risk of shingles increases with age: As you get older, the virus can reactivate and migrate along the path of a nerve to the surface of the skin. This can cause severe burning or shooting pain, tingling and itching that's typically concentrated on one side of your body, usually on your chest or back, but sometimes on your face. Within a day or two, a rash of blisters may form in a band or strip pattern on your skin and persist for up to 14 days.   The immune system link.  Shingles is thought to be caused by a weakened immune system owing to aging or illnesses such as chronic lung or kidney disease and cancer. People with autoimmune diseases are at increased risk as well: Several studies suggest that immune-suppressing drugs used to treat diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel synd

Everyone knows that it's unhealthy to be overweight or, especially, obese. But what if you are physically fit? Could fitness cancel out the health risks? Some studies suggest this, including a recent one in  Circulation . The study looked at 14,345 middle-aged men; 47 percent were overweight, another 10 percent obese. Those who maintained their cardiorespiratory (aerobic) fitness levels during a six-year period were 30 percent less likely to die over the next decade, notably from heart disease, or stroke, than those who became less fit; those who became fitter, 40 percent less likely. This was true regardless of their weight status. Simply put, overweight or obese men who became fitter, on average, fared as well as or better than lean men who became less fit. So fitness may trump weight when it comes to life expectancy. Some previous research found this is less true for women, however, and it may not apply to very obese people, who were underrepresented in this study. Sti

There have been thousands of studies on garlic, but its health effects remain something of a mystery. Garlic is a key part of the Mediterranean diet and many cuisines around the world. And it has been used medicinally since ancient times. Some people still eat it, at least in part, because they think it is good for them. But does it lower cholesterol, as well as fight cancer, hypertension, diabetes, arthritis, Alzheimer's disease, and the common cold, as it's touted to?   Allicin Wonderland Garlic contains interesting compounds that have been linked to many proposed health benefits. One is allicin, a sulfur compound formed in raw garlic after a clove is cut or crushed. Allicin is a major source of garlic's taste and smell. But not all scientists agree that allicin is the key ingredient, since it breaks down quickly into other compounds. And the enzyme that forms allicin can be destroyed if the whole clove is cooked before being cut (that's why cooked cloves tast

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer. Beginning at age 50, anyone with an average risk should be screened for this disease. If there is a family history of this type of cancer, your doctor will probably want to do this screening earlier. You may also have a higher risk if you have a personal history of colorectal polyps or chronic inflammatory bowel disease. Many people believe that colorectal cancer affects men more than women, but in fact, it is just as common among women as men. Colon cancer almost always starts with a small growth called a polyp. This can be removed by a doctor if detected early. If colon cancer does develop, it is highly treatable if found early, with a five year survival rate of 90 percent. Unfortunately, only 39 percent of cases are found at this early stage, making diagnostic testing so important.  What is the best way to prevent colon cancer? Besides screening, some lifestyle changes can help prevent this disease. Physically active adults are half

(BPT) - Holidays are supposed to be fun. But the struggle to find the right gift can put a damper on even the happiest celebration. Good news: It doesn't have to be that way. With a few simple tips and tricks, learn how to take the stress and hassle out of shopping for presents and focus on the joy of giving. Lizzie Post, etiquette expert and paid Bank of America spokesperson, offers these simple tips for stress-free gifting: * Get creative: Not sure what to buy? Sometimes it's as simple as a little investigating on social media. Friends or family members often post clues on Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest that indicate their interests or "must have" items. * Stay organized: Make a list of stores throughout the year where you've seen gift ideas and presents you'll want to purchase for the holidays. This will cut down on the number of trips you make to the mall. Also, keep blank cards on hand for any occasion, as well as envelopes and stamps, so th

For those being treated for depression, and for those who suffer SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) during the less sunny months of the year, the holidays can make coping with depression become more difficult. While people being treated for depression know the holidays should be a happy time, the additional stresses, hard on anyone, can be even worse for people battling depression. How To Cope With Depression During The Holidays Recognize your personal triggers, those things that heighten your depression. The Mayo Clinic staff has defined the following as major triggers: Relationships:  This trigger can be two-fold. While family tensions and misunderstandings stand out more during the holidays, especially when members spend several days together or attend the traditional gatherings, the absence of those same loved ones during the holidays can magnify feelings of loneliness. The key is finding a balance that works for you. Finances:  When you factor in additional gift

If you've picked up a newspaper, surfed or watched TV recently, you've probably heard about Pinterest – the online photo pinboard and community. The new social media kid on the block is growing so quickly that its popularity has been touted as “Pinsanity”. The moniker for its success is well deserved; the site has more than 11 million unique visitors, and it's growing. It gets more referral traffic than YouTube, Linkedin and Google+. The demographics of the site are interesting too. Most of its users are young women. But what's the appeal? Think of it as an online scrapbook or inspiration board – minus time spent rifling through magazines and newspapers and cutting and pasting. You can share pins, re-pin from others and organize your boards by themes such as food, travel, home decor and personal style. Users can pin items from websites they like, using “Pin It” buttons on their browsers. In the wake of Pinterest’s success, many large corporations are