Daily Health News Blog

Typically marketed as dietary supplements, “energy drinks”—such as Red Bull, 5-Hour Energy, and Wired—are a fast-growing billion-dollar industry. Before you get buzzed, read on. Energy drinks contain or claim to contain a variety of “energy boosters,” such as tyrosine, phenylalanine, taurine, and other chemicals. Many boast of antioxidants, “green-tea based energy,” and megadoses of B vitamins, as well as ginseng and other herbs. Some energy drinks are sugary, some peppery, some sugar-free. Some are sold as “shots” or “vials” to add some phony swagger. But the only ingredient in energy drinks guaranteed to make you feel energetic or “wired” is the hefty dose of caffeine (or caffeine-containing ingredients such as yerba maté). Some supply two or three times as much caffeine as a cup of brewed coffee. A few are simply herbal cocktails, with the same claims but no caffeine. These products are pitched at the young, who are consuming them in increasing amounts worldwide. They promis

Research has linked gum disease and  cardiovascular disease. Will treating one help prevent or reverse the other? Ads for Colgate Total say that maintaining healthy teeth and gums may be important for overall health. They strongly imply that antibacterial toothpaste can help prevent “heart disease, diabetes, and stroke.” Some studies do suggest there’s a link between periodontal (gum) disease and cardiovascular disease. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that gum disease  causes  heart disease and strokes. Periodontal disease may merely indicate that you are at increased risk. The theory is that periodontal disease, a bacterial infection of the gums, can trigger inflammation elsewhere in the body, and chronic inflammation is now thought to contribute to atherosclerosis—that is, plaque formation in the arteries that leads to coronary artery disease and stroke. A simpler explanation may be that people who take good care of their teeth and gums tend to have a better diet and bett

According to herbal folklore, plants that resemble human body parts have healing effects on those parts. And since ginseng’s root resembles a human figure, it’s said to be good for the whole body. Proponents claim that ginseng acts as an “adaptogen,” boosting the body’s resistance to physical and mental stress, increasing energy, and enhancing general well-being. The herb is said to help prevent or treat everything from colds, diabetes, digestive problems, and menopause symptoms to poor circulation, asthma, memory prob­­lems, and even HIV infection and can­­cer. It’s also touted as an aphrodisiac. There are several types, including Asian ginseng ( Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer, often sold as Korean, Chinese, or Panax ginseng) and American ginseng ( Panax quinquefolius ). It also comes as red or white ginseng, depending on how it’s processed. Siberian ginseng ( Eleutherococcus senticosus ) is often said to have the same effects as Panax ginseng, but it is not a true ginseng. It and oth

After the common cold, back pain is the problem that most frequently brings people to a doctor's office. Fortunately, most episodes of back pain -- about 90 percent -- will clear up with little or no treatment in approximately six weeks. However, back pain that that lasts longer than six to eight weeks is usually due to spinal column changes and merits a visit to a physician. To rule out the possibility of a dangerous condition, doctors ask certain routine questions -- for example, whether you can relieve the back pain by changing your position and whether you feel back pain when you're not moving. Some of the best clues to the cause of your back pain will come from your description of the pain. Questions your doctor will ask include: Where is the pain located?  Is it confined to the lower back or does it radiate to the buttocks or legs? (These questions check for sciatica.) How severe is the pain?  For example, is the pain so excruciating that any movement is diffic

Anxiety is a common, normal and often useful response to life's challenges and dangers. But in people who suffer from an anxiety disorder, anxiety levels spin out of control, causing psychological and physical symptoms that interfere with normal functioning, appear even in the absence of obvious external stressors, or are clearly excessive in the face of the stressors. Researchers believe that anxiety disorders result from hyperactivity in certain areas of the brain, perhaps related to low levels of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which is responsible for keeping activity levels of nerve cells in check.   Panic disorder.   One of the five major forms of anxiety disorder is panic disorder -- sudden but short-lived attacks of terror and a fear of losing control. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 6 million adults (about 3 percent of adult Americans) suffer from panic disorder each year. It is twice as common in women as in men. One stud

You've used analgesic creams, ice, heat, exercise, physical therapy and assistive devices. You have tried all the pain medications, even opioids. Maybe you've even lost 20 pounds. But your joints are still so stiff and painful that you can't drive your car or participate in hobbies you enjoy. Should you consider joint replacement surgery? If so, what are your options? Before you say "no" to surgery, consider that more than 750,000 Americans have joint replacement surgery each year. Joint replacement surgery is not a quick fix and is not without risk. Serious complications of joint replacement surgery, such as blood clots and infections, can occur. In addition, the road to recovery can be difficult and time consuming. But many people who undergo joint replacement surgery experience less pain as well as significant improvements in psychological well-being and quality of life. What to look for in a surgeon.  If you are interested in having joint replacement sur

Increasing activity and limiting calories are the most important ways to keep weight off as you get older. But by following the metabolism-boosting pointers below, you may have an easier time keeping those extra pounds from creeping up on you.   Add muscle . Each pound of muscle burns about six calories a day, versus two calories a day for fat. Strength training exercises, such as lifting weights or doing squats, lunges or sit-ups, can help you build muscle.   Get moving . Just 30 minutes of moderately intense exercise five days a week can burn about 1,000 calories a week. That works out to about 15 pounds a year. High-intensity workouts, such as jogging or using a stair climber, may have an additional benefit -- increasing your resting metabolic rate after a workout.   Eat more often . The American Dietetic Association recommends eating three meals and one or two snacks a day. Just make sure to choose healthy snacks, such as fruit or yogurt, and don't increase your overa