Daily Health News Blog

People who spend hours each day without getting up and moving around should take heed: A new study suggests that the more people sit each day, the greater their risk for chronic health problems, such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease. Researchers from Australia and Kansas State University said their findings have implications for office workers, truck drivers and other people who regularly sit for long periods of time. To reduce the risk of chronic disease, the study authors concluded that people should sit less, and move more. "We know that with very high confidence that more physically active people do better with regard to chronic disease compared with less physically active people, but we should also be looking at reducing sitting," Richard Rosenkranz, assistant professor of human nutrition at Kansas State University, said in a university news release. "A lot of office jobs that require long periods of sitting may be hazardous to your health because of i

Early in the 20th century, only one in seven women were employed outside the home. Today, most women work, with women constituting 47% of the labor force. A consequence of this is that women are now exposed to many workplace hazards, including occupational stress. Occupational (or job) stress is a prevalent problem in the United States, with between a third to nearly a half of workers routinely reporting high levels of job stress. Certain job conditions have been well-established as stressors. These include heavy workload demands, little control over work, unclear or conflicting job roles, poor relationships with coworkers and supervisors, and unchallenging, repetitive, or monotonous work. Women experience additional job stressors that may affect men to a lesser degree. Since women often have primary responsibility for children and household chores, achieving an acceptable work-family balance can be challenging.  In some jobs in which women predominate, such as nursing and customer

Most people have heard of shingles, but many do not have a firm idea of what it actually is. I’ve diagnosed patients with shingles who knew little more than that it is rash, which is most likely to strike older adults. Although shingles can be painful, this viral infection is not life-threatening and is unlikely to lead to serious complications. Gaining a better understanding of this virus, however, will help you manage this surprisingly common condition. How Shingles Strikes Shingles is characterized by a often painful, blistering rash. It is usually located near the middle of your back and wraps around one side of your chest. It can also occur on the neck, scalp and face. As I noted above, shingles is a viral rash. So, how do you catch this unpleasant virus? People diagnosed with shingles are usually shocked to hear that they have probably had the virus since childhood. In fact, it is the same virus which causes chicken pox. Once you’ve had chicken pox, your body’s immune s

Many seniors who smoke feel like it is too late to quit. If you’ve been smoking almost your whole life, it may seem that it is not worth it to quit later in life. But there are some real benefits to quitting, even if you are older. First, you will find that your senses of taste and smell will improve. As you age, these senses naturally begin to decline. Smoking intensifies that effect. But quitting smoking will improve your sense of taste and smell, letting you enjoy your food and environment much more. You also will benefit from an immediate reduction in your heart rate and blood pressure. There is improved lung function in ex-smokers. If you deal with a chronic or nagging cough, giving up smoking will improve that. This is a gradual improvement, but research by the American Cancer Society shows that the cilia in your lungs regains normal function within about six months. After a year of quitting, your risk of coronary heart disease is cut in half. After five years, your risk o

A reader asks, "I spend many hours on my computer every day and I'm worried about developing carpal tunnel syndrome. What can I do to prevent it?" Here are two exercises that may help. Carpal tunnel syndrome is known for pain, tingling and numbness in the hand and wrist. The condition is caused by compression of the median nerve, which enters your hand through the carpal tunnel -- a narrow passageway formed by bones and ligaments. If tendons in the carpal tunnel become inflamed and swell, they can squeeze the nerve and produce the typical symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. Early recognition of carpal tunnel syndrome is important because prompt treatment can help you avoid potential long-term problems such as loss of feeling in some fingers and permanent weakness of the thumb. To keep your wrists flexible and ease strain on tired wrists, you can try these easy hand and wrist exercises (but don't do these movements if you already have pain or numbness):

Think about protecting your vision, one of the vital five senses. Most Americans are health conscious when it comes to choosing foods, watching their calories and exercising, but few think about their eye health. That?s why the American Optometric Association started Save Your Vision Month way back in 1927. Professional eye care, through regular exams, they say is important at every age. * Foods. While shopping, think consciously about foods that are rich in the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin (fatty acids essential for eye health, also available as supplements), vitamins C and E and the mineral zinc. Such foods include eggs, dark-colored greens, broccoli, corn, peas and brussels sprouts. * Family history. Be aware of any eye disease that runs in your family, such as diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration and others. Learn to recognize their symptoms, but don?t diagnose yourself if you experience any of them, because symptoms can be shared by seve

Did you know that at least half of the grains in your diet should be whole grains? For many adults, this means three to five servings of whole grains daily. (For children, make that two to three servings daily.) And yet the average American eats less than one serving of whole grains a day. In fact, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans reports that: Most Americans eat enough total grains, but the majority are refined rather than whole. And refined-grain foods tend to have more solid fats and added sugars. Less than 5 percent of Americans get the recommended minimum of three servings a day of whole grains. A serving is 1 slice bread; 1/2 cup cooked rice, pasta or cereal; 1 tortilla (6-inch diameter); 1 pancake (5-inch diameter) or 1 cup cereal flakes. This month is Whole Grains Month and the theme is "Whole grains at every meal." If you follow this theme, you'll meet the minimum recommendations. The best way to increase whole-grain intake is by replacing refin