MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'diseases & conditions'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:35:44 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3331373&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FzkSCtSPo-8g%2F Finding a treatment or a cure for Alzheimer’s disease is keeping researchers busy across the world. Unfortunately, they aren’t having a lot of success and the latest hopeful entry has turned out to be a bust. Dimebon, a medication that was developed to help slow the progression of Alzheimers has failed in the latest round of testing of 598 patients with mild to moderate disease. The results shocked the researchers because an earlier, smaller 18-month study of the drug showed that there was improvement among the patients taking Dimebon. The companies that collaborated on the production, Pfizer and Medivation, haven’t given up completely on the drug. They are continuing with four more studies that combine Dimebon with other drugs, as well as one study that is investigating ... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3331373 Thu, 04 Mar 2010 17:00:54 +0100 3331373 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3331374&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FioZ4FjkrpO8%2F Shingles, herpes zoster, is a painful infection caused by the chicken pox virus. Only people who have had chicken pox earlier in life can develop shingles. The virus remains dormant in your body and, for some some people for some reason, it activates again and causes shingles. The rash and pain of shingles follows along a nerve line along your body. The most common examples are along your face, up to your eye, from your midback around to your shoulder, or along your beltline from midback around to the front. Last year, we wrote about having shingles could mean an increased risk of having a stroke later on (Higher Stroke Risk 1 Year After Shingles), particularly if you had ocular shingles, shingles that affected your eye. Ocular shingles appears to affect about 10 to 20% of those who develo... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3331374 Thu, 04 Mar 2010 15:40:11 +0100 3331374 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3322438&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FEHP0aLsDTKU%2F The FDA is not supposed to be in the business of practicing medicine. Their role related to medicine is to approve or not approve medications, and to warn doctors of potential problems with certain types of drugs. Some doctors are now expressing concern about the latest recommendation from the FDA, calling for earlier discontinuation of certain asthma drugs. The doctors, experts in the field of treating asthma, are saying that this recommendation may be very risky for some patients. They expressed their concern at press meeting held at the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) 2010 Annual Meeting. Last month, the FDA came out with warnings about using certain types of asthma medications after a certain amount of time (FDA Urging Caution with Asthma Pumps). The FDA bas... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3322438 Tue, 02 Mar 2010 16:59:04 +0100 3322438 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3322439&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F4kJUEd38PP4%2F According to a study just published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, almost 30% of Americans have a condition called prediabetes, but up to 90% don’t even know it. And, among the almost 10% who do know, only half make it a point to improve their lifestyle habits, such as losing weight and/or exercising. Researchers from the Division of Diabetes Translation of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Emory University, and the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases surveyed 1,402 adults who had been diagnosed with prediabetes. They were each tested with a fasting plasma glucose test (FPG) and an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT). The survey asked for information about: any changes in diet to control or lose weight changes to encourage m... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3322439 Tue, 02 Mar 2010 15:26:31 +0100 3322439 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3322440&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FkdspckZVYNg%2F Everyone who has walked into a doctor’s office or hospital has had their blood pressure taken at least once. The cuff that wraps around your arm is inflated to the point that it stops the superficial circulation to the arm, which then returns gradually as the cuff slowly deflates. These blood pressure cuffs (sphygnomanometers) have been used for other things as well. In an emergency, a cuff can be pumped up around a unit of blood to push it into the patient’s vein more quickly. A cuff can be used around an arm (or leg) if you’ve been bitten by a poisonous creature, slowing down the flow of blood back to the heart. And now, a blood pressure cuff may be another way to save your life, or at least limit the amount of damage that can occur, from a heart attack. A study publish... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3322440 Mon, 01 Mar 2010 23:23:53 +0100 3322440 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3322441&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FXA8UpFST0cs%2F Prescribing medications can be tricky for some physicians, depending on what their patient  has, how they want to treat it, and what is available for prescription. And, it’s particularly difficult if the condition they are trying to treat is either not responding to the traditional treatments or there really isn’t anything yet that has been developed for it. This is where off-label prescribing comes in. The FDA When the FDA approves a medication, it approves it for one or more specific conditions. It okays the dosage ranges, the frequency it can or should be taken, how long it can or should be taken and who should or shouldn’t take it. They base their decision on multiple trials and studies, where they should be given accurate information on how patients responded to wh... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3322441 Mon, 01 Mar 2010 21:38:12 +0100 3322441 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3314688&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FQo4zXHyiMu4%2F An autopsy performed on actress Brittany Murphy, who died this past December at the age of 32 years, has revealed that the actress had acute pneumonia and had been taking cold and flu medications before her death. There were also pain medications in her system and she suffered from iron-deficiency pneumonia, perhaps caused by heavy menstrual periods. According to CNN, her death is being ruled an accident. While we’ll never know how much Brittany took of what, her death is a strong reminder of the dangers of self-treatment on top of medical treatment and it also reminds us that pneumonia is an illness that should be taken seriously. Medications Millions of people take medications that they buy over-the-counter to treat various ailments, from headaches, to PMS, to allergies and influen... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3314688 Sat, 27 Feb 2010 01:33:14 +0100 3314688 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3314689&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FLVj4qPgkhOo%2F OneTouch SureStep Test Strips (LifeScan): Recall PRESS RELEASE [Posted 02/26/2010] LifeScan and FDA notified healthcare professionals of a voluntary recall of eight lots of OneTouch SureStep Test Strips, used by people with diabetes to measure their blood glucose levels at home. The test strips are being recalled because they may provide falsely low glucose results when the glucose level is higher than 400 mg/dL. If patients use the falsely low test results to determine their insulin dose, they may give themselves too little insulin, which could result in poor blood glucose control. High blood glucose must be recognized and treated promptly to avoid serious complications, such as coma and death. The eight lots of consumer OneTouch SureStep Test Strips being recalled are identified in the... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3314689 Sat, 27 Feb 2010 01:03:15 +0100 3314689 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3311774&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F2vaFUv1QF6Y%2F The Wii game system has developed a consumer base that defies convention when it comes to video games: older adults. When we think of video games, we usually either think of kids and teens, glued in front of their screens, playing their games, or young men spending hours playing on the computer. But the Wii game system has appealed to people who may not usually play these types of games. Wii Game System It’s been published already that there are retirement communities and nursing homes that use the Wii system to help keep seniors active. Between bowling and other interactive games, the game encourages people to get up out of their chair and move around. There are even competitions among different groups, an Olympics of sorts. And, once again, there is a study that shows that the Wii ... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3311774 Fri, 26 Feb 2010 13:03:07 +0100 3311774 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3306921&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2Fblp_ZATKmA4%2F Fear of dentists seems to be universal. We all know people who are afraid to go see a dentist. Some people may have been traumatized while in a dentist’s chair earlier in life, some may have unknowingly developed their fear from the adults around them, or maybe they are just afraid. No matter the reason, although they may be afraid and delay trips to the dentist, they most likely end up going to have the necessary procedures done. However, there are many who are so afraid that they never go to the dentist, despite the condition of their teeth and this is a serious issue that has to be addressed. Dental care is more than cosmetic and it’s more than just fixing a broken tooth or putting in a filling. Dentists are trained to look for signs of oral cancers and they often can tell t... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3306921 Thu, 25 Feb 2010 13:55:48 +0100 3306921 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3302394&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FG0Rq5NgLS-E%2F A report just issued by the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine has found that “Forty-five percent of Americans – 135 million people — are more than an hour away from primary stroke centers, the facilities that are best equipped to care for them if they are stricken by the condition.” And, less than 25% of Americans can reach stroke care within a half hour. When someone has a stroke (cerebral vascular accident, or CVA), the most vital part of treatment is time. The faster treatment can be given, the higher the chances of a good outcome. If patients are living an hour or more from this care, precious time is lost and many lives can’t be saved. Using information from the United States Census Bureau, the researchers came up with the following statistics: 2... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3302394 Wed, 24 Feb 2010 16:43:58 +0100 3302394 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3302395&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FzqDKtAHGu7A%2F It’s an instant reaction, isn’t it? Read or hear the word “lice,” and our scalp gets itchy. Unfortunately, head lice is a fact of life for many people, even in the so-called developed world, particularly among school children. Lice are not life threatening and they don’t carry illness, but they are still not something we want in our homes or on our scalp. However, treatment is usually with chemicals that can be harmful and often treatments need to be repeated because the follow up, picking out all the nits, is not always easy to do (Lice: The Real Nitpicking). In fact, some of the chemicals are so strong that they are not recommended for certain groups of people, such as children with neurological disorders. As time has passed and we have used these strong tox... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3302395 Wed, 24 Feb 2010 12:35:21 +0100 3302395 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3302396&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FFs5n-F6Sz34%2F If you go for a colonoscopy to check out the health of your bowels (colon), it may be in your best interest to ensure the doctor who is performing the test is a gastroenterologist, a GI doctor. While general practitioners can and do perform some colonoscopies, they don’t have the formal training of the GI doctors and can easily miss something that may otherwise have been noted. According to a study published in the Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, GI doctors who performed colonoscopies had a higher colorectal cancer detection rate than did other doctors. Researchers looked at 110,402 residents who lived in the province of Ontario, Canada, and who were 50 to 80 years old at the time of their colonoscopy. All had been told that their colonoscopy was negative, meaning nothing u... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3302396 Tue, 23 Feb 2010 17:55:39 +0100 3302396 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3298402&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2Fj8IYx58ls3M%2F People who are living with chronic illnesses and who are experiencing anxiety would do well to get some exercises, according to a new study published by the Archives of Internal Medicine. Illnesses can trigger anxiety for a variety of reasons. As people become more anxious, they may find it more difficult to focus on their health – and it becomes a vicious cycle. While some may do well taking anti-anxiety medications, researchers have found that exercise training reduces anxiety symptoms. They came to this conclusion after reviewing the medical literature for studies that investigated the connection between exercise in adults with chronic illnesses who generally didn’t participate in physical activity. Patients had diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, multipl... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3298402 Tue, 23 Feb 2010 01:19:44 +0100 3298402 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3291902&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FsUYFIjIkyPw%2F Ear candling can cause serious injuries, even when used according to the manufacturer’s directions, says a press release issued by the FDA. The release warns the general public and healthcare professionals that there have been reports of “burns, perforated eardrums and blockage of the ear canal which required outpatient surgery from the use of ear candles.” (FDA) Ear candling falls under the realm of alternative medicine and the concern is not a slam against alternative therapies and treatments; not all alternative medicine is harmful. There are many procedures that could help someone feel better, but ear candling isn’t  one of them, says the FDA and Health Canada. Health Canada issued a warning in 2006 that is similar to the FDA’s. In 1996, Health Canada surveye... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3291902 Sun, 21 Feb 2010 13:31:54 +0100 3291902 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3287809&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FIRWQnw1WH60%2F They seem to be everywhere: medication pumps and devices for people with asthma. For people who have asthma, these pumps and inhalers are literal life savers sometimes. Asthma medications that are inhaled by pump, disk, or inhaler, come in a couple of categories: Immediate action and prophylactic (preventative), although some medications provide a bit of both. The immediate action medications are ones such as Ventolin, which helps open the airways and allows for air exchange. The preventative ones often have long-acting beta agonist, or LABA, in them, to help keep the airway open. These medications include Advair and Symbicort, which combine LABA with corticosteroids, and Serevent and Foradi, which contain the LABA only. Because these inhaled versions of medication are everywhere, it does ... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3287809 Fri, 19 Feb 2010 15:16:53 +0100 3287809 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3283653&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FVjVjLApaBY0%2F A press release has been issued by the FDA warns consumers about possible Maalox mix-ups: FDA Warns about Serious Side Effects from Maalox Product Mix-Ups Maalox product maker agrees to name change to avoid confusion The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today warned consumers about the potential for serious side effects from mistakenly using Maalox Total Relief instead of other Maalox products. The two products are intended for the relief of different symptoms and contain different active ingredients. Maalox Total Relief is an upset stomach reliever and anti-diarrheal medication, while traditional Maalox liquid products Maalox Advanced Regular Strength and Maalox Advanced Maximum Strength are antacids. Both Maalox Total Relief and Maalox are made by Novartis Consumer Health Inc. (NCH) a... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3283653 Thu, 18 Feb 2010 00:53:14 +0100 3283653 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3283654&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FhvzFbaXk_Ac%2F Certain disorders, like multiple sclerosis, can cause muscle spasms. These muscle spasms can be very painful and they’re not easy to relieve. New research may give hope to those who have these muscle spasms because the answer for some people may be cannabis – medicinal marijuana. In 2000, the state of California established the Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research. The center’s existence came about so researchers could determine if medicinal marijuana really was useful in helping manage certain illnesses. According to the article, Clinical Trials: Pot Can Ease Muscle Spasms, study findings showed that using study-approved marijuana helped relieve the spasms caused by multiple sclerosis and other nerve diseases or disorders that could also cause them. It is important to ... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3283654 Thu, 18 Feb 2010 00:41:02 +0100 3283654 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3275864&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F9_Ln2On5wtw%2F Migraines are more than just a bad headache – they are intense, focused pain, usually on one side of the head. And, for many people, they involve more than pain, but they also cause visual disturbances, nausea, sensory sensitivity, and even stroke-like symptoms in some people. Because of the severity of migraines and the economic impact they can have (missed work, money spent on treatment), researchers are trying to find just about anything that can help migraineurs, those who are living with the migraines. In a small study, just published in the Archives of Dermatology, researchers found that injecting a commonly used cosmetic treatment, botulinum injection (commonly referred to as Botox), can have a positive effect on migraines that are described as crushing, vicelike, or eye-poppi... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3275864 Tue, 16 Feb 2010 12:17:05 +0100 3275864 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3269741&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F8cWkaWaORfY%2F How awful – a truly tragic event has struck the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. It has been reported that Nodar Kumaritashvili, a Georgian luger, has died as the result of a horrendous accident during a training run. A luge is a small one- or two-person sled. Unlike usual sledding, which we’re all familiar with, a luger lies on his or her back, facing upwards and races feet-first down the iced run. The only way the sled can be steered is by using the legs and shoulders, by putting pressure on the sled’s side runners. Lugers can reach speeds of up to 90 or 95 miles per hour. Initial news reports say that 21-year-old Kumaritashvili, who was going to compete in his first Olympics, flew off the track and crashed into a nearby metal gerder. Track officials attempted CPR to re... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3269741 Fri, 12 Feb 2010 21:49:40 +0100 3269741 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3269742&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2Fir7ymCdys2Y%2F The H1N1 virus, the so-called swine flu, hit 57 million Americans and was the cause of 257,000 hospitalizations and 11,690 deaths in the United States. Fifty seven million: that’s more than the population of Spain (46 million) and Canada (34 million). The number of people hospitalized because of the H1N1 influenza is just slightly more than the entire population of Barbados, or equal to half the state of Wyoming. That’s a lot of people. The flu is still around and vaccines are still being given. The US winter Olympic athletes were vaccinated last month if they’d not already been, giving the vaccine enough time to be effective when the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics begin tonight. What was it about the H1N1 flu that got the world so concerned and should it have been? It&#8... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3269742 Fri, 12 Feb 2010 20:36:00 +0100 3269742 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3262696&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FWJD99zQCRy4%2F There have been studies, off and on, about possible connections between migraines and strokes, but newest research is showing that there is also a connection between migraines and heart attacks. It’s important to understand that migraines are not simply very bad headaches. Migraines are a condition on their own and are not restricted to pain in the head. They can cause, among other things: Visual disturbances Sensitivity to light, sound, touch Nausea Vomiting Balance problems And now, researchers from Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University say that people with migraines have twice the risk of having a heart attack than people who don’t have migraines. They also found: that migraine sufferers also face increased risk for stroke and were more likely to have k... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3262696 Thu, 11 Feb 2010 15:11:57 +0100 3262696 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3259048&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F4uRLTeF3s38%2F Quiz time here at Blisstree: What is the second highest risk for cardiovascular disease? We know that smoking, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and family history are risks, but neither of them comes in second, although smoking comes in at number one. Give up? It’s IQ – intelligence quotient. Seriously. According to a British study published in February issue of the European Journal of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation, lower intelligence scores were associated with higher rates of cardiovascular disease and total mortality at a greater level of magnitude than found with any other risk factor except smoking. (Source) Your IQ is usually determined using a set of tests that are based on a so-called average. There has been and continues to be significant debate as to how ... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3259048 Wed, 10 Feb 2010 15:26:27 +0100 3259048 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3251261&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FdOmlDNvuZwo%2F Medicinal marijuana is finding its way into many areas of medicine. It’s a big help for some people with AIDS, providing them with a much-needed appetite. Marijuana is helpful for some people with cancer, helping them manage their side effects, and it’s also been found to help people with glaucoma, just to name a few. There was hope that medicinal marijuana would provide help for people with Alzheimers because earlier animal studies had shown that marijuana could reduce the plaques in the brain that are the hallmark of Alzheimers. Although this new study, from the University of British Columbia, is also an animal study, it was done with mice, which are considered to be a better match for human studies, while the previous ones were done on rats. The researcher used the same meth... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3251261 Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:57:50 +0100 3251261 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3251262&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F5ULwAvIIyX4%2F Pancreatic cancer is a serious, often rapidly fatal cancer that isn’t usually detected early enough for effective treatment. Although doctors don’t know how to prevent it, they do know that certain lifestyle issues contribute to the risk of developing pancreatic cancer, namely smoking and obesity. Now, we can add “soft drink consumption” to that list. Your pancreas is a small organ that provides your body with insulin that helps you regulate the amount of sugar enters your blood stream. The more sugar you consume, the harder the pancreas has to work to release enough insulin. Of course, as with many things in life, if something is worked harder than it should be, something will go wrong, and body organs are no different. Researchers who followed 60,524 men and women... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3251262 Mon, 08 Feb 2010 13:14:56 +0100 3251262 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3246949&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FQcY-dRv5yag%2F People who live with diabetes know how frustrating it can be to try to maintain a healthy and balanced level of sugar in the blood, particularly if they take insulin. Much progress has been made in terms of developing technology to help manage insulin doses, especially in children, but as good as they can be, there is still a lot of room for improvement. Type 1 diabetes, what used to be called insulin-dependent or juvenile diabetes, cannot be cured. Insulin isn’t a cure, but rather, a way to manage it. The insulin must be given in specific doses and adjusted according to activity and food intake, something which can be quite difficult to do for an active child or teen. When blood sugar isn’t properly controlled, this can lead to severe complications later in life (blindness, ki... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3246949 Sat, 06 Feb 2010 10:05:15 +0100 3246949 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3246950&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FgujoXamzW-E%2F African Americans who develop multiple sclerosis deteriorate more quickly than their white counterparts and don’t respond as well to the currently available treatments, say researchers. It’s not unusual for different races to respond in different ways to various illnesses or treatments. The best known illness where this occurs is hypertension (high blood pressure), but we don’t always know which diseases or disorders will fall into this category. Multiple sclerosis is much more common among whites than African Americans, so not much research had been done regarding any differences in progression and treatment. Researchers from the University of Buffalo began looking into this while examining the magnetic resonance images (MRIs) of 567 patients who had MS. What they found ... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3246950 Sat, 06 Feb 2010 01:45:37 +0100 3246950 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3243865&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FrxPRHTYgHeA%2F Celiac disease is becoming more known as more people are being diagnosed with it. Although it’s not entirely clear if the disease is becoming more common or people are just finally being diagnosed properly, the numbers of affected people are rising and this is presenting problems with some life-long rituals. Celiac disease is a silent disease at first. It is the inability of the body to digest gluten, which is a found protein in wheat, rye, and barley. People with celiac disease should not eat any gluten at all, not even small amounts, as gluten damages the villi, the tiny hair-like structures along the intestines that help move the food forward. If the villi can’t do their job, the result is malnutrition. Besides having to adapt your diet significantly if you have celiac disea... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3243865 Fri, 05 Feb 2010 15:52:03 +0100 3243865 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3235919&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FCUabUxTL4kw%2F “It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done.” “It’s harder than quitting drugs.” “I’ve tried and tried and I just can’t stop.” “I feel like a loser because I can’t quit.” As a smoker, have you ever said anything like that? As someone who loves a smoker, have you ever heard someone say anything like that? Quitting smoking is one of the most difficult things many people ever do. Sure, we all hear of people who quit cold turkey on Monday and by Wednesday, they know they’ll never touch another cigarette again, but that’s not the norm. The tobacco companies have the smokers so hooked that millions and millions of dollars are spent on quit-smoking materials and programs. Most is wasted at the moment though... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3235919 Wed, 03 Feb 2010 07:35:58 +0100 3235919 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3231621&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FIIIxZFxw9p8%2F Herbal remedies are increasingly common as some people try to limit their consumption of prescription medications and turn to more natural options. The problem is, natural doesn’t necessarily mean safe or safe for you, particularly if you have other issues, such as heart disease. Statistics show that more than 15 million Americans reportedly use herbal remedies or high-dose vitamins. Of course, the number could be higher because not everyone reports what they take. Researchers from the Mayo Clinic decided to review the use of natural supplements and their interaction with heart disease medications to see what types of concerns, if any, doctors and patients should have. In the case of people with heart disease, natural supplements can affect the efficacy of the medications and cause h... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3231621 Tue, 02 Feb 2010 07:51:18 +0100 3231621 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3231622&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FhEyItqNIKlQ%2F We’re starting to see more people wearing helmets while they’re cycling, rollerblading or skateboarding, but getting people to wear helmets while skiing or snowboarding seems to be a rougher ride. However, it’s been proven that helmets do reduce the risk of head injuries among people who participate in these winter sports. According to a study published today in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, the use of helmets reduces the risk of head injuries among skiers and snowboarders by 35%. This is a significant number because, statistics show that head injuries account for up to 19% and neck injuries up to 4% of all injuries reported by ski patrols and emergency departments. Traumatic brain injury is the leading cause of death and serious injury among skiers and snowbo... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3231622 Tue, 02 Feb 2010 01:50:55 +0100 3231622 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3227864&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FYiKq8Vdf86M%2F How could February *not* be heart month? It’s a month with hearts and roses all over the media, so it’s a great time to also remind people to take care of their real heart, one that doesn’t look anything like a valentine. Heart disease is a scary topic. It can hit anyone at any time, but there are people who are at higher risk of developing heart disease than are others. Some of the risk factrs include: having a family history of heart disease being male – although women do develop heart disease in large numbers, it is still more prevalent among men being older – risk increases with age smoking having high blood cholesterol (the “bad” one) being overweight not exercising having diabetes not coping well with high levels of stress abusing alcohol H... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3227864 Mon, 01 Feb 2010 14:34:07 +0100 3227864 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3216665&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F_qh6E05HZSM%2F The warnings have been out for years now: heavy backpacks are NOT good for your child’s back. And, while parents may be concerned about it, not much seems to be happening in lessening the overall load that’s being carried around. Yet another study has come out that has found that heavy backpacks compress the spinal discs and increase spinal curvature – even if the backpacks are worn properly. And when they’re worn only on one shoulder, as most kids tend to do, the damage is even worse. The results of this study were published in a recent issue of the journal Spine. The authors of the study say that the vast majority of students in the United States (up to 90%) carry backpacks to and from school. On average, the backpacks weigh the same as about 10% to 22% of the chi... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3216665 Thu, 28 Jan 2010 14:44:55 +0100 3216665 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3212400&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FNX4zxLewQp4%2F The FDA has approved a new concentration of morphine sulfate. Here is the press release: FDA Approves Morphine Sulfate Oral Solution for Relief of Acute and Chronic Pain Approval is part of Agency’s unapproved drugs initiative The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Morphine Sulfate Oral Solution for the relief of moderate to severe, acute and chronic pain in opioid-tolerant patients. This medicine will be available in 100 milligrams per 5 mL or 20 milligrams per 1 mL. This is the only FDA approved morphine sulfate oral solution available at this concentration. Although the use of this medicine to manage pain has been common practice for many years, this form and concentration of morphine was not FDA approved until now. Today’s action is part of the FDA’s unapproved dru... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3212400 Tue, 26 Jan 2010 23:51:26 +0100 3212400 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3212401&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FF_lmnSKc8Do%2F Although teaching an infant how to swim may not prevent drownings, it is an enjoyable activity for both parent and child. For that reason, doctors are not saying “don’t swim with your baby,” but they are issuing a warning so parents can be aware of certain issues. According to a study published recently in the European Respiratory Journal, children who are exposed to large amounts of chlorine early in life may have a higher risk of developing asthma or respiratory problems – particularly if they have a family history of such problems. The issue isn’t the swimming, but rather the air quality in indoor pools and the chlorine in all pools. Researchers looked at over 400 children and their health history and swimming habits. What the researchers found was that 36%... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3212401 Tue, 26 Jan 2010 22:42:53 +0100 3212401 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3204958&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2Fk4EKJFt7dlY%2F After a half century of increasing birth weights among American newborns, the trend is now reversing itself and birth weights are dropping, say researchers. That’s not to mean there aren’t any big babies being born, it’s just that they’ll become unusual again, if the trend continues. Birth weights don’t predict how big a baby will become as he or she grows, but researchers are finding that birth weight plays a role in future health. Research is beginning to show that smaller babies face a higher risk of short-term complications, even requiring intensive care. As well, people born with low-birth weights may have a higher risk of developing certain types of chronic diseases. Birth Weight Increases in the Past Birth weights increased in the past, in North America... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3204958 Sun, 24 Jan 2010 17:44:23 +0100 3204958 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3193804&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FkN49ebUApno%2F News that there is progress in developing oral drugs for multiple sclerosis, a neurological disease that strips the ability of the nerves to send impulses from the brain, is raising hope so millions of patients with the disease. The biggest plus of medications like Cladribine (Merck) and Fingolimod (Novartis) is that they are taken by mouth. Right now, the only medications that could slow down the progress of MS are taken by injection. Cladribine would only be taken for a few days each year, while fingolimod is taken every day. However, researchers are cautioning people about the serious side effects that may come with the drugs. It turns out that both medications lower the immune system’s defenses, making patients much more vulnerable to infection. According to news reports, two peo... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3193804 Thu, 21 Jan 2010 16:11:20 +0100 3193804 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3193805&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F0LUJ4zuNX0s%2F Multiple sclerosis is a neurological disease that strikes most often in adults who are just getting going with their life – they’re establishing their careers, starting families, and they have plans. MS is a disease that can progress slowly, allowing those affected by it to live fairly “normal” lives. Unfortunately, others deteriorate quickly to the point that they can’t care for themselves before they die. MS is seen more in northern countries, so there is a theory that sunlight – or lack of sunlight – plays a role in the development of the disease. Canada has the dubious distinction of having the highest rate of MS in the world. What MS Is In MS, the nerves in the central nervous system (CNS), which is made up of the brain and spinal cord, degene... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3193805 Thu, 21 Jan 2010 15:53:03 +0100 3193805 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3189224&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FzJykYiQ_4Hw%2F One of the hallmarks of Parkinson’s disease is the slow and stiff gait that people have when they walk. It’s called gait hypokinesia and it can seriously affect the quality of life as people with Parkinson’s limit going out and doing various activities. Parkinson’s disease is a neurological disorder, meaning that it affects the nerves. In this case, the disorder affects the part of the brain that controls muscle movement. Dopamine is a chemical that helps your body coordinate movements, but in Parkinson’s, the neurons that make the dopamine die, making it difficult, if not impossible, to control movement. Researchers have been looking into using exercise to help people with Parkinson’s maintain their ability to move well, in addition to taking medication... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3189224 Wed, 20 Jan 2010 12:57:27 +0100 3189224 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3185444&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FhzKxvX3_7jU%2F Important press release from the FDA: Alli 60 mg capsules (120 count refill kit): Counterfeit Product [Posted 01/18/2010] FDA notified consumers and healthcare professionals about a counterfeit and potentially harmful version of Alli 60 mg capsules (120 count refill kit). The counterfeit version contained the controlled substance sibutramine and did not contain orlistat, the active ingredient. Sibutramine is a drug that should not be used in certain patient populations or without physician oversight. Sibutramine can also interact in a harmful way with other medications the consumer may be taking. GSK has determined that the counterfeit product has been sold over the internet. However, there is no evidence at this time that the counterfeit Alli product has been sold through other channe... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3185444 Mon, 18 Jan 2010 16:46:50 +0100 3185444 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3182246&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2Fv0icYw6iHmI%2F The term mild concussion doesn’t seem to bring on much concern from people. However, if you replace it with mild brain injury, chances are, people sit up and take a bit more notice. The thing is, they are both the same thing. Mild concussions aren’t being taken seriously enough, despite deaths, over the past couple of years, due to head injuries on the ski slope or similar circumstances, says a researcher from McMaster University in Canada. In fact, if their head injury is labeled a concussion, they will spend less time in the hospital and return to school sooner (and likely the activity that may have caused the injury) than children who are diagnosed with a brain injury. What is a concussion? Your brain is a soft organ and it’s surrounded with cerebrospinal fluid around ... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3182246 Mon, 18 Jan 2010 13:40:03 +0100 3182246 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3182247&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2Ftg0467tgi6A%2F Spiriva (tiotropium bromide) is an inhaled medication used to prevent exacerbations (”attacks”) caused by COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It’s taken once per day. There were concerns a while ago about a possible connection between using Spiriva and experiencing a higher risk of stroke and/or heart attacks. Courtesy of Pfizer Inc. When this concern was raised, the FDA investigated and has come to the conclusion that this is not an issue with the medication. The FDA came to this conclusion when it and the FDA Pulmonary – Allergy Drugs Advisory Committee reviewed a 4-year study involving 5,992 patients. According to the findings, there was no significant increase in the risk of stroke [0.95 (95% CI 0.70, 1.29)], heart attack [0.73 (95% CI 0.53, 1.00)],... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3182247 Mon, 18 Jan 2010 09:42:20 +0100 3182247 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3180284&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F_1vREUgzj7k%2F Although the H1N1 virus has faded quite a bit in the news, it is still active throughout the world, including the United States. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that as of January 10, 2010, “more than 208 countries and overseas territories or communities have reported laboratory confirmed cases of pandemic influenza H1N1 2009, including at least 13,554 deaths.” The most active regions right now remain parts of North Africa, South Asia and the eastern and southeastern areas of Europe. North Africa The virus is still spreading in countries such as Morocco, Algeria and Egypt. South Asia Countries in South Asia that are reporting active infection spread of H1N1 include Nepal, India (more in the west, less so in the north), and Sri Lanka – although the virus may be... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3180284 Sun, 17 Jan 2010 15:44:26 +0100 3180284 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3178854&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FtZrrcnZ-YMU%2F Have you ever had problems remembering to take medications? Whether the medications are a short-term thing, like a prescription for antibiotics or a longer-term thing, like antidepressants, forgetting to take your medication can cause more problems down the road. And, if you’re unlucky and have to take several medications and different times of the day, you may find it even more difficult to keep things straight. For this reason, the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in the United Kingdom has set up a texting reminder service for its patients with epilepsy who need these reminders. According to the BBC news, The service will use text messaging to remind patients to take their medication and has a facility to alert carers if they do not respond to a text saying they hav... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3178854 Sat, 16 Jan 2010 00:54:09 +0100 3178854 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3175963&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2Fy4e2D4qISho%2F Major disasters can kill thousands of people in one instant, but their deadly effects can continue to last, perhaps killing more people after the event than during it. When an area experiences a major disaster as Haiti did earlier this week, the infrastructure breaks down and this usually includes the availability of safe drinking water. And, if the area hit is as poorly off as Haiti was before the earthquake, then the living conditions are going to change from poor to unimaginable. Before the earthquake, more than half the population had access to clean drinking water and there was no public sewage. Urgent emergency response is needed to help save lives in the moment, but also to save lives by preventing diseases from taking hold. Diseases like cholera and dysentery, which are water-borne... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3175963 Fri, 15 Jan 2010 01:21:08 +0100 3175963 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3163853&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FS8J-QK4hzYk%2F Rabies used to be in the news quite a bit – it was even the subject of movies (think Old Yeller). Sadly, before vaccinations were available and treatment had been discovered, rabies killed many animals and humans. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), although rabies may be out of the minds of those who live in the developed nations, the disease is still a major concern elsewhere: More than 55 000 people die of rabies each year. About 95% of human deaths occur in Asia and Africa. Most human deaths follow a bite from an infected dog. Between 30% to 60% of the victims of dog bites are children under the age of 15. In North America, rabies is sometimes transmitted by rabid bats, so countries, like Canada, have guidelines in place about prophylactic (preventative) treatment... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3163853 Tue, 12 Jan 2010 17:07:11 +0100 3163853 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3159809&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2Fwaltihe0Tdo%2F Have you ever had a migraine? Do you know someone who has? Chances are, whether it is you or someone you know, the first thing you want to do if you have a migraine is to get out of the light and into a dark room. Light, any type of light, is a migraineurs enemy once the pain has begun. With all the research that is going in to trying to find causes and cures for migraines, one angle has been to look at how light affects migraines as opposed to “regular” headaches, no matter how severe the headaches are. Researchers from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center have published study findings in the advance online issue of Nature Neuroscience that indicate they have identified a new visual pathway that underlies sensitivity to light during migraine in both blind people and in those w... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3159809 Mon, 11 Jan 2010 14:50:10 +0100 3159809 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3149135&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FSXIkAaXGJQs%2F Being abused as a child has a lifelong impact on people, even if they think they’ve left the abuse behind. In some cases, it may come out in personality issues and in others, physically, such as high stress levels or illness. Migraines, one of those mysterious ailments that affect so many people, is one of the long-lasting physical effects that may result from childhood abuse. Of course, that’s not to say that if you have migraines, you were abused – absolutely not. But, researchers have found that a significant number of people who do live with migraines were somehow abused or neglected when they were children. Child abuse and neglect are, unfortunately, still very much present in today’s society. In the United States, the U.S. Department of Health has said that in... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3149135 Wed, 06 Jan 2010 17:55:36 +0100 3149135 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3146047&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FsU573QEF2do%2F Every parent knows the drill: giving a liquid prescription or over-the-counter medication to a child requires measuring out the exact amount. Doses can range from a fraction of a teaspoon to one or more tablespoons, but whatever the dose, it’s vital that the children receive the prescribed amount. But, do they? Not always, says the result of a study just published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. Ideally, people dispensing liquid medications should be using measuring spoons meant for that purpose; they are available at most drug stores either in the stock or by asking the pharmacist. In reality, many people end up using kitchen measuring spoons, which may be generally ok for cooking, but not for something as precise as medications. Another practice is some people use bigger spoons... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3146047 Wed, 06 Jan 2010 09:59:45 +0100 3146047 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3146048&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FfyVFbpTfLW0%2F If you are experiencing mild or moderate depression, chances are antidepressant medications won’t be any help to you, say researchers. These medications are only useful to those who are living with severe depression. Millions of prescriptions for antidepressants are being written now that they’ve become so available and more accepted as treatment in today’s society. However, there have been many criticisms about how often the medications are being prescribed and for whom. It is often suggested that, although there are people who can truly benefit from antidepressant medications, there are those who would be able to manage by discussing their depression with their doctor or a counselor and making lifestyle changes. Jay C. Fournier, M.A., of the University of Pennsylvania, ... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3146048 Wed, 06 Jan 2010 09:42:45 +0100 3146048 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3146049&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F-2oJVKOkygs%2F I didn’t put this in the Duh Study category, but it is rather obvious, I would think: “Queen’s University study concludes private rooms are safer.” Back in “the old days,” many hospitals didn’t have private rooms and patients were mostly in wards – a large room with bed after bed, lining the walls. They had male wards and female wards. Then, wards became smaller and four-bedded rooms were more the norm, along with semi-private (two-bedded rooms) and private rooms. Hospitals now are often built to limit shared rooms as much as possible, for patient privacy and to limit the spread of disease. A study, just published in the on-line version of the American Journal of Infection Control, reports that having a roommate or roommates increases your ri... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3146049 Tue, 05 Jan 2010 23:07:07 +0100 3146049 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3142649&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FVblMNVYGTwM%2F People who live with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are often faced with trial-and-error to find treatments that work for them. One type of treatment that can be successful for some people with IBS is using antidepressant medications. This isn’t to say that IBS is related to depression, but some antidepressant medications have other properties, such as providing pain relief from chronic pain. In the case of IBS, the antidepressants may work because there are chemical transmitters in the brain that are also present in the colon. When it comes to antidepressants, some people swear by the supplement St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum). Because of the antidepressant properties found by some people, researchers wanted to see if St. John’s Wort would be a reasonable treatmen... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3142649 Mon, 04 Jan 2010 18:55:08 +0100 3142649 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3139103&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FMyb5g2vobFk%2F A study looking at the effectiveness of the drug figitumumab in treating late-stage lung cancer has been stopped by the manufacturer, Pfizer Inc. Late-stage lung cancer is difficult to treat and researchers are continuously looking for different drug combinations that could help increase the survival rate of the disease. This particular study looked at figitumumab in combination with two other chemotherapy agents, paclitaxel and carboplatin. The researchers were comparing the three-drug combination to paclitaxel plus carboplatin alone. In October 2009, Pfizer stopped patient recruitment into the study. Independent monitors had found disturbing outcomes, serious adverse events including deaths, among patients who had been receiving figitumumab. Although the study’s discontinuation is ... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3139103 Mon, 04 Jan 2010 09:01:09 +0100 3139103 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3139104&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FMSG6yuSNQ2o%2F Sometimes short headlines can’t say what you really want them to say. Sinus surgery can improve your quality of life, but only if you have a condition that needs it, right? If you live with chronic sinus infections or inflammation, sinusitis, you’ve likely tried many treatments or therapies to get relief. Sometimes, the only option is surgery though and this is proving to be quite a boon for many people who need it. In fact, according to a new study, over 3/4 of patients who needed endoscopic sinus surgery had good results. Endoscopic surgery involves using very small instruments that reach into the sinuses, allowing surgeons to operate without having to make incisions. These types of surgeries are called minimally invasive surgeries. Chronic sinusitis or rhinosinusitis (CRS) i... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3139104 Sun, 03 Jan 2010 22:16:20 +0100 3139104 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3137557&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F2bHX7kRu2G4%2F Talking about organ donation usually brings to mind donating your heart, kidneys, and other commonly discussed organs, but did you realize that by donating your brain, you could help advance research in many diseases, including Parkinson’s disease? The Parkinson’s Disease Society has put out an appeal for people to donate their brains after death for research purposes. Although all brains are helpful, younger people with Parkinson’s are particularly encouraged to donate, so researchers may learn more about how the disease may come on early, as it did with actor Michael J. Fox. The United Kingdom isn’t the only place that can use an increase in organ donations for research; other countries have the same problem of not having enough material with which to work. Unfort... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3137557 Sun, 03 Jan 2010 13:50:25 +0100 3137557 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3137558&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FoyHN9uIrVs8%2F Women who have had breast cancer may see themselves feeling more sensual and able to enjoy sex if they have acupuncture to treat some of the frustrating side effects of some cancer treatments, such as hot flashes and night sweats, say researchers. Hormone therapy, used to treat some types of breast cancers, is often taken for up to five years after a woman has completed chemotherapy. However, the side effects are often more than simply annoying. They can have a significant impact on quality of life. Not being able to sleep well is the root of many problems at the best of times, but it can be much more difficult when you’re trying to win a battle against a potentially fatal disease. There are medications currently available to counter some of the side effects but they are not always e... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3137558 Sat, 02 Jan 2010 19:06:22 +0100 3137558 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3136614&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FBGgesr1ruaw%2F When a woman is pregnant, in her mind, her baby will be perfect. But perfect isn’t always what we think it will be. Sometimes, our perfect baby is born with a problem, such as spina bifida (hole in the back) or missing a limb, or a heart defect. Birth defects can sometimes be prevented and January is National Birth Defects Prevention Month. The goal of the month is to educate as many people as possible, not just mothers, about prevention of preventable birth defects. Taken from the National Birth Defects Prevention Network, here are 10 important facts you should know about birth defects: 1 Birth defects affect one out of ever 33 babies in the United States and is the cause of death in one of every five infant deaths. 2 Folic acid (folate) is a vitamin that all women of childbearing ... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3136614 Sat, 02 Jan 2010 10:41:36 +0100 3136614 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3136615&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F32upWk8QQ40%2F It’s January again – funny how that comes around every 12 months, isn’t it? And with January and a new year, we’re back to Glaucoma Awareness Month. It seems that one month isn’t enough to help raise awareness for such a devastating disease. Glaucoma, which is really a group of diseases, hits what people seem to fear most – losing their eyesight. Glaucoma is a silent disease, it has no symptoms in its early stages, nothing that can warn you that it’s going to happen to you. This is why awareness is so important, particularly if you fall into a high risk category. What is Glaucoma? Glaucoma is the leading cause of preventable blindness around the world. While it’s more common among seniors, even babies can develop it. According to Glaucoma.or... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3136615 Fri, 01 Jan 2010 22:40:38 +0100 3136615 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3136616&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FRtpRhJ-QiXI%2F Montana is going to be the third state in the United States to allow for physician-assisted suicide, say news reports. Currently, both Oregon and Washington state allow for physician-assisted suicide for terminally ill patients. A year ago, news was made when a state District Court judge ruled that the terminally ill people in Montana were protected by the state’s constitutional rights and should be allowed to get the medications they needed to die on their own terms. This ruling wasn’t argued against, but in order to have it clarified and at the highest levels, advocates for physician-assisted suicide brought the case before the state Supreme Court. On Thursday, December 31, 2009, although the Supreme Court did not comment on the state constitution guaranteeing the right to di... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3136616 Fri, 01 Jan 2010 15:32:55 +0100 3136616 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3136617&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FRZOwa-VXi0s%2F Anyone who has experienced chronic lower back pain knows that there are many treatments to try, but it may be difficult to find one that works for your specific problem. Transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS) is technique that many doctors and physiotherapists have been using to treat pain, including lower back pain. It’s a painless procedure that uses electrical currents to try to interrupt the pain signals from reaching the brain. Electrodes from the TENS machine are placed around or on the painful area and the machine is then turned on. Electrical currents are sent through the electrodes and into the body tissue. The currents don’t cause any pain, but some people do feel a bit uncomfortable. Now, new guidelines, published at the end of December 2009 in the journal ... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3136617 Fri, 01 Jan 2010 10:26:14 +0100 3136617 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3135580&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FqYqJbet8D88%2F Health warning re Nzu, Traditional Remedy for Morning Sickness Press Release [Posted 12/31/2009] The Texas Department of State Health Services and FDA notified healthcare professionals and consumers, especially pregnant or breastfeeding women, to avoid consuming a product called “Nzu”, taken as a traditional remedy for morning sickness,because of the potential health risks from high levels of lead and arsenic, noted on laboratory analysis by Texas DSHS. Exposure to lead can result in a number of harmful effects, and a developing child is particularly at risk of effects on the brain and nervous system. Arsenic is a carcinogen, and excessive long-term exposure to it has been associated with a range of adverse health effects, including cancers of the urinary bladder, lung and skin. Nzu,... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3135580 Fri, 01 Jan 2010 02:45:24 +0100 3135580 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3135581&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FAMYRJ3sUV-Q%2F Do you make New Year’s resolutions? If you do, you’re among many, many others who do. Maybe the question should be: Do you KEEP your New Year’s resolutions? If yes, you’re among a very small group of people. Resolutions often focus on health. For some reason, we think more about getting healthy as a year draws to a close than any other time of year, except possibly when it’s bathing suit shopping time. Have you ever made any of these common New Year’s resolutions? I will: lose X amount of pounds this year (or a generic, I will lose weight) eat a more balanced, healthier diet join a gym/attend exercise classes walk X amount of minutes per day use the stairs instead of escalators/elevators when possible hydrate myself by drinking more water make time for ... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3135581 Thu, 31 Dec 2009 21:41:48 +0100 3135581 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3126674&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2Fq5A-_cGKo14%2F Most of us have had some sort of noise in our ears from time to time. It could be a high pitched tone or buzzing – but some people experience this type of noise each and every moment of their day. According to the American Tinnitus Association, tinnitus affects 50 million people in the United States and 12 million of them experience sound so bothersome that it’s disabling. The BBC reports that around 1% to 3% of people in the United Kingdom also have tinnitus that is “significant enough to reduce their overall quality of life.” Tinnitus strikes any age group, any walk of life, but some lifestyles contribute a higher risk to developing it than others. Professions that involve loud sounds, even music, are among them. Famous musicians who have talked about their tinnitus ... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3126674 Tue, 29 Dec 2009 02:07:37 +0100 3126674 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3123415&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FNolJ6_Tk678%2F FDA Approves A High Dose Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Specifically Intended for People Ages 65 and Older Accelerated approval process used in vaccine approval Press Release The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Fluzone High-Dose, an inactivated influenza virus vaccine for people ages 65 years and older to prevent disease caused by influenza virus subtypes A and B. People in this age group are at highest risk for seasonal influenza complications, which may result in hospitalization and death. Annual vaccination remains the best protection from influenza, particularly for people 65 and older. Fluzone High-Dose was approved via the accelerated approval pathway. FDA’s accelerated approval pathway helps safe and effective medical products for serious or life-threatening diseases beco... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3123415 Sun, 27 Dec 2009 13:20:39 +0100 3123415 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3123416&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FbDAn9q7HkQY%2F It’s easy to remember the most recent stories or advances in health and medicine – but what about what else has happened since the hysteria of Y2K? Whether it’s Terri Shiavo in 2005 or the H1N1 virus in 2009, it’s impossible to list a “top 10″ list with everyone in agreement. However, the idea of the top 10 lists is to help us remember, to think about what’s happened, and maybe to continue making a difference. Here is a list of top 10 health stories that did get a lot of press: 2000: The Human Genome Project. Scientists had been working on mapping out the genes of humans and finally, in June 2000, they were able to present their draft of the human genome. 2001: Anthrax scare. According to CNN.com news people, the anthrax scare made it to the top 10... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3123416 Sat, 26 Dec 2009 16:57:44 +0100 3123416 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3122121&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FQtDbA8KA3TM%2F This shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise to people, but researchers have found that prolonged exposure to higher levels of the pollution, particularly car exhaust fumes and industrial air pollution,  can lead to pneumonia in seniors. This pneumonia may be severe enough to require admission to hospital. Researchers from McMaster University in Ontario, Canada, studied 365 seniors from the city of Hamilton, Ontario area to see if there was a connection between pollution and pneumonia. Their study findings will be published in early January 2010 in the  American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. The researchers found that exposure for more than 12 months to higher levels of nitrogen dioxide and fine particulate matter of less than 2.5 micrometres more than doubled... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3122121 Sat, 26 Dec 2009 15:11:56 +0100 3122121 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3115158&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FQr4aJWSe800%2F Any type of surgery has its risks, even so-called minor surgeries. But some surgeries are riskier than others and even more so for certain groups of people. Seniors, those aged 65  years or older, often undergo surgery for various ailments that have either been neglected over time or have developed over the years. And, as the population ages, more surgeries will be done in that age group. According to a study just published in the Archives of Surgery, every year, approximately two million seniors have abdominal surgery. Abdominal surgeries, any type of surgery that involves the abdomen, are particularly risky for seniors, say researcher from the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle, Washington. The researchers were looking at complication and death rates of 101,318 senio... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3115158 Wed, 23 Dec 2009 13:08:16 +0100 3115158 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3108424&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FcAut3arfXbY%2F We all know that babies and young children put just about anything they can in their mouth and that’s why most of us work so hard to baby-proof our homes to avoid tragedy. The holiday season is full of things that can harm little ones and it’s important to think of the things we may  not consider as dangerous. Many years ago, when my “baby” sister was a baby, I was minding her while my parents were out. I must have been about 14 or 15 and she was about a year and a half old. We had a piano in our dining room, which was an extension of the living room, where my sister’s playpen was – just beside the Christmas tree. I remember I was practicing the piano while she played in her pen – or so I thought. At some point, I turned around and her mouth was d... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3108424 Mon, 21 Dec 2009 15:21:53 +0100 3108424 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3104978&cid=t_386923_86_f&fid=38272&url=http%3A%2F%2Flaikaspoetnik.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F12%2F18%2Foverproduction-of-th1-and-th17-cytokines-may-be-the-clue-to-why-some-h1n1-patients-get-very-ill%2F The present H1N1 influenza virus (nvH1N1, nv=new variant) behaves very differently from other influenza strains. The majority of nvH1N1 infections are mild and self-limiting in nature, but a small percentage of the patients require hospitalization and sometimes emergency care. Unlike the seasonal flu virus, the people who seem to suffer serious complications from this [...] (Source: Laika's MedLibLog) Laika's MedLibLog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3104978 Fri, 18 Dec 2009 22:15:30 +0100 3104978 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3100878&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FSM0020jBuOQ%2F Moderation is the key in almost anything and with vitamins, it’s no exception. For the most part, people who spend a lot of money on vitamins just end  up with expensive urine, but sometimes too much of a vitamin can cause problems. Researchers in Sweden found such a problem among 25,000 women who took vitamin C. The recommended daily allowance of vitamin C is 45 mg per day, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) and 60 mg to 95 mg per day, according to the United States’ National Academy of Sciences. The researchers, who published their findings in the Journal of Clinical Nutrition, looked at 24,593 women aged 49 to 83 years old, for a little over eight years. The goal was to look at age-related cataracts and the researchers were looking at supplemental vitamin C us... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3100878 Fri, 18 Dec 2009 01:36:55 +0100 3100878 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3096931&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FFISxFAlkJOU%2F Banning flowers from hospital rooms has come up from time to time, for a variety of reasons. Some people don’t like them because of the strong scents that some flowers have; others don’t like the extra work of watering them or not having enough room to put down their work tools. Already, they are banned from many places like intensive care units, where space is at a premium. On the other hand, studies have been done that have promoted the value of plants and flowers for people who are in a hospital or rehabilitation facility. So – who is right? On the Nay side: A couple of generations ago, flowers were removed from the patients’ bedsides every night because it was believed that the oxygen used by the plants would deprive the patients of much needed oxygen. Other ear... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3096931 Thu, 17 Dec 2009 02:54:24 +0100 3096931 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3092765&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F0w-japlsoJ4%2F Did you know that a separated shoulder really isn’t a separated shoulder? According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, “A shoulder separation is not truly an injury to the shoulder joint. The injury actually involves the acromioclavicular joint (also called the AC joint). The AC joint is where the collarbone (clavicle) meets the highest point of the shoulder blade (acromion).” Further down the AAOS page, they say that a separated shoulder “can range from a little change in configuration with mild pain, to quite deforming and very painful.” I can testify, whole-heartedly, about the “very painful” part. Without a doubt. Fifteen years ago, I separated my left shoulder in a tumble, but it was quickly reset and, alth... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3092765 Wed, 16 Dec 2009 02:11:17 +0100 3092765 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3089378&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FnXOfPoFMtVw%2F Your teeth and your gums say a lot about your state of health. Visiting the dentist does more than just keep your teeth clean and fixed up. A dental visit allows your dentist to look for problems that may otherwise be missed. And now, research is showing another medical connection: gum disease and type 2 diabetes. Researchers looked at the records of 2,923 adults, none of whom had yet been diagnosed with diabetes. The researchers collected data that could indicate that the subjects could be at risk for developing type 2 diabetes, such as age, weight, and other diabetes risk factors (family history, for example). They took this information and compared the subjects with those who had been diagnosed with periodontitis, gum disease. What was found that 62.9% of subjects who did not have perio... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3089378 Mon, 14 Dec 2009 17:55:21 +0100 3089378 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3067141&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FSOTl3PDomXQ%2F Children who are subjected to a difficult life may end up with a higher risk of chronic illnesses than than those adults who had happier childhoods, say researchers. As the population ages in the more developed countries, there is also an increase in illness, many of which could be prevented to a certain extent, like type 2 diabetes and some types of heart disease. While some risk factors have been identified and are being targeted, researchers are reaching as far back as they can to perhaps stop the diseases before the risk factors even begin, rather than stopping the risks once they have started. To do this, researchers in the United Kingdom studied 1,037 people from New Zealand who were born during a one-year period between April 1972 and March 1973. The researchers monitored the subjec... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3067141 Tue, 08 Dec 2009 00:23:17 +0100 3067141 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3063327&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FOItBagnTUMw%2F Influenza is still in the news, be it H1N1 or the seasonal flu. But even when the flu isn’t newsworthy, we still need to be aware of it, particularly over the winter season. With the holiday season quickly taking hold, I interviewed, Payam Hakimi, D.O., American Board of Family Physicians, Medical Director Body of Harmony Institute of Health & Healing, Teaching Faculty Center for Education & Development of Clinical Homeopathy. Dr. Hakimi suggests that everyone have a flu plan, allowing them to be prepared should they be hit with influenza, whatever type. Dr. Hakimi: The most important thing a person should know is what actions to take in case they have the signs and symptoms of the flu, which are outlined below.  It is important to know that most of these signs and symptoms ... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3063327 Mon, 07 Dec 2009 12:03:29 +0100 3063327 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3059777&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FQceSw22bV-c%2F Blood clots that form most often in the leg are a concern after surgery. This is one reason why nurses try to get patients up and about as soon as is possible after surgery. For those who can’t, they usually have their legs exercised for them and they may have to wear special compression stockings.The biggest danger from these types of clots, called deep vein thrombosis (DVT), is that they can break away from the vein wall and travel to the lungs, where they become pulmonary emboli. A pulmonary embolus can cause death if it’s not treated quickly.Researchers in the United Kingdom used records of 947,454 middle aged women from the Million Women Study to check for admissions for surgery, how many developed a DVT and/or a pulmonary embolus after surgery, and how many died as a resu... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3059777 Sat, 05 Dec 2009 09:12:10 +0100 3059777 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3059778&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FQT5qo6Uv8dY%2F PRESS RELEASE – Health Canada One Lot of Zaditen Tablets (for Asthma) Recalled Due to Potential Health Risks OTTAWA – Health Canada is advising consumers that Montreal-based Paladin Labs Inc., the manufacturer of the prescription asthma drug Zaditen, is recalling lot #440494, which is packaged as blisters of 14 – 1mg tablets. Lot #440494 has been found to have less of its active pharmaceutical ingredient (ketotifen) than indicated on the label. An active pharmaceutical ingredient is a substance or mixture of substances in a drug that delivers the therapeutic benefit to a patient. Use of product from lot #440494 could result in different adverse events due to decreased effectiveness. Individuals currently stabilized on Zaditen may notice a worsening of their asthma sympt... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3059778 Sat, 05 Dec 2009 02:33:59 +0100 3059778 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3056724&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F35oTWadCgGk%2F Press Release SLIM-FAST READY-TO-DRINK MEAL REPLACEMENT SHAKE PRODUCTS MAY CONTAIN BACILLUS CEREUS BACTERIA OTTAWA, December 3, 2009 – Unilever Canada Inc. has informed the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) that they are recalling certain Slim-Fast ready-to-drink products distributed in Canada. Unilever Canada Inc. is warning the public not to consume Slim-Fast ready-to drink meal replacement shake products described below because these products may be contaminated with Bacillus cereus. All lot codes and Best-By dates of the following Slim-Fast RTD (ready-to-drink) products are affected by this alert: Product Size UPC Format Slim-Fast Strawberry RTD Shake (4 x 6 x 325 mL) 6 x 325 mL 325 mL 0 68400 20042 0 0 68400 20043 7 Case of six cans Single serve can Slim-Fast Chocol... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3056724 Fri, 04 Dec 2009 12:23:42 +0100 3056724 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3056725&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FA8JhK8WcaEQ%2F Despite warnings to the contrary, the increasing use of cell phones has not resulted in an increase in brain cancer (glioma and meningioma), show the results of a study looking at 60,000 people diagnosed with brain cancer over a 30-year period, from 1974 to 2003. The people were all aged between 20 and 79 years. Researchers in Denmark found that the incidence, the number of brain cancer cases diagnosed, was the same at the end of the study as it was at the beginning, went down, or increased before the large-spread availability of cell phones. Cell phones have been blamed for brain cancer in previous research, but with a very small increase. The National Cancer Institute has a page on cell phones and brain cancer, where there are explanations about why the fear exists and what types of radi... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3056725 Thu, 03 Dec 2009 23:08:35 +0100 3056725 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3052208&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FU4gDcTnQprM%2F The earlier you light up your cigarettes, the higher the levels of cotinine, a by-product of nicotine you’ll have in your blood, regardless of how many cigarettes you have throughout the day, say the results of a study recently published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention. Researchers looked at 252 healthy people daily cigarette smokers, with an emphasis on their urges to smoke and when they lit up their first cigarette of the day. The researchers then measured the cotinine levels in the smokers’ blood. what they found was that that the range was extremely variable – from between 16 ng/mL (mostly among smokers who waited at least a half hour before the first cigarette) to 1180 ng/mL (mostly among smokers who lit up not long after waking). It&#... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3052208 Thu, 03 Dec 2009 12:45:23 +0100 3052208 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3048198&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2Fyiee59OlFEk%2F Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an eye disease associated that affects the central vision – in the middle of your eye. You can have wet AMD or dry AMD. People with AMD lose the sharpness in the center by affecting the macula, the part of the eye that provides you with fine details. Someone with AMD has a dark whole in the center of the vision, but can see peripherally, along the edges. AMD affects people as they age and is listed as the leading cause of vision loss in Americans 65 years and older. There is no cure for AMD, but treatment can slow down the vision loss. Sometimes, the progress of AMD is very gradual, maybe not even noticeable at first, so it’s essential that it be detected by an eye care professional. Unfortunately, eye exams are not often on the priorit... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3048198 Wed, 02 Dec 2009 11:01:15 +0100 3048198 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3048199&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FYm9hw6GfH6s%2F AIDS is anything but past – it’s a disease that is affecting millions of people around the world. But, because there are now antiretroviral medications that can help people with  HIV and AIDS live longer, there’s a mistaken impression that the disease can now be treated. Research is being done all over the world to find better medications to help improve the lives of those with HIV or AIDS, if not cure it. However, the latest research has found that one medication is better than another in a specific group of people with HIV – ones with high viral loads. A viral load is how much HIV is in your body. The lower the viral load, the better the chances of staying healthy. Viral failure is what happens when the antiretroviral drugs can no longer suppress the virus. In th... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3048199 Wed, 02 Dec 2009 01:43:09 +0100 3048199 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3044829&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FvHHaphWqF38%2F We’ve heard of the Bible Belt in the United States, but did you know there is a Stroke Belt too? The belt is made of the states of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi and Alabama. Not only is the danger higher among people born in the stroke belt, the risk rises even among those people who are born somewhere else and they move to the area. The risk is still higher though, among people originally born in the stroke belt. Researchers used census data from 49 states, looking at ages and stroke rates. What they found was The rate of death related to stroke was 74 per 100,000 for people who were born in the stroke belt and lived there in the year 2000, but only 47 per 100,000 for people who were neither born in the stroke belt nor lived there in the y... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3044829 Tue, 01 Dec 2009 10:41:56 +0100 3044829 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3039863&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FjmL3bY9FDRc%2F This study, however, was looking to see if the could identify nocturia first and then sleep apnea, which is difficult to diagnose if someone lives alone and has no bed partner to report snoring or apneic periods. The researchers studied 1,007 adults who were attending one of two sleep clinics. Seven hundred ninety seven had sleep apnea, 777 snored, and 839 said they had nocturia. Neither snoring nor nocturia was proof of apnea, but the two symptoms were similar in their power to predict it: snoring was reported by 82.6 percent of apnea sufferers, and 84.8 percent of apnea sufferers reported nocturia. The point of this study is to show that people shouldn’t automatically assume that they woke up because they needed to urinate – they may have woken up because they were experienci... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3039863 Sun, 29 Nov 2009 23:51:46 +0100 3039863 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3033642&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FynXfgfby7Yk%2F People who work professionally with pesticides know they’re working with a product that has a bad reputation for possibly causing cancer, birth defects, and other health problems. Use of pesticides is still quite common as people are hired to protect crops. And, what the workers may not know, is if they have chronically stuffy, runny or itchy noses, this could be due to the pesticides. Rhinitis, the medical term for a runny nose, is a common problem. Sometimes the cause can be traced to an allergy or a cold, but sometimes it appears to happen for no reason. Researchers from the National Institute of Environmental Health Science have been studying, since 1993, the health of people who apply pesticides. Before their study, the only one in the medical literature was of grape farmers in ... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3033642 Fri, 27 Nov 2009 09:48:48 +0100 3033642 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3033643&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F_K_33PKyicQ%2F Herbal supplements seem like a safe bet to many people because they’re natural. While this may have some merit, many poisons are natural too – just think of what can happen if you eat the wrong type of mushroom. So, it’s important to know not only what herbal supplement you are taking, but what its effects are overall. You don’t want something that is supposed to help you end up causing more harm. To show you how this can be, a study out of Massachusetts, published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, found that some herbal supplements can raise the level of lead in women’s blood, sometimes to unsafe levels. The researchers studied 12,807 men and women who were at least 20 years old. What they found was that there was an average 10% increase in blood l... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3033643 Thu, 26 Nov 2009 23:47:36 +0100 3033643 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3029889&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F2GubiesXIYk%2F Do you ever have floaters? Little spots or lines that appear in your line of vision, although there’s nothing there? Most of the time, these floaters are harmless. I have quite a few of them and they’re most obvious when I’m looking at something monochromatic (one color), such as the snow outside or when I’m reading a book. I had the floaters checked because, although floaters are often nothing serious, they could be a sign of retinal detachment. A retinal detachment is an ophthalmological emergency – surgery is needed most of the time and the earlier it’s done, the higher the chances of your sight being ok. The retina is the part of the eye found in the inside at the back. It’s light sensitive and is often compared to film in a camera. As the imag... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3029889 Thu, 26 Nov 2009 00:50:28 +0100 3029889 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3026752&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FI5SRXWimUSw%2F With the stress of cancer and its treatments, it’s not surprising to hear that people with cancer may experience insomnia, difficulty sleeping. But, there’s more to it than just the cancer. It could be the treatment itself for many. It’s well known that insomnia is a troubling problem. Not being able to sleep can cause a host of other health problems, such as depression, anxiety, accidents due to fatigue, inability to fight off infections, and even a decrease in ability to regain health if already ill. Therefore, studying what may cause insomnia in different patient groups is quite important. Researchers from the University of Rochester Medical Center studied 823 people who had cancer, looking at their sleeping patterns and how well they were able to sleep. What they foun... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3026752 Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:42:15 +0100 3026752 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3023207&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2Fl2Fbzvhw8-4%2F If this wasn’t such a serious topic, I’d say “what’s new?” but it is serious. Seniors who take sleeping pills and/or antidepressants are at a higher risk of falling and sustaining a serious injury than those who don’t take those drugs. Other medications that can increase the fall risk include blood pressure pills (they can make blood pressure go too low sometimes), so-called water pills (these diuretics can make so the senior rushes to the bathroom before having an accident and then falls or they have to get up in the middle of the night, which is a dangerous time for falls), and narcotics/opioids for pain. These falls are huge worry because complications from falls, specifically hip fractures, are the fifth leading cause of death among seniors, say rese... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3023207 Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:38:09 +0100 3023207 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3023208&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FYV4eI17xrOw%2F A huge part of the holiday season is food – giving it and enjoying it. But, if someone you love has allergies to food, you may be at a loss of what to give. Allergies are becoming more common. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, Among children in Great Britain, rates of peanut allergy manifested by clinical symptoms increased from 1.3 percent to 3.2 percent between 1989 and 1995. Between 1988 and 1994, up to 6 percent of Americans exhibited asymptomatic serologic evidence of sensitivity in the form of IgE antibodies to peanut proteins. And those aren’t the only types of food allergies. There are those who are allergic to dairy products and others who are allergic to eggs. As well, there are some who are allergic to all three. Celiac disease, whil... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3023208 Tue, 24 Nov 2009 02:29:51 +0100 3023208 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3023209&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2Fw2HZ76KW_zo%2F Before the headlines hit about the dangers of using Vioxx (rofecoxib), researchers were already aware, say news reports. Vioxx, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID), was made by Merck & Co. Inc., and introduced to the American market in 1999. The company then voluntarily pulled the drug from the market in September 2004, after there were multiple reports of increased risk of heart attack and stroke associated with long-term, high-dose use. Six investigators from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine analyzed 30 randomized placebo-controlled trials involving Vioxx  and 20,152 individuals. They published their findings in the November 23 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine. What the researchers found is disturbing: Their analysis showed that safety concerns arose almost four years ... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3023209 Tue, 24 Nov 2009 02:06:19 +0100 3023209 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3019090&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FLm8LCzvNE8I%2F Hearing loss – it used to be something that was reserved for older people, but with our noisy lifestyle, younger people are finding it harder to hear – and much of that could have been prevented. Not all hearing loss is preventable. Someone could lose their hearing because of an injury, an illness, or as a side effect from a toxic medication. But a gradual decline in hearing isn’t the same thing. Acoustic trauma is a common cause of hearing loss and it is the result of mechanical damage in the ear. It could be from a sudden instance, such as an explosion or gunshot, or it can be over a long term, such as working in an extremely loud environment. Today, it could even be caused by listening to music players with earphones, but with the sound turned too high. Unfortunately, ... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3019090 Sun, 22 Nov 2009 23:18:15 +0100 3019090 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3015350&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FJDJIS71p_bc%2F While we can’t always prevent cancer, we can do things to help reduce the risk of developing it. Of course, we always hear: eat healthy foods, exercise, don’t smoke. But the message doesn’t seem to be getting through because people still eat junk or high fat foods, still don’t exercise and still smoke. The Mayo Clinic published 10 tips to reduce cancer risk in their most recent issue of Mayo Clinic Women’s HealthSource. Here are the tips and below there’s more explanation: Stop smoking Limit alcohol intake – some alcohol is okay, too much is not Follow recommended intake of fruits and vegetable (daily!) Decrease the amount of fat in your daily diet Lose weight if you’re too heavy, try to gain weight if you’re too thin Move! Get active ... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3015350 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:12:35 +0100 3015350 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3012455&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FNkxtEUaQATk%2F Living with diabetes is more than taking insulin or medication. Those who have diabetes or know someone who does knows that living with diabetes is a lifestyle. Insulin or medications, like metformin or glucophage are not a cures for diabetes, although that is a common belief. Insulin and medications merely manage the disease, allowing the person with diabetes to continue living as normally as possible. Unfortunately, the disease still can cause significant damage to the body, as the sugar levels fluctuate. People with diabetes who manage to keep their blood glucose (sugar) under strict control have a better chance of avoiding complications. However, avoiding the development of diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, is even better. Type 1, what used to be called juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent ... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3012455 Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:33:39 +0100 3012455 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3012456&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F9JGC6WVzvpw%2F It may seem to go against your instincts, but in some cases, supervised exercise when you have knee pain could be just what you need. A study in the Netherlands of 131 people with patellofemoral pain syndrome found that patients who had followed a specially designed exercise program had better outcomes after one year of treatment than those who followed the standard care. Patellofemoral pain syndrome results in pain at the front of the knee, most often starting in adolescence, particularly among teens who are active in sports. It affects women more than men. The patients who followed the exercise program had a higher rate of recovery at three months (42% exercise compared with 35% control group) and again at one year (62% exercise compared with 51% at 12 months. The exercise group said tha... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3012456 Fri, 20 Nov 2009 07:55:00 +0100 3012456 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3012457&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FjGX2Uhn87Yo%2F P&G Voluntarily Recalls Specific Lots of Vicks Sinex Nasal Spray in the United States, Germany and the United Kingdom Press Release CINCINNATI, Nov. 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE: PG) announced today it is voluntarily recalling three lots of its Vicks Sinex nasal spray in three countries: the United States, Germany and the United Kingdom. To view the Multimedia News Release, go to: http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/pg/41327/ The company said it is taking this precautionary step after finding the bacteria B. cepacia in a small amount of product made at its plant in Gross Gerau, Germany. There have been no reports of illness. However, the bacteria could cause serious infections for individuals with a compromised immune system, or those with ... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3012457 Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:57:16 +0100 3012457 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3012458&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FPDbm2kwjI2w%2F Children who have asthma are at higher risk of developing problems if they contract the H1N1 flu, more so than if they have the seasonal flu, say researchers. Researchers in Toronto, Canada, investigated the differences between 58 children with H1N1 who were admitted to the Hospital for the Hospital for Sick Kids, in Toronto, and 200 who had been admitted to the same hospital with complications from the seasonal flu, between 2004 and 2008. The researchers found that 22% of the children who were admitted because of H1N1 had asthma, while only 6% of those with seasonal influenza were asthmatic. In addition, about 50% of those children with H1N1 who had to be admitted to the intensive care unit had asthma (study). Other differences included: Older children were admitted with H1N1 than with t... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3012458 Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:37:45 +0100 3012458 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2999622&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FJu6WghpBQnk%2F It’s been known for a while that smoking increases the risk of developing bladder cancer. Actually, it’s the highest risk factor – smokers are twice as likely to develop bladder cancer than those who don’t smoke. According to the American Cancer Society, Smoking causes about half of the deaths from bladder cancer among men (48%) and almost a third of bladder cancer deaths in women (28%). Some of the carcinogens (cancer-causing chemicals) in tobacco smoke are absorbed from the lungs and get into the blood. From the blood, they are filtered by the kidneys and concentrated in urine. These chemicals in urine damage the cells that line the inside of the bladder. This damage increases the chance of cancer developing. Now, there’s evidence that the risk has risen eve... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2999622 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 01:52:20 +0100 2999622 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2993823&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FzJkStkUHInU%2F Mental illness is associated with many issues. People with mental illnesses are often marginalized in society, pushed aside and ignored, or ridiculed. Some people with mental illness manage well with the proper medical and psychosocial support, but sadly, it’s still a big problem for so many. Often, the effects of mental illness contribute to physical illness and behaviors such as smoking, not eating well, or physical inactivity. Unfortunately, these are also prime risk factors for developing heart disease as well. Not long ago, we learned that people with mental illness die, on average, 25 years earlier than their peers who do not have mental health issues. Now, we’ve learned that many of these early deaths are due to heart disease. Researchers studied 147,193 patients in the ... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2993823 Sun, 15 Nov 2009 14:57:35 +0100 2993823 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2984871&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F1QCnJQOk9Yc%2F This study was presented at the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI) 2009 Annual Scientific Meeting. ~~~ Post from: Blisstree Don’t Use Nasal Saline Irrigation Every Day (Source: A Hearty Life) A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2984871 Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:19:37 +0100 2984871 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2977365&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FGQ7XdoDyIx4%2F Women who are diagnosed with clinical depression may have a higher risk of developing osteoporosis, say researchers in Israel. There has been a suspicion that there is a connection between depression and osteoporosis, but studies have been small. To address this, researchers from Hebrew University researchers looked at data from all studies analyzed them to see what they could find. The results of their meta-analysis were gathered from 23 studies, which studied 2,327 people with depression and 21,141 without depression. According to this news release, Connection between depression and osteoporosis detailed by Hebrew University researchers, the connection is clear. [D]epressed individuals have a substantially lower bone density than non-depressed people and that depression is associated wit... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2977365 Tue, 10 Nov 2009 09:52:37 +0100 2977365 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2977366&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FJ6rGhErtI3E%2F Your eye is a complicated body part; if all the parts don’t work properly, your vision is affected. Part of your eye is the lens, which is the clear part that allows the eye to focus light or an image on the retina. The lens is made up mostly of water and protein. The retina is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. If this lens gets cloudy, this is called a cataract. The lens gets cloudy when the protein bunches up together in the lens. The light or image can’t pass through the lens, leaving a cloudy spot. As the cataract gets larger and becomes more set, the color changes and you can see a yellowish or brownish tint when you look at things. According to Thomas Kohnen of the Goethe University in Frankfurt, Germany, and his colleagues, many as 10 million people arou... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2977366 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 23:35:27 +0100 2977366 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2974056&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FdgNY4kQ4mCs%2F Are you an aspiring tennis mom or dad? Is your athlete going to be the next Martina Navratilova or Roger Federer? If so, you may want to be sure that your tennis player does more than just play tennis if you want him or her to stay healthy. A recent study from Loyola University looked at 519 junior tennis players. The researchers found that tennis players who focused only on the game were more likely to not be able to play because of injuries or other medical reasons. This was more prevalent among boys than girls. The players were also 5.4 times more likely to withdraw from a tournament for medical reasons if they had been injured or ill before. The most common injuries are: ankle sprains hip injuries knee cap instability stress fractures in the spine wrist tendinitis rotator cuff ten... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2974056 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:30:34 +0100 2974056 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2974057&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FBBLvXDmUOnI%2F We’ve written about pneumonia here at Blisstree, but most often we talk about seniors and their susceptibility to the illness (November 2: World Pneumonia Day). Sadly, pneumonia also claims the lives of many children around the world. Hugh Laurie Save the Children is an organization that works to improve the health of children all over the world, including North America. In April of this year Save the Children Artist Ambassadors Gwyneth Paltrow and Hugh Laurie helped establish World Pneumonia Day, which took place on November 2, 2009. The goal of the day was to mobilize efforts to fight pneumonia, a neglected disease, that kills more than two million children under the age of 5 each year worldwide. “I work on a TV show that features the unusual, the bizarre, the unique. But the... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2974057 Sun, 08 Nov 2009 18:43:59 +0100 2974057 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2958934&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2Frw1N2TFodqE%2F In 1944, an Austrian pediatrician, Hans Asperger, wrote about some characteristics he was seeing in some people, such as clumsiness, repetitive routines or rituals, different speech patterns (monotone, overly formal), inappropriate social behavior, and difficulties with non-verbal communication. Over the years, not much notice was taken until the 1980s when a doctor in the United Kingdom, Lorna Wing, noticed children with similar characteristics and she named what she saw as Aspergers syndrome. Since then,  the disorder was studied more, and in 1994, Asperger syndrome was labeled as an autism spectrum disorder. With that, it was officially recognized in the “bible” of the American Psychiatric Association, the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual). Asperger syndrome is not th... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2958934 Wed, 04 Nov 2009 07:12:00 +0100 2958934 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2954586&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FRLEWwhpJMrI%2F Yes, there is thimerosol in the H1N1 injectable vaccine. Yes, you are being encouraged to have the H1N1 vaccine to prevent the spread of influenza. Yes, there is a very tiny amount of mercury in thimerosol. NO, this does not cause autism. Several years ago, some doctors made a claim that the vaccines given to children caused autism. As some parents of children with autism wanted to be able to identify a specific cause for their children’s disability, they latched on to the theory that there was a connection between the vaccines and autism. The problem is, the very doctor who made this claim first has come out to say that he was wrong. That his research was wrong. Sadly, this is still a strong belief in some sectors and many people avoid vaccines for fear of exposing their children an... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2954586 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 08:05:57 +0100 2954586 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2950800&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FgzaQSRT24Ys%2F Did you know that pneumonia is still a major cause of death among seniors? Did you know that pneumonia can strike down people of any age? Did you know that today is World Pneumonia Day? There is more than one type of pneumonia – it can be caused by viruses or bacteria, the most common causes, but also by other means. For example, someone who develops aspiration pneumonia got it by getting  vomit, food or drink into their lungs instead of their stomach. It’s not always obvious if you have pneumonia. You may just not be feeling well. But signs and symptoms of pneumonia include: cough yellow-green phlegm (mucous) shortness of breath feeling very tired and unwell chest pain fever Can you prevent pneumonia? The best way to prevent pneumonia is to avoid getting sick, as much as po... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2950800 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 12:34:05 +0100 2950800 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2950801&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FrojYdsqbsFE%2F Do you know what COPD stands for? Do you know what it is? COPD stands for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It’s a respiratory disease that could be virtually eliminated from the world if we would stop smoking altogether. Imagine that. Emphysema and chronic bronchitis fall under the COPD umbrella. According to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, COPD is now the 4th leading cause of death in the United States and also causes long-term disability. The number of people who have COPD is on the rise — more than 12 million are currently diagnosed with it. And it is estimated that another 12 million may have COPD but not realize it. The typical person with COPD is over 45 years old and who either smokes or has smoked. Other people who have it may have a geneti... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2950801 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 07:14:06 +0100 2950801 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2948365&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FnEMCKLsq9m0%2F Not too long ago, many of us didn’t know anyone who had diabetes. Now, it’s almost impossible not to know someone who has it. Diabetes, particularly type 2 diabetes, has exploded and continues to do so in the western world. A disease once rarely seen in children, type 2 diabetes is now affecting them in large numbers, grossly affecting their health as adults. According to the American Diabetes Association: 24 million children and adults in the United States live with diabetes 57 million Americans are at risk for type 2 diabetes 1 out of every 3 children born today will face a future with diabetes if current trends continue Unfortunately, not everyone who is diagnosed with diabetes takes it seriously. Diabetes is a disease that is more than just high blood sugar (glucose) leve... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2948365 Sun, 01 Nov 2009 09:12:22 +0100 2948365 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2946985&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FQ6OdK88d4-A%2F Interstitial cystitis, also called painful bladder syndrome, is a painful condition that affects more women than men. (Company’s calling – living with the pain of interstitial cystitis). Some people with IC have only mild symptoms (pressure or tenderness) but others have severe or intense pain in the bladder and pelvic area. It can be particularly painful when the bladder is full and during sexual activity. October 31 has been designated as an awareness day for IC because so much isn’t known about it. The hope is that this will help women (and men) who may have this problem may recognize themselves and realize that they are not alone. Symptoms The symptoms of IC include (from MayoClinic.com): A persistent, urgent need to urinate. Frequent urination, often of small amounts, thro... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2946985 Sat, 31 Oct 2009 06:21:32 +0100 2946985 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2943893&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FIuabF_ZKU94%2F Do you live in a vibrant, upbeat, city that never sleeps type of place? Or do you live in a sleepy backwater place where everything gets done in its own time, eventually? We may think we know what kind of place we’re in, but the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) decided to check it out for sure and have come up with a ranking of the 50 states to see where the sleepiest people live. Which state would you think is the most tired or the least rested? New York? California? No and no. Would you believe, Utah? Yup, Utah came in first, followed closely behind by Kentucky: 1.    Utah 2.    Kentucky 3.    Illinois 4.    Ohio 5.    Vermont 6.    West Virginia 7.    New Hampshire 8.    Missouri 9.    Wisconsin 10.    Oregon Ok, so what about the most alert regions?... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2943893 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 07:56:20 +0100 2943893 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2971950&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FlFw5q2DfmzY%2F People who were hoping for medicinal marijuana to become legal in the state of New Hampshire are waking up to dashed hopes today. The Senate fell short by two votes to be able to pass the bill. This happened despite the House’s clear message to pass (240 to 115) even over the Governor’s objections. (Please note that this is a corrected version – it is NH, not New Jersey, as originally posted. – Marijke) As usual, the opponents to legalizing medicinal marijuana say that there is the potential for abuse, use would set a “bad example” to children, and that the bill wasn’t restrictive enough. Medicinal marijuana has been found to help some people manage chronic pain, nausea due to illness or treatment, and help with other types of side effects or sympt... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2971950 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:44:28 +0100 2971950 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2939384&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FlFw5q2DfmzY%2F People who were hoping for medicinal marijuana to become legal in the state of New Jersey are waking up to dashed hopes today. The Senate fell short by two votes to be able to pass the bill. This happened despite the House’s clear message to pass (240 to 115) even over the Governor’s objections. As usual, the opponents to legalizing medicinal marijuana say that there is the potential for abuse, use would set a “bad example” to children, and that the bill wasn’t restrictive enough. Medicinal marijuana has been found to help some people manage chronic pain, nausea due to illness or treatment, and help with other types of side effects or symptoms. Considering that it is possible to receive morphine, a much more powerful medication that marijuana could ever be, th... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2939384 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:44:28 +0100 2939384 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2939385&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FbWib1YKlDKg%2F The theme for the World Stroke Day 2009 is “Stroke, what can I do?” Strokes. People have heard of them. Many think they know what they are. Many don’t know the signs of a stroke. Are you at risk of having a stroke? Would you know if you or someone else was having a stroke? The World Stroke Organization is encouraging everyone to become more aware of strokes and to help prevent the disability and death that so often occur after a stroke. The World Stroke Organization (WSO) was created on October 29, 2006, at the Regional World Stroke Congress in Cape Town, South Africa, when the International Stroke Society and the World Stroke Federation merged into a single organization. Since then, to commemorate its conception,the World Stroke D... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2939385 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 07:18:52 +0100 2939385 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2934799&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2Fp7wOC8Hk-Wk%2F At 100 years old, some people may be grateful to be alive, but life for Helen Daniels of Poughkeepsie, NY, was difficult because of back pain from osteoporosis. Her osteoporosis (thinning of the bones) had led to fractures in her spine, making it difficult to walk. But thanks to a minimally invasive surgical procedure called balloon kyphoplasty, Ms. Daniels is now walking again. According to this article, 100-Year-Old Woman Gets Relief From Debilitating Back Pain After Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery, balloon kyphoplasty is a procedure where: a needle and tube are used to create a small pathway into the fractured bone. Orthopedic balloons are inserted and then inflated inside the fractured bone in an attempt to restore vertebral body height and correct angular deformity. Inflation of the ... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2934799 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 10:53:20 +0100 2934799 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2927392&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2Ffb7KfbcS0ZE%2F I’ve been hit with a nasty chest cold. Usually, colds go straight there for me. Forget the sinuses, the throat, they go straight for my lungs. I am *very* fortunate because I can count the number of colds I’ve had over the past three years on one hand, but I guess Airborne just wasn’t enough to combat this one. So, what do you do when you have a bad chest cold? The hacking, feeling like your lungs are trying to come up type of chest cold? ~~~ Post from: Blisstree Chest Colds – What Do You Do? (Source: A Hearty Life) A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2927392 Mon, 26 Oct 2009 09:08:29 +0100 2927392 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2924883&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FPTwe-BswxKE%2F Anyone who has had a migraine headache can tell you how horrible they are. While some people have only severe pain, others may be sensitive to light or sound, may be nauseated and vomit, or even have difficulty seeing. Migraine medications have come a long way over the past 10 or 20 years, but for some people, they still don’t help. For those, other treatments must be found. A new study has found that surgery may be the solution for some migraineurs. Researchers studied 79 people who experienced migraines who had undergone surgery treating their trigger sites. The patients were followed for five years after their surgery and 69 were included in the final study results because 10 had developed new trigger sites that required another surgery. The results showed: 88% reported good resu... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2924883 Sun, 25 Oct 2009 07:44:05 +0100 2924883 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2924884&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FECvAfey4NnU%2F According to news reports, President Barack Obama has declared an H1N1 emergency in the United States. This move was declared earlier today. By making this declaration, medical resources can be distributed as they are needed, including off-site in non-traditional methods of delivery. There are still people who feel that the H1N1 influenza is being blown out of proportion and this will be the biggest non-event in history, but let’s look at the facts: Flu season, which runs from November until March, kills many people every year. Flu season hasn’t even really officially begun yet, and yet, the U.S. has seen 22 deaths directly attributed to H1N1, as reported by the Centers of Disease Control: 2009 – 2010  22 (18 confirmed H1N1)** 2008-2009  147 (76 confirmed H1N1)* 2007-2... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2924884 Sun, 25 Oct 2009 00:22:16 +0100 2924884 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2923329&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FV7maD4f_5g8%2F A study has found older African Americans are less likely to get a flu shot than are older non-Hispanic whites. It’s not uncommon to hear about differences in certain illnesses and approach to illnesses, depending on race or culture, or even genetics. For example, it’s known that African Americans have a higher risk of developing high blood pressure (hypertension). However, when it’s a behavior, such as avoiding a vaccination, it’s important for the medical community to understand why this is happening. Researchers in Buffalo, NY, looked at the reasons why older African Americans may be reluctant to get a flu shot and they found several factors: Many thought that vaccines provided life-long immunity, not just a few months It wasn’t understood by many that the... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2923329 Fri, 23 Oct 2009 21:16:29 +0100 2923329 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2920271&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F5PTP1wszArM%2F In this study, researchers were looking at how patients managed their inhaled and oral medications. They evaluated 182patients who were experiencing difficulties in managing their asthma symptoms. The researchers found that: 35% filled fewer than half their inhaled combination medications 21% filled more than inhaled medications they were supposed to 45% filled between half and all the inhaled medications they were supposed to 45% didn’t take their oral prednisolone as prescribed the majority admitted not taking their oral medications as prescribed 65% of those who didn’t take their oral medications properly also didn’t take their inhaled medications properly In this study, it was women were more likely to not follow their medications than men. The researchers admit, ho... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2920271 Fri, 23 Oct 2009 10:09:31 +0100 2920271 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2904952&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FyDF9dJg32-8%2F Oddly enough, it took a child to bring this information to light, but it could be a serious problem. According to a study spearheaded by St. Louis student, 11-year-old Deniz Ince, children who play an hour or more per day of video games have a higher chance of having wrist and finger pain. The study will be presented this week at the American College of Rheumatology’s annual meeting. Lucky for Deniz, his dad is a neurologist, so Deniz, his father and researchers from New York University set out to see if Deniz’s idea was right. A regular Wii-player, Deniz had been noticing that his hand hurt when he was squeezing an orange. The study involved having 171 of Deniz’s peers fill out questionnaires about their video game usage and if they experienced any pain. The findings sho... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2904952 Mon, 19 Oct 2009 02:58:40 +0100 2904952 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2904953&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FNK3JOtpPf3o%2F People who are diagnosed with cancers that are rare have difficulty finding the help and support they need, indicate the findings of a study sponsored by Novartis Oncology and appearing in the current issue of CURE. CURE is a United States-based consumer magazine that focuses on cancer and cancer issues. There is not a lot of information available on rare cancers and, perhaps understandably, it is often more difficult to get an accurate diagnosis quickly. The chances of being misdiagnosed are high, say the patients. Numbers seem to show that as many as one-third may have been misdiagnosed with several diagnosis before the truth was discovered. This type of information is disturbing, because for every misdiagnosis, there are delays in treatment for what is really needed. As well, if a patie... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2904953 Sun, 18 Oct 2009 15:36:55 +0100 2904953 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2902830&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FiwLW3vg4574%2F If you have lupus, you may benefit from speaking to your doctor about participating in exercises to promote cardiovascular health. A small study of 27 patients with lupus showed that there was a good benefit to promoting cardiac health. Lupus, itself, is a risk factor for heart disease. This may not be obvious to some people who are living with the disease, as they focus on the issues that are more obvious. According to a press release from the Hospital for Special Surgery “Lupus patients are battling systemic inflammation, which in itself is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease,” said Doruk Erkan, M.D. the [Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Counseling] program’s director and co-director of the Mary Kirkland Center for Lupus Care at Hospital for Special Surgery in New... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2902830 Sat, 17 Oct 2009 15:24:59 +0100 2902830 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2901696&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F7ed586vfrsI%2F Copper or magnetic bracelets are sold in many stores, including drug stores, with claims that they will relieve arthritic and other chronic musculoskeletal types of pain. While some people may experience relief, up to now, no controlled studies have been done to see if they really do help relieve pain. Researchers from the University of York published their study findings in the most recent issue of Complementary Therapies in Medicine. The study was a small one, only 45 subjects, so more trials will need to be done, larger ones, to see if the same findings come up, but this study is a good start into examining the effect of copper bracelets or magnets as pain treatment. According to a press release from the University of York, The trial involved 45 people aged 50 or over, who were all dia... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2901696 Sat, 17 Oct 2009 01:56:46 +0100 2901696 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2890722&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F5ypy-zr-v_0%2F This study or 1400 adults (and 500 children) goes against a previously release study found in the New England Journal of Medicine earlier this month. This much smaller study (272 patients) said that 83% of adults and 60% of children had underlying conditions. The second study was done by the Centers of Disease Control (CDC). Among the adults: 26% had asthma 8% had another chronic lung disease 10% had diabetes 8% had weakened immune systems 6% were pregnant Among children, 6% had sickle cell disease or a similar blood condition. More analysis needs to be completed in this population though. These findings reinforce the idea that it is the younger,  healthy adults who are more often affected. However, Canadian records are showing that the deaths to H1N1 are occurring much more frequently ... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2890722 Wed, 14 Oct 2009 09:37:43 +0100 2890722 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2886522&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FTpvkCUAu4Ag%2F In the Philippines, they’ve taken recycling to the next step. Funeral homes have been providing hospitals with pacemakers that are still in good condition so the equipment may be refurbished and used again in people who may not otherwise be able to afford having a pacemaker inserted. The pacemakers, which came from Michigan, were part of a study that was intended to see if there would be complications from these second-hand items. To qualify for use, there had to be at least 70% of battery power left in the device. Even though there were 50 pacemakers that were donated by the families to the funeral home, only 12 met the requirements for re-use. The 12 patients in the Philippines who received the devices are doing well and have not experienced any complications, say the doctors. You ... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2886522 Tue, 13 Oct 2009 06:41:55 +0100 2886522 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2886523&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FiEtrGrsAN8w%2F It’s not often you’ll read of a book review in a health blog or on a health site that is not related with losing weight or living a healthier lifestyle, or some such topic. But this book, The Side-Yard Superhero, by Rick D. Niece belongs here too. I was asked if I wanted to review this book about a boy and his childhood friendship with another boy, one who had cerebral palsy. The release was timed to coincide with October and Celebrating Disabilities Awareness Month. When I received the book, I saw that it wasn’t very long, so I decided to squeeze it in between other books I have in my pile. It’s funny because this is Thanksgiving weekend for us in Canada – and the book just seemed very fitting at the same time. Rick Niece, Rickie to his friend Bernie Jones, ... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2886523 Mon, 12 Oct 2009 16:37:45 +0100 2886523 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2881213&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FdFF-8tLHe9A%2F My post on October 10, Aspartame Causing My Wrist Pain?, is purely an anecdotal one. I was musing about the appearance of my pain, use of aspartame, and then the easing of the pain when I stopped using the aspartame. I am not yet an aspartame believer, but John E. Garst, Ph.D. (Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Nutrition), has written a great response to my concerns about aspartame. I was concerned that his comments wouldn’t be seen by many people because it is in the comment section of the aspartame post, so I asked his permission to publish it as a guest post. He kindly agreed so I am offering you his take on aspartame. Thank you Dr. Garst for both taking the time to write your thoughts, as well as provide links, and for allowing me to post his as a guest post post... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2881213 Sun, 11 Oct 2009 13:16:17 +0100 2881213 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2881214&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FuDJLdLUlsM8%2F The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is set to test the H1N1 vaccine in people who have asthma, news reports say. According to a press release issued on Friday, October 9, “People with severe asthma often take high doses of glucocorticoids that can suppress their immune system, placing them at greater risk for infection and possibly serious disease caused by 2009 H1N1 influenza virus,” says NIAID Director Anthony S. Fauci, M.D. “We need to determine the optimal dose of 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine that can be safely administered to this at-risk population and whether one or two doses are needed to produce an immune response that is predictive of protection.” It’s thought that people who have asthma and have to take steroids to keep the disease under control ... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2881214 Sun, 11 Oct 2009 07:16:59 +0100 2881214 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2881215&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FEOP7PdgOQE4%2F People who live with celiac disease (Celiac Disease Awareness Month: October) may have yet something else to be concerned about: bone loss. People with digestive disorders are prone to malnutrition because their bowels may not absorb the nutrients they need to be fully nourished. But there are other issues with celiac disease, researchers have found, issues such as antibodies forming that attack a protein responsible for bone health. A study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, has found that 20% of a study group of patients with celiac disease had this antibody. Researchers are looking at using medications that prevent bone loss in patients who may be identified as being at risk by checking for this hormone. You can read more about the study in the link listed above. For mor... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2881215 Sun, 11 Oct 2009 06:53:01 +0100 2881215 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2879463&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FgtdvHn_RZAg%2F This is a purely anecdotal post, without peer-reviewed studies to back anything up, but I think it’s an important enough issue to discuss here anyway. I’m a 48-year-old woman with joint pain that goes back many years. It comes and goes in many of my joints, but doesn’t usually last more than a few days – a couple of weeks at the most. My lifestyle isn’t unhealthy, but it could be healthier. I don’t usually drink sodas (soft drinks) or high sugar drinks and I don’t eat a lot of junk – I don’t have the taste for it. But, I also don’t exercise as much as I should and I could eat a few more fruits and vegetables throughout the week. I’m also someone who stresses easily, so this isn’t all that healthy either. But, I’m... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2879463 Sat, 10 Oct 2009 06:25:43 +0100 2879463 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2876115&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FX8ZJ3PnUnSY%2F The image of compression hosiery is often that of very medical-looking stockings that are difficult to put on and then take off. Therefore, many people who may benefit from using them may choose not to or being miserable while wearing the ones they have found. Therafirm Light Trouser Socks I was approached by representatives of Therafirm Therapeutic Gradient Compression Hosiery and asked if I would try their products and review them. So I did, and I’m reviewing them from both a personal and a professional point of view. Mild support knee high stockings, pantyhose, and trouser socks. As a nurse, I used to wear support hose sometimes but couldn’t always find a pair that I could feel comfortable in, so I felt that I would try these first. Comfort: The knee highs, socks and the sto... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2876115 Fri, 09 Oct 2009 15:52:39 +0100 2876115 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2876116&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FrLKNBHdzkeI%2F Shingles (herpes zoster) is a painful viral infection that is caused by the chicken pox virus that remains dormant in your body for many years. Anyone who has had the chicken pox could, at some time, develop shingles. The rash caused by the shingles follows along a nerve line in the body, so you could have it along the belt line, but only on one side, for example. Some people have it on the face and near the eye – again only on one side – while others may have it around their ear. The blisters vary from being very painful to being very itchy and, at the same time, you feel tired and sick from the virus. All in all, it’s a very unpleasant illness. After the shingles rash has healed, many people develop something called post herpetic neuralgia, which is nerve pain that is f... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2876116 Fri, 09 Oct 2009 14:57:32 +0100 2876116 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2876117&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F_HetwPv1Tko%2F Asthma is a serious illness that makes it difficult to breathe. It can attack anyone at any time (Let’s Talk About…Asthma). If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to experience an asthma attack, take a straw. Close your mouth around it and pinch your nose. Now try taking deep breaths in – and out – through the straw. That may give you a tiny idea of what it’s like. Some places around the world and here in North America are worse than others for people with asthma. Smog and pollution is a number one enemy to an asthmatic. But where is it worse in the United States? The Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America compiles an annual list of the top 10 worst cities for asthma, called Allergy Capitals. For 2009, they are: 1.   St. Louis, MO 2.   Milwaukee, WI ... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2876117 Fri, 09 Oct 2009 06:29:00 +0100 2876117 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2876118&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FzdosX8CZIL4%2F People in the United States are aging; the over 65 year old population is growing and will continue to grow as the baby boomers move through the stage. According to statistics, in 2006, there were 37 million Americans who were over 65 – representing 12% of the population. This number is expected to jump from 37 million by 2030. Unfortunately, many seniors have health issues or problems that are missed or not identified properly, making life more difficult than it need be. To address this problem, Boston University School of Medicine researchers developed a tool called the “Getting Out of Bed (GoB) Measure.” Using the GoB, the researchers were able to assess seniors’ motivation and life outlook, identifying those who may have problems. Six hundred sixty women with br... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2876118 Fri, 09 Oct 2009 00:40:48 +0100 2876118 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2876119&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FogkR_5JP2YI%2F If you have lower back pain that has been triggered within the year, don’t despair. There’s a good chance that you may recover and not be left with chronic back pain. Researchers in Australia found that 35% of people with chronic lower back pain will recover within nine months while 41% will recover within one year. The results of their study was published in the on-line journal, BMJ. The study involved 400 patients who were followed throughout the year by telephone interviews. The patients were asked about pain levels, what they were and weren’t able to do, and if they had returned to their previous level of work. An additional finding was that those who didn’t recover as quickly often had taken prior time off word because of lower back pain, had high disability le... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2876119 Thu, 08 Oct 2009 14:57:01 +0100 2876119 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2871779&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F15LXjzPcAiw%2F October 8 has been set aside to mark National Depression Screening Day in the United States. We need more than a day, but it’s a start. Why do we need a day like that? Because there are people who are depressed but don’t know they can get help. There are people who are fighting a losing battle against depression because they’re not getting the help they know they need. There are people who deny the existence of a true medical problem called depression, making it difficult – if not impossible – for their loved ones to get help. Clinical depression is a serious medical illness. It will not go away on its own and you can’t tough it out. Clinical depression isn’t feeling sad because you lost someone close to you or you are just feeling down. Clinical d... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2871779 Thu, 08 Oct 2009 10:34:17 +0100 2871779 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2871780&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2Fra4FPYhIx8k%2F You may never have heard of Dr. John J. Wild, but chances are very high that you’ve been affected by his work. Dr. Wild helped develop ultrasound for use in humans, with a focus on using it for diagnosing cancer. Dr. Wild was 95 years old when he died on September 18, in Edina, Minnesota. Born in Kent, United Kingdom, in 1914, Dr. Wild was a surgeon during World War II. His work in the war peaked his interest in finding ways to see inside the body without having to open it up. After immigrating to the United States in 1946, Dr. Wild continued his research. He and his colleagues developed a method to scan breast tumors, as well as vaginal and bowel tumors, and the technology took off from there. Another one of Dr. Wild’s inventions very likely has an impact on your life every da... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2871780 Wed, 07 Oct 2009 10:59:51 +0100 2871780 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2871781&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2Fhd4SQOakR2I%2F Anyone who has had a migraine knows that nothing can get rid of it fast enough. And, for some people, nothing can get rid of it at all. There are many migraine medications on the market now but since we’re all such individuals, not every medication can help everyone. Dihydroergotamine, or DHE, is a medication that is given by injection and it works for many people. MAP Pharmaceuticals has developed an inhaled version of DHE, called Levadex. This past may, a Phase III study showed that Levadex was effective in many patients. The study involved 798 patients. Two hours after taking either Levadex or placebo, 58.7% of the patients who took Levadex reported pain relief compared with 34.5% who had the placebo. Forty-six percent of patients who took Levadex had relief from photophobia, or d... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2871781 Wed, 07 Oct 2009 10:45:01 +0100 2871781 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2865750&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FK6zjAIJRMAw%2F People with Parkinson’s disease usually feel quite healthy in the early stages of their disease. Other than the tremor that leads to the diagnosis, there may not be any other symptoms or difficulties at first. So, they continue to lead their lives as well as they can for as long as they can. This included continuing to drive. Of course, most people who feel physically unable to drive will stop, but sometimes the loss of the ability isn’t as obvious, even to the most careful of people. Actor Michael J. Fox, arguably the most famous person in North America with Parkinson’s has done a lot to raise its profile among the general public. The tremors are the most well known part of Parkinson’s, but the disease affects other parts of the body as well. Other effects may be: ... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2865750 Tue, 06 Oct 2009 12:16:17 +0100 2865750 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2862580&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FlP_YYklGncs%2F Here’s a quick drive-by post for you. Flu.gov has provided a state-by-state (territories too) interactive map that allows you to click on the area you want to learn about. The State Info map gives you information on “state pandemic plan, summit materials, formal agreements, and other pandemic information pertaining to the state.” Have a look to see what your state is up to if you want to know the latest information. ~~~ Image: PhotoXpress.com Post from: Blisstree State by State Pandemic Info (Source: A Hearty Life) A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2862580 Mon, 05 Oct 2009 14:05:37 +0100 2862580 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2862581&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FmkcsRIy-d70%2F Today, October 5, 2009, National Child Health Day in the United States. This year’s topic is Medical Home, providing all children with a medical home. What is a medical home? It is a continuous, comprehensive, family-centered, coordinated, compassionate, and culturally effective way of providing medical care. OK, that’s fine, but what does that mean to you as a parent, as a caregiver, or as a child? The American Academy of Pediatrics has made available PDF documents for you to learn more about medical homes. In the documents, you learn about what to expect from a pediatric team, how to make medical home improvements, and how to work with your medical team. Children can learn about their role in health care. Medical Home for Parents Medical Home for Kids Healthy Living The AA... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2862581 Mon, 05 Oct 2009 13:37:50 +0100 2862581 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2862582&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FahaPyBXqyMw%2F Researchers from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital have found that survivors of childhood cancers are at higher risk for obesity, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes than their siblings who did not have cancer. The risk exists because the survivors tend to be more sedentary than the siblings. The study, done across medical centers in the United States and Canada, looked at over 20,000 childhood cancer survivors. From those 20,000 people, over 9000 survey responses were received and analyzed, and these were compared to almost 3000 responses from siblings. The researchers were looking for the type of lifestyle the survivors led compared with their siblings. According to this article, Childhood Cancer Survivors Exercise Less, Increasing Diabetes Risk, Cancer treatments such as crania... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2862582 Mon, 05 Oct 2009 06:57:09 +0100 2862582 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2858678&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FavgBS0MfboM%2F Fall allergies to pollen and other things flying around in the air are inevitable for some people. While the allergies may cause mild eye itching and stuffiness for some, for others, they can make life miserable. Allergies can make you not only feel miserable because of the actual symptoms, but lack of sleep causes fatigue, making it difficult to get through the day. Unfortunately, there’s no cure for such allergies yet, but there are some steps that people can take that may reduce their exposure and reaction to the allergens. They include: Don’t hang laundry outside in the fall (it may trap allergens) Use air conditioners even if it’s not too hot Stay inside if it’s windy If over-the-counter medications don’t help relieve allergy symptoms, consider asking yo... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2858678 Sun, 04 Oct 2009 06:13:54 +0100 2858678 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2857460&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FkS1TYkxqgbA%2F People are often being told to exercise, particularly if they have a chronic disease, such as type 2 diabetes. But exercise isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. Some people may enjoy walking, others don’t. Some may like going to a gym or taking an exercise class, and again, others don’t. But how about an activity like tai chi? It’s a gentle moving exercise that doesn’t stress the body and may be more enjoyable to you. Researchers looked at the effect of tai chi (also spelled t’ai chi) on 62 senior Koreans. Their research was published earlier this year in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. The group, which was made up of mostly women, was divided in half and one group participated in supervised hour-long sessions of tai chi once a week ... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2857460 Sat, 03 Oct 2009 12:12:54 +0100 2857460 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2857461&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FliwUHmPfIZ0%2F A three-year study of 170,024 patients has found that two low-cost medications – one for lowering cholesterol and one for lowering blood pressure – taken for two years reduced their risk of having a heart attack or stroke by more than 60% for the following year. The patients were divided into three groups at the start of the study. The high-exposure group was composed of 21,292 patients. They took both medications  (40 milligrams of lovastatin and 20 milligrams of lisinopril) more than half the time throughout the two years. The amount of time they took the medications was determined by a review of pharmacy records. The low-exposure group of 47,268 people took the two medications less than half the time, while 101,464 people did not take the medications and were considered to ... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2857461 Sat, 03 Oct 2009 02:59:24 +0100 2857461 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2855666&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FEGWTLO6RZJg%2F Whether you agree with the new HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccines or not, one has to be fair about the news that comes out about it. Last week, it was widely reported that a 14-year-old British girl died after receiving the Cervarix vaccine. This vaccine is being given to young women and adolescent girls to reduce the risk of contracting some types of HPV, which are known to cause a significant number of cervical cancer cases. Sadly, Natalie, the 14-year-old, became ill shortly after being vaccinated and she died not long after. Of course, it wasn’t hard not to blame the vaccine as it certainly appeared that the cause and effect was there. But after examining Natalie’s body, doctors confirmed that her death was not due to the vaccine, but rather that, Natalie had an undetected... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2855666 Fri, 02 Oct 2009 14:33:02 +0100 2855666 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2855667&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FmGuXEn8fmQ4%2F If you’ve been waiting for the H1N1 (swine flu) nasal flu vaccine, FluMist, it will be available next week in some parts of the United States, but in limited quantities as this is the first shipment. Different states have different strategies for who will be the first to be vaccinated, either by FluMist or the traditional injection. Some states, such as Illinois want to vaccinate their first responders, while others, such as Alaska, want to vaccinate the preschoolers first. Pennsylvania will be targeting it’s elementary school-age children first. The FluMist isn’t for everyone. Because it contains a weakened live virus, it is not for people with health problems, but for healthy people who are in high risk groups. Those who are chronically ill must wait for the injection, ... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2855667 Fri, 02 Oct 2009 12:08:07 +0100 2855667 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2855668&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FK50n90LAyvg%2F Celiac disease, or celiac sprue disease, is becoming more known over the past few years. Whether it’s because it’s becoming more common or it’s being diagnosed more frequently, we don’t know, but we do know that it is more present in Western society today. What is celiac disease? Celiac is a genetic disease that makes it impossible for people to digest gluten, which is found in wheat, barley, and rye. There is some debate as to whether it is in oats too. Celiac disease affects about 1 out of every 133 people in North America, but many – as many as 97% – have not been diagnosed. The disease doesn’t allow you to digest the gluten, which leads to malnutrition and considerably raises your risk of developing stomach cancer. When someone with celiac dise... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2855668 Fri, 02 Oct 2009 06:20:54 +0100 2855668 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2851863&cid=t_386923_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FKgu4Hkac5KM%2F Elderly men and women have differing perceptions of how they sleep, say researchers. Women who feel they don’t sleep all that well actually do have a better quality of sleep than they think, and men sleep worse. Researchers in the Netherlands studied 956 men and women who were between 59 and 79 years old. For six nights in a row, the subjects wore a watch-like device called an actigraph. The actigraph measured various sleep parameters while a diary that they subjects kept recorded how they felt about their night’s sleep – the subjective quality part of the study. When tallying up the results, the researchers found that men thought they slept 7.01 hours on average when they only slept 6.40 hours average. Women, on the other hand, felt they slept an average of 6.79 hours wh... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2851863 Thu, 01 Oct 2009 15:05:57 +0100 2851863