Archives for May, 2010
Bone Loss In Menopausal Women
Friday, May 21st, 2010
Diminished bone density is common among menopausal women and raises their risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures. Treatment for bone loss during menopause has traditionally focused on therapies that seek to maintain the level of estrogen in the body.
This hormone can sustain bone health, but it drops to an extremely low level during and […]
Smoking And Cardiovascular Health
Thursday, May 20th, 2010
Blood vessel function improves quickly shortly after smokers kick the habit, reducing the risk of heart disease, a new study indicates.
“Individuals who quit smoking have improved blood vessel function, even though they gain weight, which is a common side effect of smoking cessation,” says study author Dr. James Stein, an associate professor of medicine […]
Blood Pressure And Diet
Wednesday, May 19th, 2010
Including low-fat dairy products in the diet can lower high blood pressure, a condition that affects 65 million Americans and is a major risk factor for stroke, heart attack and kidney and heart failure.
“Dairy products, such as cheese, yogurt and milk, are excellent sources of calcium,” says Luc Djousse, M.D., author of recent Brigham and […]
Acupuncture Helps Dental Patients
Tuesday, May 18th, 2010
Acupuncture can aid in the treatment of dental anxiety, according to new research. One in 20 individuals experience odontophobia, severe anxiety about dentist visits and dentistry. Nearly a third of people have moderate anxiety due to dentist visits.
“We can offer patients a safe, fast treatment for their odontophobia,” says lead researcher Dr. Palle Rosted, […]
Stress During Pregnancy
Monday, May 17th, 2010
During pregnancy, stress can have detrimental effects on both mother and child. Stress during pregnancy may raise the risk of asthma in children, according to a new Brigham and Women’s Hospital study.
A mother’s stress during pregnancy may influence the infant’s immune system, starting in the womb. Study author Rosalind Wright, M.D. and colleagues assessed differences […]
Doctors Lack Herbal Medicine Knowledge
Friday, May 14th, 2010
Medical personnel often believe that they are insufficiently informed about herbal medicine and that their patients poorly understand herbal remedies as well, according to a new survey conducted by the journal Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin.
Most of the participants in the survey were family physicians and pharmacists. More than 85 percent of the respondents consider the […]
Exercising During Pregnancy
Thursday, May 13th, 2010
Fewer than one in four pregnant women meet the recommended activity guidelines set by doctors and other health professionals, according to a new University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill study.
Guidelines set by the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommend pregnant women get 30 minutes or more of moderate exercise daily, if they have […]
Obesity Increases Flu Risk
Wednesday, May 12th, 2010
Obesity can limit the body’s ability to develop immunity to influenza viruses by inhibiting the immune system’s ability to “remember” how it fought off previous bouts of illness, according to a new study from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Obesity is as much a risk factor for H1N1 strains of flu as compromised […]
Sleep Deprivation Common Among Americans
Tuesday, May 11th, 2010
The National Sleep Foundation’s (NSF) 2010 Sleep in America poll reveals Americans’ sleep habits and attitudes and examines the association between poor sleep and health problems.
The poll found that sleep disorders continue to be very common among the adults surveyed. “If you are experiencing problems sleeping, take charge of your own sleep,” says Thomas […]
Diet And Endometriosis
Monday, May 10th, 2010
Endometriosis is a condition in which tissue lining the uterus grows outside the uterus into other areas. Although occurring in 10 to 15 percent of women, little is known about modifiable risk factors that can help prevent this condition.
Women whose diets are rich in omega-3 oils may be less likely to develop endometriosis, while those […]