April 1-7, 2010 - Original Health Articles

Men and Depression: Overcoming the Stigma

Terry Bradshaw. Jim Carrey. Billy Joel. Winston Churchill. Abraham Lincoln. In addition to being famous and successful, these men—and many others—share another important characteristic: they all suffered from depression. About six million men in the United States suffer from depression, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.

How to Eliminate Dandruff for Good

If your itchy scalp leaves snow on your shoulders, you'll be happy to know that most dandruff problems are simple to tackle. Read on to find out the causes and treatment options that will help you get dandruff under control. Dandruff's Different Causes Dry scalp skin is the most frequent culprit.

Are Too Many Laxatives Harming Your Health?

At some point, nearly everyone suffers from constipation, a condition in which a person has difficult or infrequent bowel movements. As a result, many people often turn to laxatives to help resolve the problem. And while taking an occasional laxative isn't harmful, overuse of laxatives, suppositories, and enemas-using them longer than one week unless prescribed by your doctor-can actually inhibit normal contractions in the bowel and make the problem worse.

Depression and Self-Mutilation

Self-mutilation, better known as cutting, is a problem that affects many teenagers. The behavior is much more common among girls than boys. If you find that your teen has been harming herself, there is help available. Several new therapeutic methods exist that are designed to help teens learn new ways to cope with emotional stress.

Marijuana for Pain Relief

The first U.S. clinical trials in more than two decades on the medical benefits of marijuana confirm the herb is effective in reducing muscle spasms associated with multiple sclerosis and pain caused by certain neurological injuries or illnesses, according to a recent report issued by Igor Grant, a psychiatrist who directs the Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research at the University of California-San Diego.

Tasty Alternatives for Chocolate Allergy Sufferers

Who doesn't love chocolate?  Most of us do, but if you have a chocolate allergy, you've probably got a whole list of desserts that look and smell good but are completely out of reach. However, the good news is that these days, you may be able to find other safer, but equally tempting, treats.

5 Most Entertaining Ways to Burn 100 Calories

Who says losing weight has to be all work and no play?  As long as you're burning more calories than you're consuming, the pounds will come off. As a matter of fact, fitness experts agree that the key to sticking to any exercise program is choosing activities you enjoy and look forward to doing.

10 Cooking Tips to Lower Your Cholesterol

Eating a low-cholesterol, low-saturated-fat diet can go a long way in helping you manage your blood cholesterol levels (aim for a total cholesterol level of less than 200 mg/dL) and reduce your risk of having a heart attack and stroke—and it doesn't have to be boring.

How to Prevent a Second Heart Attack

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each year about 785,000 Americans have a heart attack (also called myocardial infarction) and about 470,000 have a second heart attack. But just because you've had one heart attack, it doesn't mean that there aren't things you can do to prevent the onset of a second attack.

The Importance of an Ergonomic Workstation

Millions of people work at a desk with a computer every day. As a result of repetitive motions on the job, improper body mechanics, and inappropriate office set-up, countless individuals suffer from back, neck, shoulder, elbow, and wrist pain and injury.

How to Avoid Blood Sugar Level Extremes

Trying to maintain optimum blood sugar levels is a constant-and often tiresome-balancing act. Both high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) and low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) have health consequences. Recognizing the symptoms of both, and being aware of the health problems that they cause, are important, says Elbert S.

Could an Artificial Pancreas Cure Diabetes?

If you or someone close to you has insulin-dependent diabetes, you know the endless, time consuming daily ritual of fingersticks, injections, and dealing with low blood sugar episodes that can occur at the most inconvenient times. Now imagine if there was a machine that could automatically deal with all of these tasks, smoothly regulating the blood sugar and preventing the terrible thirst that comes with a high blood sugar level or the shaky, disoriented feeling that comes with being low.

Does Soda Raise Cancer Risk?

Soda has become ubiquitous in our society, and the rate at which we drink these sugared beverages continues to rise. Many health experts are concerned about a link between soda consumption and an increased risk for cancer. Several studies have linked carbonated soft drinks with a significant increase in the most common type of cancer of the esophagus in white men in the U.

Massage Therapy for Cancer Patients

Massages are a great way to relax, rejuvenate, and pamper yourself. What you may not know, however, is that massage also has therapeutic benefits for cancer patients. Massage Therapy for Cancer Numerous studies have shown massage therapy to be beneficial for cancer patients.

5 Myths About Joint Pain

Do you think you know all there is to know about joint pain? Whether you've had it for years or just recently, whether it's severe and chronic or minimal and fleeting, it never hurts to brush up on the facts and myths involving this all-too-common condition: Myth #1: Joint pain is not preventable.

Can Omega 3 Help Ease Asthma Symptoms?

Do you eat fish as a regular part of your diet? If so, have you noticed any improvement in your asthma symptoms? Some researchers believe that the Omega-3 fatty acids that fish contain have a variety of health benefits, including improving your respiratory system.

Can a Blood Test Predict Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease that affects 1.3 million Americans. It's characterized by inflammation in the joints that, if left untreated, may spread and affect other parts of the body, including the major organs. While you can't prevent rheumatoid arthritis, a recent study suggests that it may be possible to predict the onset of the disease through a simple blood test.

The Truth About Corn Syrup

In 2004, researchers at the University of Louisiana hinted that an increase in the use of high-fructose corn syrup in the United States since the 1970s coincides with an increase in obesity rates in this country. Ever since then, the sweetener has been maligned as one of the most dangerous food ingredients to come along since refined white sugar.

Drinking Warm Water May Ease Colonoscopy Discomfort

Probably the health screening test most Americans dread the most is the colonoscopy, but it's also one of the most important tests you can have to prevent colon cancer or to catch the disease at an early, curable stage. Embarrassment and worry over discomfort during the procedure are two reasons often cited about why people avoid the test.

The 6 Best Pre-Workout Foods

Eating something before you hit the gym seems logical because you want to feel strong and energized for your workout. However, eating the wrong foods or eating too much can leave you with a case of indigestion, nausea, or make you feel more tired than before you started.

How to Get Rid of Man Boobs

Let's face it. Having man boobs, or "moobs," is an uncomfortable and embarrassing experience. Man boobs can be difficult to hide during simple activities such as changing at the gym, hitting the pool or the beach for a swim, and in romantic relationships.

How to Date in the Technology Age

Modern technology is a mixed blessing when it comes to romance. On one level, social networking sites, texting, and emailing have made it much easier to date. But these forms of communication have also made dating more complicated. There are no set rules, no established guidelines, and no code of etiquette to follow.

Coping with Sadness after a Major Loss

Only those who have lost a loved one can appreciate the complex and intense gamut of emotions a death can trigger. It's important to recognize that all these emotions are normal and to understand that working through them is vital to your mental health.

Slow Down the Clock With Exercise

Time goes faster as you get older, but you can slow the age-clock down. It's all about fitness and healthy living.  According to a report in the Archives of Internal Medicine, your cardio-respiratory fitness level declines more rapidly after age 45.

Sex Remains a Part of Seniors' Lives

If you think sex is just a pastime of the young, have we got news for you: According to a recent study at the University of Chicago, plenty of people eligible for AARP discounts are getting busy on a regular basis. And while sexual frequency does decline with age, sex is still a vital part of life for a significant number of seniors.

5 Salad Bar Survival Tips

Salad bars present an interesting challenge. They provide a cornucopia of the most healthful foods, but they're also chockful of dietary pitfalls. Load up on cheese, bacon bits, croutons, and creamy salad dressing, and your salad will become as calorie-drenched and fatty as a burger and fries.

7 Tips for a Safe, Healthy Cookout

Mosquitoes, weight gain, E. coli, oh my! With barbecue season in full swing, you may be wondering how it's possible to make your next outdoor feast safe and healthy without sacrificing flavor and fun. If you heed the following tips, you'll find that taking the proper precautions and having a good time needn't be mutually exclusive.

6 Halloween Food Swaps

The costumes aren't the only frightening part about Halloween-some seasonal favorites will make your scale shudder. And with Halloween kicking off the season of splurging, it's good to get started the smart way. Does giving up treats for Halloween make you want to scream? Then try these easy (and healthier) swaps.

How to Decide if Surgery Can Solve Your Low Back Pain

Four out of every five American adults will experience lower back pain at some point in their life, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).  In fact, back pain is one of the most common reasons in the US that people go to the doctor or miss work.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Think Muscle Not Nerve

Carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the most misdiagnosed syndromes I run across in my practice. There are a number of indicators that point to this condition. First you must have the right symptoms. There must be an altered sensation in the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and half the ring finger for carpal tunnel syndrome to be the proper diagnosis.

Real Solutions for Spring Asthma Symptoms

Does the beauty of spring take your breath away? If so, and if the connection is more than figurative, then you may be one of the many people who suffer from spring asthma. Spring asthma is really just another name for seasonal asthma, or asthma that has its roots in seasonal allergy triggers.

Can Reflexology Help Ease Arthritis?

Reflexology is an ancient practice involving the use of the thumbs and fingers to exert pressure on certain points of the feet that are believed to correspond to particular points on the body. By manipulating the right spots on the feet, practitioners assert that they can alleviate pain and other problems in the corresponding body parts.

5 Ways to Cut the Cost of Diabetes Treatment

It's expensive to manage diabetes. Even those with health insurance find themselves scrambling to pay unreimbursed co-pays for glucose testing strips, oral medications, and insulin. Many patients and caretakers find themselves asking this essential question: Can the cost be reduced without compromising your health? Here, experts weight in to provide five tips on how to spend less, be healthier, and reduce the risk of complications from diabetes.

5 Surprising Headache Triggers

An estimated 45 million Americans suffer from headaches, according to the National Headache Foundation. While common headache triggers—such as stress, eye strain, and hormonal shifts—are fairly well-known, there are some other headache-causing culprits that you might not suspect.

Are You and Your Partner Sexually Compatible?

You've met a great guy or girl and the future looks bright. But will your sex life sizzle, and more importantly, will it stay hot? Love at first sight doesn't always happen, and it can take awhile for a deeply satisfying relationship to thrive and grow.

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