December 15-21, 2011 - Original Health Articles

Also called neuropathy, nerve damage is not uncommon in those with type 2 diabetes, especially when the disease is poorly controlled. In fact, about half of all individuals with diabetes develop some form of neuropathy. But nerve damage can also affect individuals who have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and  who smoke, explains Elizabeth Kavaler, MD, a urology specialist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.

Neuroeconomics, a relatively new branch of science, is slowly unraveling how specific gene variations influence how we make decisions. Genes are units of information within cells that transmit characteristics, such as hair or eye color, from one generation to the next.

Some cancer patients wonder if there are other, less toxic options than the traditional paths of surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy. There are; however, it can be difficult to separate and evaluate legitimate alternative therapies from shams. Furthermore, your oncologist (and well-meaning family and friends) will likely try to dissuade you from straying from conventional care.

Men are notoriously bad guardians of their health. A survey of more than 2,000 men conducted by the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) in 2007 revealed that 55 percent of all men have not seen their primary care physician for a physical exam within the past year.

Much has been made of the social, emotional, and intellectual implications of social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter. Some studies suggest that they can contribute to depressive symptoms while others feel they foster a sense of a global community.

Winter can cause as much harm to your skin as summer's damaging sun rays, especially if you suffer from dryness or a skin condition. Take care to defend your skin against the effects of these common culprits: 1. Dry indoor air is one of the most damaging, dehydrating elements of winter.

Many people assume that the coming of winter provides a much needed break from their biggest allergy symptoms. But if you're allergic to indoor allergens, you could be saying goodbye to seasonal allergens only to find yourself coping with a new set allergy triggers.

According to the American Dental Association, tooth whitening can be achieved by either bleaching the color of your teeth, or by physically abrading surface stains to make them lighten or disappear. There are hundreds of teeth whitening products you can buy that use these techniques, but combining natural products can save you the expense.

If you have kids—boys especially—you likely have video games. According to the Entertainment Software Association, 72 percent of U.S. homes play computer or video games. In 2010 consumers spent $25.1 billion on video games.  Though not all video games have violent content those that do have caused concern: Violent video games have been blamed for school shootings, increases in bullying, and violence towards women.

Four out of five dentists may recommend you use it, but have you ever wondered how mouthwash affects your mouth? Many brands tout the bacteria and bad breath (also known as halitosis) eliminating benefits of their products. The secret ingredient? Alcohol.

Can't enjoy a cup of coffee because of heartburn? Here's some news that will cheer you up: Researchers from the University of Vienna in Austria and the Technische Universität München in Germany reported that dark-roasted coffee (such as espresso and French roast) may be easier to stomach.

A 2010 study presented at Society of Nuclear Medicine's Annual Meeting found evidence that gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) may be due to a lack of muscle tone, or motility, in the esophageal muscles. Using molecular imaging, 49 participants (known or suspected of having GERD) were scanned while upright and again lying down to gauge ineffective esophageal motility, or poor functioning of the muscles of the esophagus and lower-esophageal sphincter.

If you suffer from heartburn or gastrointestinal distress after eating certain foods, you don't have to be told that fried chicken, burgers, lasagna, and the like are not your friends. But you don't have to de-friend some of those feel-good favorites.