February 8-14, 2010 - Original Health Articles

The Health Dangers of Having Psoriasis

It's estimated that more than 7.5 million people suffer from psoriasis, an uncomfortable and sometimes painful skin condition. Psoriasis is caused by a buildup of excess cells on skin's surface that form patches of red, itchy skin. The exact cause is unknown and currently there's no cure for this condition.

Back Pain and Osteoporosis

A number of different conditions can cause back pain, but one in particular is often overlooked. For millions of Americans the cause of their back pain is osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a disease in which bones become fragile and more likely to break.

Young Adults and Anxiety

It's normal to feel anxious from time to time when faced with a stressful or unknown situation. However, prolonged anxiety is not normal. Anxious children worry excessively about punctuality, catastrophic events, and performance at school or sporting events.

Alcohol Linked to Breast Cancer Recurrence

Women who have survived breast cancer are understandably concerned that they will develop a second breast cancer. However, recent research shows that by limiting their alcohol consumption, breast cancer survivors significantly reduce their risk recurrence.

The Life Cycle of the Vagina

The vagina. What most people see, right from the start, is actually the vulva, the plump folds of skin that include the labia majora (outside lips), labia minora (inside lips), clitoris, and urethra.  The vagina itself is a muscular tube that connects the internal reproductive organs (cervix, uterus and fallopian tubes) to the outside of the body.

Running Shoes Linked to Joint Strain

The number of people taking up running in the US is on the rise. With that,  the number of running injuries is rising as well. While running is no doubt beneficial for overall health, injuries are common, and in a recent study, researchers found that running shoes may actually put more of a strain on your joints than if you were to run barefoot or even to walk in high-heeled shoes.

How to Eliminate Ingrown Hairs

Ingrown hairs occur when new hairs bend back into the skin. You may end up with tiny red bumps (aka razor bumps) and even small pustules that look like acne outbreaks. Unfortunately the only way to completely prevent ingrown hairs is to stop removing hair- not usually the best aesthetic solution- however there are ways to treat ingrown hairs and reduce their frequency.

How to Combat Menstrual Migraines

If you experience severe headaches around the time of your period, you could be suffering from menstrual migraines. But, you're not alone. Approximately 70 percent of migraine sufferers are female, and 60 to 70 percent report their migraines are related to their menstrual cycle.

Too Much Exercise Can Cause Arthritis

Athletes seem to be getting older and older, as evidenced by the scores of middle-aged men and women who are lacing up their sneakers and hitting the running paths, tennis courts, basketball courts and other venues where they can run, jump and sweat to their heart's content.

Is It OK for Men to Watch Porn?

If your partner likes watching porn occasionally, it's probably nothing to worry about. But if he's obsessive about it, hunkering down at his computer in another room for hours on end, then there may be a problem. The Upside Pornography is a visual medium, explains Peter Kanaris, Ph.

Being Macho Can Affect Your Health

Could "machismo" affect your decisions about routine health care? New research suggests that men who subscribe to macho ideals may be less likely to get routine medical care. In a study conducted by researchers at Rutgers University, middle-aged men who were most devoted to traditional beliefs about masculinity were 50 percent less likely than other men to get routine medical care.

A Real Solution to Sinus and Allergy Misery

Q: My sinus problems have gotten much worse over the last few years. I can't breathe through my nose, have headaches behind the eyes and ears and in my forehead, and am constantly sick and tired, despite getting a full night's sleep. The problems get worse when my allergies are acting up.

5 Ways to Prevent Stress Fractures

Anyone who says, "exercise is a pain" doesn't know the half of it unless they've had a stress fracture, one of the most common sports injuries.  Stress fractures are an overuse injury in which worn-out muscles make the bones carry some of their heavy load.

Fish Oil May Protect Against Cellular Aging

News headlines over the past few years have touted omega-3 fatty acids, as wonder substances that keep the heart healthy and help prevent coronary disease as well as aid in recovery after a heart attack. But new research sheds light on the exact mechanism by which these omega-3 fatty acids actually work on the heart.

5 Surprising Dangers of Too Much Salt

Table salt is our primary source of the mineral sodium, which our bodies use to help regulate blood volume and cellular fluids, transport nutrients, facilitate nerve impulses and muscle contractions, and maintain a normal acid-base balance. To keep all of these functions running smoothly, adults need no more than 1,500 mg, sodium, or less than a teaspoon of salt, daily.

What You Should Know about Kids and Fiber

Dietary fiber is a substance contained in plants, grains, fruits, vegetables and nuts, and is necessary for a number of important functions that contribute to good health. For instance, eating enough fiber is essential for reducing your child's risk of certain cancers, heading off heart diseases, preventing blood sugar swings and even helping maintain a healthy weight.

What's Killing Your Sex Drive?

If you're feeling apathetic and disinterested in intimacy with your partner these days, the first person to call is your doctor. A variety of prescription medications as well as even small illnesses can kill off sexual desire—and once it happens, you can start to lose confidence in the bedroom.

Should You Stay on Your Antidepressants?

One of the first questions many patients ask when they start taking antidepressants is how long they will have to take the medication. Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. In fact, Rush University Medical Center is conducting a study to evaluate how long people should take antidepressants to prevent the onset of new episodes of depression.

Probiotics May Fight IBD Symptoms

A probiotic called Bacillus polyfermenticus, which has shown to have anti-cancer effects, may also have benefits in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a new study shows. The two-phase study-one involving live mice and one involving human cells- was published in the American Journal of Physiology-Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology.

Cigarettes: Just One Can Be Harmful

According to a recent study presented at the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress, smoking just one cigarette stiffens the arteries of young adults by a staggering 25 percent. Arteries that are stiff or rigid increase resistance in the blood vessels, making the heart work harder.

Anxiety and Life Changes

We all know that little saying, "the only constant in life is change?" People suffering with anxiety don't like this saying very much. Those who suffer from anxiety like routine and consistency. This way, they're comfortable. A certain amount of anxiety in life is normal—moderate amounts of anxiety before an important event may enhance our performance.

The Dangers of Self-Medicating

Does this scenario ring familiar? You feel blue or anxious, so you fix yourself a drink or two in the hopes that it will make you feel better. Sounds harmless enough and for the average person, it probably is. However, if you suffer from depression or anxiety, this can cause more harm than good.

Worrisome Neck Pain Symptoms

Neck pain is a common condition. Most people will experience it in their lifetime. It can range from mild discomfort to a dull ache to severe, burning pain. Neck pain can be caused by an injury, a mechanical problem, a trapped nerve, an awkward sleeping position, poor posture, arthritis, and most commonly, worry and stress.

How Destructive is Smog to Your Skin?

If your town has a lot of smog, you already know how it affects your lungs. Research shows that it can also aggravate skin conditions, lead to premature aging, and possibly increase your risk for skin cancer. Smog consists of a combination of tiny particles of dust and soot; pollutants including nitrogen dioxide, lead, and carbon monoxide; and "bad" ozone.

Higher Education May Cut Your Heart Attack Risk

Can the amount of education you have impact your risk for heart disease? According to a study in the journal Heart, the answer may be yes. Results from INTERHEART, a international study of 52 countries, found that low education (eight years of school or less)─not income or occupation─was the strongest link to heart attack risk.

The Truth About Caffeine and Rheumatoid Arthritis

If you have rheumatoid arthritis, or are at risk of getting it, you may have wondered whether your morning cup (or two or three) of coffee has any impact on the disease. Coffee has gotten such good press lately, with java being touted as a boon to mental health, cognitive performance and athletic endurance, to name a few.

Antibody Test Boosts Celiac Disease Diagnoses

Celiac disease (CD), a chronic intestinal disorder caused by a hypersensitivity to gluten proteins found in wheat, rye, barley and possibly oat products, is a common problem affecting as many as one in 133 people in the U.S, including young children. However, because some of the common symptoms of celiac disease, including stomachaches and diarrhea, are often blamed on other common childhood ailments, such as food allergies, the disease frequently goes undiagnosed-and, consequently, untreated.

What Music Can Do for Your Workout

What should you do when you're ready to quit before your workout is over? How about when you just can't pick up the pace?  Experts say: Pump up the music.  Studies show that cranking up the right music can motivate you to exercise longer, harder, and have more fun.

Bizarre Home Cures That Work

If you are a do-it-yourself person and don't want to always rely on a doctor to cure your health issues, you may be in luck. You can use duct tape, baking soda, and an assortment of other bizarre home cures, depending on your ailment, to improve your health.

The Health Dangers of Bulimia

If you're caught up in a cycle of binge-eating and vomiting (or other methods of quickly eliminating food from your body, such as overuse of laxatives), you could be seriously damaging your health. Vomiting and overuse of laxatives can result in dehydration with symptoms that include dizziness and weakness.

Childhood Anxiety vs. Depression

Does your child seem overly anxious or depressed? If so, these are two serious conditions that are important to take seriously. Anxiety and depression symptoms often go hand in hand in children and adolescents. Yet when it comes to addressing these issues in young patients, the latest research suggests that rather than treating both problems as one illness, it's best to consider them as two distinct diagnoses that may just happen to co-exist.

HPV and Throat Cancer

By now, you've probably heard of HPV—the human papilloma virus—which is the primary cause of cervical cancer and the target of Gardisal, a relatively new vaccine to prevent cervical cancer. However, physicians link HPV to other types of cancer as well, including cancers of the head and neck.

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