March 15-21, 2009 - Original Health Articles

Understanding Crohn s in Kids

If your child has Crohn’s disease, he or she is not alone. Approximately 140,000 people under the age of eight are affected this disease. And unfortunately, the incidence of Crohn’s in children under 16 is increasing. In fact, teens are more likely to develop Crohn’s disease than any other age group; about sixteen out of every 100,000 teens will be diagnosed with Crohn’s.

Is Surgery an Option for Crohn's?

Surgery is one step in the treatment program for patients who have Crohn’s disease. In fact, approximately 70 percent of Crohn’s patients will eventually need surgery. Surgery often initiates remission, providing relief from symptoms, and improves quality of life.

Taking Crohn's on the Road

Whether you are taking a much-anticipated family vacation or an essential business trip, don’t let Crohn’s disease get in the way. The key to traveling successfully is preparation. Here are a few things to consider: Take a supply of medicine.

Fish Oil & Relapse: What's the Connection?

Crohn’s is characterized by alternating periods of flare-ups and remission. The first goal of intervention is to control symptoms and bring the disease into remission. Once in remission, the goal of treatment is to keep the patient in remission for as long as possible.

Are You at Risk for Crohn s?

There are risk factors associated with every disease, and Crohn’s is no exception. You can’t change the genetic hand that nature deals you, or your family history. Recognizing you are at greater risk for developing Crohn’s (or any disease) is invaluable.

Does Acupuncture Relieve Arthritis?

Over 39 percent of Americans use some form of complementary or alternative medicine (CAM), according to a survey conducted by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) and the National Center for Health Statistics. Most people turn to these treatments for musculoskeletal problems such as back and neck pain — and joint pain, which is a common symptom of arthritis.

Energy Boosting Tips

In a 2008 Stress in America Survey conducted by the American Psychological Association (APA), 53 percent of people reported feeling fatigue. Several factors can be to blame, including some medical conditions, a lifestyle issue such as chronic stress, being overwhelmed with work, or bad nighttime habits such as eating late or sleeping in a lumpy bed.

Dietary Guidelines for Crohn's: Complete and Balanced

Crohn’s disease affects the intestines, which absorb food that produces energy for your body. When inflamed, it cannot adequately perform this essential function. Furthermore, when patients aren’t feeling well, they may not eat enough to support their body’s increased nutritional needs.

Alcohol and Heart Health

Researchers first reported this correlation between alcohol consumption and cardiovascular disease as early as 1904 in the Journal of the American Medical Association. But because alcoholism has been a long-standing problem in the United States, experts are reticent to wholeheartedly endorse raising a glass or two for your heart’s sake.

Is West Nile Virus Still a Threat?

As wintry weather becomes a faint memory and temperatures start to soar, many of us look forward to spring and summer. We eagerly anticipate outdoor sports, picnics, and days at the beach, and give little thought to pesky mosquitoes and West Nile Virus (WNV).

The Scoop on Latex Allergies

If you have a latex allergy, you know all too well that even some of the simplest activities can put your health at great risk. That’s why it’s important to know what items you should avoid in order to prevent a reaction, which can vary from a very simple rash all of the way to a life-threatening attack.

Heart Disease and Depression: What s the Link?

Heart disease and depression share a circular relationship: In some cases, heart disease can bring about depression, with an estimated one in six heart-attack sufferers facing clinical depression after the event, which can increase their mortality rate to 17 percent.

The Importance of Stem Cell Research

In March of 2009, after years of hotly debated political, religious, and scientific debates, President Barack Obama lifted the long standing ban on the federal funding of stem cell research. Although the political and religious arguments make for a provocative discussion, the scientific and medical benefits of stem cell research cannot be disputed.

Is Glucose Brain Food?

Scientists are only beginning to uncover the brain’s role in normal insulin and glucose control as it relates to diabetes. Likewise, the cognitive deficits associated with the disease are just recently being understood. So what has been discovered so far? Research has revealed that diabetes is associated with impaired cognitive function and an increased risk for dementia, including Alzheimer's disease.

Pregnancy and Depression: What You Need to Know

Are you pregnant and feeling confused, afraid, sad, stressed or depressed? According to the American Pregnancy Association, 10 to 20 percent of women will struggle with some symptoms of depression during pregnancy. And of those women, a quarter to half will suffer from severe depression.

Three Tips for Greater Flexibility When You Have Arthritis

According to the American College of Rheumatology, range-of-motion and stretching exercises help maintain and improve flexibility in affected joints and surrounding muscles. Some natural remedies also make a difference to muscle and joint health. Here are three approaches to becoming more flexible: Stretch: The Arthritis Foundation recommends smooth, gentle stretches for 15 minutes each day.

What You Should Know About Seafood Allergies

While many Americans look forward to eating out at a nice restaurant, if you’re one of the 7 million people who has a seafood allergy, such an occasion can actually be quite stressful. This is because eating at any dining establishment where seafood is served puts you at risk for being exposed to the proteins that can cause the allergic reaction, and the dangers involved in this scenario can be quite great or even potentially fatal in extreme cases.

Three Ways to Manage Rheumatoid Arthritis Flares

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition that causes joint pain, inflammation, stiffness, and fatigue. Women are three times as likely as men to suffer from the disease. Even though RA is a long-term condition, short-term bouts, or flares, of acute pain with inflammation and swelling can occur.

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