May 8-14, 2012 - Original Health Articles

They're back. IUDs, which in the past got a bad rap due to safety concerns, are getting trendy. In fact, many doctors are calling them the most effective form of reversible birth control and a good option for certain women. "They are more in vogue now than in the past," says Krystene DiPaola, MD, reproductive endocrinologist and infertility specialist with the UC Center for Reproductive Health at the University of Cincinnati in Ohio.

Have you ever eaten an entire a pint of ice cream (or your go-to food of choice) when you're feeling stressed? You're not alone. Studies suggest that psychological stress and food consumption are related. Physiology of Stress and Eating Eating when stressed disrupts your digestion, even if you're eating healthy food.

Your body produces cholesterol, a waxy, fat-like substance, but it's also is found in certain foods. If you eat too much of the wrong kind of foods, you can develop high blood cholesterol, which increases the odds of getting coronary heart disease. Plaque comprised of cholesterol and other substances builds up in the arteries and causes a condition called atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).

Diabetes is a chronic, life-altering disorder that can pose daily challenges to those struggling to keep their blood sugar in the normal range. The most serious form, type 1, is an autoimmune disease in which the pancreas stops producing insulin. Multiple daily insulin injections or an insulin pump are needed to manage it.

Here's what to consider as you think about your retirement:  Retirement At what age do you want to retire? Delaying retirement-even just a few years-provides an opportunity for your nest egg to grow and can make a significant financial difference.

Heartburn, that burning feeling in your throat or chest and bitter taste in your mouth, is caused when the acid in your stomach backs up into the esophagus and causes irritation. Certain foods, alcoholic beverages, and some medications can cause heartburn, and it's not uncommon to have it while pregnant.

As of January 2011, 10,000 baby boomers will turn 65 every day. That's one every eight seconds. By 2030, boomers will be 78 million strong. It's not surprising a cohort this large is redefining what healthy aging means. While there are many variations on the theme, boomers' vision of healthy living has several common elements.

Arthritis, which can wreak havoc on the joints, causes a constellation of symptoms. Some individuals have just mild joint pain, while others find that their ability to walk, drive, or even do household tasks is compromised. Osteoarthritis, the more common form of arthritis, is characterized by the breakdown of cartilage, the part of the joint that permits easy movement.

Bipolar Disorder is a mental health condition in which patients alternate between episodes of manic (euphoric) and depressive moods. Sometimes there are periods of stability between the mood swings. Bipolar Disorder Overview Mental health experts suspect a chemical imbalance in the brain is behind Bipolar Disorder.

An H. pylori infection could be the reason behind your upset stomach. Thankfully, it's easy to treat and diagnose these bacteria. There are people who have the H. pylori bacteria without having symptoms. Scientists are not sure why. "The symptoms that are most common among people who have H.

In 2004, the FDA approved Avandia, in combination with insulin, to treat type 2 diabetes. Avandia is the brand name for rosiglitazone. In 2007, the agency reported a possible association between rosiglitazone and an increased risk of cardiovascular events, such as heart attack.

Hundreds of antibacterial products promise to keep you safe from harmful microbes. However, there's little or no data to demonstrate these products are better at protecting you. In fact, they may actually pose health risks. We have more than 100 species of bacteria living on our skin.

If you want to look and feel your best, a healthy diet is key. Eating right may also help reduce your risk for such serious disorders as diabetes, osteoporosis, and heart disease. But following a balanced diet can be challenging when you're not exactly sure what foods have which nutrients, and how much of a particular food you should be consuming.

If you're part of a traditional meat-and-potatoes family, it may come as a surprise or outright shock when one of your children announces his or her attention to become a vegetarian. Multiple questions may swirl through your mind: What am I supposed to cook for her if not beef, chicken, or even fish? Do I need to make separate meals for everyone? Does this mean the end of family dinners? Your first step is to ascertain exactly what kinds of foods your child is giving up.

If you've ever seen someone sleeping with his eyes partially open, you know it can be jarring. The image of an open-eyed sleeper can be corpse-like, and you may find yourself tempted to try to close the eyes without waking the person. Lagophthalmos, or the inability to fully close one's eyes, can be caused by a variety of reasons.

These flexible, rubber, or solid metal bracelets advertise they'll improve strength, balance, flexibility, and energy or reduce pain by working with a person's natural energy field. They've become popular with athletes and non-athletes alike as a way to boost vitality and performance.

Have you always been a good sleeper, but suddenly can't seem to go more than a few hours without waking? Does your teen, who, as a grade-schooler, used to rise at dawn, now snooze until noon on weekends? How about your elderly father, who seems to be napping every time you call? What's happening with all these shifting sleep patterns? The most dramatic changes tend to take place in childhood.