September 8-14, 2012 - Original Health Articles

Exercise bulimia, also known as compulsive exercise, is a lot like an eating disorder, but instead of vomiting or using laxatives, people with exercise bulimia spend hour after hour working out. But isn't exercising a good thing? Not for people who exercise themselves to death.

Your body experiences a rush of hormones that start a domino effect that helps you fight strong, run fast, and feel a surge of energy to power you through your workout. Adrenaline (also called epinephrine) is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands, which sit on top of the kidneys.

We can categorize types of breast cancers in several ways: By where they originate, by whether the cancer cells are isolated to one area or have spread, and by the tumor's hormonal status. Origins of Breast Cancer Breast cancer typically begins in the lobes, lobules, or ducts of the breast.

Do you have a favorite time of day to shower, or do you grab the opportunity whenever it arises? Lots of people feel they don't come to full alertness until after a morning shower, but if you have trouble falling asleep at night, you may want to put off your daily cleansing ritual until evening.

Generic products, or store brands, often taste the same, are made with the same ingredients, and cost less. Sometimes generic products are even made by the same company that makes the brand name products. What's not to like? Generic, store brand, and premium store-brand food products that mimic popular name brand foods can be found in all large supermarkets.

The immune system recognizes and attacks foreign cells, such as bacteria, that might harm our body. In order for cancer to develop and grow, tumor cells must hide from killer immune system cells. A particular protein on the surface of healthy cells, CD47, tells the immune system not to eat the healthy cells.

If you've got insomnia, you've probably given in to the urge to take a daytime nap. The problem with allowing yourself a little afternoon snooze is that it perpetuates the cycle of difficult sleep. Getting just enough daytime to rest to take the edge off your exhaustion means you'll be less motivated to sleep at night.

If you're like many people, you have a set bedtime and wakeup time from Monday through Friday. On weekends, however, anything goes. The problem is this: If you go to bed and get up at different times on different days, you may suffer the side effects of a phenomenon known as social jet lag.

Modern society has come a long way from the foraging, uncivilized lives of our hunter-gatherer ancestors 10,000 years ago. Not only are we at far greater risk of being attacked by a saber-toothed tiger, but we have medicine to combat infection, well-constructed houses to protect us from the weather, and food readily available to stave off hunger.

When you consider the side effects of cancer, what comes to mind? You probably think about pain and the presence of a noticeable lump (at least for common cancers such as breast or prostate cancer). According to the National Cancer Institute, early cancer does not usually cause pain, which makes it not a very good early warning symptom.

What Is Rheumatoid Factor? To accurately diagnose rheumatoid arthritis, your doctor may order several tests, including a blood test to determine your levels of an antibody known as rheumatoid factor. If your levels are high, you may have rheumatoid arthritis.

Next time you take your toddler to the pediatrician, there's a chance you may be told she needs to undergo a cholesterol (or lipid) test. Screening children as young as 2 for high cholesterol may seem extreme and unnecessary to you-and it seems extreme and unnecessary to some doctors as well-but evidence shows that this "adult" disease begins in childhood.

No one wants to give up a pet, but if you're at risk for having a life-threatening allergic reaction, this decision may be inevitable. It's difficult to make this sacrifice, but you can take some of the bite out of the situation by finding the best new environment your animal will thrive.

Hyperglycemia can injure the heart, even in individuals without a history of either cardiovascular disease or diabetes, according to a recent study from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and reported in Newswise. An elevated hemoglobin A1C (which is a sign of chronic high blood sugar) is linked to minute levels of a protein in the blood that's a marker for heart damage.

If you're like many people, you climb into bed at night with a brain that's still buzzing from all the worries of the day. Instead of relaxing and letting go, you stress over work projects that aren't finished, realize that you still haven't bought peanut butter for the kids' lunches, and wonder exactly what that weird noise is that your car is making.

Gastroenteritis—or the stomach flu—is not influenza. It does not affect the stomach, but rather the small intestine. Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the intestinal lining caused by a virus, bacteria, or parasites. Gastroenteritis spreads via contact with someone who has the illness, but it can also be spread through contaminated food, water, or hard surfaces.

If you're one of those people who must sleep on a particular side of the bed, you're not alone. For many folks, it's entirely possible to get up on the wrong side of the bed. But does your personal preference reveal certain things about your personality? An unscientific study by a British hotel chain maintains that it does.

Wondering if your bag could be the cause of your chronic pain? You may be right. Carrying bags that are too heavy or poorly designed can put pressure on the neck and shoulders. Unless you're going to switch to an ergonomically designed backpack—and most of us are too fashion-conscious to make that concession—a bag is always going to place uneven weight distribution across your shoulders.

No matter how luxurious or basic your kitchen is, it's hard to eat well unless you have the proper tools. The good news is that you need only a handful to turn out beautiful, good-for-you dishes. Here are seven things no health-conscious cook should be without: 1.

Telemedicine—the exchange of medical information using the internet or other information technology—allows physicians to quickly and directly transfer medical records, x-rays, and lab results from one site to another, consult with specialists...

You've done it—you've reached your goal weight! Now that you've invested in a new wardrobe and updated your Facebook profile picture, how can you make sure you don't regain the pounds you worked to lose? The truth is that it's actually easier to drop weight than it is to keep it off.

If you suffer from insomnia, you might consider meditation as a sleep aid. This ancient practice centers on clearing your mind of intrusive thoughts and attaining a deep state of relaxation and self-awareness. While meditation is not a scientifically proven way to get more sleep, studies do suggest that it helps.

Head injuries due to falls, car accidents, bicycle accidents, and athletic mishaps can result in irreparable brain damage. That's why prevention is always the best medicine. When the brain is injured, there is always some damage that cannot be treated or repaired.

All parents want to keep their children safe. Child advocates and health experts say having frank discussions about sex is a pivotal component.  It's especially relevant for adolescents and young adults who are-or may soon become-sexually active to receive information about the health risks associated with intercourse.

For most people, it makes sense to eat what our ancestors ate-meat, fish, nuts, vegetables, fruits and roots-and most of us do eat some or all of these foods on a regular basis. But while we eat the same types of foods, we rarely eat them in the same form, and proponents of a diet that mimics Paleolithic eating styles say that is exactly what is wrong with our modern food supply.

There are countless reasons why exercising first thing in the morning is a great idea. You start your day off with an energizing, positive activity that revs up your metabolism. You knock something important off your to-do list and it boosts your mood for the entire day.

You've decided you want to become a mom and are hoping to become pregnant soon. But if you have diabetes, it's important your blood sugar is under control before you even try to conceive. "Your level of glycemic control will really dictate how well the pregnancy goes," says Cynthia Gyamfi, MD, an OB/GYN at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center in New York City.

The gluten-free food trend is going strong. A quick scan of grocery store shelves' feature gluten alternatives such as brown rice, corn, quinoa, potatoes, and soybeans, but grocers may need to make more room soon—for products made from green bananas.

A properly functioning immune system helps fight off germs and keeps you from getting sick. This particularly essential for those with asthma since being ill can trigger respiratory symptoms and can make those living with asthma even sicker. Here are...

Sure, you can find coupons and two-for-one sales in newspapers and online to get discounts at all types of restaurants—and you should take advantage of these savings. But instead of waiting for a special deal, you can eat out almost anywhere, on any day, and get more nutritious meals by spending less money.

We've all heard the news that low-calorie salads turn into high-calorie meals when we load on lots of salad dressing. As a result, many salad eaters have turned to lowfat dressings or no dressing at all to enjoy their greens and get their vitamins without loading up on fats.

Staying health may be as simple as keeping your hands clean. In fact, experts say remembering to wash your hands frequently and thoroughly is the single most important way to stay health. Researchers estimate that routine hand washing is so effective it could prevent a million deaths per year since about 80 percent of infections are spread through hand contact.

Losing excess weight is not an all-or-nothing proposition. So if you're stalled somewhere above your goal, remember that the handful of pounds you've already lost still count toward good health. If 30 pounds gone would be ideal, 10 gone is still an achievement.

Studies suggest that men and women who routinely drink more than three alcoholic beverages a week have a significantly lower risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis (and less severe symptoms if they do develop the disease) than those who have fewer drinks or none at all.

1. Roasted Edamame You may be familiar with edamame from Japanese restaurants, where they're often served steamed. But these immature soybeans really shine when laid out on a pan, spritzed with oil, salted, and roasted until crispy. You'll never believe these addictive little poppers are loaded with not only vitamins and minerals, but also fiber and a hefty dose of protein.

There's good news when it comes to diabetes: Death rates from the disease are on the decline. In fact, all-cause mortality among individuals with diabetes is down 23 percent, according to researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

You've worked hard all of your life and had a rewarding career. Now, you suddenly find yourself out of work and can't seem to land a new job. Is the tight job market to blame or could you be a victim of age discrimination? Sometimes it can be difficult to tell the difference, but if you're middle age or older, you might have to consider the possibility that your many years of experience are actually being held against you.

Jumping rope is a heart pumping, calorie burning powerhouse exercise. It's portable, affordable, and challenging. All you need to get started is an inexpensive jump rope and some clear space. Jump rope has come a long way since grade school. Any length of rope will do, but plastic and beaded ropes hold their shape better than cloth ropes and cost less than $20.

Fainting is a temporary loss of consciousness and muscle control. Fainting itself usually doesn't cause injury. The danger comes when someone falls down and hits her head or another body part, leading to injury. The most common cause of fainting is a sudden drop in blood pressure.

If while in a meeting you find yourself staring out the window fantasizing about your upcoming vacation, or thinking about how glorious your post-work yoga class will be, you may be considered a bit of a daydreamer. For the most part, daydreaming has a bad wrap—teachers labeled it as "not paying attention" or a lack of mental discipline.

Diagnosing Alzheimer's is tricky because so many of the symptoms resemble those of other forms of dementia and even what is considered normal aging. But according to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America, it is now possible for doctors to identify the disease with up to 90 percent accuracy.

A recent study shows that black pepper, far from being merely a tasty accompaniment to salt, may actually interfere with the body's production of fat cells. Researchers at several universities in Korea discovered that a compound in black pepper called piperine significantly inhibits the formation of new fat cells.

Urinary incontinence is the formal name for the inability to control urinary leakage and it's a common problem among many women. Some men also suffer from incontinence. Common risk factors for incontinence include aging, pregnancy, being overweight, prostate problems, smoking, and taking certain medications.

Nothing announces middle age quite like whipping out a pair of reading glasses in a restaurant so you can read a menu. Our eyes-like the rest of our bodies-change as a natural consequence of aging.  The lenses become cloudy and less flexible which make focusing a challenge, and dryness is often an issue.

Dehydration can do a number on your brain cells. Drinking the wrong beverage can, too. The good news is that boosting your intake of nutritious, thirst-quenching drinks can boost your ability to think clearly, age better, and fight off diseases that can affect the brain.

Pesky germs lurk on common surfaces, just waiting to make you sick. While no area is free of germs, there are heavily trafficked spots that can especially crawl with bacteria and viruses. But even less-traveled areas can also rate high on the germy scale.

Some researchers are saying coconut oil might safely and effectively improve symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. Coconut oil is a good source of fats known as medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs). These types of fats are broken down by the liver into ketones, which can supply quick energy to the brain in the absence of carbohydrates.

Here are five common settings where food allergies and other allergens can put you at risk. Use these tips to help you navigate through each situation safely: 1. Picnic in the Park Your family picnic at the local park can quickly take a turn for the worst if you have food allergies.

Walking is nature's original fitness plan and almost everyone's first form of exercise. But there's walking—and then there's walking—the kind that power-burns calories, super-tones muscles, and makes you sweaty. Before you start speed walking, consider buying a build up walking shoe.

Got stress? You're certainly not alone. Everyone experiences stress in his own way. It may manifest as knotted muscles, painful digestion, troubled sleep, breakouts, chronic illness, weight gain, headaches, and fatigue. And that's just the physical symptoms.

Anxiety is a stressful, debilitating condition. Fortunately, there are many non-pharmaceutical ways to manage and reduce anxiety. For example, according to Gerard V. Sunnen, MD, hypnosis is a potent anti-anxiety tool. Dr. Sunnen is a physician and psychiatrist who regularly incorporates medical hypnotherapy into patient care.

An estimated 19 million new cases of sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia and gonorrhea occur each year in the U.S., making sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) a major public health concern. Close to half of all cases occur in young people between 15 and 24 and, when left untreated or treated late, grave physical and psychological consequences can result.

How do you know if that weird numbness you're experiencing is worrisome or not? Usually, numbness is temporary and not serious, but only your doctor can tell if it indicates trouble. We've got a rundown on common causes for numbness, which ones are serious and which are just a nuisance.

If someone you care about is struggling with depression, anxiety, or some other mental health condition, it's difficult to know how to ease their pain and sadness. Mental disorders are prevalent in the U.S., affecting tens of millions of individuals who have conditions that range from depression and generalized anxiety disorder to bipolar disorder.

You love having a glass of wine at dinner or kicking back with a beer while watching TV at night. Lately, though, that one glass is becoming two, and the beer tastes so good it's hard to stop at one. Is there any way to know whether the alcoholic beverage you enjoy every night is a problem? Could you be gradually drifting over the line between enjoyment and abuse where alcohol is concerned? Alcohol use disorders are bona fide medical conditions.

Before he stepped into a darkened theater and started pumping bullets into moviegoers last month, James Holmes, the suspect in the Aurora, Colorado shootings, didn't seem to display any signs that he would soon commit mass murder. Many Americans are left wondering whether any behavioral red flags could have let on that he was a dangerous sociopath.