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Worried Sick? There Might Be Some Truth There
A recent report by health provider BUPA has found that people's worries are damaging their health by causing sleepless nights, loss of sex drive, and erratic eating habits. The 2007 Worry Report demonstrates that almost one in five people constantly worry about numerous things, and more than half feel they worry more now than five years ago. Half of the people surveyed this year, which is 6% more than in 2006, claimed they were more worried about their health and their family's health than about other concerning issues such as climate change or terrorist attacks. The survey finds that almost three quarters of people worry, but around 19% admit to worrying all the time or about a number of things. (Read more about Worried Sick? There Might Be Some Truth There)
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Reducing Stress Lowers Risk of Cardiovascular Problems
A Review in The Lancet reveals the importance of healthy lifestyle choices to reduce stressors related to cardiovascular risk factors. Researchers from John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore examined records between 1990 to 2006. They observed how stress affects the sympathetic nervous system, impacts physiology, and the effect it has on the cardiovascular system. Lead author, Daniel Brotman, claims "Acute physical stressors such as sugery, trauma, and intense physical exertion are well known triggers of cardiovascular events. Emotional stressors are increasingly recognized as precipitants of such events." (Read more about Reducing Stress Lowers Risk of Cardiovascular Problems)
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Health Wrap: Reports on Snoring, Fetuses and Pain, Forgetfulness and Baseball
A new study finds that habitual snoring in women is strongly tied to body mass index—a marker of fatness-- and age.
Overall, 7.6 percent of women snore.
The frequency of snoring reaches its peak in women ages 50 to 59.
Frequent snoring was found to increase with alcohol dependence, smoking and physical inactivity.
-- (Read more about Health Wrap: Reports on Snoring, Fetuses and Pain, Forgetfulness and Baseball)
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Croup Treatment Failure
Croup is one of the most common and potentially serious viral respiratory infections in kids. It’s typically treated with humidified air to sooth the airways.
But does that treatment really work?
In kids, croup is the most common cause of difficulty breathing due to airway obstruction in kids. In fact, it’s diagnosed in up to five percent, or one in twenty kids under the age of six. (Read more about Croup Treatment Failure)
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Family History
How well do you know your family medical history?
We mean, really know –in the sense of knowing what each parent, brother, sister, grandparent, and great-grandparent, aunt, uncle, and cousin has or has had in terms of medical conditions. (Read more about Family History)
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Prez Plan Questioned
A US outbreak of Avian Flu may kill as many as 1.9 million Americans and hospitalize 9.9 million. But is President Bush's plan on target to protect the country if a pandemic did occur here?
Some health officials believe this outbreak could be as bad as what happened with the 1918 flu. But if we knew about this current H5N1 flu bug seven years ago, and only now we're getting our protection plan going, is this an example of too little too late? (Read more about Prez Plan Questioned)
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OTC COLD AND FLU RX
The cold and flu season is here, and that means more doctor visits and requests for prescription antibiotics. But new research shows going to the over the counter drug aisle in the pharmacy could provide more relief for you and save billions of dollars a year in healthcare expenditures. (Read more about OTC COLD AND FLU RX)
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HOW TO AVOID A COLD
Holiday cheer won’t be the only thing spread this season. This is the season that colds spread rapidly, often leaving people sniffling and depressed.
“If someone touches you and they have cold, you can easily get it. Particularly if they’ve just wiped their nose,” says internist Dr. Marc Siegel. There are several measures you can take to avoid colds, ensuring that you enjoy your holiday to the maximum. (Read more about HOW TO AVOID A COLD)
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FLU SHOT SCRIMPING
Flu vaccine is a little like liquid gold. at least, this year, with the huge flu vaccine shortage that’s affected the U.S., even those who should get the flu vaccine aren’t getting it. But now there’s new research to show that the limited supply can be stretched if the flu vaccine is given in a different way. (Read more about FLU SHOT SCRIMPING)
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Kids and Flu Vaccine
Flu season typically peaks between December and March, and so now is the time that those most at risk need to get the shot. But there’s some confusion about which children should get it this year because of the shortage.
It’s the same, but a little different when it comes to kids and flu shots. (Read more about Kids and Flu Vaccine)
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