With the new year around the corner, it's time to start thinking about what resolutions we'd like to make for 2012. If you haven't already considered it, why not make keeping your cholesterol -- and your heart -- healthy a priority for the new year. Although your genes can play a big role in high cholesterol and heart disease -- so does your lifestyle. Are you eating healthy or do you have any bad habits (such as smoking or stressing out a lot) that may be preventing you from having a healthy heart? This article will help address the top lifestyle faux pas that could be affecting your cholesterol and ways you can address them.
The beginning of the New Year is around the corner. Hopefully you take this time to think about what you can do to improve your health and quality of life.
Diabetes is a complicated disease that effects all bodily systems. As you ponder setting new goals or resolve to work harder in a particular area, here are some links to simple advice for better control.
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If you can see a picture or a movie, you may be more likely to watch and remember some important health information. About.com has a wonderful collection of videos to help you understand more about your asthma and your lungs. Check them out and let me know what you think.
- What Is Bronchitis?
Bronchitis can complicate your asthma. Learn what bronchitis is and what you can do about it.
- Can Thunderstorms Cause An Asthma Attack
Do you ever notice that your asthma is worse after a thunderstorm? Learn why this happens in this interesting video.
- How to Use a Rescue Inhaler
Are you using your asthma inhaler correctly? Find out here.
What other videos would you like to see related to asthma?
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Asthma Videos From About.com originally appeared on About.com Asthma on Monday, December 5th, 2011 at 05:52:42.
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Study: Healthy Food = Healthy Brain
Here's one more reason to eat healthy in 2012. A recent study again confirmed what several other studies have shown- healthy eating is good for your brain.
According to the journal Neurology, researchers in the Oregon Brain Aging Study tested the blood of 104 participants for levels of various nutrients. They then looked at symptoms of brain health, such as cognitive function and brain size as seen on an MRI. While past studies have relied on individuals' reports of what they ate, this study tested actual levels of nutrients present in the participants.
The results? People in the study who showed high levels of nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins C, D, E and B had better brain health. They were less likely to develop symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, and their brains were less likely to display signs of aging on MRIs such as shrinkage.
Additionally, participants whose blood showed high levels of trans fat experienced a decline in their memory and ability to process thoughts.
Wondering where to get this brain food? Omega-3 fatty acids are mostly found in fish, such as mackerel, lake trout, herring, sardines, albacore tuna, and salmon, as well as other foods such as nuts, beans and flax seeds. The great thing about omega-3 fatty acids is that they're associated with better heart health as well.
Unfortunately, trans fat is found in many of the things I love to eat...cookies, fried foods, donuts and more. Guess it's time to put those resolutions to work!
You may also be interested in these articles:
12 Ways to Exercise Your Brain
Symptoms of Alzheimer's
6 Tips to Improve Your Memory and Recall
Study: Healthy Food = Healthy Brain originally appeared on About.com Alzheimers Disease on Friday, January 6th, 2012 at 09:00:42.
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National Survey Examines Opinions of Parents of Children With ADHD
In July 2011 an online survey was conducted to determine attitudes and opinions among parents of children with ADHD. More than 1,000 parents and caregivers of children under the age of 12 who had been diagnosed with ADHD responded to range of topics related to managing their child's symptoms and behaviors.
Read About Survey
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National Survey Examines Opinions of Parents of Children With ADHD originally appeared on About.com ADD / ADHD on Wednesday, December 28th, 2011 at 10:49:45.
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Excedrin, Bufferin, Gas-X and More Recalled
Novartis Consumer Health Inc. has recalled multiple lots of Excedrin, NoDoz, Bufferin and Gas-X Prevention because the tablets may be chipped or broken or the packages may contain stray tablets, capsules or caplets from other Novartis medications.
Recalled products include:
- All lots of certain Excedrin products with an expiration date of Dec 20, 2014 or earlier
- All lots of Bufferin products with an expiration date of Dec 20, 2013 or earlier
- All lots of Gas-X Prevention products with an expiration date of Dec 20, 2013 or earlier
- All lots of NoDoz products with an expiration date of Dec 20, 2014 or earlier
The company states that no adverse events have been reported at this time, but the recall is being initiated because of the possibility that people could get the wrong dose of the medication they are taking due to broken or chipped tablets or that they could ingest other medications unknowingly due to stray tablets in the packaging. This could result in medication interactions or allergic reaction.
If you have any of the recalled products, stop taking them and contact Novartis Consumer Healthcare at 1-888-477-2403 (available Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time) to get a full refund. If you believe you may have developed any problems after taking one of the recalled products, contact your health care provider. You can also report adverse events through the FDA's MedWatch Adverse Events Reporting Program.
For more information about this recall,
Excedrin, Bufferin, Gas-X and More Recalled originally appeared on About.com Cold & Flu on Monday, January 9th, 2012 at 11:05:37.
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Maybe Grandma Was Right
With all of our "new and improved" medications it turns out that some of the old ones may be the best choices. (Do I sound like a broken record yet?) A recent Cochrane Review looked at various studies involving migraine treatments and they found that a single dose of 900 to 1000 mg of aspirin was effective at treating migraines in a lot of people. In fact, in patients with moderate to severe migraine symptoms, aspirin eliminated the pain within two hours for about 1 in 4 people. Half of the patients reported that their pain was reduced to mild pain after taking the aspirin.
And aspirin alone was effective in reducing some of the problems that can accompany a migraine like nausea, vomiting, and light- and sound sensitivity (photophobia and phonophobia). Adding Reglan (metoclopramide) increased the chance that these symptoms would disappear. Aspirin and Reglan together were found to be as effective as a 50 mg dose of the migraine drug sumatriptan, although sumatriptan was a bit more effective at higher doses.
Does all of this mean you need to abandon your old treatment choices? Not necessarily, but for some people it means they may want to reevaluate what they've been doing. Aspirin is cheaper and readily available, so it may be a reasonable choice for many people. If you have an allergy to aspirin, or if you bleed easily or have stomach problems you should definitely talk to your doctor before you reach for it. As with all headache treatments, discuss your questions and concerns with your health care provider and he or she can help you find the best treatment for you.
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Maybe Grandma Was Right originally appeared on About.com Headaches / Migraine on Thursday, April 15th, 2010 at 08:50:21.
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Study Confirms Link Between Migraines and Stroke
A review in the American Journal of Medicine analyzing the results of 21 previous studies found that those who regularly suffer from migraine headaches are more likely to experience ischemic stroke, in which a blockage prevents bloodflow to a part of the brain, often causing permanent damage. The risk of stroke is about twice as likely for migraine sufferers than it is for people who do not get migraines, but those with headaches should remember that the overall risk of stroke remains low.
Doctors haven't determined the reason for the connection, but nonetheless migraine patients can take action to prevent stroke by doing such things as quitting smoking and lowering cholesterol. Experts also recommend extra precautions to control diabetes and high blood pressure.
Study Confirms Link Between Migraines and Stroke originally appeared on About.com Headaches / Migraine on Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010 at 15:39:37.
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Study Shows Cognitive Decline Can Start as Early as Age 45
As people age, they often show a slight decline in the ability to remember or process new information. This is different from the development of dementia and is often referred to as normal age-related changes. It has commonly been thought that this kind of cognitive decline doesn't typically show up until after the age of 60; however, a study published two days ago in the journal BMJ asserts that declines in memory and reasoning can surface as early as 45.
This recent study involved 7390 participants. Researchers tested men and women three times a year for 10 years to measure their cognitive abilities on various tests. The results indicated an overall gradual decline for both men and women in all age categories tested, even in the youngest age group of 45-49. (The exception for this decline was in the area of vocabulary, which often remains more stable.)
Why is this important (as well as scary)? There have been several other previous studies concluding that little or no cognitive decline is found in typical adults before age 55 or 60. If this new study is correct, it could impact the way we do research on prevention and treatment for Alzheimer's and other types of dementia. Not all age-related brain changes develop into Alzheimer's, but if brain changes are beginning decades before we previously thought, we should be conducting research and treatment far earlier in the process.
Also, this study serves as a reminder for those of us who put off exercise and healthy eating for later in life, thinking that we'll change our habits when we're older or when we start to have medical problems. Physical exercise, mental exercise, and a healthy diet all contribute to a healthy brain. This latest research underscores the importance of being intentional with maintaining an active, healthy body and mind now, no matter what your age.
So, what's one thing you're going to do today to improve your health?
Study Shows Cognitive Decline Can Start as Early as Age 45 originally appeared on About.com Alzheimers Disease on Saturday, January 7th, 2012 at 12:54:37.
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It's 2012 -- Did You Just Develop an Allergy to Alcohol?
If you're reading this blog, there's a good chance that you had a good time last night. Maybe a really good time. But you're probably not having that great of a time today, likely as a result of some sort of a reaction to alcoholic beverages. Most people have experienced a hang over from drinking too much alcohol (and not enough water), but could you be experiencing an allergic reaction to alcohol? There are a variety of different types of reactions that a person could experience from alcohol, from a variety of different causes. Some of these could include an allergic reaction (or at least mimic an allergic reaction), non-allergic intolerance, or could simply be an expected pharmacologic effect from too much alcohol. Whatever the cause is, people who experience these reactions want to know how to deal with it -- and how to prevent it from happening again.
Learn more:
It's 2012 -- Did You Just Develop an Allergy to Alcohol? originally appeared on About.com Allergies on Sunday, January 1st, 2012 at 11:11:21.
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Stroke or Headache? When Migraine Symptoms Mimic Stroke Symptoms
The video of reporter Serene Branson (KCBS-TV) slurring her speech and speaking gibberish while covering the Grammys has gone viral, making headlines all over the country. Many people wondered, did she have a stroke on air? Did she drink a little too much at the show?
But during a follow up interview, Branson revealed that she suffered from a complex migraine. The symptoms of a complex migraine, slurred speech and slight numbness on the side of the face, mimic that of a stroke.
According to Branson, she came down with a severe headache around 10PM. As she reviewed her notes, "the words on the page are blurry" and she noticed that her "thoughts were not forming the way they normally do." While on air, there was an numbness on the right side of her face that prevented of her from saying what she wanted.
While the symptoms of a complex migraine and a stroke may appear similar, the two conditions are different. A complex migraine is caused by an electrical malfunction in the brain, while stroke is caused by a restriction of blood to the brain. Also, the effects of a complex migraine are reversible. The symptoms only last up to an hour at the most.
If you are feeling any of the symptoms of a severe migraine, especially for an extended period of time, don't hesitate to see a doctor.
Stroke or Headache? When Migraine Symptoms Mimic Stroke Symptoms originally appeared on About.com Headaches / Migraine on Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011 at 14:19:45.
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NIVW: Your Flu Vaccine Options
Just a few years ago, if you wanted a flu vaccine, you had only one option - the seasonal flu shot. But we have come a long way in recent years and you now have multiple options to protect yourself from the flu. The vaccine can now be delivered in a variety of ways depending on your age and health status.
Seasonal Flu Shot
The traditional flu shot is a shot that is injected into the muscle and is available for anyone over the age of 6 months. There are a few reasons you might not be able to get this type of flu vaccine - including severe egg allergies, history of Guillain-Barre syndrome after a previous flu vaccine or a serious allergy to any other component of the vaccine.
Nasal Spray Flu Vaccine (FluMist)
This flu vaccine requires no needle, so it is a great option for kids or anyone who really dislikes shots. However, it can only be given to people between the ages of 2 and 49 who have no history of asthma or wheezing.
FluZone Intradermal Flu Vaccine
If you aren't a fan of shots but you can't get the FluMist due to age or health history, you may want to try the FluZone Intradermal Flu Vaccine. It is an injected vaccine, but the needle is 90% smaller than the needle used for a traditional flu shot and less vaccine is needed as well. It is injected just into the skin rather than all the way into the muscle but is only approved for adults between the ages of 18 and 64.
High Dose Flu Vaccine
Designed specifically for adults age 65 and older, the high dose flu vaccine provides more antigen than the regular flu shot, allowing the body to develop better immunity to the virus.
The Future of the Flu Vaccine
While they are not ready yet, researchers are working hard to develop better more effective flu vaccines. These may include:
As you can see, we have come a long way with the development of flu shots in just a few years. Hopefully, the trend will continue.
NIVW: Your Flu Vaccine Options originally appeared on About.com Cold & Flu on Friday, December 9th, 2011 at 04:00:42.
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How To CrossFit Train Your Brain
If you're like me, you may remember playing a game as a child where you had to figure out which of a group of things did not fit with each other. Well, take the following words: Alzheimer's, dementia, prevention, brain health, CrossFit training. Which doesn't fit?
They all fit. Are you familiar with CrossFit training? It's a method of physical exercise that uses many different ways to torture, I mean, work out, your muscles and cardiovascular system. The theory behind CrossFit training is that using your body in many different ways is better than just going out and running every day.
So, how does CrossFit training fit in with Alzheimer's? Some of the latest research seems to indicate that using our brains in a variety of ways can help delay symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. Other researchers feel that using our brains actively doesn't only delay symptoms but can also assist in prevention. While there is no scientifically proven way to completely prevent Alzheimer's yet, there has been solid research showing a delay in symptoms, as I outlined recently.
Now, to clarify, I've seen many individuals who appear to have done everything right, in terms of living an active, healthy lifestyle, both with their body and brain, and yet they still have Alzheimer's disease. We don't have this down to a science yet. There have been, however, significant studies conducted that show clear benefits of an active brain, including delay of Alzheimer's symptoms, mood improvement and overall physical health.
What are some ways you can cross train your brain? Glad you asked. I've compiled a list of 12 ways to stretch your brain for you to consider, but would also welcome your ideas and thoughts.
How To CrossFit Train Your Brain originally appeared on About.com Alzheimers Disease on Thursday, December 22nd, 2011 at 19:54:07.
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Concomitant Use of Krystexxa and Other Urate Lowering Drugs Not Advised for Gout
The American College of Rheumatology published an issue of Hotline on January 18, 2012 over concerns regarding concomitant use of Krystexxa (pegloticase) and urate-lowering drugs, such as allopurinol and Uloric (febuxostat), in gout patients. Krystexxa was FDA approved for the treatment of chronic gout refractory to conventional treatment. During clinical trials, it was determined that antibodies to Krystexxa were common in patients treated with the drug. It was also noted that high titer antibody (i.e., high levels of the antibody) were linked to loss of response to Krystexxa and an increased risk of infusion reactions, including anaphylaxis.
In December 2011, the manufacturer of Krystexxa sent a letter to advise healthcare providers against concomitant use of Krystexxa and other urate-lowering drugs. Although Krystexxa was used in clinical trials as monotherapy (the only drug given), post-marketing surveillance revealed the issue of concomitant use in clinical practice. It is recommended that gout patients who are successfully treated with conventional urate lowering drugs should stick with those before considering Krystexxa. Also, urate lowering drugs should be discontinued before using Krystexxa and should not be re-started while Krystexxa is being used. Krystexxa should be used with caution in patients with congestive heart failure. Patients who have G6PD deficiency should not use Krystexxa.
Obtaining a routine serum urate level a few days before an infusion of Krystexxa can help identify patients who may be losing their response to the drug and who may be at risk for an infusion reaction. If pre-treatment serum urate is greater than 6 mg/dl, your doctor may suggest discontinuing Krystexxa.
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Concomitant Use of Krystexxa and Other Urate Lowering Drugs Not Advised for Gout originally appeared on About.com Arthritis on Wednesday, January 18th, 2012 at 23:22:05.
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Can Low Impact Exercises Help Lower Cholesterol?
While it is well-known that more rigorous exercises, such as jogging, running, or cycling, can help lower cholesterol, not much is usually said about low-impact exercises. Low impact exercises can be an excellent alternative to those of us who cannot participate in high activity exercises -- whether it is due to a medical condition or a strong dislike for aerobic exercise. While studies are showing that low impact exercises are important in keeping your figure trim and improving well-being, there is evidence to suggest that these exercises may help keep your cholesterol levels low, too. Low impact exercises range from yoga to pilates. Find out which of your favorite low impact exercises will help you lower your cholesterol, as well as keep your heart healthy.
Can Low Impact Exercises Help Lower Cholesterol? originally appeared on About.com Cholesterol on Thursday, December 8th, 2011 at 22:31:34.
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Simple Fruit Platters to Make Life Easier
Gatherings and parties usually mean there is a nice spread of desserts. I know sometimes I am tempted to pick at them just because they are there. I sit around the table with family and friends and try a bit of this or that, maybe have one more cookie. It's easy to ignore those bits of high carbohydrates that make it into your mouth, and you can unknowingly indulge too much on food that may not even have any good nutrition to offer. Why oh why can't sugar be a high-nutrition food group? What can you do? You can bring a healthier sweet option, one that is brimming in good nutrition that possibly has some health benefits.
Here are some very simple ideas for fruit platters. Because we may run into this situation often, it's a good idea to have an arsenal of quick, easy sweet options to take with you. Do you have your own ideas to share?
5 Simple and Fresh Fruit Platters
Simple Fruit Platters to Make Life Easier originally appeared on About.com Diabetes on Saturday, December 31st, 2011 at 05:33:47.
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Mental Exercise in Early & Middle Years = Reduced Brain Plaques Later in Life
Think you're too young to try to prevent Alzheimer's disease? Think again.
The latest research published in the Archives of Neurology journal concludes (as have other studies) that brain exercise is an important tool in reducing your risk of Alzheimer's. But this time, researchers looked at the level of mental exercise in early and middle life as self-reported by 65 participants with an average age of 76. They found that individuals who reported an active cognitive lifestyle (defined by reading, writing and playing games) in their early and middle years displayed fewer beta-amyloid deposits on current PET scans. Beta-amyloid deposits are found in abundance in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease and are a main component of amyloid plaques, one of the diagnostic hallmarks of the disease. Interestingly, no correlation was found with current mental activity and beta-amyloid deposits.
Most of the other research up to now has connected current mental fitness and activity levels with the absence of symptoms of Alzheimer's. This new research is significant in two ways:
- It correlates brain exercise in the early and middle years of life with outcomes later in life.
- It demonstrates a reduction in the physiological development of brain plaques that accompany Alzheimer's disease.
If our brains are impacted decades before Alzheimer's develops and we can reduce the risk simply by working out mentally, that's a pretty time and cost-efficient way to work towards prevention of a disease that affects over 5.3 million Americans.
Wondering where to start? Here's a list of 12 ways to exercise your brain.
Mental Exercise in Early & Middle Years = Reduced Brain Plaques Later in Life originally appeared on About.com Alzheimers Disease on Wednesday, January 25th, 2012 at 08:34:02.
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Celebrating New Years with Alcohol and Type 2 Diabetes?
As the countdown to the New Year draws near, you might find yourself celebrating with liquid spirits on New Years Eve. Learn the facts about alcohol and diabetes. Make use of safety tips and learn serving sizes to ensure you are smart while you celebrate.
The Facts About Alcohol and Diabetes
Celebrating New Years with Alcohol and Type 2 Diabetes? originally appeared on About.com Diabetes on Saturday, December 31st, 2011 at 08:59:19.
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The FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) is advising healthcare professionals and patients of a potential problem with 