Social networking is everywhere these days, but is it a good source of medical information?
Twitter, FaceBook, MySpace are everywhere these days. These sites allow us to keep in touch with the world all day long. For the most part that can be fun and informative. However, when it comes to your own health, you might want to take a step back. Relying on information you get from a social network site might not be the best step.
As a matter of fact, a new study in the American Journal of Infection Control shows that over a 4-month period in 2009, hundreds of Twitter users posted casual misinformation about antibiotics -- which, in turn, reached more than a million people who followed them.
The problem is when experts looked at this information, they found some of the advice was wrong and could potentially lead to more health problems.
Not all the advice is wrong, but since it's hard to tell the good from the bad, experts have tips on what to do with the information you get from any web site.
1. (& most important) Verify the site with a reputable Website and talk to your doctor. You wouldn't take a pill someone off the street offered you, yet that's essentially what's happening with a tweet.
2. Know the source. If they are trying to sell something, be extra cautious.
Again, not all the information is wrong, but you need to do a little homework to figure out which ones are OK.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
Older Women & Exercise
There is new information out about how much women need to exercise as they get older in order to fight the flab... and it's probably more than you think.
This new study shows, that for women, as they get up into their late 40s and early 50s, one-hour per day is what's needed to keep the weight off.
In the past, we've talked about a whole bunch of studies showing exercising 30-minutes a day, five or more times a week, can help keep you fit. However, no one really took into consideration what happens as we get older.
Although our metabolism slows down, the truth of the matter is we also get more sedentary, yet keep eating the same as we age, and that helps add those creeping pounds you notice every year.
The researchers of this new study looked at over 34,000 women whose average age was 54, and followed them for 13 years. Those that gained little or no weight in those 13 years also ended up being the ones who consistently exercised one-hour per day.
These researchers acknowledge that not everyone can do that and say that less exercise will help keep you healthy, although it may not help you shed the unwanted weight.
This new study shows, that for women, as they get up into their late 40s and early 50s, one-hour per day is what's needed to keep the weight off.
In the past, we've talked about a whole bunch of studies showing exercising 30-minutes a day, five or more times a week, can help keep you fit. However, no one really took into consideration what happens as we get older.
Although our metabolism slows down, the truth of the matter is we also get more sedentary, yet keep eating the same as we age, and that helps add those creeping pounds you notice every year.
The researchers of this new study looked at over 34,000 women whose average age was 54, and followed them for 13 years. Those that gained little or no weight in those 13 years also ended up being the ones who consistently exercised one-hour per day.
These researchers acknowledge that not everyone can do that and say that less exercise will help keep you healthy, although it may not help you shed the unwanted weight.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Tips To Fight Spring Allergies
If you suffer from asthma or allergies, Spring in Colorado can be rough. So, here are some tips that could help keep the sneezing and itching to a minimum.
It’s definitely that time of the year. Although the temperature is all over the place right now, pollen is starting to float around. That means it’s probably starting to be a bad time for your allergies.
But itchy eyes, runny nose and constant sneezing can be helped out by making your house an allergy friendly one.
One recommendation for allergy suffers is to stay indoors during the morning, especially before 10 am. And to head inside if the pollen count is going to be high on a particular day. But the problem is, our indoor environment might not be too allergy friendly either.
But by taking a few simple steps, you can fix that, and make your home---your allergy sanctuary.
By some estimates, a house can have 2 to 5 times the pollution as the outside air. And some of the problems can be found right in your bedroom. Dust mites, those microscopic, alien looking bugs that wreck havoc on your allergies, love soft furnishings---like you bedding material. You can help by covering your mattresses and box springs with a zippered mite-proof case. Do the same for pillows, even those that are hypo-allergenic, or at least wash them in hot water once a week. Before you go to bed, wash your hair, otherwise all the day’s pollen that got in it will be spread to your pillow.
And never allow pets in your bedroom, or for that matter stuffed animals---unless they are the kind that can be washed.
These steps should help keep your house your allergy free zone.
It’s definitely that time of the year. Although the temperature is all over the place right now, pollen is starting to float around. That means it’s probably starting to be a bad time for your allergies.
But itchy eyes, runny nose and constant sneezing can be helped out by making your house an allergy friendly one.
One recommendation for allergy suffers is to stay indoors during the morning, especially before 10 am. And to head inside if the pollen count is going to be high on a particular day. But the problem is, our indoor environment might not be too allergy friendly either.
But by taking a few simple steps, you can fix that, and make your home---your allergy sanctuary.
By some estimates, a house can have 2 to 5 times the pollution as the outside air. And some of the problems can be found right in your bedroom. Dust mites, those microscopic, alien looking bugs that wreck havoc on your allergies, love soft furnishings---like you bedding material. You can help by covering your mattresses and box springs with a zippered mite-proof case. Do the same for pillows, even those that are hypo-allergenic, or at least wash them in hot water once a week. Before you go to bed, wash your hair, otherwise all the day’s pollen that got in it will be spread to your pillow.
And never allow pets in your bedroom, or for that matter stuffed animals---unless they are the kind that can be washed.
These steps should help keep your house your allergy free zone.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Pine Mouth Syndrome
If you get a funny taste in your mouth after eating a salad, it could be the pine nuts.
Americans are using more pine nuts than ever before. Whether cooking, using them as part of a salad or to make a pesto sauce, pine nuts have become more popular. But with this popularity more people are also noticing what doctors call the “pine mouth syndrome”.
Although it's still considered a rare syndrome, last year 51 people reported to the FDA complaints of “taste disturbances” related to pine nuts. Basically, something in these nuts causes a metallic taste in the mouth that can last up to two weeks. Usually the taste change comes about a day or two after eating the nuts or something made with them.
Doctors haven't studied this affect yet. But according to a report just published in the journal of Medical Toxicology by Dr Marc-David Munk, from the University of New Mexico Department of Emergency Medicine, more examples of it are cropping up every year. And although the exact cause isn't known, Dr Munk thinks something in the pine nut affects the signal between taste buds and the brain.
This condition isn't dangerous, and again usually only lasts a week or two. One solution might be as simple as switching to a different bag of pine nuts. Meanwhile, doctors continue to study the issue and hopefully can find the exact cause soon.
Americans are using more pine nuts than ever before. Whether cooking, using them as part of a salad or to make a pesto sauce, pine nuts have become more popular. But with this popularity more people are also noticing what doctors call the “pine mouth syndrome”.
Although it's still considered a rare syndrome, last year 51 people reported to the FDA complaints of “taste disturbances” related to pine nuts. Basically, something in these nuts causes a metallic taste in the mouth that can last up to two weeks. Usually the taste change comes about a day or two after eating the nuts or something made with them.
Doctors haven't studied this affect yet. But according to a report just published in the journal of Medical Toxicology by Dr Marc-David Munk, from the University of New Mexico Department of Emergency Medicine, more examples of it are cropping up every year. And although the exact cause isn't known, Dr Munk thinks something in the pine nut affects the signal between taste buds and the brain.
This condition isn't dangerous, and again usually only lasts a week or two. One solution might be as simple as switching to a different bag of pine nuts. Meanwhile, doctors continue to study the issue and hopefully can find the exact cause soon.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Going Bald & Prostate Cancer
Going bald early on might not be all bad news, especially when it comes to prostate cancer.
It looks like men that go bald early are also less likely to get prostate cancer.
Now, going bald early isn't something most guys look forward to. It's usually a result of genes and based on your family history it can mean a shiny dome earlier than most other guys.
But researchers at the University of Washington School of Medicine have found a silver lining to this. They studied over two thousand men, aged 40 to 46, and looked at their baldness, testosterone levels and how many ended up developing prostate cancer.
It turns out those whose hair started thinning before they turned 30 had up to a 45% reduction in their risk of getting prostate cancer. More importantly, these researchers think they might have found a big clue as to why this was happening, something that could help in the fight against this type of cancer.
The clue came about because men who have higher levels of testosterone also end up losing more hair follicles early on. So now researchers are looking to see if high testosterone levels, and the early baldness--lower the chance of prostate cancer which can combine into a more effective treatment for this type of cancer. A great silver lining to any cloud.
It looks like men that go bald early are also less likely to get prostate cancer.
Now, going bald early isn't something most guys look forward to. It's usually a result of genes and based on your family history it can mean a shiny dome earlier than most other guys.
But researchers at the University of Washington School of Medicine have found a silver lining to this. They studied over two thousand men, aged 40 to 46, and looked at their baldness, testosterone levels and how many ended up developing prostate cancer.
It turns out those whose hair started thinning before they turned 30 had up to a 45% reduction in their risk of getting prostate cancer. More importantly, these researchers think they might have found a big clue as to why this was happening, something that could help in the fight against this type of cancer.
The clue came about because men who have higher levels of testosterone also end up losing more hair follicles early on. So now researchers are looking to see if high testosterone levels, and the early baldness--lower the chance of prostate cancer which can combine into a more effective treatment for this type of cancer. A great silver lining to any cloud.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Pearly Whites
A nice white smile is one reason for a visit to the dentist. But you might also want to visit one before you become pregnant.
It's because that visit might keep you from having a premature baby.
Gum disease has been linked to an increase risk of heart problems and other diseases. But now it looks like that same issue might also increase a pregnant woman's chances of having an early birth.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania looked at women who were between 6 and 20 weeks pregnant and focused in on the health of their teeth and gums. All of the women had some amount of gum disease and were treated. One third of the treatments were successful. Those whose treatment weren't successful also ended up being significantly more likely to give birth before 35 weeks. And since having a preemie can also mean more health problems for the baby, this study, according to the researchers involved, highlights a connection between mom's gum disease and an unborn babies health.
Other experts say the connection between the two hasn't been firmly established yet and that further research is needed. In the meanwhile, getting a dental checkup early in the pregnancy still might be one key to having a healthy child.
It's because that visit might keep you from having a premature baby.
Gum disease has been linked to an increase risk of heart problems and other diseases. But now it looks like that same issue might also increase a pregnant woman's chances of having an early birth.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania looked at women who were between 6 and 20 weeks pregnant and focused in on the health of their teeth and gums. All of the women had some amount of gum disease and were treated. One third of the treatments were successful. Those whose treatment weren't successful also ended up being significantly more likely to give birth before 35 weeks. And since having a preemie can also mean more health problems for the baby, this study, according to the researchers involved, highlights a connection between mom's gum disease and an unborn babies health.
Other experts say the connection between the two hasn't been firmly established yet and that further research is needed. In the meanwhile, getting a dental checkup early in the pregnancy still might be one key to having a healthy child.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Calcium
We're talking about getting more calcium, one trick that may add years to your life.
Calcium is essential for our health but most people simply recognize it as something we need to keep bones strong, especially for women. And for men, the government recommends 1,000 milligrams a day if your 19 to 49 and 1,200 milligrams if your older.
But Swedish researchers wanted to find out if calcium might be more important for men than just to keep their bones strong. So they looked at over twenty thousand between the ages of 45 and 79 to see if calcium might actually help keep them living longer. After following them for ten years they found the ones consuming the most calcium in their diets also ended up having a lower chance of dying by the end of the study. Those same men ended up getting upwards of 2,000 milligrams of calcium a day, nearly double of the recommended daily allowance.
The men in this study got calcium from their diet so it's hard to tell if supplements will work the same way. And like all medications, herbs or supplements, there are side effects to taking too much calcium, and it can interfere with other medications so check with your doctor before adding more to your daily routine.
Calcium is essential for our health but most people simply recognize it as something we need to keep bones strong, especially for women. And for men, the government recommends 1,000 milligrams a day if your 19 to 49 and 1,200 milligrams if your older.
But Swedish researchers wanted to find out if calcium might be more important for men than just to keep their bones strong. So they looked at over twenty thousand between the ages of 45 and 79 to see if calcium might actually help keep them living longer. After following them for ten years they found the ones consuming the most calcium in their diets also ended up having a lower chance of dying by the end of the study. Those same men ended up getting upwards of 2,000 milligrams of calcium a day, nearly double of the recommended daily allowance.
The men in this study got calcium from their diet so it's hard to tell if supplements will work the same way. And like all medications, herbs or supplements, there are side effects to taking too much calcium, and it can interfere with other medications so check with your doctor before adding more to your daily routine.
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