If you want to cut down on your chances of having a heart attack, look no further than you own family.
Have you heard the saying, “an apple doesn’t fall far from the tree?” That means things happen in families, and when it comes to heart problems, that’s definitely true.
Many things go into the "great" equation of life that determines whether you’re going to end up with heart disease. Among those are your diet, whether you smoke and your blood pressure. These are things you can change for the better. But one of the ones you can’t change—your genetics or family history—can have an even bigger influence.
Trying to figure out who is going to have a heart attack before it happens is tough, but there is one big thing you can do to help yourself out---look at how your family members are doing.
Looking closely at "their" health can have a huge impact on "your" health. As a matter of fact, experts predict that if all middle aged adults who have a family history of heart disease were tested themselves, then up to 40% of premature heart attacks could be avoided.
What this essentially tells us is that if a family member has a heart attack, then other family members are at a higher risk themselves. And the closer they are to you, the greater your chance. That means that mother, father, sister and brother have the most impact on your heart health. So, if one of those family members has had a heart problem, then your chances go up even more.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Thursday, February 3, 2011
College Students & Stress
College is usually thought of as being a fun-filled 4 years, but new information is showing the toll stress is taking on students.
College has always been stressful, but nowadays it seems even more students are having trouble handling that stress than ever before. UCLA's Higher Education Research Institute has been conducting a survey of college students since 1965. This year the research showed that freshman are experiencing and reporting more stress than anytime in the last 25 years, both for their first year in college and even for their senior year in high school, a time most of them are stressing out trying to get into their choice of colleges.
Only 52%, barely half of college freshman, rated themselves as “above average” when it came to emotional health. And college counselors agree since they report seeing more students because of stress and depression. Plus they say more of them tend to arrive to college already on some type of psychiatric medication.
Part of the reason for this increase in stress is that more than ever before, college students are worried about the bad economy and whether college is even worth it---will they get a job once they graduate? And although this survey just looked at freshman, upperclassmen report even more stress, especially as they get closer to graduation.
If you have a college student, or one about to enter college your best bet is to simply be a great listener and find out what they have to say about the things they are going through at school.
College has always been stressful, but nowadays it seems even more students are having trouble handling that stress than ever before. UCLA's Higher Education Research Institute has been conducting a survey of college students since 1965. This year the research showed that freshman are experiencing and reporting more stress than anytime in the last 25 years, both for their first year in college and even for their senior year in high school, a time most of them are stressing out trying to get into their choice of colleges.
Only 52%, barely half of college freshman, rated themselves as “above average” when it came to emotional health. And college counselors agree since they report seeing more students because of stress and depression. Plus they say more of them tend to arrive to college already on some type of psychiatric medication.
Part of the reason for this increase in stress is that more than ever before, college students are worried about the bad economy and whether college is even worth it---will they get a job once they graduate? And although this survey just looked at freshman, upperclassmen report even more stress, especially as they get closer to graduation.
If you have a college student, or one about to enter college your best bet is to simply be a great listener and find out what they have to say about the things they are going through at school.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Hot Flashes & Breast Cancer Risk
Hot flashes aren't something any woman looks forward to, but now there might be a little good news about them.
For the first time researchers looked at the connection between menopause and breast cancer risk and found one might actually help the other.
Hot flashes and night sweats are some of the symptoms of menopause familiar to most women and ones they would probably rather do without. But in a new study, researchers found that women who had the most hot flashes during menopause also had a lower risk of getting breast cancer. In fact, those with the most severe symptoms had a 50% lower chance of getting either of the two most common types of breast cancer----invasive ductal and invasive lobular carcinoma.
Experts think part of the reason this is happening is because of the role the hormones estrogen and progesterone play in breast cancer. Reduction in these hormones, which can cause severe menopause symptoms, might also protect against breast cancer.
Although this connection is still being studied, experts say it's another good step in our understanding of breast cancer. In the meanwhile, it might also just put a little silver lining on those menopause symptoms most women would rather do without.
For the first time researchers looked at the connection between menopause and breast cancer risk and found one might actually help the other.
Hot flashes and night sweats are some of the symptoms of menopause familiar to most women and ones they would probably rather do without. But in a new study, researchers found that women who had the most hot flashes during menopause also had a lower risk of getting breast cancer. In fact, those with the most severe symptoms had a 50% lower chance of getting either of the two most common types of breast cancer----invasive ductal and invasive lobular carcinoma.
Experts think part of the reason this is happening is because of the role the hormones estrogen and progesterone play in breast cancer. Reduction in these hormones, which can cause severe menopause symptoms, might also protect against breast cancer.
Although this connection is still being studied, experts say it's another good step in our understanding of breast cancer. In the meanwhile, it might also just put a little silver lining on those menopause symptoms most women would rather do without.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
The Pill & Your Weight
If you've been avoiding birth control pills because you thought you might gain weight, listen up. Looks like that won't happen after all.
This connection between birth control pills and weight gain has been around for decades and it's caused some women to avoid the pill altogether. But a new study is showing that you can't blame the birth control pill. As a matter of fact this study found that not only does it not add weight but in some individuals might actually help you shed some pounds.
Researchers study rhesus monkeys and birth control pills, mainly because these monkeys have reproductive systems close to ours, so birth control pills should affect them and humans the same way. What they found out was that normal weight ones didn't gain any weight on the pill. Surprisingly though, obese monkeys lost both weight and body fat when they where put on the pill. The researchers involved in this study think the same should apply to humans. They also think part of the reason this connection came about in the first place is because older birth control pills had higher levels of estrogen which can cause more water weight, but new pills cut back on this hormone. So, if you've been putting off birth control pills because you were worried about adding weight, you might want to give them a second look.
This connection between birth control pills and weight gain has been around for decades and it's caused some women to avoid the pill altogether. But a new study is showing that you can't blame the birth control pill. As a matter of fact this study found that not only does it not add weight but in some individuals might actually help you shed some pounds.
Researchers study rhesus monkeys and birth control pills, mainly because these monkeys have reproductive systems close to ours, so birth control pills should affect them and humans the same way. What they found out was that normal weight ones didn't gain any weight on the pill. Surprisingly though, obese monkeys lost both weight and body fat when they where put on the pill. The researchers involved in this study think the same should apply to humans. They also think part of the reason this connection came about in the first place is because older birth control pills had higher levels of estrogen which can cause more water weight, but new pills cut back on this hormone. So, if you've been putting off birth control pills because you were worried about adding weight, you might want to give them a second look.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Pets Making Us Sick?
We all love our pets, but could those same pets be making you sick?
Dogs and cats get sick just like we do, but occasionally they pass those sickness on to us. And in some cases it can be a pretty nasty illness, especially if they tend to sleep with you.
A new report from the medical journal “Emerging Infectious Diseases” shows that even seemingly healthy pets can carry parasites, viruses or even bacteria. Researchers have found that over 100 different diseases can be passed from pets to us. And the biggest risk comes from cuddling them.
A recent survey by the American Kennel Club found that 21% of dog owners sleep with them on a regular basis. Although this provides comfort for both the dog and the owner it can also provide a way for infections to pass between the two.
Even though it is rare that this can happen, when it does it can be anything from a small rash to a life-threatening infection.
So, your best bet is to make sure your pet is as healthy as possible. Regular visits to the vet, keeping updated on shots and periodic grooming can help lower your chances of catching anything from them. And after your through playing with or petting them, make sure you and your children wash hands, especially before eating.
Dogs and cats get sick just like we do, but occasionally they pass those sickness on to us. And in some cases it can be a pretty nasty illness, especially if they tend to sleep with you.
A new report from the medical journal “Emerging Infectious Diseases” shows that even seemingly healthy pets can carry parasites, viruses or even bacteria. Researchers have found that over 100 different diseases can be passed from pets to us. And the biggest risk comes from cuddling them.
A recent survey by the American Kennel Club found that 21% of dog owners sleep with them on a regular basis. Although this provides comfort for both the dog and the owner it can also provide a way for infections to pass between the two.
Even though it is rare that this can happen, when it does it can be anything from a small rash to a life-threatening infection.
So, your best bet is to make sure your pet is as healthy as possible. Regular visits to the vet, keeping updated on shots and periodic grooming can help lower your chances of catching anything from them. And after your through playing with or petting them, make sure you and your children wash hands, especially before eating.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Prescription To Play
How's this for a prescription from your doctor----play more.
We are finding out just how import “play time” is for adults.
Remember back to your free and easy childhood. You spent the whole day playing around at one thing or another. Your biggest worry back then was how mad you Mom was going to be because you ruined your new shirt.
Somewhere along the line we became adults and stopped playing. Life was supposed to be serious as we worked our way through the years. But researchers have found that getting that “play” back into your life can help improve your mental and body health. Having time to do what you love, or at least what seems fun, is the key to happiness now just like it was when you were a kid. The difference is that now you probably need it more than ever.
Play time doesn't have to be anything structured or complex. If you've even had a spark of interest in something that sounds fun, go for it. Dance around the house, grab your bike and ride to your buddies house, play Frisbee with your spouse. Just do something out of the ordinary and have a great time. And don't forget what you always knew as a kid---laughter really is the best medicine.
We are finding out just how import “play time” is for adults.
Remember back to your free and easy childhood. You spent the whole day playing around at one thing or another. Your biggest worry back then was how mad you Mom was going to be because you ruined your new shirt.
Somewhere along the line we became adults and stopped playing. Life was supposed to be serious as we worked our way through the years. But researchers have found that getting that “play” back into your life can help improve your mental and body health. Having time to do what you love, or at least what seems fun, is the key to happiness now just like it was when you were a kid. The difference is that now you probably need it more than ever.
Play time doesn't have to be anything structured or complex. If you've even had a spark of interest in something that sounds fun, go for it. Dance around the house, grab your bike and ride to your buddies house, play Frisbee with your spouse. Just do something out of the ordinary and have a great time. And don't forget what you always knew as a kid---laughter really is the best medicine.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
School Lunches, Better "Eats"
The government is making changes to the school lunch program that will hopefully improve our children's health.
Think back to your own school days and the lunch line. The menu back then was interesting and contained things like “mystery” meat and other unidentifiable food choices. Well, for the first time in 15 years the USDA is proposing changes to school lunches that will bring healthier choices to our kids. The goal is to add more fruits, vegetables, whole grains and fat-free or low fat milk to school meals. Right now 32 million kids have school meals. And many of them consume half of their daily calories at school.
So, you can imagine that if the lunch isn't nutritious than the kid isn't eating well for this important meal. And with the obesity crisis still in full swing, the government decided it was time for some big changes. The good news for school systems is they are also increasing the reimbursement to schools by 6 cents a meal to help fund the changes.
So, in the near future look for better “eats” for your kids from the school.
Think back to your own school days and the lunch line. The menu back then was interesting and contained things like “mystery” meat and other unidentifiable food choices. Well, for the first time in 15 years the USDA is proposing changes to school lunches that will bring healthier choices to our kids. The goal is to add more fruits, vegetables, whole grains and fat-free or low fat milk to school meals. Right now 32 million kids have school meals. And many of them consume half of their daily calories at school.
So, you can imagine that if the lunch isn't nutritious than the kid isn't eating well for this important meal. And with the obesity crisis still in full swing, the government decided it was time for some big changes. The good news for school systems is they are also increasing the reimbursement to schools by 6 cents a meal to help fund the changes.
So, in the near future look for better “eats” for your kids from the school.
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