It looks like our health grade in this country is a little lower than most of us thought.
It's because nearly half of us suffer from one, or more, of three medical conditions that can lead to heart problems---and some of us don't even know we have these health problems.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, just reported that 45% of Americans have either high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes. All three of these are major risk factors for heart disease. Since heart disease continues to affect over 81 million of us and is still responsible for one out of every three deaths here in the US, these medical conditions are still taking their toll on us.
However, this study had a couple of big surprises. Turns out that 13% of adults have two of these medical conditions and 3% had all three--and the more you have, the more at risk you are for a major heart problem. The biggest concern is the 15% of us that don't even know we have an issue---that's how many still don't have their high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes diagnosed. Without a diagnosis you can't get proper treatment.
So, the main lesson from this CDC study is to realize you might suffer from one of these medical issues. The longer it's not treated the higher your chance of having a heart attack or stroke. So, get checked by your doctor sooner rather than later. There's no time to waste when it comes to your health.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Movies & Drinking
Can the movies your kids watch affect their drinking habits later in life?
Yes they can. And now we are finding out it influences them in more ways than we thought.
In this newest study, researchers found children who aren't allowed to watch R rated movies are also much less likely to drink alcohol at an early age. They looked at over three thousand middle school children and followed them for two years. 19 percent of those whose parents "sometimes" let them see R rated movies started drinking alcohol in that two year period. Compare that to the ones whose parents "never" allowed them to see these movies---only 3 percent of these kids drank alcohol. And it seems the more R rated movies they watched the more likely it was for these kids to drink early on. Those middle school children who were able to watch these movies "all the time"---25 percent of them drank alcohol within the two years of this study.
And this research backs up other studies linking children's viewing of R rated movies and shows with adult content to early drinking, smoking and sex. Part of the reason behind this might be that 90 percent of R rated movies show some type of alcohol drinking. Experts also think that watching adult content in these movies might actually change children's personalities, making them more prone to risk taking.
So you best bet is to watch what your children watch, and if adult issues come up in something, talk with them about these subjects and what it means to both you and them.
Yes they can. And now we are finding out it influences them in more ways than we thought.
In this newest study, researchers found children who aren't allowed to watch R rated movies are also much less likely to drink alcohol at an early age. They looked at over three thousand middle school children and followed them for two years. 19 percent of those whose parents "sometimes" let them see R rated movies started drinking alcohol in that two year period. Compare that to the ones whose parents "never" allowed them to see these movies---only 3 percent of these kids drank alcohol. And it seems the more R rated movies they watched the more likely it was for these kids to drink early on. Those middle school children who were able to watch these movies "all the time"---25 percent of them drank alcohol within the two years of this study.
And this research backs up other studies linking children's viewing of R rated movies and shows with adult content to early drinking, smoking and sex. Part of the reason behind this might be that 90 percent of R rated movies show some type of alcohol drinking. Experts also think that watching adult content in these movies might actually change children's personalities, making them more prone to risk taking.
So you best bet is to watch what your children watch, and if adult issues come up in something, talk with them about these subjects and what it means to both you and them.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Vacations & Getting Sick
It’s that time of the year. Time to start thinking about what to do for summer vacation.
If your plans include traveling, listen up!
Experiencing other cultures and bringing back that special souvenir is what traveling is all about. Getting sick on your trip isn’t.
Preparing now can mean the difference between a fun trip and one you’ll never forget, but for all the wrong reasons.
Most important is to figure out what kind of health concerns are in the area you’re going to. One quick way is to go online to the CDC’s “travel health site”. If vaccinations are required, start them now. Some require more than one shot and some vaccines need to be special ordered so take time to get.
Next figure out what medicines to take with you. Get and ample supply of your prescriptions meds. For traveler’s diarrhea, a common problem, this might need anything from Pepto-Bismol to antibiotics.
And of course none of us expects anything to go wrong on our trip, but accidents do happen, so taking a first aid kit is “essential”. Depending on where you go, this might only contain band aids and Tylenol, or, if exploring more remote areas, be better supplied, with even IV solutions and your own needles.
But trust me, nothing will have you experience your destinations culture up close like having a toothache and trying to find a local dentist. So, go visit one here before your trip, that way you know all your teeth are in good shape, saving you big headaches, or toothaches, later on.
But the most “important” point to remember is to have fun. It’s your vacation; just prepare a little now to make it a smooth one.
wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel
If your plans include traveling, listen up!
Experiencing other cultures and bringing back that special souvenir is what traveling is all about. Getting sick on your trip isn’t.
Preparing now can mean the difference between a fun trip and one you’ll never forget, but for all the wrong reasons.
Most important is to figure out what kind of health concerns are in the area you’re going to. One quick way is to go online to the CDC’s “travel health site”. If vaccinations are required, start them now. Some require more than one shot and some vaccines need to be special ordered so take time to get.
Next figure out what medicines to take with you. Get and ample supply of your prescriptions meds. For traveler’s diarrhea, a common problem, this might need anything from Pepto-Bismol to antibiotics.
And of course none of us expects anything to go wrong on our trip, but accidents do happen, so taking a first aid kit is “essential”. Depending on where you go, this might only contain band aids and Tylenol, or, if exploring more remote areas, be better supplied, with even IV solutions and your own needles.
But trust me, nothing will have you experience your destinations culture up close like having a toothache and trying to find a local dentist. So, go visit one here before your trip, that way you know all your teeth are in good shape, saving you big headaches, or toothaches, later on.
But the most “important” point to remember is to have fun. It’s your vacation; just prepare a little now to make it a smooth one.
wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Sleep & Weight Connection
Do you want to lose weight. Your best bet might be to get more sleep.
The connection is it seems like the less you sleep, the more you eat, and of course the more you eat, the more weight you gain.
There's a long held belief that there's a close tie between sleeping and eating with some studies showing a tight connection between sleep and body mass index, or BMI. And if you've noticed over the last few decades we, as a society, have been sleeping less and gaining more weight. So researchers from France decided to look into the connection between the two to see if it's true.
Turns out, it is. These researchers used twelve normal weight men and had them sleep and eat. During the study they could eat as much as they wanted but were told how much to sleep, either four or eight hours.
When they only slept four hours, they also ended up eating 650 more calories. Surprisingly they only ended up eating more for breakfast and dinner but not for lunch.
The researchers involved in this study think part of the reason we eat more when we don't sleep is because our bodies are trained to store calories in the summer months, when nights are shorter and food is more plentiful. Their suggestion is simple, do your best to get adequate sleep to help fight the weight battle.
The connection is it seems like the less you sleep, the more you eat, and of course the more you eat, the more weight you gain.
There's a long held belief that there's a close tie between sleeping and eating with some studies showing a tight connection between sleep and body mass index, or BMI. And if you've noticed over the last few decades we, as a society, have been sleeping less and gaining more weight. So researchers from France decided to look into the connection between the two to see if it's true.
Turns out, it is. These researchers used twelve normal weight men and had them sleep and eat. During the study they could eat as much as they wanted but were told how much to sleep, either four or eight hours.
When they only slept four hours, they also ended up eating 650 more calories. Surprisingly they only ended up eating more for breakfast and dinner but not for lunch.
The researchers involved in this study think part of the reason we eat more when we don't sleep is because our bodies are trained to store calories in the summer months, when nights are shorter and food is more plentiful. Their suggestion is simple, do your best to get adequate sleep to help fight the weight battle.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Allergies And Contacts
If your allergies are flaring up right now, you're not alone. Part of the problem might lie in contacts.
I think most of us are familiar with it this time of the year. Runny nose, constant sneezing and watery/itchy eyes. It's definitely allergy time again. But when it comes to your red, watery and itchy eyes, how much you suffer could depend on how you use your contacts.
According to a newly released statement by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America most people with eye allergy symptoms say Spring is the worst time of year. And for contact lens wearers, Spring can be particularly frustrating. Nearly half say they can't even wear contacts every day this time of the year because of eye allergy problems.
It turns out switching to a "one-day" lens might help solve the issue. Contact lenses you use more long term, switching out only monthly or every other week, can gather deposits. Plus, research has shown that not everyone replaces these lenses when their supposed to, giving them even more time to gather deposits. And some of those deposits on the lenses you put back in your eye can increase allergy symptoms, especially in the Spring.
So, according to this group, switching to "one-day" contacts this time of the year might also give you some relief from the redness and itching that sometimes goes with Spring in the Rockies.
I think most of us are familiar with it this time of the year. Runny nose, constant sneezing and watery/itchy eyes. It's definitely allergy time again. But when it comes to your red, watery and itchy eyes, how much you suffer could depend on how you use your contacts.
According to a newly released statement by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America most people with eye allergy symptoms say Spring is the worst time of year. And for contact lens wearers, Spring can be particularly frustrating. Nearly half say they can't even wear contacts every day this time of the year because of eye allergy problems.
It turns out switching to a "one-day" lens might help solve the issue. Contact lenses you use more long term, switching out only monthly or every other week, can gather deposits. Plus, research has shown that not everyone replaces these lenses when their supposed to, giving them even more time to gather deposits. And some of those deposits on the lenses you put back in your eye can increase allergy symptoms, especially in the Spring.
So, according to this group, switching to "one-day" contacts this time of the year might also give you some relief from the redness and itching that sometimes goes with Spring in the Rockies.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Spring Sports Injuries
Spring time also means sports time for many of us. But it can also mean injury time if you're not careful.
Here are some tips to help you avoid getting hurt.
No matter what the sport, we always see an upswing in injuries during the Spring. Part of the reason is because after a few winter months of only intermittent sports activity or none at all, most of us are anxious to get back at it. The problem is that sometimes we are a bit too anxious and jump in with vigor only to find ourselves with an injury.
The best way to avoid this is to remember a couple of key points. Number one, start off slow and don't go all out the first few weeks. Secondly, and this isn’t always the easiest thing for most of us to remember, but we aren’t 16 anymore. That means we aren’t quite as spry and agile as we were a few years ago so we’ll need more time to recover, especially after a tough go at it.
Some other tips to help keep you safe include making sure you warm up before exercising. And once you do start exercising you need to keep things consistent. Trying to be a weekend warrior and only playing a couple of days a week can set you up for an injury early on. Also, make sure you’re prepared for your particular sport. Check the equipment that’s been lying around all winter long to make sure it’s not worn out.
But perhaps the biggest tip is to remember to listen to your body and let pain be your guide. If it hurts to do something, than slow down or switch to a different activity. If you do get hurt, you might need to visit a doctor. But you also need to give yourself time to recover. Remember, you aren’t 16 anymore so won’t bounce back quite as quickly.
Here are some tips to help you avoid getting hurt.
No matter what the sport, we always see an upswing in injuries during the Spring. Part of the reason is because after a few winter months of only intermittent sports activity or none at all, most of us are anxious to get back at it. The problem is that sometimes we are a bit too anxious and jump in with vigor only to find ourselves with an injury.
The best way to avoid this is to remember a couple of key points. Number one, start off slow and don't go all out the first few weeks. Secondly, and this isn’t always the easiest thing for most of us to remember, but we aren’t 16 anymore. That means we aren’t quite as spry and agile as we were a few years ago so we’ll need more time to recover, especially after a tough go at it.
Some other tips to help keep you safe include making sure you warm up before exercising. And once you do start exercising you need to keep things consistent. Trying to be a weekend warrior and only playing a couple of days a week can set you up for an injury early on. Also, make sure you’re prepared for your particular sport. Check the equipment that’s been lying around all winter long to make sure it’s not worn out.
But perhaps the biggest tip is to remember to listen to your body and let pain be your guide. If it hurts to do something, than slow down or switch to a different activity. If you do get hurt, you might need to visit a doctor. But you also need to give yourself time to recover. Remember, you aren’t 16 anymore so won’t bounce back quite as quickly.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
More People Overdosing
More and more Americans are ending up in the ER from overdoses. But what they're overdosing on may surprise you.
It's not the street drugs you might think about, or even household chemicals, but medicines that come from people's medicine cabinets that is getting them into trouble.
According to a just released report, more Americans are landing in the hospital because of overdoses from prescription painkillers, sedatives and even tranquilizers. And surprisingly, the ones most at risk are city living middle aged women.
This study found between 1999 and 2006, hospital admissions due to poisonings by these medications increased 65 percent. That number is about twice the increase from overdosing on all other drugs or medicinal substances.
According to the authors of this report, unintentional poisoning is now the second leading cause of unintentional injury death in the US. Among 35 to 54 year olds, it even surpassed motor vehicle crashes as the leading cause of unintentional injury death in 2005.
Experts can't site any single cause for this increase but do say part of the problem stems from an increase in how available these prescription medicines are today. To try and help reduce the numbers of overdoses, they are hoping doctors start to rethink the types and numbers of medicines they are prescribing and they fell the public needs to better understand the dangers associated with them .
It's not the street drugs you might think about, or even household chemicals, but medicines that come from people's medicine cabinets that is getting them into trouble.
According to a just released report, more Americans are landing in the hospital because of overdoses from prescription painkillers, sedatives and even tranquilizers. And surprisingly, the ones most at risk are city living middle aged women.
This study found between 1999 and 2006, hospital admissions due to poisonings by these medications increased 65 percent. That number is about twice the increase from overdosing on all other drugs or medicinal substances.
According to the authors of this report, unintentional poisoning is now the second leading cause of unintentional injury death in the US. Among 35 to 54 year olds, it even surpassed motor vehicle crashes as the leading cause of unintentional injury death in 2005.
Experts can't site any single cause for this increase but do say part of the problem stems from an increase in how available these prescription medicines are today. To try and help reduce the numbers of overdoses, they are hoping doctors start to rethink the types and numbers of medicines they are prescribing and they fell the public needs to better understand the dangers associated with them .
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