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.
Monday, January 31, 2011
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.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Beating Anxiety By Writing
Do you ever get sweaty palms and a racing heart right before a big test or presentation. Maybe all you need to do to help out is write about it beforehand.
It's called performance anxiety and it's something we've all experienced at one time or another. You have a big test coming up, an important presentation or a job interview, but beforehand all you can do is think about how anxious you are about the whole thing. The problem is that anxiety can make you do worse and blow the whole thing for you.
Some techniques like deep breathing, stretching beforehand or even just positive thinking can help out, but according to this new study, writing about your fears before an upcoming event can help you do better. Researchers had some college students write down their feeling about an upcoming math test. They ended up doing much better on the test. And surprisingly, those sitting quietly before the test, but not writing anything down, actually did worse.
It turns out that worries, like about the upcoming test, take up part of our working memory. This is a type of short term memory we need to do well on tests and when it's already occupied with our anxieties we can't do as well. Writing about them beforehand gets these worries out of this working memory and frees it up so you can do your best.
It's called performance anxiety and it's something we've all experienced at one time or another. You have a big test coming up, an important presentation or a job interview, but beforehand all you can do is think about how anxious you are about the whole thing. The problem is that anxiety can make you do worse and blow the whole thing for you.
Some techniques like deep breathing, stretching beforehand or even just positive thinking can help out, but according to this new study, writing about your fears before an upcoming event can help you do better. Researchers had some college students write down their feeling about an upcoming math test. They ended up doing much better on the test. And surprisingly, those sitting quietly before the test, but not writing anything down, actually did worse.
It turns out that worries, like about the upcoming test, take up part of our working memory. This is a type of short term memory we need to do well on tests and when it's already occupied with our anxieties we can't do as well. Writing about them beforehand gets these worries out of this working memory and frees it up so you can do your best.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Acetaminophen Dangers
The federal government is changing one of the ingredients in prescription painkillers in order to reduce the amount of one of the more dangerous substances in those painkillers. But that substance is one most of us tend to take for granted.
The FDA is limiting the amount of acetaminophen in popular pain medication pills like vicodin or percocet. And they are doing it because it's been linked to thousands of cases of liver damage every year. This ingredient is also the active ingredient in over-the-counter pain medicine like Tylenol, Nyquil or thousands of other medications used to treat any variety of ailments. Most of us tend to take it for granted and it's even touted as being one of the few safe medications pregnant women can use. But like all medicines, both prescription and over the counter, acetaminophen does have side effects. And it's most dangerous one is liver damage, especially if taken in large doses.
One of the problems with the prescription painkillers is that most people don't realize they contain acetaminophen, party because sometimes it's written out as APAP, it's chemical abbreviation. But combine a percocet with a Tylenol and you can begin to reach dangerous levels of this drug. So to help out, the FDA is limiting the amount of this ingredient in prescription pain pills.
The FDA is limiting the amount of acetaminophen in popular pain medication pills like vicodin or percocet. And they are doing it because it's been linked to thousands of cases of liver damage every year. This ingredient is also the active ingredient in over-the-counter pain medicine like Tylenol, Nyquil or thousands of other medications used to treat any variety of ailments. Most of us tend to take it for granted and it's even touted as being one of the few safe medications pregnant women can use. But like all medicines, both prescription and over the counter, acetaminophen does have side effects. And it's most dangerous one is liver damage, especially if taken in large doses.
One of the problems with the prescription painkillers is that most people don't realize they contain acetaminophen, party because sometimes it's written out as APAP, it's chemical abbreviation. But combine a percocet with a Tylenol and you can begin to reach dangerous levels of this drug. So to help out, the FDA is limiting the amount of this ingredient in prescription pain pills.
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