Category Archives: Health

Menopausal Women Can Suffer from Hot Flashes for Up to 14 Years

Posted on February 18, 2015 by Greg Asseff

Hot flashes are an annoying and potentially debilitating side effect of menopause and perimenopause. According to Menopause.org, around 75 percent of perimenopausal women experience hot flashes in the U.S. The exact cause of hot flashes isn’t really known – some believe they could be due to changes in circulation during middle age – but any menopausal woman knows exactly when she’s having one. They’re usually characterized by an intense feeling of warmth in the face and upper body. Nausea, anxiety, sweating, dizziness, headache, rapid heartbeat, and even breathing difficulty can also be present. These symptoms can lead to all sorts of poor quality of life issues such as sleep disturbances and sexual problems. It’s been generally thought that women experience hot flashes for six months to five years. According to a grim new study, however, that period is commonly much longer.

Posted in Health, Medical, News, Studies, Women | 251 Comments

Cheap Exercise Apps Just As Accurate As Wearable Fitness Trackers

Posted on February 13, 2015 by Greg Asseff

If you’ve been to the gym lately, chances are good that you’ve seen your fair share of people wearing fitness trackers. If you exercise regularly, you probably even own one yourself. If you’re unfamiliar, though, wearable fitness trackers monitor metrics such as steps taken, calories burned, stairs climbed, distance travelled and even idle hours. Fitness trackers often come in the form of wearable wristbands, necklaces or watches. Some can also be clipped to your clothing. These devices link up to your smartphone or tablet through bluetooth in order to log your activity. The issue that many people have with fitness trackers, however, is the cost. One of the most popular wearable lines, the Fitbit, starts at nearly $60 and has models that cost well over $200. According to a new report, inexpensive smartphone apps can measure the number of steps you’ve taken just as well as an expensive wearable.

Posted in Exercise, Health, News, Studies | 2,761 Comments

Study Says Red Wine Could Facilitate Fat Burning

Posted on February 11, 2015 by Greg Asseff

The healthiness of red wine is a hotly debated topic in the health world. Many health professionals suggest that having a glass of red wine every day can prevent heart problems. It’s thought that the antioxidants in red wine, in addition to the small amount of alcohol, could help prevent heart disease by increasing high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels. HDL, also known as “good” cholesterol, is thought to prevent artery damage. At the same time, some studies suggest that the link between red wine and heart health could more accurately be attributed to genetics.

Either way, red wine could still have health benefits that don’t directly relate to the heart. For example, some researchers suggest that red wine could protect against Alzheimer’s and perhaps even aid in cancer treatment. Now, a new study shows that red wine might help an overweight person burn fat as well.

Posted in Diet, Food, Health, Medical, News, Nutrition, Studies, Weight Loss | 4,513 Comments

Which Comes First: Depression or Binge-Watching?

Posted on February 6, 2015 by Greg Asseff

Americans watch a lot of television. According to TV measurement firm Nielsen, the average American watches five hours of TV every day, and we end up watching more and more TV as we get older. While it’s possible to watch a lot of TV and still be generally healthy, too much television has been linked with higher risks of cancer and early mortality. This is likely due to the physical inactivity associated with TV watching. A relatively new concept, binge-watching, presents additional challenges. Streaming television services such as Netflix and Hulu allow users to spend hours watching episode after episode of shows like Orange Is The New Black or House Of Cards. Often, these services have an autoplay feature that loads the next episode immediately after finishing the last one. According to a new report, this type of TV watching is related to depression.

Posted in Health, Mental Health, News, Studies | 3 Comments

National Sleep Foundation Issues New Sleep Recommendations

Posted on February 4, 2015 by Greg Asseff

Between all the dieting and exercise, people who are trying to get healthy may be overlooking one crucial lifestyle element: sleep. Most people know that sleep is essential for concentration, memory, productivity and overall brain function. However, some might not know that insufficient sleep can raise the risk of serious conditions such as diabetes, obesity, depression, hypertension and even cancer. And it’s not just health-conscious people who should be concerned. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a full 30 percent of civilian employed adults in the U.S. get less than six hours of sleep each night. This means that almost one-third of Americans are getting less than the recommended amount of sleep. Typical sleep recommendations state that eight hours a night is best, but new research from the National Sleep Foundation has changed the guidelines a bit.