Category Archives: Medical

Alzheimer’s Prevention – Yet Another Reason to Exercise

Posted on July 15, 2014 by Greg Asseff

Alzheimer’s disease is a devastating condition that affects both the sufferer and the community of people around them. According to the National Institute on Aging, it’s estimated that around 5.1 million people in the U.S. suffer from the disease, which can eventually cause a person to lose certain thinking, reasoning, memory and behavioral abilities. Health-conscious individuals often begin to think about Alzheimer’s prevention during middle age, as the symptoms of the disease typically start to appear around age 60. While it’s often been thought that more and more people end up suffering from Alzheimer’s simply because we’re all living longer, some new studies indicate that the condition could be somewhat easily preventable. It should come as very little surprise that a healthy diet and a decent amount of exercise play a large role in Alzheimer’s prevention.

Posted in Diet, Exercise, Health, Medical, Mental Health, News, Studies | 339 Comments

Put the Red Wine Down: Alcohol and Heart Health Link Refuted

Posted on July 12, 2014 by Greg Asseff

The results of a new study indicate that it might be time to add red wine to the list of foods such as milk and eggs whose health benefits are famously debated. It’s been generally thought for years that a positive link between alcohol and heart health can exist when alcohol is consumed in moderation. We’ve been told that some forms of alcohol, especially red wine, can reduce the risk of certain types of stroke, heart attack and vascular disease, leading to the thought that a daily glass of wine could be healthy.

In fact, the Harvard School of Public Health claims that over 100 studies have shown a link between small amounts of alcohol and heart health, often concluding that the risk of certain conditions can be reduced by anywhere from 25 to 40 percent. Now, however, a new study published in the British Medical Journal is throwing a wrench in the gears.

Posted in Diet, Food, Health, Medical, Studies | 1,077 Comments

Study Reports Dark Chocolate Can Help Blood Flow

Posted on July 3, 2014 by Greg Asseff

Chocolate is one of the more fascinating foods in existence. Humans have enjoyed it as a tasty treat in many different forms for thousands of years, and according to the California Academy of Sciences, Americans consume around 12 pounds of chocolate per person annually. While it’s typically thought of as a relatively unhealthy food to be eaten sparingly, studies that reveal some of chocolate’s healthy benefits seem to keep popping up.

Past studies have shown that chocolate might be able to lower stroke risk, protect your skin from UV rays, boost vision and improve brain function. We’ve even reported how it could lower BMI. Many of these studies have to do with the fact that dark chocolate is a good source of antioxidants. Now, a small study reports that chocolate could also improve vascular health – as long as the chocolate is dark.

Posted in Diet, Exercise, Health, Medical, News, Studies | 3,071 Comments

Yet Again, Report Shows Vaccines Are Safe

Posted on July 1, 2014 by Greg Asseff

A new report published in the Pediatrics medical journal concludes once again that the benefits of getting your child vaccinated far outweigh the risks. Researchers from the RAND corporation analyzed 67 different research studies and concluded that serious side effects due to immunization are “very rare.” The results echo similar findings presented by the Institute of Medicine almost three years ago.

While most people likely won’t be surprised by these results, the study is still a very important step in curbing the belief that vaccines cause autism. Due to outspoken anti-vaccine proponents, especially celebrities such as Jenny McCarthy, Jim Carrey and Kristin Cavallari, the U.S. is seeing a resurgence of preventable diseases due to parents’ fear that their children will end up being developmentally disabled if they are immunized.

Posted in Health, Medical, News, Parenting, Studies | 1 Comment

FDA Warns Against Using Lidocaine on Teething Babies

Posted on June 26, 2014 by Greg Asseff

Do you have a teething baby at home? Better not give them viscous lidocaine to treat their pain, according to a new consumer update from the FDA. A well-known local anesthetic, lidocaine has been used in the past to numb babies’ gums by either putting the chemical on a pacifier or rubbing it into the mouth using the fingers. However, the FDA reports that the medication has caused babies to suffer brain injuries, heart problems, seizures and even death when swallowed.

Lidocaine is a prescription drug that is used most often to treat throat or mouth ulcers, often in chemotherapy patients. It may also be used to minimize a child’s gag reflex while undergoing dental work. Despite its prescription-only status, parents or grandparents who have it on hand might be tempted to give it to a child suffering from teething pain.