Category Archives: Medical

Benefits of Yoga Actually Pretty Similar to Aerobic Exercise

Posted on December 17, 2014 by Greg Asseff

The commonly accepted benefits of yoga are numerous. It’s thought to improve flexibility, reduce stress, improve posture, build muscle strength, increase focus, enhance mood, improve balance – the list goes on and on. Yoga is often also associated with an overall healthy lifestyle that involves eating nutritious foods in smaller portions. In addition, some practitioners adopt the more spiritual and meditative elements of yoga, which allow them to experience stress relief, relaxation and an overall piece of mind. Despite all these benefits, however, yoga does have its naysayers. People who criticize yoga often state that its effects are exaggerated and that it’s not exactly “exercise.” Indeed, yoga programs don’t always have the aerobic elements that are essential for achieving certain health goals such as weight loss. Now, however, a new study suggests that yoga could be just as effective as aerobic exercise when it comes to heart health.

Posted in Exercise, Health, Health Facts, Medical, Mental Health, Studies, Weight Loss | 9,361 Comments

Lack of Exercise Blamed in America’s Poor Health Rankings Report

Posted on December 11, 2014 by Greg Asseff

For the last 25 years, the United Health Foundation has provided a health rankings report, which aims to provide an overall snapshot of the U.S. population’s health in each state. While there is always some good news and some bad news in the health rankings, the 2014 report is anything but encouraging. Despite a decrease in obesity rates over the past few years, the obesity rate in 2014 was the highest it’s been since the health rankings began. It’s 24.9 percent – over double what it was 25 years ago. This also means that well over one in four Americans is obese. At the same time, the number of people who reported engaging in no physical activity has gone from 22.9 percent last year to 23.5 percent in 2014. Of course, some areas of the U.S. are healthier than others. For the third year in a row, Hawaii is considered the healthiest state in the nation. Southern states tended to show up near the bottom of the list.

Posted in Diet, Exercise, Health, Health Facts, Medical, News, Nutrition, Weight Loss | 5,401 Comments

Almost Half Of Americans Believe Flu Vaccines Can Cause the Flu

Posted on December 10, 2014 by Greg Asseff

Influenza is a fairly common respiratory infection that often spreads during the winter months. Unlike the common cold, however, it must always be remembered that complications from the flu can be very severe and even life-threatening. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 5 to 20 percent of the U.S. population gets the flu each year, and around 200,000 of those cases require hospitalization. Young children, pregnant women and the elderly have a much higher risk of severe flu complications. Despite the CDC’s insistence that flu vaccines are the best way to prevent infection, only 42 percent of adults got a flu shot in the U.S. last year. With this season expected to be more severe, getting vaccinated will be even more important. However, a surprising new study is shedding some light on why so many people avoid getting a flu shot.

Posted in Health, Health Facts, Medical, News, Studies | 16 Comments

Toy-Related Injuries On the Rise

Posted on December 3, 2014 by Greg Asseff

With the Christmas season officially upon us and Black Friday being just days in the past, toy sales are no doubt experiencing a year-end surge. Of course, nobody would give a child a gift that’s obviously risky, but toy-related injuries do happen. Especially engaged parents can try keeping up with the latest product recalls to make sure the products and playthings their children use do not present a risk of injury. Toy recalls in particular certainly aren’t uncommon; for example, Toys”R”Us very recently issued a complete recall for the “Just Like Home” toy toaster set due to the possibility that the toy toast could break into small, sharp pieces that present laceration and choking hazards. Obviously, however, toys don’t necessarily have to be subject to a recall to present injury risks. Now, a one-of-a-kind study shows that toy-related injuries have gone up significantly over the past two decades.

Posted in Health, Health Facts, Medical, News, Parenting, Studies | 4 Comments

Smoking Rates in the U.S. Reach Historic Low

Posted on November 28, 2014 by Greg Asseff

A bit of good news for the health community today: the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported that smoking rates in America are the lowest they’ve been since the CDC began keeping records in 1965. Between 2005 and 2013, the amount of people who consider themselves to be “current cigarette smokers” dropped from 20.9 percent to 17.8 percent. This means that around 3 million fewer people are smoking now than were doing so in 2005. People who considered themselves “daily smokers” decreased from 16.9 percent to 13.7 percent during the same timeframe as well. According to the report, smoking continues to be more prevalent in males, adults aged 25 to 44, residents of the Midwest, those who live below the poverty line, and individuals who have lower levels of education. Despite the fact that this data came from self-reporting surveys, it’s still encouraging.