Mar 09		Measles
		We’re not usually concerned about measles these days, it occurs so infrequently. That’s because vaccines have been so effective.
Feb 23		Pain and How it Affects Us
		Can you really lose yourself in a game to where you feel no pain? Do newborns feel pain—and should it be treated? Today there’s new information.
Feb 21		Apples and Heart Disease
		You’ve probably heard the old saying, an apple a day keeps the doctor away. Now new research backs that up with some interesting findings.
Feb 16		Menopause
		Menopause doesn’t mean the end of sexual desire. That’s according to a new survey of women between the ages of 50 and 65, that suggests that their sexual interest and desire is the same, or in some cases, more than before they reached menopause.
Feb 05		Seasonal Affective Disorder
		Winter depression is more common the farther north we live. You may also have heard it called seasonal affective disorder, otherwise known as SAD.
Jan 24		Peer Influences
		We all hope that our influence as parents will keep our kids safe from bad habits, but most of us also wonder how much other kids play a part in the decisions our children make.
Jan 22		Fatigue
		If you tire easily during exercise, or just plain tire easily, your body may be telling you something.
Jan 19		Giving Blood
		If you’re thinking of giving blood, you may want to know what to expect.
Jan 17		Strep Throat
		Strep throat is caused by the bacteria Group A streptococcus, which, if left untreated, can lead to abscesses in the tonsils and throat, and in some cases, cause arthritis, heart problems, and kidney problems.
Jan 15		Thoughts on High Blood Pressure and Diabetes
		It’s well known that high blood pressure and diabetes can lead to problems like heart attack and stroke. Now a new study adds another problem to the list of complications caused by these diseases.
Dec 27		Treating Pain
		The next time you go to the doctor or the hospital, your “pain” may be checked, along with your blood pressure and weight.
Dec 25		Positive Effects of Chocolate
		If you’ve been indulging this holiday season, there may be good news for you - especially if your favorite indulgence is chocolate.
Dec 22		Frostbite and Hypothermia
		The two biggest hazards of cold exposure are frostbite and hypothermia. Keeping our body temperature at the right level depends on how much body heat we can generate, and how much we lose. So, one of the first things to remember is get enough fuel or food, for your body to burn.
Dec 11		Margarine vs. Butter
		Before you begin your holiday cooking—you may want to consider substituting margarine for butter. A new study shows that you may be able to lower your family’s cholesterol by making this one change.
Dec 1		Removing the Headache in Treating Migraines
		The typical migraine sufferer tries an average of nearly 6 medications before finding one that works for them.
Nov 15		Exercise and Sudden Death
		Weekend warriors take heed—new information suggests that sporadic workouts may be hazardous to your health ... but other information shows that regular exercise could help protect you.
Nov 10		Pap Smears
		Today, following a study of over 128 thousand women, the Center for Disease Control agreed with the American Cancer Society that for women who have had normal Pap smears, a Pap smear every three years may be appropriate.
Nov 6		Phenylpropanolamine and Hemorrhagic Stroke
		The Food and Drug Administration is warning Americans to stop using medications containing phenylpropanolamine, or PPA, and is asking manufacturers to stop selling the products.
Nov 3		Norwalk Virus
		If the coach says play, no matter what, think again. Your child may catch something other than the ball ... a new study shows that it’s a good idea to sideline kids when they’re sick.
Nov 1		Diabetes and Prevention
		November is diabetes awareness month. And if you’re one of the nearly sixteen million Americans with diabetes, a new report shows that awareness is key to preventing long-term problems.
Oct 30		Stress Weighs Heavy
		It may not be a coincidence that there’s more stress in our lives than ever before and as a nation, our rate of obesity is increasing. In fact, research has shown that there is a connection between stress and obesity.
Oct 27		Asthma Symptoms and Reflux
		If you have asthma, some of your cough may be related to your digestive tract. We’ve known for a while that acid reflux can exacerbate asthma symptoms at night. Now new research suggests that it may also cause symptoms in asthmatics at any time—not only at night.
Oct 25		Flu Vaccinations
		Flu shots are usually available in October so we’re prepared by the time flu season gets here in December. But this year’s delay means that the vaccine won’t be available until the flu season has already begun, and some people may be exposed to the flu before they get a chance to get vaccinated.
Oct 20		Female "Athlete Triad"
		Exercise is good not only for adults, but also for growing children. However, young female athletes may face some long-term health challenges called the female "athlete triad."
Oct 18		Multiple Sclerosis
		Three hundred and fifty thousand Americans suffer with multiple sclerosis. This week, the FDA approved a drug that could bring new hope to people with the advanced form of the disease.
Oct 16		Tired of Snoring
		Anyone who sleeps with a snoring spouse may feel like they’re losing some ZZZ’s themselves. And now there’s research to back that up.
Oct 11		Birth Control Pills
		There are many health benefits of taking the birth control pill. But now there's concern that it's use could lead to breast cancer in some women.
Sep 29		Fertility
		Experts are saying that couples may be resorting to infertility therapy too soon, and that education about the reproductive cycle might lead to more babies.
Sep 27		Fighting Heart Disease
		Many people are looking to food and supplements to help in the fight against heart disease, but it's not always clear which ones work and which ones don't.
Sep 25		Monitoring Allergies
		If you've purchased a new computer monitor lately, you may have gotten more than you bargained for. A new study says that new computer monitors may make you sick. The research suggests that new monitors might trigger allergic reactions.
Sep 15		Type II Diabetes
		There is a rise in type II diabetes, not only in adults, but children, as well. Type II diabetes occurs when the body has difficulty regulating the blood sugar, because there isn't enough insulin, or the insulin is ineffective.
Sep 13		Antibacterial Soaps
		A new survey found that 75% of all liquid and 29% of all bar soaps available in the United States contain chemicals that fight bacteria. But even though these chemicals kill bacteria, there's no proof they stop infection.
Sep 11		Group B Streptococcus
		We know that antibiotics, given during labor, can prevent this infection caused by group B streptococcus, yet a recent CDC report shows that antibiotics were given to only 21% of the more than 300 women studied who had infants with the disease.
Aug 30		Body Fat
		Fifty-five percent of American adults are overweight. Former Surgeon General C. Everett Koop and his organization, Shape Up America, says the best way to determine whether you have a healthy weight is to measure your percentage of body fat.
Aug 28		Sulfites
		Sulfites are food additives used to prevent the discoloration of fruits and vegetables, and to inhibit the growth of bacteria in wine and beer.
Aug 25		Hormone Replacement Therapy
		There's been some controversy lately about the value of hormone replacement therapy in preventing heart disease. Now two studies published in the New England Journal of Medicine shed some light on the subject.
Aug 23		Panic Disorder
		Panic disorder can be extremely debilitating. And it can go undiagnosed — leaving one out of four people with the disorder without the treatment they need to function normally.
Aug 21		Skin Cancer
		This year more than 47 thousand Americans will be diagnosed and almost 8000 will die from skin cancer. However, people who check their skin regularly can actually lower their risk of developing advanced skin cancer.
Aug 11		Adolescents and Tobacco
		While more adults are quitting, more children and teenagers are taking their first drag or chew, setting them up to be lifelong tobacco users.
Jul 31		Swimmers Ear
		Swimmer's ear is very common in the summer months because we tend to spend more time in the water. If the ear doesn't get a chance to dry, it can become a breeding ground for bacteria and the ear canal can become infected.
Jul 26		Supplemental Drugs
		Do you take over the counter medicines or herbs? Do you tell your doctor about them? Many of us don't think over the counter drugs and herbal medicines “count” as drugs. And we don't always follow our doctor's recommendations. In the July 2000 edition of Archives of Internal Medicine, researchers found that 76 percent of the 300 patients studied had either stopped taking drugs that were prescribed to them, were not taking the correct dose, or were using medicines that their doctor's didnt know about.
Jul 24		Bugs Can Be Real Pests
		Bugs are one of the most pesky parts of summer. Most bites and stings are more annoying than anything else, but it's a good idea to be prepared. Most insect stings come from bees, wasps, hornets and yellow jackets and they usually occur close to the nest — so if you see a nest, get away from it. The greatest risks from insect stings are allergic reactions and infection.
Jul 19		Tattoos Carry Risks
		Tattoos do carry some risks. Tattoos may look cool, but this fashion statement could cause you problems. They may even take the "bulge out of your biceps". A report published in the Annals of Internal Medicine describes three men with tattoos on their upper body, who experienced muscle weakness and wasting. Two of the men developed pain or tingling and weakness 3 to 6 months after tattooing.
Jul 17		Shocking News About Lightning
		Each year more than 100 people are killed by lightning, and even more are injured. And while most people who get struck by lightning don't die, someone struck by lightning can suffer burns, memory loss, and other medical problems. That's why it's important to be prepared, and make sure you teach your children, as well.
Jul 14		Caffeine Side Effect
		It may not come as a surprise to find out that caffeine can increase the urge to go to the bathroom. But a new report published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology found that the women who consumed the most caffeine were more likely to be the ones that had an unstable bladder.
Jul 12		Type II Diabetes
		People with diabetes are at an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Now a new study suggests that Vitamin E may help reduce the risk. Researchers at the University of Texas Southwestern gave people with Type II diabetes and non-diabetics 1200 international units, or IU, of Vitamin E daily for three months.
Jul 10		Memory Loss
		It's normal to have momentary memory lapses, but some people have trouble on a regular basis. Persistent memory loss is the hallmark of mild cognitive impairment. About 12% to 15% of people over 65 with this problem per year will go on to develop Alzheimer's. That's compared to older people with normal memory that develop Alzheimer's at a rate of 1-percent per year.
Jul 07		Macular Degeneration Treatment
		Macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in older Americans. But earlier this year, the FDA approved a new treatment that may give hope to some who suffer from this condition. The good news is that this treatment helps people with the most severe form of macular degeneration.
Jul 05		Multiple Births Increasing
		If you think you're seeing more triplets than before, you're right. The ratio of triplets, quadruplets, and other multiple births has more than quadrupled over the past two decades. It appears that the increased use of infertility treatments has contributed to this phenomenon.
Jul 03		UV Rays and Sun Protection
		Children can acquire 50% of their lifetime sun exposure by age 18. This is important — because the bad effects of overexposure like skin cancer and aging, add up — and they last throughout life. So it's not too early to encourage children to get in the habit of protecting themselves from the sun.
Jun 30		Cell Phone and Radio Frequencies
		How does that radio frequency, or RF, affect us? One of the biggest fears is that of cancer. According to the World Health Organization, current research does not indicate an increased risk, but the amount of studies which have focused on cell phones has been small.
Jun 28		Normotension and Heart Attack
		Most people associate chest pain, jaw pain or left arm pain with symptoms of a heart attack. But a study published in this week’s Journal of the American Medical Association says one in three people having a heart attack don’t have the usual symptoms one might expect.
Jun 26		Monday's A Headache
		According to information presented at a recent American Headache Society meeting, teens suffering from migraines were more likely to have their worst symptoms at the beginning of the week.
Jun 23		High Ozone Levels Can Affect Our Health
		Ozone is a colorless, odorless gas. There is good ozone and bad ozone. The good ozone up in the atmosphere protects us from the sun's harmful UV rays. But the bad ozone, which can literally make us sick, is found here on the ground level. It's formed from vehicle exhaust, industrial plants, and chemicals that react with sunlight-which is why levels are highest during the summer.
Jun 21		Menstration Starting Earlier, Headaches And Blood Pressure
		Increasingly, more girls are starting their periods at a younger age, some as early as eight or nine. The latest study, from the University of Wisconsin, suggests that this trend may be related to the fact that American girls are heavier at a younger age than ever before, presumably due to lack of exercise and more television- watching. This finding adds to the evidence that body weight influences the age when girls start their periods.
Jun 19		Preventive Care For Men
		In my previous practice, most of my male patients were referred by their spouse or girlfriend, usually because of a health issue that needed attention. And that’s not uncommon, according to the findings of a survey conducted by the Commonwealth Fund. This survey was done to find out what the status is of American men’s health and what are some of the challenges they face. What they found is fairly significant.
Jun 16		Type I Diabetes
		Type I diabetes usually occurs before the age of 30. The disease is caused by an abnormal reaction of the immune system, which destroys the cells of the pancreas that produce insulin. People with type I diabetes must use insulin to regulate their blood sugar.
Jun 14		Breast Cancer
		Researchers in the Netherlands followed 680 people who did not have cancer, but did have a significant risk of carrying the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation. The risk was determined by the fact that a relative had tested positive for the mutation. Having a mutation significantly increases the risk of having breast or ovarian cancer, especially in women. The mutation can also be passed along to sons and daughters.
Jun 09		Math Problems, Walking, and Working Out
		Do you have an adolescent daughter who's struggling with math? Instead of a tutor - you may want to get help from your doctor; a new study of 40 thousand women finds it’s not how fast you go that will help protect you against heart disease – it’s just the fact you are going; and if you have chronic pain – the solution may not be a pill but a workout.
Jun 05		Lung Cancer & Radon
		According to a new study, the longer your exposure to radon, the greater your risk for lung cancer. The study, published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, showed that Iowa women who lived in the same houses for twenty years or more and whose homes registered unsafe levels of radon had a fifty percent increased risk of developing lung cancer.
Jun 02		Pregnancy and Memory
		When I was pregnant, I was convinced pregnancy affected my memory. Not so, says a new study out of the Australian National University in Canberra. Researchers found that there was virtually no difference between pregnant and non pregnant women on some memory tests, and that some pregnant women even did better than the non-pregnant women on some of the tests. What’s also interesting is that both the pregnant women and their partners rated them as having poor memory.
May 31		Sinus Infections
		One of the most common reasons for sinus infections is allergies. In fact, most acute sinus infections follow symptoms of runny nose caused by allergy, colds or other viral upper respiratory tract infections.
May 22		Cholesterol
		There are actually different kinds of blood cholesterol that make up your total cholesterol numbers. The two types that are measured are high-density lipoprotein, or HDL, and low-density lipoprotein, or LDL. These lipoproteins coat the cholesterol in our body so it can travel through the blood.
May 19		Screening tests and physical exams
		You've heard the adage an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. In terms of your health, you want to try to prevent or stop diseases that you're most at risk for. Screening tests and physical exams do just that; they identify risk factors or disease early enough so that they can be treated effectively.
May 15		Asthma and Exercise
		Most people with chronic asthma have symptoms with exercise. What may be surprising to know is that 35 to 40 percent of people with seasonal allergies also have EIA. If you cough, wheeze, or feel your chest tighten when you exercise, or you feel short of breath or very tired with exertion, then you may have exercise induced asthma. During an asthma attack in EIA, changes in temperature and humidity and poor air quality can trigger the airways to spasm, blocking oxygen to the lungs.
May 12		Shigella Bacteria
		The Shigella bacteria is actually a family of bacteria that can cause diarrhea in humans. Shigella infections result from the passing of bacteria from stools or soiled fingers of one person to the mouth of another. So a single exposure in a day-care setting or school, by contaminated food, or by swimming in contaminated water can cause the infection.
May 08		Heart Disease & Prostate Cancer
		Previous research has shown that depression in men and women is linked to heart disease, but a study published in Archives of Internal Medicine found that only men faced an increased risk of heart disease-related death. And, this year more than 180-thousand men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer and more than 31-thousand men will die from it.
Apr 28		SIDS
		Find out what potential factors may contribute to sudden infant death syndrome as well as ways of reducing the chances of a baby dying from SIDS. The National Institutes of Health launched a "Back to Sleep” campaign six years ago, resulting in a 40 percent reduction in deaths from SIDS. The take home message: Putting a healthy baby to sleep laying on its back reduces the chance of SIDS.
Apr 24		Tanning Beds
		Many people try to prime themselves for the sun by using tanning beds. Not a good idea, according to both the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Medical Association.
Apr 21		Exercising, Medication: Plavix, and Baby Babble
		To manage weight successfully plan 30 minutes of exercise a day; information on the drug Plavix, used to prevent chest pain and strokes; and there may be more to baby talk than just babble. Information on these subjects in today's Health Watch.
Apr 19		Antibiotic Resistance
		When your child is ill, all you want to do is make them better as fast as you can. So many times we assume that when our children get a cold or ear infection, antibiotics will help. That’s not always the case. Yet, of the 100 million doses of antibiotics given by doctors every year, it’s estimated that about half of those are unnecessary. Many times the illness would have gone away without the antibiotics. And in the meantime, we’ve created a significant health problem–antibiotic resistance.
Apr 17		Clinical Trials
		A clinical trial is a research study that is designed to answer specific questions about new therapies and procedures to determine if they are safe and effective. Many people sign up for clinical trials in order to obtain new treatments that may not be available otherwise for their disease. Some people simply want to contribute to medical research. But before entering into a clinical trial, you should know what you’re getting into.
Apr 14		Folate
		Eating a diet with adequate amounts of folate is especially important in the prevention of certain types of birth defects. In fact, folate is so important that the Food and Drug Administration ordered the addition of folic acid to all grain and cereal products.
Apr 10		Caffeine
		We probably don’t think of caffeine as a drug, but it is… It gives us the get-up-and-go by increasing the heart rate and raising blood pressure.
Mar 31		Colon Cancer
		Colon cancer is the second leading cancer killer in Americans. But the good news is that, if caught early enough, colon cancer can be cured, even prevented. But those at greatest risk need to be screened before any symptoms occur.
Mar 29		Allergies
		Now that spring is here, allergies have millions of us itching and sneezing. Believe it or not, allergy symptoms are a misguided way of our body trying to protect us.
Mar 24		Preterm Labor
		Preterm birth can put infants at significant risk for illness and even death. Ideally, we want to reduce preterm births so that these babies can start out healthy. If we can identify who is at risk, then those moms can take extra precautions. We know, for instance, that moms who have a history of delivery prior to 37 weeks are at an increased risk for early delivery in another pregnancy.
Mar 22		Urinary Tract Infections
		One in five women who have a urinary tract infection will have another and about 25% percent of those women will have recurrent infections. Women are more susceptible than men to developing urinary tract infections, or UTI's for short. This is probably because the urethra, which sends urine out of the body, is short, allowing bacteria from the outside quick access to the bladder.
Mar 15		Eating Disorders
		More than 90 percent of people with eating disorders are adolescent and young adult women.
Mar 13		Beta Blocker Research
		There's new information out about the benefits of giving beta blockers to people being treated for heart failure.
Mar 06		Head Lice
		Anyone who has kids in school or day care is very likely to hear the term "head lice" at some point. In fact, head lice affects 6 to 12 million people worldwide every year.
Feb 28		Nicotine Patch
		Once you make the decision to quit, the next thing to think about is--how? Two new studies show that pregnant women may benefit from the nicotine patch, but teenagers don't.
Feb 21		Snoring, Heart Disease and Women
		Obesity, smoking, and high blood pressure increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. Now new research reveals that snoring may not only be disturbing to the one next to you, but it may mean you're at higher risk of cardiovascular disease.
Feb 16		ACL and Women
		Sports injuries affect 100s of thousands of Americans each year. Perhaps because of the popularity of women's pro teams, more young girls are playing soccer and basketball, so the injury rate is up-and girls are at more risk than the guys when it comes to ACL injuries.
Feb 11		Dietary Supplements
		The Food and Drug Administration reversed a decision this week that allowed dietary supplement manufacturers to claim their products could treat morning sickness or pregnancy-related leg swelling.
Feb 09		Pneumonia and Guidelines
		There can be a great deal of variation in how doctors treat many conditions, including pneumonia. This variation can make a difference in how well and how quickly the patient recovers.
Feb 07		Low Back Pain
		I bet if I asked folks to raise their hands if they've had low back pain, there would be a lot of hands raised, including mine. It can start as a nagging pain, or it can hit you all of a sudden. Many cases of back pain are caused by stress on the muscles and ligaments that support the spine.
Feb 04		Meningitis
		Meningitis is an infection of the fluid that surrounds the spinal cord and brain. It can be caused by a virus or bacteria. The bacteria, which cause meningitis, are very common; in fact most of us will carry them in the back of our nose and throat without any problems. But if the bacteria overcomes the body's immune defenses, they can enter the blood stream and cause meningitis.
Feb 02		Heart disease and gender differences
		A new study in the Journal of the American Medical Association shows that women may be treated differently from men for heart disease. The study followed nearly 2300 men and women who came to emergency rooms with symptoms associated with unstable angina, a sign of heart disease.
Jan 31		Chlamydia trachomatis
		It's the most frequently reported infectious disease in the United States, affecting about 4 million people a year, yet many people may not even know they have it. It's also a leading cause of problems with fertility and pregnancy. What we're talking about is the sexually transmitted disease called chlamydia.
Jan 28		Male pattern baldness and heart disease
		A new study reveals that men with male pattern baldness are at an increased risk for heart disease. Researchers surveyed more than 19 thousand American male doctors without any signs of heart disease at the beginning of the study. They were asked to rate their hair loss at age 45 and then were sent questionnaires for the next 11 years and asked about any new medical diagnoses.
Jan 26		Hormone Replacement Therapy
		While hormone replacement therapy provides many health benefits, estrogen replacement can also increase the risk of uterine and breast cancer. To reduce the risk of uterine cancer, women are advised to take the hormone progestin. But a new study in the Journal of the American Medical Association shows that adding progestin adds additional risk.
Jan 24		Dry Skin
		A lot of people have been complaining about dry skin, especially with the latest change in temperature. Our skin protects itself from drying by absorbing moisture from the air. Cold weather brings low humidity and less moisture to replenish the skin. Combined with the drying effect of indoor heat, our skin is set up to become dehydrated.
Jan 21		Hormone Therapy
		One of the big decisions of menopause is whether or not to take hormone therapy. Hormone therapy may not be right for every woman, and it's not one size fits all, either. As with all decisions, the best choices are made based on good information.
Jan 19		Parkinson's disease
		50,000 Americans are diagnosed with Parkinson's disease each year, with more than half a million Americans affected at any time. The disease usually affects people over the age of 50; only about 5-10 percent of patients are diagnosed under the age of 40.
Jan 17		Food poisoning
		Food-borne diseases cause about 76 million illnesses and 5000 deaths in the United States each year. We can't always tell what's contaminated before we eat it. But we can practice preventive measures to minimize the risk of food-borne illness:
Jan 14		Cervical Cancer II
		Cervical cancer is, in many cases, preventable. For example, we can detect abnormalities through the use of the pap smear and treat them before they turn into cancer.
Jan 12		Cervical Cancer
		It's estimated that almost 13,000 American women will be diagnosed with cervical cancer this year, and about 4,900 women will die from this disease. In theory, most cases of cervical cancer can be prevented.
Jan 10		Flu Season
		In Kentuckiana, flu season runs from December to March or even April. We're going to reach the height of the flu season this week, so we're going to see even more cases than we have in past weeks.
Jan 05		Glucosamine
		Two remedies are gaining popularity with people with osteoarthritis, the type of arthritis caused by the breakdown of cartilage, which cushions the bones within a joint. Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are natural substances found in and around the cells of cartilage, which cushion the bones within a joint.
Dec 29		New Year Resolutions
		What's a new year without New Year's Resolutions? Just in case you're looking for some, let me suggest the following healthy resolutions:
Dec 27		Drowsy Driving
		We've all heard the caution -"don't drink and drive". But here's another warning that is just as important --don't sleep and drive. Drowsy driving may account for an average of 56 thousand accidents each year and claim more than 1500 lives.
Dec 24		Weight Loss
		Many of us would like a magic pill to help us shed the pounds. So, it's no wonder people are interested in two new medicines that have been recently approved for weight loss.
Dec 22		Depression
		For some people, the holidays bring sadness and feelings of being alone or isolated. If these feelings interfere with daily functioning, then the problem may be more serious than just the holiday blues--it may be depression.
Dec 20		Holiday Stress
		Your palms are sweaty, you can't sleep, your head hurts, and your memory isn't what it should be. You may also be edgy or eating or drinking more than usual. If this sounds familiar, the diagnosis is probably "stress".
Dec 17		Weight Management
		One out of three Americans are obese. Obesity is the second leading cause of death in America, contributing to heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, sleeping disorders, arthritis, and even some cancers.
Dec 15		Weight Gain Studies
		Two new studies about weight have come out just in time for the holidays. The message is clear-there are advantages to losing weight, but you have to be smart about it.
Dec 13		Timing Breast Cancer Surgery
		There are many factors to consider when scheduling surgery. Now, the latest study to look at breast cancer surgery suggests that the menstrual cycle may be one of the factors that need to be considered.
Dec 03		Heart Disease
		A new study shows that what’s bad for the goose may also be bad for the gander–or vice versa. The study, presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions in Atlanta, shows that wives of men who have had heart attacks or open heart surgery may be at an increased risk for heart disease themselves.
Dec 01		GERD
		GERD stands for gastroesophageal reflux disease. It’s caused by the relaxing of the sphincter muscle between the esophagus, or feeding tube, and the stomach, allowing the stomach contents to come back, or reflux up, into the esophagus.
Nov 24		Heartburn
		More than 60 million of us get heartburn at least once a month. Click here to learn more about avoiding the "burn". And, if you have heartburn more frequently, you may have what is known as gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD.
Nov 22		Searching the Net for Health Information
		If you’ve ever had to search for a specific topic, you may be overwhelmed by the number of sites you’re sent to. Everyone has their own way of finding information. Here are some sites I’ve found useful for searching the web for health information.
Nov 19		Choosing A Physician Pt.2
		Choosing a doctor is one of the most personal decisions you can make. Yet, many people know more about their car than their doctor.
Nov 17		Choosing A Physician
		Choosing a physician is a very personal decision. The first step is knowing what kind of doctor you need.
Nov 15		Smoking Cessation
		Are you ready to quit smoking? If so, you are about to embark on a sometimes difficult but very rewarding journey.
Nov 11		Flu Season
		1 in 5 of us may get the flu this year. And while most of us just suffer inconvenience, 20,000 Americans die from complications of the flu each year.
Nov 09		Obesity
		You can actually call it an epidemic… In fact, that’s what the director of the Centers for Disease Control called it in an issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association dedicated to the topic of obesity. Here are some of the findings:
Nov 04		Antibiotic Resistance
		So many times we assume that when our children get a cold or ear infection, antibiotics will help. That’s not always the case.
Nov 02		Alzheimer's
		Alzheimer’s disease affects about 4 million Americans and the numbers increase as more of us age. It not only affects the lives of those with the disease, but takes a toll on the family members who care for them as well.
Oct 28		Soy and Heart Disease
		Coronary heart disease is a leading cause of death in both men and women in the US. Now the new way to fight heart disease may be as close as the nearest healthfood store.
Oct 26		Carbon Monoxide
		Once the temperature drops, we close our doors, and turn on the heat. And that could be the formula for disaster, if we don’t take precautions against carbon monoxide poisoning.
Oct 21		Health and Y2K
		It’s only 71 days until the millennium. You’ve probably heard about all the potential problems with Y2K, but you may not have thought about your healthcare needs. The message is don’t panic, prepare.
Oct 19		Rotavirus
		Rotavirus is the most common cause of diarrhea in infants and young children in the US. Yet, last Friday, American Home Products announced that it has withdrawn its RotaShield rotavirus vaccine from the market and has requested the immediate return of all doses of the vaccine.
Oct 14		Clinical Breast Exams
		It’s estimated that 175,000 American women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year and that it will claim more than 43 thousand lives.
Oct 05		Depression and Stroke
		Depression is a common disorder in the American population, affecting 1 in 20 of us, and is especially prevalent in the elderly and in women. A new study suggests that depression can be a symptom of a silent stroke.
Sep 30		Domestic Violence
		One out of every four women in this country will experience some form of domestic abuse. It’s a signifcant issue–including a significant health issue. Domestic violence can result in injury, even death to the victim.
Sep 23		Choosing A Health Plan
		Choosing a health plan is one of the most important decisions you can make for yourself and your family. Your decision will depend on a number of factors, including cost, choice and services covered.
Sep 21		Managed Care Alphabet Soup
		Every fall, many folks go through a process called "open enrollment" to choose, among other things, their health care benefits. It’s one of the most important decisions you can make, yet it can be confusing and complicated.
Sep 14		Preventing Heart Disease in Women
		There’s new information on preventing heart disease in women–and it confirms what we knew all along. Maintaining an ideal weight, eating the right foods, and exercising all help reduce the risk. That’s what three articles based on data from the Nurses Health Study, a now famous study of more than 75,000 female nurses in the Boston area, revealed.
Sep 09		Fibroid Tumors
		A fibroid is a benign tumor or benign growth in the uterus. You can have fibroids and not know it, or they may cause symptoms such as persistent bleeding, anemia or low blood count, pain or even pressure on the bladder. Fibroids can also be a factor in infertility. Many women without symptoms find out they have fibroids during a doctor’s exam. If there are no other problems, a routine exam is all that is needed. But if there are symptoms, then treatment may be recommended.
Sep 07		Violence and TV
		When we think of staying healthy, we usually think of things like updating our immunizations, eating right and exercise. We don’t usually think of turning off the television. Yet, television watching has been shown to contribute to obesity and teen alcohol use.
Sep 02		Fibromyalgia
		3 to 6 million Americans adults suffer from fibromyalgia, a debilitating syndrome, yet this very real problem may go undiagnosed. When I was in medical school, fibromyalgia was also called the ‘empty nest syndrome’. Unfortunately, it got that name because it seemed that the typical person with fibromyalgia was a middle-aged woman, whose children left home, leaving her depressed with physical symptoms caused by the depression.
Aug 31		Smoking and Infants
		We have heard and seen warnings that smoking is harmful to our health –but there is growing evidence that it can hurt the ones we love as well. Researchers in Belgium found that, compared to infants whose mothers did not smoke during pregnancy, infants born to women who smoke were more difficult to arouse from sleep. These same infants also stopped breathing during sleep more frequently.
Aug 24		Breast Feeding and Weight
		Two recent studies focus on breastfeeding and weight–yours and your child’s. Many women who have recently given birth would like to also give back the excess weight they gained during pregnancy–mom’s who breastfeed are no exception, but a mom who breastfeeds might be concerned that losing weight may not be safe.
Aug 19		Elderly and Cognition
		There's an old saying, if you don't use it, you lose it. This pertains to our ability to think and solve problems as well. As we get older, we may interact with others less. A new study suggests that this isolation may lead to the decline in cognition many of us associate with old age.
Aug 17		Internet and Pharmaceuticals
		When obtaining health information on the internet you need to be a savvy consumer, especially when it come to purchasing pharmaceuticals. For example, the government is contacting people who bought two different AIDS tests over the internet, because they're illegal and not accurate. Drugs are being sold over the Internet without a doctor's prescription–that's against the law.
Aug 12		Internet Health
		70 million Americans use the Internet to look for healthcare information, according to a recent Harris Poll. And there are over an estimated 10,000 medical Web sites. But how do you know the information you are getting is accurate?
Aug 10		Premenstrual Syndrome
		We've all heard of premenstrual syndrome, otherwise known as PMS. And many of us suffer through it, because most treatments aren't very effective. But for those women with the most severe symptoms, the good news is that it is treatable.
Jul 29		Vacation Preparation
		Many of us are taking off for destinations far and wide, many to places less traveled. A big trip requires lots of planning, including taking care of your health. If you're making plans to a destination abroad, particularly to a developing country, make an appointment to see your physician or go to a travel medical center at least four to six weeks before you leave.
Jul 27		Women and Heart Disease
		Most women are more afraid of breast cancer than heart disease, yet heart disease is the number one killer of women. Many people might be surprised to find out that heart disease claims more lives of women than men each year.
Jul 22		Smoking Cessation and Exercise
		Many women who smoke are afraid to quit because they are afraid of gaining weight. A new study shows that you can kick the habit and keep the weight off by just doing one thing–exercise. And you don't have to be a jock to get the benefit.
Jul 20		Low Dose Estrogen And Osteoporosis
		We know that estrogen is one of the best methods we have to prevent osteoporosis, the disease that leads to weak brittle bones. But many women don't even fill the doctor's prescription because of unwanted side effects, and even concern about taking "too much" estrogen.
Jul 15		Crypto in the Pool
		When we think of water safety, we usually don't think of protection against disease. But Cryptosporidium, or crypto, for short, has caused numerous outbreaks in swimming pools and water parks, resulting in thousands of people becoming ill after swallowing contaminated water.
Jul 13		Advanced Directives
		It's not something we like to think about–but it's an issue that's important to consider before you need it. An advanced directive is a written document that tells people how to make medical decisions for you when you can't make them for yourself.
Jul 08		Cold Sores
		Forty to eighty percent of Americans have had them–fever blisters. And they can get them again and again. Many people may be surprised that their fever blisters may be getting worse in the summer. However, anything that puts stress on the immune system can trigger outbreaks of fever blisters, or cold sores.
Jul 06		Breast Cancer Update
		There's a number of news items regarding breast cancer and mammography. Here's a few of them: Last month, the American Medical Association announced that it has changed its recommendation on the age of starting yearly mammograms from 50 to 40. It's generally accepted that women over 50 should have yearly mammograms, but annual mammograms for women between the ages of 40-49 have been controversial.
Jul 01		Summer Safety Quiz
		Ready to test your summer safety IQ? You and your friends decide to take advantage of a sunny day and take the motorboat out to the lake. In a short time, it's hot, you're thirsty. You reach for:
Jun 29		Migraines And Fat Reduction
		More than 25 million Americans get migraine headaches. And one out of six women suffer from migraines. People who suffer from migraine do just that suffer. Many look for any way to reduce or avoid the pain.
Jun 22		Lead Poisoning
		1 out of 11 children in the United States has dangerous levels of lead in the bloodstream, making lead poisoning the number one environmental health hazard for children under the age of six.
Jun 17		Men's Health
		Heart disease is the leading cause of death among men in the United States. You don't have to be old to be at risk - depending on risk factors such as diabetes, obesity, family history, smoking history and high blood pressure, men as young as 40 can suffer debilitating, and sometimes fatal heart attacks.  <