“Charley horse” is another name for a muscle spasm or cramp of the leg. When a muscle cramps, it contracts involuntarily and does not relax. To treat a charley horse, MedlinePlus suggests: Stop activity. Try stretching and massaging the muscle. Use heat to relax the muscle initially, then ice after. If the muscle is still… read on >
Each year, about 18 million adults in the United States report problems with their voice, says the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. From singers to teachers, many people use their voice for work. To prevent chronic voice problems, the agency suggests: Don’t abuse drugs. Drink plenty of water. Limit medications that dry… read on >
There’s nothing quite like the smell and taste of warm blueberry muffins. But when you buy them from a local bakery or your favorite coffee shop, they can clock in at 500 calories or more. Making your own is well worth the time, because you can shave off 300 calories a pop. This recipe uses… read on >
Could you — or your teenage daughter — have an iron deficiency and not know it? If you’re getting enough sleep, but still feel tired, running low on iron could be the problem. Iron is our most common nutrient shortfall. A serious deficiency can lead to anemia. That’s when you have fewer red blood cells… read on >
As the United States struggles with a painkiller-abuse epidemic, researchers have found that it’s the quantity of opioids prescribed after orthopedic surgery, not the type of opioid, that corresponds with long-term use. “One of the frequent myths we encounter among clinicians is that some types of opioids, such as hydromorphone, are more dangerous than others,”… read on >
The pain Sara Langill felt in her right hip didn’t concern her much, until she felt a lump as she massaged tendons near her hip flexors following a soccer game. “I felt this thing that felt like a rubbery grape,” recalls Langill, 33. Thinking it might be a hernia, she went to the doctor. Within… read on >
They might be too young to abuse opioids themselves, but America’s kids are suffering nonetheless because of their drug-dependent parents. New research shows more than 600,000 American parents with kids under 18 are addicted to opioids. That amounts to almost 1% of parents of minors, most of whom aren’t getting treated, the study found. In… read on >
Former President Jimmy Carter is recovering from surgery for a broken hip after taking a fall at his home in Plains, Ga. Carter, 94, is the oldest living former U.S. president. In a statement, his office said that he underwent the hip surgery at Phoebe Sumter Medical Center in Americus, Ga., with his wife, Rosalynn,… read on >
Though traveling with a friend or in a group is safest at night, walking alone may be unavoidable. The best practice for someone walking alone at night is to stay aware and to take precautions, says the University of California at Berkeley. The police department at UC Berkeley suggests: Be alert and aware of your… read on >
Preparing for a safe hike outdoors begins with a few pieces of equipment. The American Hiking Society urges hikers to carry a map, compass and emergency whistle at all times. Furthermore, understanding how to use each item is critical. Despite preparations, hikers do get lost. If you’re lost outdoors, the society encourages you to: Not… read on >
