A pulled hamstring is a common injury for athletes who play sports such as track, soccer and basketball. Symptoms of the injury include swelling, bruising or discoloration and weakness in the hamstring. Most hamstring injuries will heal with rest and won’t require surgery, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons says. The academy suggests: RICE, which… read on >
Does your typical afternoon snack leave you feeling unsatisfied and reaching for more? If your pick-me-up is a bag of salty chips or a chocolate bar, a better (and healthier) way to go is with a high-protein choice, according to research published in The Journal of Nutrition. Snacks can make or break your diet. They… read on >
A sizable study still can’t explain why black Americans are much more likely than whites to suffer sudden cardiac death. “At the end of the day, we just don’t have a full understanding of why patients who are black are more likely to succumb to [sudden cardiac death] — a clear problem and knowledge gap… read on >
Ballet dancers are known for their sleek, sculpted look, in part the result of hours spent exercising at the ballet barre. While not everyone can dance the Nutcracker or Swan Lake, classes in “barre” are now widely available and wildly popular. Some follow classical training, which is often slow and methodical, while others are inspired… read on >
Researchers say they’ve identified a potential link between food allergies and flare-ups of multiple sclerosis. “Our findings suggest that MS patients with allergies have more active disease than those without, and that this effect is driven by food allergies,” said study author Dr. Tanuja Chitnis, an MS specialist, and colleagues. Multiple sclerosis is a disease… read on >
New research shows that marijuana causes genetic changes in sperm, though it’s not clear what effect those changes have, or if they’re passed on to a man’s children. But the scientists said their findings suggest that men trying to have children should consider avoiding marijuana. In experiments with rats and a study involving 24 men,… read on >
Jen Godfrey couldn’t shake the “deep cloud” that lingered even after she found an antidepressant she could tolerate. Then a string of stressors hit — five years of fertility treatment and an 80-pound weight gain during pregnancy that left her with persistent pain; a close relative’s suicide; another who went missing; and her own divorce.… read on >
You can make green choices in everyday life, including during the holiday season, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says. Simple activities such as recycling, reusing, walking, biking and conserving water are easy ways to make green decisions. Between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, Americans throw out 25 percent more trash than other… read on >
If you have high blood pressure, hitting the gym may be as helpful as taking drugs to lower your numbers, researchers say. There’s “compelling evidence that combining endurance and dynamic resistance training was effective in reducing [blood pressure],” according to the authors of a new report. The British researchers stressed that it’s still too early… read on >
Eating protein every day is important for good health. While it can come from animal and/or plant sources, the amount of protein we need is rather small — just 5 to 7 “ounce equivalents,” according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. An ounce equivalent can be one ounce of meat, poultry or seafood; one large… read on >
