Staying hydrated is a mantra not only when exercising, but throughout the day for optimal health. Yet it’s possible to get too much of a good thing. In recent years, a number of athletes have died from a condition called exercise-associated hyponatremia, or EAH, which results from overwhelming the kidneys with excess fluid and upsetting… read on >
All Do It Herself:
Need to Lose Weight? Team Up With Friends
Researchers have found that having friends who gain weight — especially friends of the same gender — raises your chance of becoming overweight by more than 50 percent. That’s far more than if your spouse gains weight. But they’ve also found that the same type of social influence can help you lose weight. In fact,… read on >
A Weak Grip May Signal Future Health Trouble — Even in Kids
Weak grip strength in children may point to a higher risk of such health problems as diabetes and heart disease, new research suggests. In a new study that followed children from 4th grade through 5th grade, a grip-strength test was given to the students at the start of the study. The researchers said that nearly… read on >
Make Your Next Camping or Hiking Trip Trouble-free
Planning ahead is the key to staying healthy and safe when you go hiking or camping, experts say. “‘Be prepared’ is the Boy Scout motto, and it is one of the best ways to avoid pitfalls and make the most of any hiking or camping trip,” said Dr. Jonathan Adams, a family medicine physician with… read on >
Working Out After Baby
Losing weight about 6 months after giving birth lowers a woman’s risk of being overweight in the future. The best strategy to get back to pre-baby weight is a combination of diet and exercise, rather than diet alone. That’s because exercise boosts heart health and helps preserve muscle when you’re limiting calorie intake. It also… read on >
Here’s What Makes Seniors Feel and Act Younger
A pair of new studies points towards two potential paths to the fountain of youth. When older adults feel more control of their lives and get more exercise, they feel younger — and that improves their thinking, overall quality of life and longevity, the studies say. One study included 116 older adults (ages 60 to… read on >
Exercise Really Can Chase Away the Blues … to a Point
Exercise is good for your mental health, as long as you don’t overdo it, researchers say. An analysis of data from 1.2 million people in the United States found they reported 3.4 days a month of poor mental health on average. But those who were physically active had 1.5 fewer “down” days a month than… read on >
Frequent Skin Cancers May Signal Risk of Other Cancers, Too
People who have frequent recurrences of a common skin cancer may be at increased risk of a range of other cancers, a new study suggests. Researchers found the heightened risk among patients who’d had many bouts of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) — a highly treatable form of skin cancer diagnosed in over 3 million Americans… read on >
For Seniors, Getting Physical Protects the Heart
If you’re in your early 60s, becoming more active may reduce your risk of heart disease, researchers report. That’s especially true for women, they added. “The 60 to 64 age range represents an important transition between work and retirement, when lifestyle behaviors tend to change. It may, therefore, be an opportunity to promote increased physical… read on >
Health Tip: When Small Children Play Near Water
Anyone — especially a young child — can drown in only a few inches of water. The American Academy of Pediatrics says it doesn’t recommend any swim instruction for kids under the age of 1. And even after a child learns how to swim, the child should be supervised by a parent or guardian (preferably… read on >