An hour or less of weightlifting each week might significantly cut your risk of heart attack or stroke, new research suggests. Evaluating nearly 12,600 adults over more than a decade, scientists found that small amounts of resistance exercise weekly were linked to between 40 percent and 70 percent fewer cardiovascular events. But doing more weightlifting… read on >
Few people entrusted with making difficult health care decisions for older loved ones actually know what the patient would want, a new study contends. “Advance care planning cannot focus on the patient alone. The health care agent has to be brought into the conversation,” said study leader Dr. Terri Fried, a professor of medicine at… read on >
A freeze-dried polio vaccine that could be used in locations without refrigeration might help doctors conquer the disease, researchers report. For the study, scientists freeze-dried the injectable vaccine into a powder and kept it at room temperature for four weeks. They then rehydrated it and injected it into mice, giving them full protection against the… read on >
Almost every relationship will be affected by conflict at some point. Whether it’s with a spouse or a child, a co-worker or friend, there are healthy ways to address and resolve these problems, according to experts at the University of Texas at Austin Counseling and Mental Health Center. Differences of opinion are usually at the… read on >
A home fire is reported every 86 seconds, the U.S. National Safety Council says. Cooking equipment is the primary cause of fires, followed by heating equipment, smoking, electrical problems and children playing with matches and candles. The agency offers this advice to help keep your home safe from fire: Install smoke alarms and carbon monoxide… read on >
The wheezy lung disease asthma is yet one more problem linked to excess weight in childhood, a new study suggests. The research contends that as many as 10 percent of pediatric asthma cases in the United States could be avoided if childhood obesity were eliminated. “There are very few preventable risk factors for asthma —… read on >
Don’t be surprised at holiday parties if you can remember someone’s name but not their face. Despite what many believe, people are better at remembering names than faces, researchers found. In a series of tests, volunteers were able to recall up to 83 percent of names but only 64 percent of faces. “Our study suggests… read on >
People caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or other types of dementia should focus on four main safety issues, an expert says. Nearly 6 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. About 16.1 million Americans provide unpaid care for people with Alzheimer’s or other dementias. “When approaching dementia families, I follow… read on >
The holidays can be a particularly difficult time for people with food allergies. But one health expert suggests that these folks can still enjoy festive gatherings, as long as they take certain precautions. About 5 percent of children and 4 percent of adults in the United States have a food allergy, according to the U.S.… read on >
Nasal irrigation systems, sometimes called neti pots, use a saltwater solution to help tame congested sinuses. The devices, when used properly, can help moisten dried and swollen nasal passages. But if misused or improperly cleaned, they can also lead to infection, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns. The FDA suggests using only distilled, sterile… read on >
