Bad breath affects more than 40 million Americans, the American Dental Hygienists’ Association says. Routine dental cleanings can help limit buildup of plaque, which can reduce bad breath. The association suggests these additional bad-breath preventives: Rinse your mouth with water after eating. Chew sugarless gum to stimulate flow of saliva — nature’s own cleanser. Snack… read on >
People who drink more than the recommended daily limit of alcohol may harbor an unhealthy mix of bacteria in their mouths, a new study suggests. Researchers found that compared with nondrinkers, those who drank relatively heavily had fewer “good” bacteria in their mouths. They were also hosting more “bad” bacteria — including bugs that have… read on >
Heading the ball — not player collisions — may lead to temporary thinking declines in soccer players, a new study finds. “Unintentional head impacts are generally considered the most common cause of diagnosed concussions in soccer, so it’s understandable that current prevention efforts aim at minimizing those collisions,” said study author Dr. Michael Lipton. He… read on >
Your cellphone puts the world at your fingertips, but it can wreak havoc with your neck. There’s even a name for the pain you get when looking down at your screen — “text neck” — and it can cause problems along the entire length of your spine. Bending your head forward multiplies the amount of… read on >
Leg cramps are a common symptom of pregnancy, often occurring at night. Cramps typically occur only for a short time, but they can be very uncomfortable, the Nemours Foundation says. The Foundation suggests how to ease the pain and reduce the frequency of cramps during pregnancy: Do calf stretches before bed. Make sure not to… read on >
Following an enormous jump in children’s exposures to toxic liquid nicotine from electronic cigarettes, the rate dropped in just one year, new research reveals. But too many young kids are still being exposed to liquid nicotine, experts say. Among cases that ended up in the emergency department, 93 percent had swallowed the substance. The annual… read on >
If you have lung or throat cancer, exactly how you are positioned during your radiation treatments may alter your chances of beating the disease. New research suggests that even tiny shifts can mean the radiation may harm organs around tumors in the chest, most notably the heart. “We already know that using imaging can help… read on >
Wellness exams are important for monitoring your health and detecting any problems early on. But there are also self-care steps to take to protect yourself the other 364 days of the year. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests doing regular skin and body checks. Look and feel for any changes, like a… read on >
Yoga can make you flexible and strong, but it can also hurt you if not practiced correctly, an orthopedic expert warns. Improper technique can lead to serious muscle damage, including strain and overstretching of the neck, shoulders, spine, legs and knees, according to Dr. Brett Freedman. He is an orthopedic spine and trauma surgeon, and… read on >
If you have asthma, it may help to reduce your exposure to allergens. Previous research has shown that roughly two-thirds of all people with asthma also have an allergy, allergy experts say. “What many people don’t realize is that the same things that trigger your seasonal hay fever symptoms — things like pollen, dust mites,… read on >
