Relaxing in a hot sauna may not only feel good — it might affect your heart and blood vessels in ways that are similar to moderate exercise. That’s the finding of a new study that tested the effects of a 30-minute sauna session. The researchers say their results may help explain why people who regularly… read on >
Holding your nose and closing your mouth when you feel a sneeze coming on just might lead to serious trouble. The journal BMJ Case Reports includes the story of a 34-year-old man who ruptured his throat after he pinched his nose and clamped his mouth shut in order to ward off a sneeze. He suffered… read on >
Teens who were severely bullied as children are at increased risk for mental health problems and suicide attempts, a Canadian study finds. The study included data on more than 1,300 children in the province of Quebec, from birth until age 15. About 59 percent of the children reported some bullying in their first years of… read on >
Do you often feel grumpy at work? Sometimes a small change in your surroundings can have a big effect on your mood. According to a study in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: Applied, having some greenery in your office space can make you both happier and more productive. British and Dutch researchers decided to challenge… read on >
Do you have lingering feelings of self-doubt, insecurity and incompetence, despite evidence that you are skilled and successful? The American Psychological Association calls this “imposter syndrome.” Here are the organization’s suggestions for beating imposter syndrome: If all fingers point to your doing a great job at work, ignore any self-doubt. Stop feeling guilty and celebrate… read on >
With a severe flu season now widespread across 46 states, do symptoms you or a loved one have point to the dreaded illness? Amid the sniffles, coughing and fever, “it’s sometimes difficult to determine whether you have the common cold or the flu,” said Dr. Boris Khodorkovsky. He’s associate chair of emergency medicine at Staten… read on >
The economic cost of asthma in the United States is nearly $82 billion a year, federal health officials report. That figure includes medical expenses and costs associated with work and school absences and deaths. However, the true cost of asthma is probably underestimated because the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study did not… read on >
Various factors can increase a senior’s chances of experiencing complications after surgery, but age apparently isn’t one of them. A review of 44 studies that included more than 12,000 people aged 60 and older found that frailty, mental impairment, depressive symptoms and smoking increased the risk for complications after surgery. Age did not. The researchers,… read on >
While your dog or cat might love the taste of raw meat, a steady diet of it might be a bad idea, a new study warns. Raw meat diets for pets have become increasingly popular, but there is no evidence that they are healthier than typical pet foods, the researchers said. In fact, some studies… read on >
Has your doctor suggested taking fewer naps? Or are you ready to wean a child from napping? The National Sleep Foundation suggests how: Don’t expect to accomplish the deed overnight. Napping isn’t an all-or-nothing proposition. An occasional nap is to be expected. Turn nap time into quiet time. Allow for a period of calm, such… read on >
