For some, strenuous winter activities can be hard on the heart. Simply walking through or shoveling snow can be especially dangerous for those with cardiovascular disease, the American Heart Association says. To make snowy days safer, the AHA suggests: Take breaks. Learn the heart attack warning signs. Avoid alcohol before and immediately after shoveling. Dress… read on >
Winter can be hard for those watching their weight, the U.S. National Institutes of Health says. But you don’t have to wait until it warms up to burn those calories. Losing winter weight can start with equipment-free, in-home exercises: Squats. Push-ups. Planks. Wall sits. Lunges. Jumping jacks. Mountain climbers. Working out for 30 minutes each… read on >
Everyone is susceptible to dry skin during winter. As we age, our skin becomes thinner and drier, but harsh winters can irritate anyone’s skin, the American Academy of Dermatology says. To help dry skin in the cold weather, you can: Use an oil-based moisturizer. Oil creates a protective layer on the skin. Wear sunscreen. The… read on >
As days become shorter and the weather becomes colder, it is not uncommon to have depression-like symptoms. For those with the winter blues, the American Psychological Association offers ways to manage symptoms: Immerse yourself in daylight by going for a walk, or sitting by a window. Eat healthy, low sugar meals. Spend time with friends… read on >
Dry, cold air can trigger asthma attacks, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America says. Breathing in the winter air can cause airways to restrict, making it difficult to breathe. The foundation offers suggestions to reduce asthma attacks during winter: Cover your mouth with a scarf. Exercise indoors, not outdoors. Always carry your quick-relief inhaler… read on >
Don’t forget to think of your eyes while you’re traveling, the American Academy of Ophthalmology says. Here are the academy’s suggestions while you’re on the road, either for business or pleasure: Bring an extra pair of glasses and contact lenses. If you have an emergency, do not put off seeing an eye specialist until you… read on >
Materials used in modern playgrounds, often plastics and rubber, can get very hot in the summer sun and are capable of burning a child’s skin, the Consumer Product Safety Commission says. The agency offers parents this advice: A child can get a thermal burn even in mild weather. Watch for uncoated metal equipment, dark-colored plastics,… read on >
In drinking lore, it’s said that having beer before wine, instead of the other way around, can help prevent a hangover. Well, it’s not true, a new study finds. You’ll suffer the next day if you drink too much, regardless of how you sequence your drinks, according to researchers at Witten/Herdecke University in Germany and… read on >
In states where marijuana is legal, teens smoking pot and then getting behind the wheel of a car is common, a new study finds. “There’s a general public zeitgeist that marijuana is a pretty safe drug,” said study co-author Darin Erickson, an associate professor at the University of Minnesota’s School of Public Health. “In actuality,… read on >
Minus 29 Fahrenheit in Fargo, minus 28 in Minneapolis, minus 13 in Des Moines. With potential record-setting low temperatures ahead for much of the nation, one expert warns that frostbite can quickly strike exposed skin. “With wind chills approaching the single digits and below zero, it is possible to develop ‘frostnip’ with progression to frostbite… read on >
