Flu season is in full-force, and it's likely to continue till May. The unfortunate truth is that most people don’t know how to keep their germs to themselves, especially kids. You can wash your hands and disinfect surfaces, but stray viruses can linger in the air, just waiting to be inhaled. Not to mention the germs you bring into your own home after you've been out and about for the day. Fortunately,...
February 12
Most of the insects that find their way into your home are harmless, but the kissing bug isn’t one of them. This nasty bloodsucker can transmit Chagas disease, which can cause chronic, sometimes deadly, infections, and its presence in the United States is increasing. Protect yourself by knowing these facts...Kissing bugs have been documented in 28 U.S. states, the most recent being Delaware. Many doctors...
February 10
If you’ve ever had a bad day and resorted to a bag of chips or a pint of ice cream to feel better at the end of a long day, you’re not alone. There’s just something about junk food that sounds so appealing when you’re frustrated or sad. Nevertheless, too much junk food isn’t healthy and, while sometimes it can make you feel better in the moment, over the long-term it isn’t healthy. Recently, evidence...
February 07
Like the villains in old-fashioned westerns, cholesterol tends to get viewed as one of our body’s bad guys. But cholesterol plays a vital role in keeping our bodies functioning properly. So it's important to view it with balance. We need to keep it within optimal levels, but not view it as evil or bad because it's important to our wellbeing. Let’s take a closer look at the role cholesterol plays in...
February 07
Hair coloring subjects a person to many dangerous chemicals. There’s not much agreement over the potential risks common hair dyes can pose, but many experts do warn that people should use them with caution. A recent breakthrough, however, could make coloring hair much less risky by using a synthetic form of a chemical our bodies already make. The Problem With Traditional Hair Dye According to the...
February 07
A study out of the Washington University School of Medicine warns of the consequences of a sedentary lifestyle and concludes that Americans are still not doing enough to increase their daily activity. In fact, data concerning daily physical activity found time spent sitting has increased even more for individuals of all ages.We took a close look at the data to learn just how much inactivity has increased...
February 06
Comfort eating feels so...well, comfy. For a number of reasons, most of us indulge at some point. And, likewise, for a number of reasons, some of us are powerless against the urge to do so. Now, new evidence may be the breakthrough that helps some of us break free. It turns out that we may crave certain foods the same way we crave socializing with other people. Isolation may convince the brain to encourage...
February 05
Assisted living facilities in the United States cost an average of $4,000 a month. For individuals requiring more care, a private room in a nursing home costs an average of $8,365 a month. This expense is always changing, with a documented increase of 8% over the last 5 years. That might seem expensive to many people and not so expensive to others. The real question is, is it worth it?Long-term care...
February 03
The Chinese medicine technique of gua sha has been around for centuries, and recently it's gotten renewed attention, but is it right for the health of your skin? This home remedy, which involves a type of skin scraping, is used for a number of health issues. Its use on facial skin and other areas of the body may be just the rejuvenation treatment you’re looking for. The Original Uses of Gua Sha During...
February 03
Ever had someone try to convince you that a certain activity is the “ideal” form of exercise….and then when you tried it, you said “ick” to that ideal? That’s what happened to me in high school dance class. My high school gym teacher loved to dance, pirouetting in her enthusiasm to teach us the different styles throughout the year. My girlfriends were thrilled. Having already been bounced from Ballet...
January 31