Health

There was welcome news for footy enthusiasts in the Daily Mail today, as the paper reported that “playing football is the best way for middle-aged men to tackle high blood pressure” This headline stems from research looking at previously inactive mid...

There was welcome news for footy enthusiasts in th...

“Women smokers who quit before 30 cut death risk by 97%”, The Guardian reports. It goes on to warn that ‘women who smoke into middle-age have three times the death rate of non-smokers and risk dying at least 10 years early’. The news is based on the ...

“Women smokers who quit before 30 cut death risk b...

"Lung cancer rates soaring for women after tobacco manufacturers target them by saying smoking helps you stay slim," the Daily Mail claims. Elsewhere, BBC News reports that over the next 30 years the number of women with lung cancer is set to rise si...

"Lung cancer rates soaring for women after tobacco...

'Losing your job can be deadly, because it increases the risk of having a heart attack by up to two-thirds,' The Daily Telegraph reports. The news is based on a US study that examined the association between different aspects of unemployment (such as...

'Losing your job can be deadly, because it increas...

“Looking for a morning brain boost? Forget coffee – green tea holds the key for men”, suggests the Daily Mail. Earlier this month we were told that green tea helps prevent bowel cancer, now new research suggests it could aid memory and cognition (thi...

“Looking for a morning brain boost? Forget coffee ...

Being active and living a healthy lifestyle into your 70s can make a huge difference to your life expectancy, the BBC reported today. The story is based on a large Swedish study of people aged 75 and over, which found that those with a healthy lifest...

Being active and living a healthy lifestyle into y...

If you smoke, you get less sleep and a “lower quality of rest” than non-smokers do, according to today’s Daily Mail. The links between smoking and serious, potentially fatal conditions (such as lung cancer and heart disease) are well known. But this ...

If you smoke, you get less sleep and a “lower qual...

“Fish could protect against Alzheimer’s,” reported The Daily Telegraph. Several newspapers said that people who eat baked or grilled fish once a week are up to five times less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease. The story is based on an abstract o...

“Fish could protect against Alzheimer’s,” reported...

In 2010, around 43% of cancer cases seen in the UK were caused by lifestyle and environmental factors, according to several news sources today. This equated to around 134,000 cancers caused by potentially avoidable behaviours such as smoking, drinkin...

In 2010, around 43% of cancer cases seen in the UK...

Fatal cases of liver disease are rising, according to media reports today. In under a decade there has been a 25% increase in deaths from the condition, with alcohol causing more than a third of total cases. In contrast, other major causes of death, ...

Fatal cases of liver disease are rising, according...

“Shift workers getting too little sleep at the wrong time of day may be increasing their risk of diabetes and obesity,” according to the BBC, which reported new research showing that changes to normal sleep can cause the body to struggle with control...

“Shift workers getting too little sleep at the wro...

There is “no convincing evidence” that mobile phones cause cancer, according to a major report issued by the Health Protection Agency. The report has received a great deal of press attention. Most newspapers stressed the lack of clear risks but other...

There is “no convincing evidence” that mobile phon...

Individuals that design grocery stores are highly skilled manipulators. Ever notice that the bakery is in the back of all grocery stores? The scent of the bakery draws you to the back of the store and away from your intended goal. The dairy products ...

Individuals that design grocery stores are highly ...

While thinking about what to write about for this week's blog, I came across an article in a local newspaper stating that there are currently 366 million people with diabetes worldwide. I'm familiar with the data from the American Diabetes Associatio...

While thinking about what to write about for this ...

It's the "dog days" here in Minnesota — the hottest, most sultry days of summer. In the northern hemisphere that's usually July and August. Such heat and humidity affects people with chronic conditions more than it does others. If you have diabetes, ...

It's the "dog days" here in Minnesota — the hottes...

"I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and, doggone it, people like me!" Stuart Smalley, a character played by Al Franken on Saturday Night Live, may have been a little over the top, but Stuart was on the right track when it comes to self-talk and posit...

"I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and, doggone i...

What does it take to get motivated? That's a tough question. A motivation to lose weight, for example, might be a wedding, a high school reunion, or fear of dying from a heart attack. I'm more motivated to clean my house when I know that I'll be host...

What does it take to get motivated? That's a tough...

For many, fall is a time for raking leaves, sitting around the campfire, picking apples and going to corn mazes and pumpkin patches. But don't forget that fall is also the time to get your flu shot. And if you have diabetes, a flu shot is especially ...

For many, fall is a time for raking leaves, sittin...

Hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, floods and other natural disasters seem to be in the news a lot. I've been watching the coverage following hurricane Sandy. Among other things, people have been coping with the loss of their homes, a lack of electr...

Hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, floods and oth...

I have a friend who's so embarrassed about her nail fungus that no one is allowed to see her feet. Her feet are always covered with socks, slippers, shoes or water shoes (if she's at the beach or pool). Nail fungal infections affect about 12 percent ...

I have a friend who's so embarrassed about her nai...

We're currently in the midst of the holiday season. Your mind may be filled with all kinds of tasks you need to accomplish — running to the store, picking up the dry cleaning, ordering gifts, grocery shopping, planning parties, cleaning house, baking...

We're currently in the midst of the holiday season...