Health News

Exercise Decreases Salt’s Effect on Blood Pressure
Evidence mounts from all corners to continue a regular exercise program and low-salt diet.   A new study supports this recommendation and shows an inverse relationship in the amount of exercise one gets and the effect salt intake has on their blood pressure.
Farmacology or Farm Ecology
We already knew pesticides caused many cancers, but now research has been extended to autoimmune diseases.   A lengthy study involving 77,000 women showed that greater exposure to pesticides results in a higher likelihood of developing lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.
Pricey Cardiac Pills
One of the most important things that heart patients can do to better their health is to take the drugs they are prescribed. However, many patients skip out on their pills, often because prescription drugs costs are high.
FDA: "Food Coloring Still Safe"
In light of mounting reports, the FDA's Food Advisory Committee has reviewed the evidence that shows that artificial food coloring can cause behavioral problems in some children. The committee has concluded that artificial dyes are still safe.
Early to Treatment, Early to Muscle Control
Dystonia is an uncommon disorder that causes the muscles to contract when they should be relaxed, sometimes disabling patients for years. Starting treatment sooner rather than later leads to better results.
Mirror, Mirror on the Wall
How does the modern woman assess her body image? Apparently, it’s not just by looking in the mirror. Women of all ages base body image largely on how important their social group and family perceive them.
Singing is Soothing
Before performing knee replacement surgery, doctors had to get the patient's blood pressure under control. A 76-year-old woman did not respond to the usual drug treatments. However, after she sang a few religious songs, her blood pressure dropped dramatically.
Cardiac Skilled Care Doesn't Mean Good Results
After leaving the hospital, many elderly patients with heart failure need skilled nursing care. This kind of care, however, does not mean that patients and their families will go back to a normal life. In fact, these patients often have a higher risk of death or returning to the hospital.
Under What Knife?
A new, less invasive treatment - called prostatic artery embolization - may replace the most common way doctors treat men with an enlarged prostate, or benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Accepting Your Step-Parent
Bonding step-family with existing biological family can be a difficult process. In order to make this easier, step-parents should heed experts advice: Children assess their step-parents based on how they are treated and how step-parent react to biological parents.