Features

Meditation: Strength Training for the Brain
For those not familiar with the practice, meditation might easily be written off as something a little too “out there.” But data shows that the use of meditation is growing among Americans. According to a 2007 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study, 9.4% of the 23,393 sample group polled reported using meditation in the previous year, up from 7.6% of those polled in 2002. Now new research from UCLA showing how meditation may strengthen the brain might just push a few more to try it.
A Guide to Pregnancy Over 35
Over the past decades, more women have been pushing back the decision to start a family until later in life. If you're over 35 when you're ready to get pregnant, what should you know?
Autism on the Rise
New data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 1 in 88 children is identified as having an autism spectrum disorder ( ASD ).
Promising Treatment for PTSD
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects people who have experienced traumatic events and the symptoms can interfere with daily life.  Natural disasters, combat situations, physical or sexual assault, and witnessing crimes are all traumatic events that, in some cases, result in PTSD.
Low Dose Hormone Like Chemicals may Harm
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals ( EDC ) is the name given to a variety of substances that can act like hormones in the body.  Exposure to EDCs can occur through contact with a variety of common household goods and in many industrial settings.  The effects of high-doses of EDCs are well-studied in industrial settings, but the possible health effects of low-dose exposures, like those in common household goods, have not received as much attention. EDCs in the Household Synthetic EDCs are found in a wide variety of plastics, pesticides, fungicides, and medicines.  Naturally occur...
How Stress may Impact Recovery
In our modern world, stress can become a way of life. The American Institute of Stress manages a list of over 50 common symptoms of stress, including jaw clenching, insomnia, chest pain, social withdrawal and hives. Everyone has experienced how stress and its symptoms can interfere during a hectic day.
Understanding PTSD
Though surely around for as long as man has encountered trauma, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was not recognized by the American Psychiatric Association until the third edition of the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) was published in 1980.
Caregiving for MS: What You Need to Know
If your loved one is diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, MS, your doctor won't be able to tell you exactly what to expect. What he might say is that it's an unpredictable disease, and it's time to get prepared.
Weight Loss Surgery Treats Diabetes
Being overweight puts you at risk for a variety of health problems, including type 2 diabetes. It can also lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. Fortunately, losing weight can protect you from these serious health problems.
Defining Arthritis
Arthritis in its many forms is the leading cause of chronic disability in the United States, encompassing a wide variety of complaints focusing on joint pain. If you notice pain, redness, and swelling in your joints, it's important to see a physician, as the arthritis could be a consequence of another disorder.