(HealthDay News) — When dilating your eyes, your doctor will put a small amount of eye drop solution into each of your eyes, says the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Within 30 minutes, your pupils should fully open. Your vision will be blurry, and focusing on close objects will be difficult. And you will be extra sensitive to bright light. The effects of dilating eye drops last up to several hours, so the academy recommends having someone drive you home after your appointment.
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Flu Season Is Coming: Here’s How to Protect Yourself
If you don’t want to be one of the 40 million Americans who get the flu each year, it’s time to roll up your sleeve. Everyone 6 months of age or older should have a flu shot by late October, before flu season begins, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends. Flu puts hundreds of thousands in the hospital each year and last year it claimed up to 61,000 lives, the CDC estimated. Even once the flu season is in full swing, it’s not too late to get protected, experts from Rutgers Medical School said. The vaccine covers both influenza A and B strains, and this year’s shot has been tweaked to account for changes in the virus. “Besides protecting you from common strains of the flu, the vaccine will lessen the severity of symptoms if you contract a strain that was not included,” said Dr. Tanaya Bhowmick, an infectious diseases specialist. “Having the vaccination will stop the virus from infecting others,” especially vulnerable populations such as the elderly, children and those who have an impaired immune system, she explained in a news release from Rutgers Health. Bhowmick added that a nasal spray vaccine, FluMist, can be given to people between the ages of 2 and 49, and it’s as effective as a needle. Her colleague, Dr. David Cennimo, an assistant professor of… read on >
Sinus Infections: What You Need to Know
Along with the flu, this is the time of year for sinus infections with their make-you-miserable stuffy, runny noses and blocked ears. Most sinus infections are caused by viruses, but bacteria can also be to blame, according to Dr. Jessica Grayson, an assistant professor of otolaryngology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. “When people say they have sinus pressure, they may mean nasal congestion,” Grayson said in a university news release. “Bilateral congestion could mean a person has a viral infection or an allergic reaction. Viral infections don’t pick and choose a side.” If your sinus pressure is isolated, you might have a bacterial infection, and that means you need to see a doctor and probably need an antibiotic, she said. Taking too many, though, can have negative effects on the immune system. “With a virus,” Grayson added, “you just have to let it run its course.” But a nasal decongestant like Afrin can help, she said. Grayson recommends using it at night and for no more than three or four days in a row. Use it longer and you run the risk of getting rebound congestion. “This starts a vicious cycle of becoming addicted to using the product,” she said. Using saline irrigation or a neti pot can also help by washing out the nasal passages, Grayson said. For the first few days… read on >
Just a Little Weight Loss Can Put Diabetes Into Remission
British researchers have good news for people with type 2 diabetes — you don’t need to lose a ton of weight to make a difference in your health. In fact, they found that losing just 10% of your body weight during the first five years you have the disease can lead to remission of type 2 diabetes. That weight loss would be 18 pounds for someone who weighs 180 pounds. It doesn’t matter what diet helps you lose the weight. And it doesn’t matter how slow or how quickly those pounds come off, the investigators found. “Even small amounts of weight loss can help you achieve remission. Extreme dieting and exercising are not necessary,” said study author Dr. Hajira Dambha-Miller, a general practice physician and clinical lecturer at the University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, in the United Kingdom. “Type 2 diabetes should no longer be seen as a lifelong disease,” she added. The disease can essentially be cured if you lose weight and keep it off, according to Dambha-Miller. The researchers said that type 2 diabetes affects 400 million people around the world. It’s typically considered a chronic, progressive disease. But significant weight loss through extreme dieting (less than 700 calories a day) can bring about remission in almost 90% of people with type 2 diabetes, the study authors noted. Weight-loss surgery also… read on >
Overcoming Your Artichoke Anxiety
Love those artichoke appetizers you get at restaurants but stop in your tracks when you see them on display at the store? Yes, artichokes look intimidating, but once you know the secret of artichoke prep, you’ll look for opportunities to prepare them at home. Artichokes, a plant in the thistle family, are one of the healthiest foods around, rich in fiber and great for gut health and immunity, along with weight loss thanks to their low calorie count. Artichokes are high in folate, a B vitamin, vitamin C and magnesium. All you need to prep artichokes are sharp knives and scissors or kitchen shears. Rinse the artichokes and trim off the stems with your knife. Next, use the scissors to cut off the tips of the outer leaves. Then cut the artichokes in half from bottom to tip. Using a sharp paring knife, cut out the chokes, the inedible prickly centers. That’s all there is to it. Now you’re ready to roast them. Zesty Roasted Artichokes 2 artichokes, such as globe, prepped as described above 2 tablespoons parsley, minced 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 garlic cloves, minced 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 cup mayonnaise 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt 2 tablespoons lemon juice 1 tablespoon honey 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard Preheat your oven to 425 degrees. Place the artichoke halves on an 8-by-12-inch sheet of parchment… read on >
Can Your Eating Habits Keep Alzheimer’s at Bay?
When you hear the word diet, you might think only of weight loss. But a lifestyle diet can bring even greater benefits. One option that belongs on your radar is the MIND diet created by researchers at Rush University in Chicago. MIND stands for Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay. It’s a hybrid of those two heart-healthy diets, both of which reduce the risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, heart attack and stroke. In initial studies, the MIND diet offered a huge additional benefit — lowering the risk of Alzheimer’s disease by up to 53% in participants who stuck to it rigorously and by about 35% in those who only did so moderately well. But the key is to start now, no matter your age, because it seems like the longer you follow it, the lower your risk of developing Alzheimer’s. Do Eat: Green leafy vegetables and other vegetables Nuts Blueberries or strawberries Beans Whole grains Fish Poultry Olive oil Wine Do Limit: Red meat Butter and stick margarine to less than a tablespoon a day Cheese, pastries, sweets, fried or fast food to one serving in total per week The MIND diet isn’t complicated. Each day have at least three servings of whole grains, a salad and one other vegetable along with a glass of wine. On most days, make nuts your snack. Have beans… read on >
Health Tip: Easing College Application Anxiety
(HealthDay News) — Applying to college can be a stressful experience for teens, says Hillside Treatment Center. Made worse by other sources of stress — such as homework and extracurricular activities — anxiety during this time is common. To ease college application anxiety, Hillside Treatment Center encourages parents to: Create realistic expectations. Avoid comparing your child to others. Offer support and pay attention to their feelings. Ensure your child eats well and gets enough sleep. Focus on finding the right college, not necessarily the best college. Enjoy quality time with your child, away from college concerns.
Running the Numbers on High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is a risk factor for many serious health threats, such as heart attack and stroke. The most recent guidelines from the American Heart Association, the American College of Cardiology and other health organizations reflect research findings that lowering the threshold for high blood pressure and starting treatment earlier does a better job of preventing these complications. The guidelines stem in part from studies funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health. Results showed increased heart health benefits to having the top, or systolic, number below a reading of 120 mm Hg. The New Normal: What Your Blood Pressure Reading Means Normal blood pressure: Less than 120 and less than 80 mm Hg Elevated blood pressure: 120-129 and less than 80 mm Hg Hypertension stage 1: 130-139 or 80-89 mm Hg Hypertension stage 2: 140 or higher and/or 90 mm Hg or higher Another key guideline recommends starting treatment when readings reach 130/80 mm Hg rather than the old target of 140/90 mm Hg. For some people, treatment simply means making lifestyle changes with diet and exercise, while others will do better with medication, such as when, for example, they have a higher personal risk for heart disease. If you have other health conditions like kidney disease or diabetes, it may take more time and effort working with your doctor to find the… read on >
Buffalo Cauliflower: A Better Bar Food
Love the taste of hot wings, but looking for something healthier? If you’re a fan of this game day favorite, you’ll go wild over Buffalo cauliflower. Making the simple swap from chicken wings to cauliflower gets more veggies into your diet and adds a world of nutrition. Cauliflower is a superfood rich in a long list of nutrients from vitamin C to fiber. And because of its mild taste, cauliflower takes on the flavors of any sauce you dress it with. At first glance, wing sauce may seem sinful, but hot sauce is made with chilies, a healing superfood that contains the potent antioxidant capsaicin — that’s what tingles your tongue with spicy heat. It calls for less than a tablespoon of butter per serving, and if you can purchase grass-fed butter, you’ll not only get the richness, but also the extra omega-3 fatty acids it has compared to butter made from grain-fed cow’s milk. And when you’re shopping for the cauliflower, look for bright white florets with no black or dark spots, which indicate spoilage. Buffalo Cauliflower 1 head cauliflower 1 lemon 2 tablespoons olive oil 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1/3 cup hot sauce 3 tablespoons butter, preferably grass-fed 1 tablespoon tomato paste 2 scallions, thinly sliced Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Cut the cauliflower into florets. Zest… read on >
Seaside Living Soothes the Mind of Rich and Poor Alike
Could living near the coast be an inexpensive balm for mental troubles? “Our research suggests, for the first time, that people in poorer households living close to the coast experience fewer symptoms of mental health disorders,” said researcher Dr. Jo Garrett, from the University of Exeter, in England. “When it comes to mental health, this ‘protective’ zone could play a useful role in helping to level the playing field between those on a high and low income,” Garrett said in a university news release. For the study, her team analyzed survey responses from nearly 26,000 people who took part in the Health Survey for England. The investigators compared people’s health to their proximity to the coast and found that people living in towns and cities near the coastline reported having better mental health, even the poorest folks. About one in six adults in England suffers from mental anxiety and depression, and they are more likely from poorer families, the study authors noted. Research into what the investigators call “blue health” should boost efforts by governments “to protect, create and encourage the use of coastal spaces,” said Dr. Mathew White, an environmental psychologist at the university. “We need to help policy makers understand how to maximise the wellbeing benefits of ‘blue’ spaces in towns and cities and ensure that access is fair and inclusive for everyone.”… read on >