(HealthDay News) — Dry eye syndrome occurs when your eyes do not make enough tears. As adults get older, they are more likely to have medical conditions that trigger dry eye, such as autoimmune diseases, diabetes, stroke and thyroid problems, the AARP says. Certain medications also may affect tear glands’ ability to function properly. AARP suggests how to manage your dry eyes. Increase the moisture in your home by using a humidifier. Use sunglasses outside to protect your eyes from the sun and weather. Consider wearing glasses instead of contact lenses. Use over-the-counter eyedrops to increase moisture in your eyes. Keep your eyelids clean.
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Romance: Deal Makers & Breakers
A global study about what men and women want in a mate seems to confirm — to a point — long-established stereotypes. Men still go for looks — in general they said their preference is for a partner who is younger and physically attractive. Women said they’d prefer an older partner who’s ambitious and has good financial prospects. The researchers, from the University of Texas at Austin, explained that these responses, which came from 10,000 participants in 33 countries, can probably be traced back to the respective mating challenges men and women faced throughout the course of human evolution. On a more positive note, both sexes do gravitate toward some of the same less superficial traits — a pleasant disposition, good social skills, and similar politics and religious beliefs. Another study with an international team of researchers found that men and women approach relationships in another similar way: They’re both influenced by deal breakers, or perceived negative traits, and deal makers, the traits that they find most appealing. Both sexes process these pros and cons simultaneously when they meet someone new and apply higher standards when considering someone for a long-term relationship. Also, deal breakers have a greater influence on choices than deal makers — it’s easier to be turned off by the negatives than to be turned on by the positives. Deal breakers range… read on >
Playing to Your Strengths
Everyone has certain personality strengths that make them unique. For instance, you might be the type of person who loves to nurture others or who always tells it like it is and is known for your honesty. Studies on human psychology have found that developing your unique set of strengths can lead to happiness and even help overcome depression. But research has also shown that, all too often, rather than capitalizing on their strengths, people are more motivated to try to fix what they see as weaknesses. That could amount to wasted energy and might not even be desirable. Neglecting your strengths can cause them to fade. This can be true for a trait like kindness as well as one like creativity. On the other hand, developing strengths with what experts call “positive psychology interventions” leads to personal growth. The idea is to use one or more strengths in a new way every week through activities that lead to positive feelings, behaviors or thoughts. To get started, make a list of your strengths. The ones you put at the top of your list — those that make you feel the best about yourself — are your signature strengths. But some people get greater happiness from developing the ones farther down the page, so don’t feel as though you must limit your focus. Next, assign yourself… read on >
Your Valentine May Bring You Better Sleep
Sure, he may snore. She may steal the covers. But if a relationship is solid, your partner will help you sleep better this Valentine’s Day and far into the future, a new study suggests. Good relationships in early adulthood seemed to lead to less disruptive life events, which in turn appeared to lead to better sleep years later, researchers report. “Your partners can have a huge impact on your stress and health behaviors. They can be a source of stress or a reducer of stress,” explained study author Chloe Huelsnitz. She’s a Ph.D. candidate in the department of psychology at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. So, how does being in a satisfying partnership affect sleep? Are people more content, or is a good relationship just a sign that you have better people skills that help reduce your stress throughout life? “It’s probably a bit of both,” Huelsnitz said, though the study could not prove that a good relationship caused sleep quality to improve. She explained that if you can have a good relationship, you probably have good interpersonal skills. And if you get along well with your partner, you’re probably less likely to get into a fight with your boss or a friend. “Also, if you have someone to support you during stressful life events, it helps to buffer that stress,” Huelsnitz added. The… read on >
Could Diet Sodas Raise an Older Woman’s Stroke Risk?
Older women, beware: New research warns that drinking a lot of diet sodas or artificially sweetened fruit juices may increase your risk for stroke. In a study that tracked nearly 82,000 postmenopausal women, those who drank two or more diet drinks per day saw their overall stroke risk rise by 23 percent, compared with those who consumed diet drinks less than once a week. Blocked arteries were often the main culprit, with heavy diet drink consumption linked to a 31 percent greater risk for an ischemic stroke, which is triggered by a clot, the study findings showed. Study author Yasmin Mossavar-Rahmani acknowledged that an “association does not imply causation.” But she stressed that the findings held up even after taking into account the nutritional value of each participant’s overall diet. So, “we can’t assume these diet drinks are harmless, particularly when consumed at high levels,” Mossavar-Rahmani said. “The take-home message is that these findings give us pause,” she added. “We need to do more research on why we are seeing these associations. What are the scientific mechanisms? Is there something about the artificial sweeteners, for example, that affect the bacteria in the gut and lead to health issues?” Mossavar-Rahmani is an associate professor in the department of epidemiology and population health’s division of health promotion and nutrition research at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, in… read on >
Health Tip: Travel Suggestions For Your Eyes
(HealthDay News) — Don’t forget to think of your eyes while you’re traveling, the American Academy of Ophthalmology says. Here are the academy’s suggestions while you’re on the road, either for business or pleasure: Bring an extra pair of glasses and contact lenses. If you have an emergency, do not put off seeing an eye specialist until you get home. Untreated issues such as infection can cause long-term damage. Prepare for dry eyes on a plane with over-the-counter eye drops. Never use water to clean contact lenses. If you use prescription eye drops, travel with an extra, unopened bottle. If you notice significant changes in your vision, see a doctor. Changes in vision can signal issues such as a retinal detachment, a hypertensive crisis, a stroke or out-of-control diabetes.
Everyday Medications That Can Ruin Your Sex Life
Many drugs — both prescription and over-the-counter — can cause side effects like dizziness or upset stomach. But some can affect you in surprising ways, like causing problems with your sex life. Sexual side effects are wide-ranging. You might lose interest in sex, have difficulty becoming aroused or achieving orgasm. Or, if you’re a woman, you may experience pain because of vaginal dryness. Men can have trouble getting or keeping an erection. Some over-the-counter antihistamines and decongestants, and even nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), can cause erectile dysfunction or problems with ejaculation. In terms of prescription medications, the many categories of antidepressants and other mental health drugs, like antipsychotics, can cause any and all types of sexual problems, not just erectile dysfunction. Other Suspect Drugs High blood pressure medications, including some diuretics and alpha and beta blockers. H2 blockers used to treat acid reflux and ulcers. Anticonvulsants used to control epileptic seizures. Some medications for Parkinson’s disease. If you’re experiencing sexual issues that aren’t directly connected to a health problem and think a drug may be the culprit, review medications with your doctor, especially if the sexual problems coincided with the start of a new drug regimen. You may feel embarrassed, but keep in mind that this is a situation your doctor has certainly addressed before and he or she could have a simple remedy for… read on >
Sweet Valentine Treats That Won’t Bust Your Diet
You don’t have to give up tropical drinks and chocolatey desserts for Valentine’s Day and other celebrations. Just streamline them and boost their health profile. Sweet and fiber-rich pears can be whipped into great cocktails. Most pears at the grocery store or even at the farmer’s market are picked early, since they can get easily damaged once ripe. To ripen at home, let pears rest in a basket on the countertop for two to three days. Pear Bellini 1 ripe pear 1 ounce pear-flavored liqueur 12 ounces champagne or prosecco Gently peel and core the pear. Cut into slices, reserving two for the garnish. Place the rest in a blender with the liqueur and two tablespoons of cold water. Process until smooth. Divide between two champagne glasses and top off with champagne or prosecco. Garnish with a slice of pear. Serve immediately. Yield: 2 servings Lighter Lava Cake This restaurant favorite uses chocolate with a high cacao content for its antioxidants as well as cocoa powder to cut the calories. Cooking spray 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa 3 ounces of 70 percent dark chocolate, chopped 2 tablespoons butter 2/3 cup whole-wheat pastry flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup packed brown sugar 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 3 large eggs 2 tablespoons safflower, coconut or light olive oil Preheat oven to… read on >
Does PTSD Really Harm Veterans’ Hearts?
By itself, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) doesn’t raise the risk of heart disease for U.S. veterans, a new study finds. “Instead, a combination of physical disorders, psychiatric disorders and smoking — that are more common in patients with PTSD versus without PTSD — appear to explain the association between PTSD and developing cardiovascular disease,” said study author Jeffrey Scherrer. He’s research director in the department of family and community medicine at Saint Louis University School of Medicine in Missouri. For the study, Scherrer and his colleagues analyzed health records of more than 2,500 veterans with PTSD and more than 1,600 without PTSD. The veterans were aged 30 to 70 and had not been diagnosed with heart disease in the previous 12 months. The study participants were followed for at least three years. During that time, veterans with PTSD were 41 percent more likely to develop circulatory and heart disease than those without PTSD. Those with PTSD had significantly higher rates of smoking, depression, anxiety disorders, sleep disorders, type 2 diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure and high cholesterol than those without PTSD, the investigators found. However, no single condition explained the association between PTSD and heart disease, according to the study published online Feb. 13 in the Journal of the American Heart Association. The findings may not apply to patients older than 70 or to civilians,… read on >
Smart Steps for Healthy Feet
Are your feet something you think about only when they hurt? Simple steps can protect them from common problems, some of which are hard to get rid of. The first step is to wear shoes, such as water slip-ons, in moist environments like indoor swimming pools and communal showers at the gym. Damp areas allow bacteria and viruses to thrive, and walking barefoot makes you more susceptible to common infections like nail fungus, athlete’s foot and warts. You don’t have to give up style, but skip shoes that don’t feel comfortable from the moment you try them on. Calluses, corns, blisters and irritations can all result from or get worse from shoes that pinch and don’t fit well. It’s a mistake to expect that the shoes will “give” and feel better over time. Choose hosiery with care. That means buying socks and tights made from breathable fabrics. It’s not always possible to wear cotton, so if your feet get sweaty when you wear hosiery made of synthetics like nylon, take these steps: Carefully wash and dry feet when you get home, hand-wash the hosiery every night and let shoes dry out before you wear them again — you may need to wait 48 hours. A pedicure might be a great treat for your feet, but beware of harmful practices, both at salons and at home.… read on >