Health/Fitness « Weekly Gravy

(HealthDay News) — Vitamin B12 helps keep the body’s nerve and blood cells healthy, and assists in making DNA, the U.S. National Institutes of Health says. The agency provides this additional information: Vitamin B12 is naturally found in a wide range of animal foods and is added to some fortified foods. B12 is a component of almost all multivitamins. A prescription form of B12 is available for those with a deficiency. Most people get enough B12 in the foods that they eat. About 1.5 percent to 15 percent of people are deficient, typically because they have trouble absorbing it. If you do not get enough B12, it can cause fatigue, weakness, weight loss, numbness of the hands and feet, problems with balance, confusion, poor memory and soreness.

Osteoporosis is a threat to many women, especially after menopause. But the lead up to weak, brittle bones can start much earlier in life. When bone density drops but isn’t yet at the level of osteoporosis, it’s called osteopenia. Osteopenia affects more than 33 million Americans over age 50, men and women, while 10 million have osteoporosis. Yet the DEXA scan, the painless X-ray-based test that measures bone density, isn’t recommended for women until age 65, when they may need bone-building drugs to avoid fractures. For men, the prevalence of osteoporosis doesn’t increase with age until 80, but even then, there are no screening guidelines. So, what’s the answer? Cost versus benefit is one reason insurers don’t universally cover the scan for women under 65. But you may be a candidate for earlier testing if you broke a bone after age 45, are losing height, are developing a slumped or hunched posture, or have sudden, unexplained back pain. If you’re healthy but have concerns about bone health or risk factors for osteoporosis, you can talk to your doctor about earlier testing. Factors that can increase your fracture risk include your height and weight — very thin women are at greater risk. Not getting enough exercise, smoking, drinking alcohol, a family history of osteoporosis or having a parent who broke a hip are others. Having a… read on >

An average of two children die from burns and more than 300 are treated for such injuries in U.S. emergency departments every day, a burn expert says. Burns are one of the leading causes of death and injury in the United States, and children are particularly vulnerable. Young children are at increased risk for accidental burns because their mental and physical abilities are not fully developed. Also, they have thinner skin layers than adults, which means they suffer deeper burns at lower temperatures and more quickly, the experts explained. “Thirty percent of our burn patients are children,” said Dr. Anthony Baldea. He is medical director at Loyola Burn Center at Loyola University Health System in Illinois. “Most of these burns could have been prevented. While advances in treatments have led to better outcomes, the best strategy is to take simple precautions to prevent burns from occurring in the first place,” Baldea said in a Loyola news release. Loyola’s Burn Center and the American Burn Association offer tips on preventing burns in children. Make sure coffee cups and tea mugs have lids, and never carry hot liquids while holding a child. Never place hot liquids on low coffee tables or end tables that can be reached by young children, and don’t use table cloths or place mats that a child can pull down. Keep clothes irons,… read on >

(HealthDay News) — Most women use eye makeup, but it does carry some risk, the American Academy of Ophthalmology says. The academy suggests how to use eye makeup safely: Infection-causing bacteria may grow in creamy or liquid eye makeup. So throw any unused eye makeup away after three months. If you develop an eye infection, immediately throw out all eye makeup. Never share eye makeup. If you tend to be allergic, introduce only one new eye makeup product at a time. Only apply makeup to clean eyelids. Apply it outside the lash line, away from the eye, to avoid blocking the oil glands of the upper or lower eyelid. Never apply makeup while in a moving vehicle. Do not separate mascara-clumped lashes with sharp items. If you have dry eyes, avoid metallic/glitter, powder or other makeup that flakes. Remove all eye makeup before sleeping.

The number of people living with Parkinson’s disease worldwide could double in the next two decades, experts project. In a report warning of a possible Parkinson’s “pandemic,” researchers say the stage is set for cases to surge to 12 million or more by 2040. What’s to blame? In large part, trends that are generally positive: Older age is a major risk factor for Parkinson’s, and with life expectancy rising worldwide, more people will develop the disease. At the same time, Parkinson’s patients are surviving longer, which drives up the number of people living with the disease at any given time. Then there’s a less expected factor: Declining smoking rates. While the habit has many devastating effects, research suggests it protects against Parkinson’s. Those are obviously trends that no one wants to reverse, said report author Dr. Ray Dorsey. There are, however, other ways to slow the projected rise in Parkinson’s, said Dorsey, a professor of neurology at the University of Rochester Medical Center in New York. “We believe there’s a lot we can do toward prevention,” he said. At the top of the list is reducing people’s exposure to certain pesticides, solvents and other chemicals that research has linked to Parkinson’s risk. As an example, Dorsey pointed to the weed-killer paraquat. “It’s been strongly linked to an increased risk of Parkinson’s, and it’s banned in… read on >

A half-hour of morning exercise can help control blood pressure in overweight and obese people for the entire day, a new study finds. And for women in particular, adding frequent short breaks from sitting through the day can offer additional benefit, the Australian researchers said. “For both men and women, the magnitude of reduction in average systolic blood pressure following exercise and breaks in sitting approached what might be expected from antihypertensive medication,” said lead author Michael Wheeler. “However, this reduction was greater for women,” he added. Wheeler is a member of the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute in Melbourne. The research involved 67 people between the ages of 55 and 80 who did three different laboratory sessions, in random order, separated by at least six days. Those sessions included: uninterrupted sitting for eight hours; one hour of sitting prior to 30 minutes of walking on a treadmill at a moderate pace, followed by 6.5 hours of prolonged sitting; and one hour of sitting prior to 30 minutes on the treadmill, followed by sitting that was interrupted every 30 minutes with three minutes of light-intensity walking for 6.5 hours. Average systolic (top number) and diastolic (lower number) blood pressure was reduced among both men and women who took part in morning exercise, compared to when they did not exercise. There was an additional benefit —… read on >

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 >

(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.

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 >

(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.