edocamerica

The percentage of US adults who smoke cigarettes has been decreasing over the past several decades. In 1965 approximately 42% of adults smoked cigarettes as compared to 18% today. In spite of warnings regarding health risks associated with smoking, however, nearly 42 million adults and over 3.5 million middle and…

Part 2—Traumatic Shoulder InjuriesLast week, common overuse conditions of the shoulder were described along with their treatment. This week’s Health Tip describes common shoulder conditions that develop as a result of trauma. First let’s review the anatomy of the shoulder. The shoulder is made up of three bones: the upper…

The National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey found that over the course of a year up to 50% of the general population will experience shoulder pain, with half of them consulting a physician.  In most cases, this discomfort is related to trauma, although there are many other causes for shoulder pain….

ALS is an abbreviation for the disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.  Also known as “Lou Gehrig’s Disease”, ALS is a progressive degenerative disease that affects the nerves that control voluntary movements and muscle power. The specific types of nerves affected are the “motor neurons”, located in the brain and spinal cord. …

Recently, U.S. News and World Report released its ranking of the best diets for 2014.  This list was compiled by a panel of health experts including nutritionists and physicians specializing in diabetes, heart disease, and weight loss. In this ranking, the DASH eating plan topped the list, beating out better…

Surveys have found that the primary reasons people choose bottled water over tap water are: 1) the belief that bottled water is healthier, 2) that bottled water tastes better, and 3) that bottled water offers convenience.  Which one is better in regard to taste and convenience could be debated, but…

Lose 5 pounds this year?  Spend more time with your family?  Find a new job?  Millions of people make New Year’s resolutions, but relatively few are successful in keeping them. This is evidenced by a 2007 study conducted by British psychologist Richard Wiseman who found that 88% of all resolutions…

Statistics indicate that of the more than 6 million vehicle crashes each year, 24% are weather-related.  Weather-related crashes are defined as those that occur in adverse weather (i.e., rain, sleet, snow, and/or fog) or on slick pavement (i.e., wet pavement, snowy/slushy pavement, or icy pavement).  Data compiled by the National…

In the wintertime, a number of factors can cause skin to dry out, leading to uncomfortable scaling, cracking and itching.   Lower outdoor humidity along with exposure to forced air heating, wood-burning stoves, space heaters and fireplaces can all cause skin to lose moisture.  Additionally, taking long, hot showers or baths…

Plastic containers of hand sanitizer are appearing everywhere—at restaurant counters, offices, gyms, even in campground pit toilets. And no wonder, keeping hands clean through proper hand hygiene is a proven way to avoid getting sick and to prevent spreading germs. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the standard…