Health Tips

By now, almost everyone is aware that regular physical activity offers a number of health benefits including: Delaying death from all causes Decreasing the risk of developing coronary heart disease, heart attack, and stroke Lessening the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes Reducing the risk of certain cancers including breast…

A restaurant dining survey performed by the market research group, LivingSocial, found that the average American eats out on 4.8 occasions each week. Nearly half of these respondents described themselves as “meat lovers,” 22 percent said that they had a “sweet tooth,” and 19 percent were self-described “fast food junkies”….

Allergies develop when the immune system overreacts to substances in the environment, such as the pollen of trees, grasses, weeds, or mold spores. Allergy symptoms, triggered by the release of histamine in the body, include itching, sneezing, hives, and wheezing. Seasonal allergic rhinitis or “hay fever,” is common this time…

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths for men and women in the United States. Every year, about 140,000 Americans are diagnosed with colorectal cancer, and more than 50,000 people die from it. For some time it has been known that the earlier that colon cancer is…

People like to think of their home as a safe haven, a place where they can feel comfortable and secure. But our homes can pose risks to our well-being also. The ground on which houses stand, the materials from which they’re constructed, as well as the mechanical systems designed to…

Eight types of food account for over 90% of allergic reactions in affected individuals: milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy, and wheat. Of these, the one most capable of producing a severe allergic reaction is peanuts. It has been estimated that approximately 400,000 school-aged children in the United…

Many uncomplicated bacterial illnesses such as strep throat or ear infections respond quickly after starting treatment with antibiotics. This can lead to people failing to complete the entire course of prescribed treatment. Why then, considering the expense and risk of side effects, should we heed the common medical advice to…

Chronic illnesses, such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and hypercholesterolemia, are primarily thought of as diseases that affect adults. Over the past decade, however, these same illnesses or their predecessors have become increasingly common in children and adolescents. High blood pressure (hypertension) is a well-known condition that affects…

egular readers of eDoc’s Health Tips have learned that sensible eating habits and maintenance of ideal weight are important keys to staying healthy. There are instances, however, that in spite of best intentions, weight loss becomes an unachievable goal. In many people who have had no success with conventional methods…

Last week’s Health Tip discussed osteopenia, the stage of bone density between normal and the disease state of abnormally low bone mass known as osteoporosis. While treatment with medications is usually warranted in someone with osteoporosis, this is not always the case with osteopenia. This has to do with the…