7 Tips for Keeping your digestive tract functioning its best 1. Focus on fiber As a complex carbohydrate that is not absorbed by the digestive tract, fiber can speed the removal of waste produced during digestion. Fiber can be found in fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Most Americans only consume half the recommended 20 to 35 grams of fiber per day. 2. Stay hydrated This is especially important when increasing fiber. Water is attracted to fiber in the digestive tract and allows it…

The Facts Behind These 9 Arthritis Myths 1. All joint pain is arthritis. Fact: Other conditions, such as tendonitis, bursitis or other soft-tissue injuries, also cause joint pain. Evaluation by a rheumatologist will lead to the right diagnosis and treatment. 2. Rain and damp weather worsen arthritis. Fact: Although many believe that a twinge in the knee or knuckle can predict rain, there is no scientific evidence that dampness or humidity intensifies arthritis symptoms. 3. Take it easy if…

What are the steps to successful aging? As we age, we make choices about our lifestyle, health care, personal pursuits, and our plans for old age. A few "steps to successful aging" will help guide us to healthy and active golden years. 1) Adopt and maintain healthy habits and positive lifestyles: Avoid cigarette smoking Have no more than one alcoholic beverage in a 24-hour period Exercise regularly, maintaining the triad of weight bearing, aerobic, and balance activities Maintain a…

By Margaret McKenzie, MD There are few life events that can compare to the 280 or so-day journey called pregnancy. The roller-coaster ride of excitement and anxiety, combined with the vast changes going on in a woman’s body can be overwhelming. But a positive experience with pregnancy is well within your reach. It’s important to understand the myriad of changes going on in your body during pregnancy. The first thing that develops when a fertilized egg attaches to the uterine wall is the…

Who is at Risk for Colorectal Cancer? Every one of us is at risk for colorectal cancer. The lifetime risk is 1 in 18 people or about 6 percent of American men and women. Most people who develop colorectal cancer have no particular risk factors. Although the exact cause for the development of pre-cancerous colon polyps that lead to colorectal cancer is not known, there are some factors that increase a person’s risk of developing colorectal polyps and cancer. These risk factors…

Seeing the Light Ever see something drifting across the sky – then discover it’s actually drifting across your eye? That would be a "floater." Floaters are bits of debris in the interior of your eye that appear when you look at something white or very bright. “People describe them as cobwebs, spiderwebs, bubbles or even ‘tadpoles’,” says Arun Singh, MD, of Cleveland Clinic Cole Eye Institute. Dr. Singh, an ophthalmologist, or physician specializing in eye disorders, sees patients with…

What Can You do to Prevent Osteoporosis? Eat a balanced diet rich in calcium and Vitamin D. Exercise regularly. Maintain a healthy lifestyle. Prevent falls (for example, by removing loose wires, cords, and rugs around your house; wearing sturdy rubber-soled shoes; installing grab bars in your tub or shower) so you can stay active. Who should get tested for osteoporosis? An initial examination for osteoporosis is recommended at menopause if you have risk factors. There is a direct…

You may experience insomnia (an inability to sleep) because of discomfort, stress from personal concerns, or side effects from your medications. 12 Tips For a Better Night's Sleep If you cannot sleep, try these tips: Establish a regular sleep schedule -- go to bed and get up at the same time every day. Make sure your bed and surroundings are comfortable. Arrange the pillows so you can maintain a comfortable position. Keep your bedroom dark and quiet. Use your bedroom for sleeping…

What is sexual dysfunction? Sexual dysfunction refers to a problem during any phase of the sexual response cycle that prevents the individual or couple from experiencing satisfaction from the sexual activity. The sexual response cycle has four phases: excitement, plateau, orgasm and resolution. What causes sexual dysfunction? Causes of sexual dysfunction include: Physical causes Many physical and/or medical conditions can cause problems with sexual function. These conditions include…

15 Steps to Healthy Eating Don’t skip meals. Do keep track of your eating habits. Don’t eat after 7 P.M. Do drink plenty of water. Do delay/distract yourself. Do exercise instead of eat when bored. Don’t eat while you watch TV, work, drive. Do only eat in certain settings (kitchen table). Do watch your portion sizes. Don’t forbid yourself a particular food. Do give yourself encouragement. Don’t beat yourself up when you lapse. Do think of eating as a lifestyle…

What is the relationship between hormones and headaches? It has been estimated that 70 percent of migraine sufferers are female. Of these female migraine sufferers, 60 to 70 percent report a menstrual relationship to their migraine attacks. Headaches in women, particularly migraines, have been related to changes in the levels of female hormone estrogen during a woman’s menstrual cycle. Levels of estrogen drop immediately before the start of the menstrual flow (menses). Premenstrual migraines…

Do Your Household Cleaners Have Dangerous Chemicals? Potentially dangerous chemicals can be found in every room in your home. If not properly stored or used, these products could end up in you or your child’s body or on you or your child’s skin and cause minor to serious and even life-threatening health problems. What are these every day household chemicals? Let’s take a tour of the rooms of your home and discover what some of these chemicals are and what health harms they may cause. Keep in…

Many people love the sun. The sun’s rays make us feel good, and in the short term, it makes us look good. But our love affair isn’t a two way street: Exposure to sun causes most of the wrinkles and age spots on our faces. Consider this: One woman at age 40 who has protected her skin from the sun actually has the skin of a 30-year-old. We often associate a glowing complexion with good health, but skin color obtained from being in the sun can actually mean accelerated effects of aging and an…

Inclining the Bed Can Help Reflux Symptoms The backward flow of stomach juices up through the esophagus (ie, the tube that connects the mouth with the stomach) is called reflux – or gastroesophageal reflux. This condition can irritate the throat. It can also contribute to a variety of complaints in the throat area such as: "post nasal drainage" "lump in the throat" hoarseness difficulty swallowing throat clearing cough choking "throat spasms" other throat…

Heartburn and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Heartburn is a burning sensation in the center of the chest that often occurs after eating, bending over, with exercise, and sometimes at night when lying down. Approximately, 1 in 10 adults has heartburn at least once a week and one in three monthly. Although, its name implies otherwise, heartburn has nothing to do with your heart. Rather, these symptoms indicate a condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. What is GERD? When you…

What are the symptoms of motion sickness? The symptoms of motion sickness include dizziness, sweating, a general feeling of discomfort and not feeling well, nausea, and vomiting. Symptoms can strike suddenly and progress from simply not feeling well to a cold sweat, to dizziness, and then vomiting. What can I do to prevent or minimize motion sickness? If you know you have motion sickness or might be prone to it, consider this advice: On a ship: When making your reservations, choose a cabin…

In many cases, a woman can experience pain during sex if there is not sufficient vaginal lubrication. In these cases, the pain can be resolved if the female becomes more relaxed, if the amount of foreplay is increased, or if the couple uses a sexual lubricant. In some cases, a woman can experience painful intercourse if one of the following conditions is present: Vaginismus — This is a common condition in which there is a spasm in the vaginal muscles, mainly caused by the fear of…

Factors that can cause sleep problems Physical (such as ulcers) Medical (such as asthma) Psychiatric (such as depression and anxiety disorders) Environmental (such as alcohol) Short-term or acute insomnia can be caused by life stresses (such as job loss or change, death of a loved one, or moving), an illness, or environmental factors such as light, noise, or extreme temperatures. Long-term or chronic insomnia (insomnia that occurs at least three nights a week for a month or…

General suggestions to reduce exposure to airborne allergens Keep windows and doors closed. Avoid using window or attic fans that draw in outside air. Use air conditioning. Refrain from outside activities, if possible, during times of high pollen counts (if you are sensitive to pollens). Note that peak pollination occurs at different times of the day for different plants (e.g., ragweed in the late morning, grasses in the afternoon). Shower or bathe and change clothes following…

Rosacea Rosacea is a common disorder that mainly affects facial skin. It causes redness on the nose, chin, cheeks, and forehead. Over time, the redness can become more intense, taking on a ruddy appearance. Superficial blood vessels may become visible. In some cases, rosacea appears on the chest, ears, neck, or scalp. Red solid bumps and pus-filled pimples can sometimes develop. The disorder can cause the nose to take on a bulbous, swollen appearance called rhinophyma. Rosacea can affect the…