We all know that stress isn’t good for us. But when we think (and talk) about stress, we usually mean big things—an ugly divorce, long stretches of unemployment, caring for a sick loved one for an extended period of time, and so on. Stress contributes to anxiety and depression and can increase the risk of...Continue reading
Category: Family
Don’t Let Your ‘Stache Turn into Nothing But Lip Service
So here we are, almost the end of November – or Movember, if you’re one of the many men around the world who’ve sprouted some facial hair as a way to give something more than lip service to men’s health. But growing a Fu Manchu or a goatee or anything else isn’t magic. Facial hair...Continue reading
Colonsocopy on Your Calendar? Here’s Some Good News. Maybe.
If you’ve never had a colonoscopy, you don’t know what you’re missing. And if you have had one, you’d be glad to miss the next one—but you know you shouldn’t, because it might just save your life. But there may be some good news: A recent study suggests that having just one colonoscopy might be...Continue reading
Vitamin D: Even More Important for African-Americans
When people talk about Vitamin D, it usually has to do with bone health. And last week I did a post that talked about the many benefits of getting enough D—and the health risk associated with not getting enough. Two recent studies highlight even more of those risks, especially for African-Americans: arthritis pain in the...Continue reading
Vitamin D Deserves an “A”
There’s a lot of controversy about Vitamin D and estimates of how many American have a deficiency range from 8 percent to nearly 80 percent. But what isn’t debatable is that Vitamin D (which is actually not a vitamin at all, but a hormone) plays an important role in an astonishing number of conditions throughout...Continue reading
When it Takes Three to Make a Baby
I’m a big fan of science and technology, but I’m not sure I’m completely on board with this recent development. Scientists in Oregon have just created human embryos using genetic material from three parents. Yep, three. The new technique was apparently developed as a way of helping babies avoid inheriting certain rare genetic conditions from...Continue reading
On the Fence about Whether Your Kids Should Have Flu Shots? Just Do It—Now
Between August 1, 2004 and May 5, 2012, 829 children in the US died from the flu, according to a new study by researchers at the CDC. And a third of those kids died within three days after symptoms first appeared. Unfortunately, by then it’s often too late. The solution? Make sure your kids get...
Want Grandchildren? Make Sure Your Sons Aren’t Overwieght
Researchers at the University of Buffalo found that obese boys between 14-20 have 50 percent less testosterone that boys the same age whose weight is normal.
Coffee With Sam: Abigail Hirsch On Marriage and Divorce
I recently had the opportunity to have a virtual cup of coffee and chat with Dr. Abigail Hirsch, marriage specialist, practicing clinician, co-author of The Power of Two, and blogger. Dr. Hirsch has some great advice on marriage: how to make it work, keep it happy, and keep your partner satisfied (in all senses of...Continue reading
Under Pressure: The Real Reason Our Joints Creeeeeak…
There’s no question that the cartilage in our joints wear deteriorates with age. But if you’re overweight, your chances of developing arthritis or joint problems–especially in the hips and knees–goes way, way up. Obese people are twice as likely as non-obese people to develop arthritis, according to Dr. Richard Iorio, an orthopedic surgeon and a...Continue reading