RSS FeedsProbiotic products claim to improve digestion and boost immunity with microorganisms. And sales are up -- way up.
|
Drugs, including those such as Viagra and Botox, have become the new focus in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. >>
PEOPLE'S PHARMACY
After taking Aciphex to treat heartburn for four years, I developed a vitamin B-12 deficiency. I complained to my doctor about being tired all the time. I was also diagnosed with hypothyroidism. I had to beg to have my B-12 levels tested, because my doctor didn't think it was a problem, but found that it was. >>
CAPSULE
Laws restricting smoking in public restaurants deters teens from starting the habit. >>
The regimen is one of several diets that can provide relief from the symptoms of various illnesses when medication fails. >>
The standard ketogenic diet, a dietary approach for managing medication-resistant epilepsy, calls for a 4-1 or 3-1 ratio of fat to protein and carbohydrates. Why this diet works in controlling seizures is unclear, but researchers theorize that the diet forces the body to burn fat rather than sugar for energy, which creates ketones. Higher ketone levels act on the brain to decrease seizures. >>
MY TURN
A man whose physician father also has the same diagnoses finds solace and advice reading the book. >>
MY TURN
A teacher's students may scoff at him for leaving his car at home, but he wears his yellow safety vest with pride. >>
Extract of saw palmetto, the Serenoa repens plant, has long been promoted as a way to prevent the prostate from growing large. >>
Age, genetics and hormones are the usual causal suspects in benign prostatic hyperplasia, but now some data suggest that the condition is a consequence of our Western lifestyle. In a 2006 study of 422 men published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, Dr. J. Kellogg Parsons, a urologist at UC San Diego, found that men who were obese had an increased risk of prostate enlargement, with severely obese men at 3.5 times higher risk. >>
Studies show that chronic pain sufferers can reduce the severity of symptoms by adding a moderate workout regimen to their treatment. >>
GOOD FORM
Much of yoga is about practicing proper alignment and focus, so be precise when performing yoga postures. You should strive to feel centered while developing strength and stability in each pose. Here are two variations of a simple yoga move called the side angle. Stick with the first variation until you feel comfortable, then progress to the second. >>
LETTERS
In response to the May 5 article "Son Finds New Life Rhythm . . .," my female partner of 17 years and fiancée was completely surprised to read of my being "openly gay." If my sexual orientation were toward the same sex, I would have had no problem sharing this with my parents long before they died. My parents and I had a close and open relationship. >>
ASK US
Many types of treatments and devices are available >>
Surgery, sometimes, is needed to treat an enlarged prostate. That technology, too, is changing. >>
Information on the benefits of the various exercises was provided by Steven Hawkins, associate professor of exercise science at California Lutheran University, who says that working out at the beach adds an important dimension: exercising in sand. "It's harder to run in sand, and harder to jump repetitively," he says. "The ground also gives when you land, so it's going to put a little different strain on muscles and joints. If you're not used to it, you're going to be sore the next day." >>
Pregnancy and diabetes: A May 5 Health article on diabetes and pregnancy referred to the American Dietetic Assn.'s recommendation that doctors counsel diabetic women before pregnancy. The reference should have been to the American Diabetes Assn. >>
In her new book, 'Death Benefits,' therapist Jeanne Safer explores what happens when adults lose their parents. In some ways, life can get better. >>
As the sport grows in popularity, researchers are studying the physiology. Doctors worry that extreme eaters may be endangering their health. >>
THE HEALTHY SKEPTIC
But, doctors say, fish oil has no documented benefits for people without a cardiac problem. >>
GEAR
Reviewed: Workout 180, the Woggler, Bosu 3D Body Sculpting, TP Stability Pods. >>
BODY MATTERS
Kids should always lift weights with adult supervision. They also need to go slowly and avoid maximum lift and competition with others. >>
GOOD FORM
Perform this yoga pose to help your body find a balance between effort and ease. It will strengthen your lower body and provide a deep stretch in your back muscles. Move into it slowly to allow time for you to find your center and feel a sense of strength and stability while holding the posture. >>
PEOPLE'S PHARMACY
I've had chronic pain in my lower back, pelvis, hips and legs for nearly four years. Lying flat was agony, so I slept propped up in a love seat. >>
CAPSULE
A study tracks runners and walkers and finds that over-the-counter orthotics can place more force on knee joints, contributing to osteoarthritis in that area. >>
THE M.D.
Doctors aiming to be more 'safe than sorry' with unwarranted tests and treatments can increase costs and worry. >>
As disease rates rise, some health experts urge preconception counseling to reduce the risks. >>
THE UNREAL WORLD
The character's condition would have kept her from thinking as well as she does on the TV show. Such victims don't radically change personalities, either. >>
THE M.D.
Doctors looking for advice on treating patients can go to such sites as those offered by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and the National Guideline Clearinghouse. >>
IN PRACTICE
The doctor's job is to minister to the sick -- and the wounded. One day, he gets his first call about a policeman shot in the line of duty. >>
LETTERS
Re [“Safely Clean?,” April 28]: Kermit was wrong! It's easy being green if your motivation is pure profit. What's hard? Identifying what's safe. I think some manufacturers are just making more dirty laundry. >>
MY TURN
A hospital stay in England illustrates the gaps in the American healthcare system. >>
The son of frugal immigrants discovers a way to ease the pain through rhythm therapy and learns to revel in the occasional splurge. >>
ASK US
Sometimes after vigorous exercise, I detect a faint odor similar to acetone. Is this common? What is it telling us? >>
Women who have diabetes before pregnancy may have problems with their blood-sugar control throughout the pregnancy, says Jean Lawrence, the lead author of the recent study and a research scientist at Kaiser Permanente's Department of Research and Evaluation. >>
GOOD FORM
Get more out of your workouts, whether at home or at the gym, by practicing moves that challenge you. For example, if you're familiar with this basic yoga posture, called triangle pose, kick it up a notch and progress to the more advanced version. Doing so will boost your strength and flexibility while improving your focus and balance. >>
THE HEALTHY SKEPTIC
The devices really don't improve air quality, and they can release ozone. >>
GOOD FORM
Here's a dynamic way to strengthen your abs, shoulders, arms and legs. The most important part of this move is to contract your abs fully before you start to lower your hips. Move slowly and think of using your abs to "scoop out" (make concave) the front of your torso. >>
ASK US
In the March 17 Health section, Joe Graedon and Teresa Graedon wrote about cinnamon to improve insulin sensitivity. I have type 2 diabetes. After reading the article, I went looking for a water-based cinnamon extract. I have been unable to find any place that sells it. Can you tell me the name of a product and where to buy it? >>
GOOD FORM
Exercise the muscles in front to correct an imbalance in flexibility. >>
ASK US
I dance ballet, and on one of the jumps, called a tour jeté, I used to land more heavily on my right heel. Done repetitively, it caused some trauma to the left uppermost corner of my right kneecap. I've since modified my technique, but I still land with my weight more on the heel on some of the jumps. Eventually, I feel pain, and it is difficult to kneel on that knee. (I don't have the same experience with my left knee.) >>
GOOD FORM
Most of us are stronger on one side of our bodies than on the other, so it's a good idea to train one side of the body at a time to correct any muscle imbalances. In this exercise, you'll move one arm at a time and use a staggered leg stance to direct more of the work into the forward leg. >>
THE HEALTHY SKEPTIC
Glucosamine and chondroitin are touted as natural alternatives for arthritis relief. But studies show effectiveness is limited. >>
MY TURN
She wanted a body 10 pounds lighter. She got a renewed mind and a surprising amount of reading done. >>
ASK US
When I turned 50, it was as if my breasts fainted from the shock. I don't expect a return to perkiness, but I'm looking for a great exercise to help them head at least a little north. >>
MY TURN
Numbers don't lie, especially when it comes to weight. But sometimes they don't tell the full story. >>
GOOD FORM
Simple move helps maintain balance and flexibility. >>
ASK US
What is a safe amount of fish to eat per week for an adult female (past pregnancy age) and male in regard to mercury levels? >>
GEAR
These four light mountain bikes will go the extra inch or two >>
GOOD FORM
Spice up your weight-training routine by working various muscle groups with a single exercise, like this one. Just remember to move slowly so that you don't rely on momentum to move your arms through the full range of motion. >>
THE HEALTHY SKEPTIC
The effect of lavender depends on how well it's marketed, experts and tests will tell you. >>
GOOD FORM
The fronts of our thighs are often stronger than the backs because the fronts get used more often in everyday activities. To balance your leg strength, add this move to your workouts. You can wear ankle weights for more of a challenge. >>
IN PRACTICE
No way was Floyd going to the ER -- last time they dinged him for $5,000, he said. And so the negotiations began. >>
ESOTERICA MEDICA
For centuries, doctors exploring the causes of penile dysfunction prescribed prayer, ointments and sex-partner advice. >>
MY TURN
A teenage boy's brash comment misses its mark. Why try to turn back the clock when you are forging ahead? >>
ASK US
I have read many times that vegetables in the cruciferous family are very good for me. Some cruciferous vegetables are dark green, such as the florets on broccoli, and some are white, such as cauliflower. Are they all equally good? Are they good in different ways? >>
GEAR
"How to get the kids off the computer?" is the question for today's parents, who often are alarmed to find themselves more fit than their children. One answer: Give them outdoor sports gear so cool, so innovative, so captivating that it tricks them into running around in the grass or playing on the streets -- if not all day, at least for an hour or two. That'll still leave them plenty of time to rush back in and instant message their friends about it. >>
WHAT WE EAT
Seaweeds have nutrients that rival those of their earthbound counterparts. They cook up easy, too. >>
THE HEALTHY SKEPTIC
A 5-calorie stick of gum is less fattening than a bag of chips. And it might even help suppress the appetite. >>
ASK US
Are there exercises specific to breast cancer survivors? >>
MY TURN
Want to see the far-reaching effects of stimulants? Check out a college campus. >>
GOOD FORM
Balancing on one leg helps us to find our center of gravity and develops our focus and concentration. Here are two stages of a balancing exercise that you can try at home. Other benefits of this pose include strengthening our core and leg muscles, which will improve the way we walk and stand. >>
GOOD FORM
Get double the payoff by combining two exercises into one super-effective move -- tightening your buttocks and thighs while strengthening your core muscles. You'll save time and make your workouts more challenging and fun. >>
IN THE LAB
Germs may actually help our bodies fight tumors -- which means an infection-free lifestyle comes at a price >>
MY TURN
With friends and family in the land of Omaha steaks, it's hard to explain that you're no longer a carnivore. >>
WHAT WE EAT
Remember the oat bran craze? In the late 1980s, several published studies touting the benefits of oat bran for lowering cholesterol had health professionals singing its praises. >>
To unlock the secrets of the climax researchers are looking behind the scenes and into the nervous system, where the true magic happens. >>
THE HEALTHY SKEPTIC
The product: You can bet that lots of couples this Valentine's Day will be exchanging chocolates, lighting candles and sharing bottles of wine -- time-honored strategies for setting the "mood." But what if your desires have sunk so low that even Godiva and a nice pinot can't rescue you? >>
GEAR
Love monitoring your heart rate, but hate wearing the tight, uncomfortable transmitter chest strap? You're not alone, as the sudden rise of the strapless heart rate monitor indicates. Popular with walkers and gym rats but viewed skeptically by hard-core athletes for a perceived lack of accuracy and potential danger during cycling (you have to take one hand off the handlebar to get a reading), strapless monitors come in convenient wristwatch and finger-ring form. There's even a breakthrough design that incorporates a chest transmitter into a bra and shirt. >>
There's no approved treatment for the waning of sexual desire after menopause, but a gel is being tested. >>
Dr. Stuart Meloy stumbled upon an alternative -- and pleasurable -- use for an electrode stimulation device that treats pain. >>
'C-V distance' may be a factor in how easily a woman has an orgasm. >>
More athletes are looking to push themselves further -- and into triathlons. >>
GOOD FORM
Here are two variations of torso stretches to relieve tension and tightness in your back, waist and hip muscles. Practice the first version of this stretch on a regular basis and then once you see progress, try the advanced version. Consistency and patience will bring you further along than forceful or aggressive effort. (Our bodies need time to adjust to new positions, so don't get frustrated and quit.) Each time you do the stretch, focus on feeling a deep release between each of your ribs and along the sides of your body. >>
ESOTERICA MEDICA
Scientists know how we pucker up and what happens when we do. Although the origins are unknown, theories abound. >>
MY TURN
JUDGING from recent studies of the college recruiting process, there are more than a few sports stage parents out there. I should know. I was one of them. Yet beyond being constantly told to back off by friends who were frenetically pushing their kids in school, I found scant little coaching for parent coaches. >>
GOOD FORM
Doing rows in a different hand position shifts muscle focus. >>
THE HEALTHY SKEPTIC
Infrared saunas have become a popular option to detoxify. But medical experts say they don't help much. >>
MY TURN
Inside a 'little blue book' is her record of trial and triumph. >>
GOOD FORM
Here is a challenging leg-balancing move to help you develop concentration, strength and balance. You'll need to focus on core muscles so you'll feel confident in the pose. Lift your torso away from the floor as you root your standing leg. >>
WHAT WE EAT
A couple of hundred years ago, physicians had few diagnostic tools. To figure out what was going on inside the human body, they often turned to bodily fluids: blood, saliva, urine. They also noted unusual qualities of human urine when people ate certain foods. >>
MY TURN
Medical advances settle a baby boomer's fears and illuminate one of life's everyday miracles. >>
IN PRACTICE
This is the story of a dog-ophobe, a dog-ophile and the parasite that brought them together. The dog-ophobe (for want of a better word) is a patient. The dog-ophile is her doctor -- me. >>
GEAR
Mild weather might make Southern California one of the best places in the country for winter cycling, but the short days and the occasional monsoon blowing in from Alaska mean you still need an indoor trainer. Whether you own a mountain bike or road bike or no bike, the devices below can get you a great cycling workout any time -- night or day, rain or shine. >>
THE HEALTHY SKEPTIC
Could you review red yeast rice? I've started taking it in an attempt to lower my cholesterol and stay off statins. >>
MY TURN
IT'S become our annual tradition. A fortysomething, fiftysomething, sixtysomething and seventysomething spend the weekend at a health spa in Ojai. My mom treats her sisters and me. To take advantage of the mother-daughter special, her sisters masquerade as her daughters. >>
MY TURN
A counselor knows the despair that addicts feel. He also knows recovery is possible. >>
WHAT WE EAT
Found in fruits, vegetables and cured meats, the chemicals may reduce risk of heart disease, a study finds. >>
GEAR
Innovative and functional, these weights inject some fun into strength training. >>
GOOD FORM
If you suffer from low-back pain, the most important thing you can do is consistently perform a safe and effective exercise to strengthen the muscles supporting that area. >>
MY TURN
For a mother and her epileptic daughter, a Chinese herbal tea is sweet balm. >>
GEAR
What to buy the biker/runner/swimmer/backpacker/kayaker/skier who already has all the sport-specific toys he/she will ever need? Preferably something that's functional, has a cool design, is so new that no one's heard of it and, of course, is small enough to slip into a stocking. >>
GOOD FORM
Practice straight-leg crunches when you want an extra challenge to your obliques, the abdominal muscles at the sides of your waist. With this move, you'll have to work a little harder than usual to keep your hips completely still as you rotate only your upper body. >>
MY TURN
It took misdiagnosis, a nudge for her doctor and a search for the right face mask, but now she can rest. >>
ESOTERICA MEDICA
Few people die of the disease anymore, but it once wreaked havoc and was even used as a bioweapon. >>
WHAT WE EAT
An irregular eating cycle worked for ancient humans. Small studies show benefits in such calorie restriction. >>
MY TURN
A change-of-life daughter who's heard this all of her life offers a different perspective on late motherhood. >>
MY TURN
An experienced patient has time-saving tips for docs. >>
MY TURN
What looks like aspirin could turn out to be trouble for the wrong patient. >>
|
 |