Zinc supports a healthy immune system. After iron, it is the second most common essential mineral in our bodies. But because our bodies can’t make zinc, we have to get what we need from food or supplements. Taking supplemental zinc for colds has become more popular over time as a natural remedy to fight off the virus. This article discusses whether zinc works for colds, its side effects, and how to take it....
Have you ever noticed it takes you a couple of days to recover from a stressful event or overexertion? A 48-hour recovery period is something you commonly hear about from people with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. Why Recovery Is Necessary We don’t yet know why we need a couple of days to recover from — well, just about anything — but a lot of chronic fatigue syndrome research is focusing on post-exertional malaise—the intensified fatigue and flare of other symptoms following exercise....
The Bernstein test, also called acid perfusion test, is a diagnostic procedure used to try to reproduce the symptoms of heartburn. Usually performed in a gastroenterology laboratory, the procedure can help to determine whether your heartburn symptoms are caused by acid coming up from the stomach and irritating the esophagus. It is usually done along with other tests that measure esophageal function. Here’s what you need to know about the Bernstein test and its aftermath....
If you’re looking for an accurate way to understand how your body is working during exercise, you may want to consider testing your aerobic capacity. It is one way to track your fitness level, and can be used in addition to various fitness and endurance tests. This article will discuss aerobic capacity, how it is calculated, how to build it, and how it compares to aerobic endurance. Definition Your aerobic capacity refers to the maximum amount of oxygen your body can use at one time during an intense exercise....
Audism is a term used to describe a negative attitude toward deaf or hard of hearing people. It is typically thought of as a form of discrimination, prejudice, or a general lack of willingness to accommodate those who cannot hear. Those who hold these viewpoints are called audists and the oppressive attitudes can take on a variety of forms. Understanding Audism The term audism was first coined by Tom Humphries in his 1977 doctoral dissertation titled “Communicating Across Cultures (Deaf-Hearing) and Language Learning....
Autogenic training (AT) is a self-guided relaxation technique. It was developed by German psychiatrist Johannes Heinrich Schultz, as a physical relaxation tool, but has evolved to also treat emotional stress. “Autogenic” means “coming from within.” AT helps create awareness of physical sensations and eventually encourages a state of calm and relaxation. It can be thought of as a mindfulness therapeutic modality. AT involves a set sequence of six standardized exercises, followed by a recovery exercise....
A team of Canadian doctors released new guidelines last week to encourage physicians to revisit the way they diagnose and treat patients with obesity. Now, American doctors are considering the benefits and challenges of changing their approach. Key Takeaways New guidelines in Canada recommending defining obesity based on a person’s overall health.Obesity is currently determined by body mass index (weight and height) alone.American doctors support the guidelines but acknowledge they’re time-intensive....
For some of us, meat is the best part of a sandwich or wrap. If you’re trying to eat heart-healthy foods, though, adding those layers of meat could sabotage your meal. Animal meats contain varying amounts of saturated fat, which may increase lipid levels in your blood. Lipids are molecules your body uses for things like building cells and storing energy. Cholesterol and triglycerides are two types of dietary lipids. High levels of these lipids may cause heart problems....
Fibromyalgia can make your skin sensitive to the clothes you wear. For some people with this condition, the simple scraping of fabric against the skin can set off burning sensations or sharp, stabbing pains. This reaction is known as mechanical allodynia. Bras, waistbands, ties on bathrobes, or anything that places pressure on your skin can trigger fibromyalgia pain. The pain may be generalized (all over) or be limited to areas around your tender points....
The dose of glucosamine chondroitin you should take for osteoarthritis usually starts higher and gets lower once your symptoms improve. Glucosamine chondroitin is a supplement with two ingredients: glucosamine and chondroitin. Glucosamine is made from the shells of shellfish, while chondroitin comes from the windpipes (tracheas) of cows. This article will cover how much glucosamine chondroitin you should take if you have arthritis, as well as what you should know about the possible side effects and risks of glucosamine chondroitin supplements....
For anyone dealing with an illness, grief, or the loss of a loved one, the holidays can be a time of sadness, pain, anger, or dread. It can be difficult to cope, especially when you see the sights and sounds of holiday happiness all around you. The ebb and flow of grief can become overwhelming with waves of memories, particularly during Valentine’s Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and other special days. Grief can also magnify the stress that is often already a part of the holidays....
You might see those lists of high fiber foods and think, “How am I supposed to remember what is high in fiber and what isn’t?” In the spirit of simplicity, we offer four basic guidelines that you can use every day to begin to increase your intake of dietary fiber. Go Green And orange, red and white for that matter. You may think you eat a fair amount of vegetables, but do you tend to eat the same ones—broccoli, carrots, and peppers?...
The very mention of a finger getting crushed in a door or pounded by a hammer is enough to make people cringe. A smashed finger is not only unpleasant and uncomfortable, but it may be serious enough to require an emergency room visit. This article walks you through the first aid steps if you or someone you know has a smashed finger. This includes knowing what not to do and when it’s time to see a doctor....
Is coffee gluten-free? And if it’s gluten-free, then why does it seem to bother some people so much? This is a tricky question. Plain coffee should be gluten-free to very low levels, assuming it hasn’t been cross-contaminated by gluten (we’ll consider flavored coffees in a minute, since they can be riskier from a gluten standpoint). However, lots of people who follow the gluten-free diet do report gastrointestinal symptoms from coffee/ These symptoms resemble their symptoms from gluten consumption....
Everyone knows that childhood obesity is increasing, right? Understanding the actual statistics behind the number of overweight children and other important childhood obesity statistics may help you with your overweight child. It can also help your child who is at a healthy weight stay at a healthy weight. The Child Obesity Epidemic It is clear from reviewing childhood obesity statistics that childhood obesity has been increasing the last 20 to 30 years:...
Lutein is an antioxidant often used in the treatment or prevention of eye diseases. Lutein is found in the retina, where it is thought to protect the eye from the harmful effects of sunlight and free radicals. Lutein is naturally found in a number of fruits and vegetables, especially those with deep green, orange, and yellow coloring such as spinach, broccoli, carrots, and bell peppers. Egg yolks also contain high levels of lutein....
Sleep apnea surgery includes procedures that may alter the anatomy of the nose, throat, tongue, or jaw. There are multiple ways that this may be achieved, and the recovery time may vary greatly depending on the nature of the intervention. If complications occur, this may become more prolonged. Consider what to expect in recovery from sleep apnea surgery, including the potential timeline to resume normal activities, how to cope, and what to expect in follow-up visits with the surgeon....
Several months ago, a group of Italian researchers hypothesized that there could be a connection between COVID-19 and erectile dysfunction—trouble getting and maintaining an erection. The cause, they suspected, was damaged blood vessels. Key Takeaways Erectile dysfunction is five times higher in men who have had the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) virus.Some of the same risk factors exist for both erectile dysfunction and having a severe case of COVID-19.Lifestyle improvements could reduce the risk of developing both conditions, as well as future heart disease....
Cholesterol is a fat-like substance in the body. High cholesterol doesn’t usually cause noticeable symptoms, although it can lead to major health risks like heart attack and stroke. Most of the cholesterol in our bodies is produced in the liver, though some of it comes from the foods we eat. The body needs some cholesterol, as it is important to the body’s cell membranes and to the production of certain hormones, and helps act as insulation for your nerves....
Atopic dermatitis (eczema) is associated with active smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke. The harmful effects of tobacco on the immune system may be to blame for impairing skin-barrier function. Healthcare providers and dermatologists also believe that skin damage from smoking may result from the breakdown of elastic fibers in the skin, narrowing blood vessels, free radicals, and reduced vitamin A. This article explains the link between smoking and eczema, whether vaping causes eczema, and signs of cigarette allergy....
