Orange Stars Preventive Healthcare & Wellness

13/07/2017

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUEl8KrMz14

View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/why-sitting-is-bad-for-you-murat-dalkilinc Sitting down for brief periods can help us recover from stress or recu...

12/07/2017

11/07/2017

Medications for depression: Which is best

One day, a detailed knowledge of the biology of depression may help us to predict which antidepressant will work best for each person. Right now, though, psychiatrists and other doctors who prescribe antidepressants choose a particular drug and dosage based on many factors, including the following:

Diagnosis
Certain drugs work better for specific symptoms and types of depression. For example, some antidepressants may be better than others when insomnia is an issue.

Side effects
Ask your doctor about the side effects of the recommended antidepressant. If common side effects are things you want to avoid, see if there is another option.

Age
As you age, your body tends to break down drugs more slowly. Thus, older patients may need a lower dosage. Only a few depression medications have been studied carefully for use in children.

Health
Your doctor will consider factors such as heart disease or neurological illnesses when recommending a particular antidepressant. Be sure to discuss any medical problems thoroughly with your primary care doctor or psychiatrist before starting an antidepressant.

Medications, supplements, and diet
When combined with certain drugs or substances, antidepressants may not work as well or may even have worrisome or dangerous side effects. People taking an antidepressant known as a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) need to take particular care.

Alcohol or drugs
Alcohol and other substances can cause depression and make antidepressants less effective. Doctors often treat alcohol or drug addiction first if they believe either is causing the depression. In many instances, simultaneous treatment for addiction and depression is warranted.

10/07/2017

Are You Getting What You Need?

Tired, dry skin, or fighting a cold again? If you feel like something is a little off, you may lack some key vitamins or minerals. They help your cells and organs work the way they should and boost your immune system, among other things. Usually, the best way to get them is through foods that have a lot of them.

Fight Fatigue
If you’re tired after a full night’s rest, it could be from a lack of iron (found in lean meat, beans, and fortified cereals) or vitamin B12 (in beef liver and clams). They’re both important for healthy red blood cells, which get oxygen to your body’s tissues.

Headaches
If you have these a lot, talk to your doctor about magnesium, found in beans, nuts, and green leafy veggies. This mineral helps your nerves work the way they should and keeps your blood sugar levels in check. The Association of Migraine Disorders says 400 milligrams a day can help some people who get migraines.

Dry Eyes
It might be allergies or wearing contact lenses for a long time, but another possibility is that you’re not getting enough omega-3 fatty acids. Found in oily fish like salmon, these are important for healthy vision. In addition to dry eyes, low levels of omega-3s also have been linked to age-related macular degeneration, among other issues.

Dry, Itchy Skin
Scaly, rough patches of skin -- dermatitis -- can be caused by something that irritates it or illness, but it also can come from a lack of vitamin B2 (riboflavin). B2, which helps your cells grow and work the way they should, is found in eggs and some green vegetables, like asparagus and broccoli.

Nosebleeds
Unless you’re a boxer, you probably shouldn’t have nosebleeds very often. If you do, you might be low in vitamin K, an important nutrient for blood clotting, among other things. You can get it through green, leafy veggies, like spinach and kale. But nosebleeds can be caused by many things, so check with your doctor to see if it’s something other than your diet.

Hair Loss
This can happen naturally as you age, but it also can be caused by a nutritional problem, especially in women under 50. Boost your iron (through lean meats, beans, or nuts) to help make sure your hair and the skin around it stay healthy.

Bleeding Gums
The most likely cause of this problem is gum disease, but a severe lack of vitamin C (found in citrus fruits and some vegetables) can also bring it on. This is rare for people in the U.S., though, so see your dentist to find out for sure before taking a supplement.

Muscle Weakness
A lack of vitamin B1 -- also known as thiamin -- can lead to this and other problems. It’s found in whole grains, pork, fish, some nuts, and beans. Potassium (found in bananas) is also important for healthy muscles. Talk to your doctor if you don’t think you’re getting enough through these foods.

Chronic Colds
You might cough and sneeze more often if you don’t get enough vitamins C and E, which have antioxidants that boost your immune system. A balanced diet won’t prevent colds, but it can keep your body healthy enough to fight them off.

Canker Sores
These little ulcers form in the soft tissue of your mouth or the base of your gums. No one knows for sure what causes them, but they’ve been linked to a lack of B12, zinc (found in oysters, nuts, and beans), folate (in asparagus, Brussels sprouts, and oranges), and iron.

Hearing Loss
One of vitamin B12’s many jobs is to help your nervous system (made up of your brain, spinal cord, and nerves) work the way it should. If you don’t get enough, researchers think the signals between your ears and your brain can be affected, and this might lead to hearing loss or tinnitus -- ringing or buzzing in your ears. If you're having hearing problems, see your doctor to find out what's causing them.

Weak Bones
Calcium is a building block for bones, and vitamin D helps your body absorb it. If you don’t get enough of these, you can be at risk for osteoporosis (a disease that makes your bones weak and brittle). The best way to get vitamin D is through supplements, but you can get calcium through dairy products and some fortified foods. Talk with your doctor about what’s right for you.

Cracks in Corners of Your Mouth
A lack of vitamin B6 can cause this as well as skin rashes. It’s found in poultry, fish, starchy vegetables like potatoes, and noncitrus fruits like grapes and apples. Check with your doctor before starting a B6 supplement, though -- it can cause problems if you take certain medications.

08/07/2017

The Top 25 Reasons You Aren't Losing Weight

You Don't Drink Water

You Think Walking Your Dog Is Enough

You Overeat Healthy Foods

You Only Do Cardio

You Exercise With an Empty Stomach

Your Partner Isn't on the Same Healthy Road

You Leave Out Entire Food Groups

You Don't Sleep Enough

You Don't Get Enough Veggies

You Eat While Standing Up

You Wear Clothes That Are Too Big

You're on a Diet. Well, Sort Of . . .

You're Addicted to Condiments and Toppings

You Don't Eat Breakfast

You Don't Practice Portion Control

You Eat Without Thinking

You Don't Cut Your Food

You Still Drink Soda

You Don't Eat Enough

You Don't Leave Time For Fun

You Overindulge in Low-Fat Foods

You Don't Keep a Food Journal

You're Always Dining Out

You Never Indulge

You Eat the Wrong Post-Workout Snacks

www.popsugar.com

06/07/2017

06/07/2017

10 Proven Benefits of Green Tea

1. Green Tea Contains Bioactive Compounds That Improve Health

2. Compounds in Green Tea Can Improve Brain Function and Make You Smarter

3. Green Tea Increases Fat Burning and Improves Physical Performance

4. Antioxidants in Green Tea May Lower Your Risk of Various Types of Cancer

5. Green Tea May Protect Your Brain in Old Age, Lowering Your Risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s

6. Green Tea Can Kill Bacteria, Which Improves Dental Health and Lowers Your Risk of Infection

7. Green Tea May Lower Your Risk of Type II Diabetes

8. Green Tea May Reduce Your Risk of Cardiovascular Disease

9. Green Tea Can Help You Lose Weight and Lower Your Risk of Becoming Obese

10. Green Tea May Decrease Your Risk of Dying and Help You Live Longer

www.authoritynutrition.com

05/07/2017

Cancer Symptoms to Know

Changes in Your Skin
A new spot on your skin or one that changes size, shape, or color could be a sign of skin cancer. Another is a spot that doesn't look the same as all the others on your body. If you have any unusual marks, have your doctor check your skin. She will do an exam and may remove a small piece (called a biopsy) to take a closer look for cancer cells.

Nagging Cough
If you don't smoke, there's very little chance a nagging cough is a sign of cancer. Usually, it's caused by postnasal drip, asthma, acid reflux, or an infection. But if yours doesn't go away or you cough up blood -- especially if you are a smoker -- see your doctor. She may test mucus from your lungs or do a chest X-ray to check for lung cancer.

Breast Changes
Most breast changes are not cancer. It's still important, though, to tell your doctor about them and have her check them out. Let her know about any lumps, ni**le changes or discharge, redness or thickening, or pain in your breasts. She'll do an exam and may suggest a mammogram, MRI, or maybe a biopsy.

Bloating
You may have a full, bloated feeling because of your diet or even stress. But if it doesn't get better or you also have fatigue, weight loss, or back pain, have it checked out. Constant bloating in women may be a sign of ovarian cancer. Your doctor can do a pelvic exam to look for the cause.

Problems When You P*e
Many men have urinary issues as they get older, like the need to go more often, leaks, or a weak stream. Usually, these are signs of an enlarged prostate, but they could also mean prostate cancer. See your doctor for an exam and maybe a special blood test called a PSA test.

Swollen Lymph Nodes
You have these small, bean-shaped glands in your neck, armpits, and other places in your body. When they're swollen, it often means you're fighting an infection like a cold or strep throat. Some cancers like lymphoma and leukemia can also cause this kind of swelling. Talk to your doctor to pinpoint the cause.

Blood When You Use the Bathroom
If you see blood in the toilet after you go, it's a good idea to talk to your doctor. Bloody stool is likely to come from swollen, inflamed veins called hemorrhoids, but there's a chance it could be colon cancer. Blood in your p*e could be a problem like a urinary tract infection, but it may be kidney or bladder cancer.

Trouble Swallowing
The common cold, acid reflux, or even some medicine can make it hard to swallow once in a while. If it doesn’t get better with time or with antacids, see your doctor. Trouble swallowing can also be a sign of cancer in your throat or the pipe between your mouth and stomach, called the esophagus. Your doctor will do an exam and some tests like a barium X-ray, in which you swallow a chalky fluid to show your throat more clearly on the image.

Mouth Issues
From bad breath to canker sores, most changes in your mouth aren't serious. But if you have white or red patches or sores in your mouth that don't heal after a couple of weeks -- especially if you smoke -- see your doctor. It may be a sign of oral cancer. Other things to look for: a lump in your cheek, trouble moving your jaw, or mouth pain.

Weight Loss
Of course you can slim down when you change the way you eat or exercise. It can also happen if you have other issues, like stress or a thyroid problem. But it’s not normal to lose 10 pounds or more without trying. There's a chance it could be a first sign of cancer of the pancreas, stomach, esophagus, or lung.

Fever
A fever isn't usually a bad thing. Sometimes it's just a sign that your body is fighting an infection. It can also be a side effect of some medicines. But one that won't go away and doesn't have an obvious cause could be a sign of a blood cancer like leukemia or lymphoma.

Heartburn or Indigestion
Almost everyone has this burning feeling sometimes, often because of their diet or stress. If lifestyle changes don't work and your indigestion doesn't stop, your doctor may want to do some tests to look for a cause. It could be a sign of stomach cancer.

Fatigue
A lot of things can make you very tired, and most of them aren’t serious. But fatigue is one early sign of some cancers, like leukemia. Some colon and stomach cancers can cause blood loss that you can't see, which can make you feel very tired. If you're wiped out all the time and rest doesn't help, talk to your doctor.

04/07/2017

Some Things Don’t Mix Well

You may know that some medicines don’t work well together. But what you eat and drink can have an effect on some drugs, too. Before you take a medication for the first time, talk with your doctor or pharmacist to see if there’s anything you should stay away from.

Grapefruit
This citrus fruit changes the way certain cells in your gut take in and move medication through your body -- it can affect more than 50 drugs. It can make some, like fexofenadine (Allegra) for allergies, less effective and make others too strong, including ones that lower your cholesterol like atorvastatin (Lipitor).

Milk
This dairy product can make it harder for your body to process certain antibiotics. Minerals in milk like calcium and magnesium are part of the reason, along with the protein casein. If you’re taking antibiotics, make sure to find out about the foods or beverages you should stay away from.

Licorice
Some people use this as an herbal remedy to help with digestion, and others use it to flavor foods. But glycyrrhizin, a chemical in licorice, can weaken the effect of some drugs, including cyclosporine, used to keep people who’ve had transplants from rejecting their new organs.

Chocolate
Dark chocolate in particular can weaken the effects of drugs meant to calm you down or make you sleep, like zolpidem tartrate (Ambien). It also can boost the power of some stimulant drugs, like methylphenidate (Ritalin). And if you take an MAO inhibitor, used to treat depression, it can make your blood pressure dangerously high.

Iron Supplement
This can lower the effects of levothyroxine (Synthroid), a medicine that gives you thyroid hormone when your body doesn’t make enough (a condition called hypothyroidism). If you take this medication and a multivitamin, check to see if the vitamin has iron in it. If you need an iron supplement, ask your doctor about taking it and your medication at different times.

Alcohol
This makes certain drugs less effective or even useless, including some blood pressure and heart medicines. It also can make others stronger than they should be or cause dangerous side effects.

Coffee
It can weaken antipsychotic drugs like lithium and clozapine, but boost the effects -- and side effects -- of others. Those include aspirin, epinephrine (used to treat serious allergic reactions), and albuterol (taken by inhaler for breathing problems). It can also make it harder for your body to take in and use iron.

Antihistamines
These help with the sneezing and runny nose caused by allergies, but some of them can make medication for high blood pressure less effective and raise your heart rate. Talk to your doctor about other ways to manage your allergies if you take blood pressure medicine.

Anti-Epileptic Drugs (AEDs)
These control seizures in people who have epilepsy. But AEDs can make birth control pills less able to prevent pregnancy, and early research shows they may make other drugs stronger and cause potentially serious side effects.

Vitamin K
If you take the drug warfarin -- used to treat and prevent blood clots -- be aware of how much vitamin K you take in. It can make the blood thinner less effective and put you at higher risk of a dangerous blood clot. Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kale, parsley, and spinach are some of the most common foods high in vitamin K. Try to eat the same amount of these foods every day so the level of warfarin in your blood stays the same.

Ginseng
This can lower the effects of warfarin, too. And it can make you more likely to have internal bleeding if you take the blood thinners heparin or aspirin, as well as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen or naproxen. If you take MAO inhibitors, ginseng can cause headaches, sleep problems, hyperactivity, and nervousness.

St. John's Wort
Sometimes used to help people with depression, this herbal remedy isn’t a proven treatment for that or any other health condition. It can make your liver release enzymes (things that boost certain chemical reactions in your body) that can weaken some medications. Those include cholesterol drugs like lovastatin (Altoprev and Mevacor), the erectile dysfunction drug sildenafil (Vi**ra), and digoxin (Lanoxin), used to treat certain heart conditions.

Ginkgo Biloba
Some people use this herb to help with or prevent high blood pressure, dementia, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), and other conditions, but there’s no research that shows it does any of that. It can weaken the effect of drugs used to control seizures, including carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Equetro, and Tegretol), and valproic acid (Depakene, Depakote, and Stavzor).

Take as Directed
Only about 50% of medication is taken as it’s prescribed. People often take less than they need, take it at random times, or leave big gaps between doses -- all of which can weaken the effects. Make sure you understand your treatment plan and follow your doctor’s instructions.

03/07/2017

2 ways to protect your heart: Improve sleep and manage stress

If you have heart disease, you’re probably all too familiar with tenets of a heart-healthy lifestyle; eat wisely, get regular physical activity, keep weight, blood pressure, and blood sugar on target; and if you smoke, quit. What you might not know is that sufficient, good-quality sleep and stress control also offer genuine benefits to your heart.

Improving Sleep
When you wake up in the morning, are you refreshed and ready to go, or groggy and grumpy? For many people, the second scenario is all too common. This report describes the latest in sleep research, including information about the numerous health conditions and medications that can interfere with normal sleep, as well as prescription and over-the-counter medications used to treat sleep disorders. Most importantly, you’ll learn what you can do to get the sleep you need for optimal health, safety, and well-being.

Sleep
Two sleep-related problems that plague many people — sleep deprivation and sleep apnea — have been linked to a higher risk of heart disease.

Sleep deprivation. Over time, inadequate or poor quality sleep can increase the risk for a number of chronic health problems, including heart disease. Studies have linked short-term sleep deprivation with several well-known contributors to heart disease, including high cholesterol, high triglycerides, and high blood pressure.

Sleep apnea. This common cause of loud, disruptive snoring makes people temporarily stop breathing many times during the night. Up to 83% of people with heart disease also have sleep apnea, according to some estimates.

In the most common form, obstructive sleep apnea, soft tissue in the upper part of the mouth or back of the throat completely blocks the airway. Oxygen levels dip and the brain sends an urgent “Breathe now!” signal. That signal briefly wakes the sleeper and makes him or her gasp for air. That signal also jolts the same stress hormone and nerve pathways that are stimulated when you are angry or frightened. As a result, the heart beats faster and blood pressure rises—along with other things that can threaten heart health such as inflammation and an increase in blood clotting ability.

If you snore often and loudly — especially if you find yourself tired during the day — talk with your doctor about an evaluation for sleep apnea.

Check your stress (and negative thoughts) at the door

A growing body of evidence suggests that psychological factors are — literally — heartfelt, and can contribute to cardiac risk. Stress from all sorts of challenging situations and events plays a significant role in cardiovascular symptoms and outcome, particularly heart attack risk. The same is true for depression, anxiety, anger, hostility, and social isolation. Acting alone, each of these factors heightens your chances of developing heart problems. But these issues often occur together, for example, psychological stress often leads to anxiety, depression can lead to social isolation, and so on.

Does reducing stress, or changing how you respond to it, actually reduce your chances of developing heart disease or having a heart attack? The answer isn’t entirely clear, but many studies suggest the answer is “yes.” There is much to learn about exactly how. Research indicates that constant stress contributes biologically to heart disease risk factors such as high blood pressure and the formation of artery-clogging deposits. Other research finds that chronic stress may make it harder to sleep, eat well, quit smoking, and exercise.

Fortunately, you can learn healthier ways to respond to stress that may help your heart and improve your quality of life. These include relaxation exercises (deep breathing, guided imagery), physical activity (walking, yoga), and staying connected with friends, co-workers, family members.

HEALTH.HARVARD.EDU