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Did you know that having a healthy set of teeth can prolong your life?
Michael Roizen, a physician and book author, claims that healthy dental habits such as flossing should be included in the list of healthy activities like regular exercise and eating healthy foods.
Roizen’s contention is supported by some studies linking poor oral health to rheumatic heart disease. This is further sustained by research results showing how dental plaque producing bacteria can permeate the bloodstream. It is said these bacteria can obstruct blood vessels, resulting to heart disease.
Having good teeth is an asset. A perfect set of teeth can give you a toothy smile as well as helps in chewing and breaking down your food more easily, thus aiding food digestion and better nutrient absorption for the body.
Blood pressure is not a disease but it can be a symptom of a graver condition or illness. It is not enough that you monitor your blood pressure at home (most households already have these small digital machines). It is best to consult your doctor if you notice that your blood pressure is at a constant high. Here are some causes of irregular blood pressure:
Conditions such as adrenal gland tumors and chronic kidney disease affects blood pressure as well. Hormone abnormalities and the use of birth control pills can also cause high blood pressure. It is also quite common in pregnancy but expectant mothers should monitor regularly so as to avoid complications. High blood pressure can also be a result of a side effect of certain medications.
A medical study that was recently published online in Thorax claims, that one way to ensure that babies are born asthma-free is through a special diet followed by mom during pregnancy. Information on the study was collected by observing 468 mother and child pairs from pregnancy to 6.5 years after birth. Eating habits and the asthma and allergy symptoms of children were closely monitored.
The results of the study states that pregnant women whose diets consist of Mediterranean staples (such as diet rich in fish, fresh fruits and vegetables, legumes, nuts, dairy products and olive oil) may actually help protect their children against asthma and other allergies. Eating vegetables (more than eight times a week), fish (more than three times a week), and legumes (more than once a week) is a good asthma prevention. Which is the opposite of kids whose moms ate a more-or-less excessive amount (more than three to four times a week) of red meat.
Children’s eating habits at the age of 6.5 years seemed to have little effect on their asthma or allergy risk, the study found.
Source: HealthDay
Okay, so I am really lazy when it comes to Christmas shopping. I�m one of those who wait until the last minute and cram all their Christmas shopping in one day, But, good news for me (and others like me as well), Highmark Inc. released an alternative to gift giving. It offers prepaid card that can be used to pay for certain medical costs. This wonder card can also be used at health and wellness establishments. It doesn�t matter what your health insurance is or what its coverage is. Amazing, huh? I�m not only give �em away, I think I�m gonna get one for myself too.
For more information on the Health care Gift Card, Givewell.com
Source: Yahoo! News
Results of a study done by Barcellonian Dr. Pablo Alonso-Coello and another doctor on the effectiveness and the risks of taking bone-strengthening drugs for women with weakened bones but no osteoporosis, will be published on the January 19th issue of the BMJ.
According to the study, although bone-strengthening drugs (i.e. raloxifene, alendronate, risedronate), reduce the risk of fractures of women with osteoporosis, drug companies exaggerate their claims so that even women with only a low risk for osteoporosis are enticed to take them. The drug treatment becoming useless as it provides almost no benefit.
The study also focuses on the imminent harmful side effects of said drugs. One example is that there is no mention during a re-analysis of data that Raloxifene is found to increase risk of blood clots.
Source: HealthDay
Woah! Talk about the ultimate stalking.
George Clooney and some unnamed celebrities have had their medical records illegally tapped from the U.S. health care system by certain employees in the health care industry in Auckland, New Zealand. The breaches were reported to be detected when routine electronic audits were done.
I can�t actually blame the poor guys. I mean the information is already there, right? But yes, I am still condoning their act. I�m not a celebrity and I wouldn�t want anyone snooping for my health records.
But wait… George Clooney? Oooh�now I really am curious�
Source: Health Care IT News
I read this article in Forbes about how obesity has affected the United States economy due to immense medical costs. According to the article, about 9% of the national medical bill comes from obesity-related diseases. The article also listed other ways in which obese people affect the nation�s economy. It also reported that employers have started to pay employees to lose weight The facts may be true but the problem is a more complex one which involves a complete overhaul of a people�s psyche that has been manipulated through the years.
See the baby cry? The poor kid has sort of a reason to be sad. U.S. President George W. Bush has recently vetoed a bill expanding a popular children’s health care program- and this occurring for the second time (the first one in October)! It definitely angered Democrats who already have their hands full with the vehement fighting with the administration over the budget and spending.
The bill was pushed mostly by Democrats but was also supported by many Republicans. Rightfully so because it was aimed at providing health insurance to more-or-less 10 million children who come from low- and moderate-income families. This endeavor would have been funded by increased taxes on cigarettes and other tobacco products. Makes sense, right?
His reason?
Because the Congress has chosen to send me an essentially identical bill that has the same problems as the flawed bill I previously vetoed, I must veto this legislation too
Source: Washington Post
