One-Fifth of U.S. Health Care Costs Attributed to Obesity | EHS Today

Obesity is a health risk factor for non-communicable diseases such as cancer, strokes, heart disease, diabetes and respiratory disorders.

Obesity can also affect the emotional health and wellbeing of the individual.

Obesity seems to be a burden on health care systems; a new study reports that obese persons’ medical costs can be $2,741 higher than if they were not obese, and a 20.6 % of the national health expenditures.

Read more on the report from EHS Today

A Weighty Expense: One-Fifth of U.S. Health Care Costs Attributed to Obesity | EHS Today.

 

TheSpec – 6 blood-pressure goofs you can fix

There are common goofs that can throw off your blood pressure reading as much as 93% of the time.

Here are six moves that will ensure the most accurate blood Pressure reading.

TheSpec – 6 blood-pressure goofs you can fix.

 

Non-Communicable Diseases

Non-communicable diseases, called NCD’s have become a 21st century health challenge. Whereas diseases such as HIV, malaria,tuberculosis and the H1N1 virus have been given global attention, they have gone un-noticed.

The World Health Organization (WHO)and the United Nation Secretary General called for urgent action to solve the NCD’s catastrophe.

Watch this video.
United nations Highlights threat of Non-communicable diseases.

The major NCD’s take 67% of the global deaths, they are:
-Cancer
-Diabetes
-Cardiovascular diseases
-Respiratory diseases

By taking action to reduce one or more of these risk factors you are playing a role in solving this catastrophe while promoting your health.

The risk factors are: smoking, physical inactivity, unhealthy eating,obesity and air pollution.

Making a resolution to reduce or eliminate one of them is a way to prevent illness and premature deaths due to NCD’s.

To take an active role start with our tutorial on Health Risk Factors, the program is self-directed.

You may also join the program through Facebook by becoming a Fan.
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Prostate Cancer Could Be Hereditary

Experts have long been looking for a link between inherited genes and prostate cancer. Until now, they couldn’t find results to confirm hereditary as a cause of the disease.

In a recent research report; however, a rare inherited gene was linked to higher risk of developing the disease.

The study involved 94 families , each had multiple cases of prostate cancer among close relatives. Researchers started with samples from the youngest patients with prostate cancer.

The same mutation in the gene which plays an important role in the development of the prostate was found in 4 different families. All 18 men with prostate cancer carried the mutation.

Read more on this report.

 

Postpartum Depression May Arise From Partner Abuse

Researchers found that intimate partner violence is common among women reporting symptoms of post natal depression.

They found that depression was associated with physical and emotional abuse in 40% of women and that emotional abuse is more common that physical.

Participants for the study were 1,305 women pregnant for the first time and were between 6-24 weeks gestation. They were given questionaires on recruitment and at 3, 6 and 12 months pregnant.

After taking into account age and unemployment, the risk of depression was 3 times higher in women who had suffered emotional abuse and 4 times higher in those who suffered physical abuse.

Health professionals are advised to be aware of these findings and to regularly enquire about a women’s mental health especially during the 12 months after birth.

 

Making New Year Health Resolutions

Health resolutions are popular new year resolutions, and there could be a good reason.

One good reason to do it is to reduce the number of deaths and illnesses due to non-communicable diseases(NCD’s)

NCD’s are diseases such as cancers, cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD), diabetes and asthma.

Where can one start so that these resolutions can last all year round?

A good place to start is by reducing or eliminating avoidable health risk factors, risk factors that have become habits in our life causing us to develop these diseases.

Some good New Year resolutions to make are to:
-Lose weight
-Eat betterKeep physically activeQuit smoking
-Reduce alcohol consumption
-Keep up with necessary health screening

Here are the facts from the World Health Organization( WHO) on non-communicable diseases.
Click Here.This consumer health education blog has a self-directed program that teaches people how to start and become expert in developing healthier habits.
Click Here.

 

Treating Acne With Antibiotics- A Risk For Sore Throat

Researchers found that young patients taking antibiotics for acne are more prone to sore throats than those who don’t.

Two recent studies linked these patient to frequent sore throats,they were compared to those who do not take the medication.

In one study 266 students answered questions as to whether:
1-They had had a sore throat during the previous month.
2-They had acne and were using antibiotics regularly for it.

Ten or 2/3 of the 15 students who had acne and were taking antibiotics for it also reported having had sore throat recently.

Of the students with acne who were not taking antibiotics only just over 1/3 had a sore throat.

Experts are advising people with acne to look at the risks and the benefits of taking antibiotics.

Read more about this and the second study.

 

ADHD In Young Children Better With Parental Training

Young children with attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) do better with parental training, according to a recent report.

Children younger than 6 years do not benefit from prescribed medication to control hyperactive behaviour .

The report from the US Department of Health & Human Services found parents behaviour training is effective with no risk of complications for pre-school children.

The report recommends pediatricians consider advocating formal training in parent strategies.

Medication appears to be effective with older children.

 

Vitamin Supplements Linked To Higher Death Rates

Researchers say that the use of vitamin supplements by older women is not necessary.
According to a recent study they have been linked to higher death rates.
In the study involving 38,000 women in thier 50′s and 60′s, researchers found that the supplements appeared to increase mortality.
The supplements in particular are:
-Multivitamins
-Magnesium
-Zinc
-Copper
-Iron
Iron was linked to a 2.4% increased in death rates.
The study didn’t take in account general physical health and other factors.
Because of the findings experts believe that there is no reason to take the supplements unless there is an existing deficiency.

 

A Stroke? Recognize These Symptoms

Chances of surviving a brain attack are greater if the time between the onset and the start of treatment is minimal.

Here are symptoms to recognize a stroke, knowing them could reduce the likelihood of the person being severely disabled.
-Confusion and trouble speaking
-Difficulty moving
-Severe headache
-Numbness of one side of the body
-Weakness of the face, an arm or a leg
-Visions and perceptions problems

If anyone you know is experiencing these symptoms, get them to a health professional for treatment immediately.

Read about these symptoms in more detail/