Medical memo: Rating America’s hospitals
A monitoring and rating program for US hospitals has resulted in a significant improvement in specific areas of treatment.
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On call: Hydration for summer exercise
I’ve always been told that it’s important to drink plenty of fluids during exercise, and it seems to work for me. But now I’ve read that too much water can be very dangerous. Which is right?
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Beats per minute a signal of heart health
A resting heart rate above 100 beats per minute may be an indicator of more serious conditions such as atherosclerosis. Making an effort to exercise and reduce stress can help slow the heart to a healthier rate.
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In Brief
Brief updates on a possible link between too little sleep and heart disease, higher blood pressure in winter, and the danger of fat around the heart.
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Managing postmenopausal vaginal atrophy
After menopause, many women experience vaginal dryness and discomfort. There are a variety of products available to treat this condition, including vaginal moisturizers and estrogen medications.
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On call: “Low-dose” smoking
I know that smoking is very bad for me. I’ve cut down to one cigarette after lunch and another after dinner each day, with two or three more on most weekend nights when I socialize. I really enjoy smoking, but I want to know if I’m harming myself.
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American Ideal
The American Heart Association is promoting a series of healthy lifestyle habits known as “The Simple 7” in an effort to improve the health of Americans and reduce deaths from cardiovascular disease.
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By the way, doctor: Does carbonated water harm bones?
I’ve heard that club soda, seltzer water, and sparkling mineral waters rob the bones of calcium. Is this true?
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Come back to the garden of eatin’
The foundation of good nutrition, eating the right foods in the right quantities, provides clear benefits for the heart, but exercise and weight control are just as important to good heart health as diet.
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From the journals: Ovary removal linked to risk for dementia, parkinsonism
Data from studies in Minnesota indicated that women who had one or both ovaries removed for reasons other than cancer were more likely to develop cognitive problems or movement disorders later in life.
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