health-letter
At 86, I’m still competitively racing frostbite dinghies. I’ve noticed that my heartbeat becomes irregular during the races and for hours afterward. It feels like a weak beat after every two normal heartbeats. Is this a normal exercise reaction?
The H1N1 flu outbreak is linked to earlier versions of the virus. So far the 2009 pandemic has not been as severe as some health officials expected, but it is still a good idea to take basic precautions.
Many medications have anticholinergic side effects, meaning they block the action of a key nervous system chemical. If a person takes a number of these medications for a period of time, the effects can build up and cause problems with thinking and memory.
Eating fish has clear health benefits, but not all kinds of fish are healthy. Broiled or baked fish is better than breaded, fried fish. And fish is not a healthy choice for everyone. Pregnant women and some heart patients should watch their fish intake.
If you have chest pain or discomfort, how do you know if it is serious enough to warrant emergency medical attention?
Why do our hands and feet wrinkle up when immersed in water? Your article about moisturizers said they work by trapping water in the skin, so why don’t we wrinkle up after applying moisturizer?
Toenail fungus is difficult to treat, but two new types of treatment in testing may make it easier. One uses short-wavelength light, and the other requires drilling tiny holes in the affected nail.
Patient self-management programs may encourage patients to take more initiative regarding their health and medical care, but even if it only makes them feel more in control of their course of treatment, that is still beneficial.
A selection of health advice that is also good for the environment, including biking or walking to work, using less energy by going to bed earlier, setting the thermostat a little higher, and buying locally grown produce when possible.
There is evidence to suggest that niacin, a B vitamin, can help raise HDL cholesterol when taken in larger doses, but there are side effects to be considered.