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Medical Edge: For successful treatment of chronic runny nose, first identify underlying cause
Question: I'm an 85-year-old man who's had a postnasal drip problem since childhood. Years ago, after many tests, I was diagnosed with nonalle…
Pneumococcal vaccine for heart patients
AKRON, Ohio - The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases is aiming to boost pneumonia vaccination rates among at-risk patients.
3 in 20 colonoscopy instruments have 'dirt' from colons
Bits and pieces of "biological dirt" from inside people's colons are being left on three in 20 of the instruments inserted in people's rectums…
Learning to deal with stress in healthy ways
I was trying not to feel stressed as the traffic backed up and then stopped. I was, after all, on my way to a seminar entitled "Stress, Anxiet…
Go Brazilian with Chicken and Black Bean Stew
To look good in their infamously skimpy bikinis, food-loving Brazilians must watch what they eat. So it is no surprise that in her recent cook…

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Monday 06/17/2013

Posture pointers and pitfalls

Spotlight

We've been told to stand up straight as long as we've been able to stand, but sometimes it's harder than it seems.

Learning to deal with stress in healthy ways

I was trying not to feel stressed as the traffic backed up and then stopped. I was, after all, on my way to a seminar entitled "Stress, Anxiety and Depression." I took a deep breath - which was later confirmed as a great stress reliever.

Go Brazilian with Chicken and Black Bean Stew

To look good in their infamously skimpy bikinis, food-loving Brazilians must watch what they eat. So it is no surprise that in her recent cookbook, "The Brazilian Kitchen," Letitia Moreinos Schwartz, a Braziliera from Ipanama, offers lighter versions of popular Brazilian dishes while still giving them alluring flavor.

Memory experiment raises hopes for gene therapy for some disabilities

University of California-Irvine neurobiologists have discovered a protein complex in neurons that is essential to long-term memory formation and is also corrupted in the brains of people with some developmental disabilities such as autism.

Monday 06/10/2013

Confusing signals on salt

Seems there has been a bit of confusion (understatement) about some recent studies on the effect of sodium on "health" versus "blood pressure."

Maintain wheelchairs as you would an auto

Owning a cane, wheelchair or walker is a little bit like owning a car, said Brad Barnhart, a physical therapist at North Oaks, a senior living community in Pikesville, Md. Skip maintenance, and it could lead to unsafe conditions. Barnhart, with more than 25 years of experience in senior living settings, provides some tips on keeping medical devices in good shape.

Medical Edge: Mild leg swelling can be easily managed, but check with doctor first for accurate diagnosis

Question: For the past couple of weeks, my calves have been swollen. They don't hurt, but I definitely notice my socks are tighter than normal. What could be the cause?

Residential care for elderly is moving into digital age

HACKENSACK - Sensors under the mattresses of elderly residents with dementia track how much they sleep at night. Others in the showers note how often they bathe, while sensors in the walls watch over their movements.

A nutritious veggie soup for summer

For The Press

Some health-related apps should be avoided

Tribune Media Services

Now's the time to learn about danger in the garden

Spotlight

Tribune Media Services

Monday 06/03/2013

Your Workout: Body crunch with resistance ball

Spotlight

Trainer: Davi Kane, Body in Balance in Linwood

Protect your children against sunburn

Spotlight

Summer break means more fun in the sun, but there's nothing fun about a sunburn. Just a few serious sunburns can increase your child's risk of skin cancer later in life. Even a tan indicates damage from the sun's ultraviolet rays. Each year, more than 9,000 people die in the U.S. from melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. Here are tips to protect your child:

see more headlines »

Monday 06/03/2013

Health briefs: Regular exercise extends life

By Tribune Media Services

Posted: June 03, 2013

Obtaining the generally recommended amount of regular physical activity - 150 minutes per week of moderate exercise - extends life span by up to several years for some people, according to a study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

Medical Edge: Weight just one factor to consider when measuring health

By DR. MARIA COLLAZO-CLAVELL, Tribune Media Services

Posted: June 03, 2013

Question: Is it possible to be 30 pounds overweight and still be healthy? My blood pressure and cholesterol are normal, and I have no health issues other than being overweight.

Dashing away from Danger: Safety a concern for women runners

By RICK LIMPERT, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution<p>

Updated: June 03, 2013 - 11:39 am

It's the call no parent wants to get.

Monday 05/27/2013

Setback in war against bacteria

Posted: May 27, 2013

Bacteria that resist antibiotics are a growing problem worldwide, but one we thought we could limit or even reverse by better control of the drugs. This may be a forlorn hope: Some bacteria that have never seen an antibiotic can evolve resistance, and even thrive on it.

Fight back against allergy season

Posted: May 27, 2013

Tribune Media Services

Minty chicken kebabs a summer treat

By ALICE BENDER, For The Press

Posted: May 27, 2013

Easy to prepare, tasty and full of nutritional goodness, these kebabs are the perfect dish to kick off the summer.

Nerve disorder recovery time can vary widely

By Dr. CHRISTOPHER J. KLEIN, Tribune Media Services

Posted: May 27, 2013

Question: I was recently diagnosed with Parsonage-Turner syndrome following a rotator cuff repair. There's not much information out there. Can you tell me more about it? I'm currently going through weekly steroid infusion treatment. I have pain in my arm and don't have a lot of feeling in my thumb, index and middle finger. Is treatment usually successful?

Late-night snacking is a good way to gain weight

By BARBARA QUINN, The Monterey County Herald

Posted: May 27, 2013

Indeed it may, say researchers. And they blame it on our circadian rhythm - our "internal clock" that tells us when to sleep and when to wake up.

Seems this circadian control center also regulates our hunger signals, according to a recent study at Oregon Health and Science University. Researchers kept volunteers in a controlled environment and found they were the least hungry in the morning around 8 a.m. And most had a surge of hunger in the evening around 8 p.m. This cycle of hunger might explain why some are prone to skip breakfast and then be driven to overeat at night.

Why are we wired this way? Perhaps our appetite "peaks" at night to feed us before we enter a long period of sleepful fasting, say researchers. And guess what we tend to crave when the sky grows dark? Sweet, starchy and salty foods .

Experts now confirm that late night eating is a good way to gain weight. Case in point: Sumo wrestlers intentionally pack on the pounds by not eating breakfast and loading up on food...lots of food...later in the day.

Alas, if our goal is not to become Sumo wrestlers, we might attempt a few strategies to push back from the hunger that urges us to overeat into the evening:

•Go to bed earlier. Our pioneer ancestors went to bed when the sun went down and rose when it came up-a plan apparently preferred by our circadian rhythm. When we resist the urge to stay up late, we resist the urge to munch when the sun goes down. And we prevent the storage of excess calories into fat-something our body does easily when we overeat at night.

•Get enough sleep. Less than 7 hours of sleep per night does more than just make us cranky. Lack of sleep increases our hunger cues and messes with our body's ability to control blood sugar levels.

•Reset your circadian clock. Can we do that? We do know that we respond to calories (energy from food) differently at different times of the day. As the day wanes, we expend fewer and fewer calories as we wind down for beddy-bye. So fewer calories at the end of the day are less likely to hang around as fat.

•And this old adage is still true, say experts: Eat breakfast like a king...lunch like a prince … and dinner like a pauper.

•Best advice if you want to lose weight? Eat your larger meals earlier in the day.

• And snack lightly - if at all - into the evening. ]]>

Medical robot lets doctors check on patients

By RICHARD CHANG, The Sacramento Bee

Posted: May 27, 2013

Spotlight

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - On any given day inside Mercy San Juan Medical Center's neuro-intensive care unit, a 5-foot-6-inch-tall robot with a computer screen can be seen roaming the halls.

Monday 05/20/2013

Good Food, Good Health: Risotto Primavera welcomes spring

By DANA JACOBI, For The Press

Posted: May 20, 2013

Primavera means spring in Italian. In Italy, risotto primavera, creamy rice studded with colorful baby vegetables, includes slender carrots, the season's first green peas and zucchini the size of your little finger. Served slightly al dente, it is a traditional springtime dish that I prefer to pasta primavera because pairing its vegetables with rice shows off their flavors and colors better.

Your workout: Interval training on a Spin bike

By GAIL WILSON, Staff Writer

Updated: June 14, 2013 - 6:49 pm

Trainer: Tracy Stover, Greate Bay Racquet & Fitness Club in Somers Point

A boom in gluten free menu offerings having big impact on restaurant menus

By CAROLYN O'NEIL, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Posted: May 20, 2013

It's getting easier to "go gluten-free" when dining out because more restaurants are offering dishes designed for customers with celiac disease or a gluten sensitivity. According to Mintel, a marketing research company, mentions of gluten-free options on restaurant menus increased by 275 percent between 2009 and 2012. Whether it's a menu listing for alternatives such as gluten-free bread and gluten-free beer, or a notation that certain dishes can be made without croutons or breadcrumbs, restaurants are helping to make it easier for these diners.

Navigating the assisted-living maze

Posted: May 20, 2013

Tribune Media Services

Nurses' labor of love is all in the family for grandmother-granddaughter team

By VIKKI OTIZ HEALY, Chicago Tribune

Posted: May 20, 2013

CHICAGO - When soon-to-be mothers are feeling exhausted and ready to give up, Krissy Maher, a labor and delivery nurse at Adventist Hinsdale Hospital, regularly calls in the Pushing Specialist.

Poop in pools more common than you may think, CDC says

By KAREN KAPLAN, Los Angeles Times

Posted: May 20, 2013

Attention swimmers: More than half of the public pools tested in a new study contained bacterial evidence that someone may have pooped in the pool.

Bed-wetting is quite common even after age 5

By DR. ESTHER KRYCH, Tribune Media Services

Posted: May 20, 2013

Question: My 7-year-old son wets the bed most nights. He doesn't have accidents during the day. I'm wondering if I should have him seen by a physician, or if this is considered normal for some children.

Health briefs: Painkillers and hearing, 2012 cancer findings

Posted: May 20, 2013

Are painkillers also killing your hearing?

Monday 05/13/2013

Health briefs: 'Good' skin bugs banish acne, breakfast bread bonanza

Posted: May 13, 2013

Spotlight

Harness 'good' skin bugs to banish acne

Forgetfulness not necessarily a sign of Alzheimer's

By DR. RONALD PETERSEN, Tribune Media Services

Posted: May 13, 2013

Question: As his caregiver, how can I tell if my father's memory loss is just a natural part of aging, or if it's the early stages of Alzheimer's disease? At what point should I take him to be seen by a physician?

Artificial ovary replaces missing hormones

Posted: May 13, 2013

An artificial ovary could make hormone replacement therapy a thing of the past.

School's morning workouts linked to better test scores

By BO EMERSON, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Posted: May 13, 2013

ATLANTA - As the sound system pounds out "Glad You Came" by The Wanted, the doors to the modest gymnasium at Sope Creek Elementary School fly open and children come streaming into the room, racing to take their place among the line dancers.

Advances in treatment of an enlarged prostate

By ANDREA K. WALKER, The Baltimore Sun

Posted: May 13, 2013

Many men will experience prostate enlargement as they get older, some to the point that it will cause urination problems. Dr. Michael Naslund, director of the Maryland Prostate Center at the University Maryland Medical Center, said there are many options for treatment, including surgery, drugs and lifestyle changes.

Map out your meals to help avoid menu mishap

By CAROLYN O'NEIL, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Posted: May 13, 2013

You may have heard advice to dine out less often if you want to weigh less. That's like telling people to leave their cars in the garage if they want to avoid getting into an automobile accident.

Salmon salad offers taste of the sea and garden

Posted: May 13, 2013

For The Press

Food shopping on empty stomach leads to dieting disaster

By KAREN KAPLAN, Los Angeles Times

Posted: May 13, 2013

Spotlight

Attention dieters: If you want to maximize your chances of success, don't go to the grocery store on an empty stomach.

Why women find their weight shifting with time

By ALLIE SHAH, Minneapolis Star Tribune

Posted: May 13, 2013

Spotlight

Weight was never a concern for Stephanie Brondani, 52, of Minnetonka, Minn. Until last year, when she hit menopause.

Monday 05/06/2013

Health briefs: Hair color may contribute to cancer risk

Posted: May 06, 2013

Bad news for fair-skinned red-heads: wearing a hat and sunblock and sitting in the shade won't necessarily protect you from skin cancer. Studies in animals suggest the risk remains regardless of exposure to ultraviolet light.

Your Workout: TRX Suspension Trainer - Burpees

By GAIL WILSON, Staff Writer

Updated: June 14, 2013 - 6:49 pm

Spotlight

Trainer: Joe Giordano, AtlantiCare LifeCenter in Egg Harbor Township

Mind the gap: Helping girls deal with the latest Internet-inspired body image issue

By JESSICA YADEGARAN, Contra Costa Times

Posted: May 06, 2013

If you can stand straight with your knees together and see a space between your upper thighs, you have what thousands of teen girls are willing to starve themselves for.

Artificial kidney offers some hope to patients tethered to a dialysis machine

By SANDY KLEFFMAN, Contra Costa Times

Posted: May 06, 2013

SAN FRANCISCO - No matter what else is happening in his life, David Anderson knows he cannot go far from the dialysis machine that sustains him.

Medical Edge: Pay close attention to symptoms to determine if cause is sinus infection or allergies

By DR. JUAN GUARDERAS, Tribune Media Services

Posted: May 06, 2013

Question: I have long suffered from allergies. But there have been times when I haven't been sure if my symptoms are really from my allergies or may be caused by a sinus infection instead. How can I tell the difference?

Chickpea crepes are easy, gluten-free

By DANA JACOBI, For The Press

Posted: May 06, 2013

Have you tried making crepes at home? Are you stressed by getting the batter just right and the pan to the correct temperature? Standing over the pan patiently making crepe after crepe, do you feel like a master chef or is the process more finicky than fun?

Healthy French toast with a hidden chocolate layer

By SARA MOULTON, Associated Press

Posted: May 06, 2013

Spotlight

Time for a confession. As a child, I never once celebrated Mother's Day. My parents thought the holiday was nothing more than a cheesy excuse to sell greeting cards, and who was I to argue?

Meatless 'meats' can be good nutritional choices

By HEIDI McINDOO, Tribune Media Services

Posted: May 06, 2013

Faux meats, meat alternatives, meat replacers - there are lots of names, but they all mean the same thing: plant-based alternatives to meats.

Sunday 05/05/2013

Cosmetic surgeons see more interest in breast implants since FDA lifted limits

By KEVIN POST, Business Editor

Updated: May 05, 2013 - 12:08 am

Silicone breast implants — once heavily restricted due to uncertainty over possible health effects — have returned to popularity in the several years since the restrictions were lifted.

Monday 04/29/2013

Small, high-powered magnets that are hazardous to kids remain on the market

By MONICA ENG, Chicago Tribune

Posted: April 29, 2013

CHICAGO - Last summer Kelly Bruski went to the store with her sons to buy a birthday gift for her boyfriend.

How to pick the healthiest breakfast cereal

Posted: April 29, 2013

With more than 100 kinds of cereal in many grocery store aisles, choosing a healthy box can be like searching for a needle in a haystack.

Boxing helps Parkinson's patients fight back

By JOHNNY DIAZ, Sun Sentinel

Posted: April 29, 2013

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - "Right uppercut! Harder, harder, harder!"

Knowing triggers not always needed in treating anxiety

By DR. STEPHEN WHITESIDE, Tribune Media Services

Posted: April 29, 2013

Question: I am 34 and over the past few months have been feeling anxious and worried more often than not. I've never had issues with anxiety or depression before, and can't pinpoint anything that's led to my anxiety. What causes anxiety? At what point should I see a doctor?

South of the Border Beans and Rice makes for a colorful, flavorful meal

Posted: April 29, 2013

For The Press

A Dailey ritual for fitness

By WENDY DONAHUE, Chicago Tribune

Posted: April 29, 2013

Spotlight

Since opening her first studio in San Francisco in 2000, Jill Dailey McIntosh has been spreading The Dailey Method across the country and beyond, combining ballet barre work, core conditioning, muscle strengthening, yoga and orthopedic exercise.

Monday 04/22/2013

Your Workout: Tricep push-up

By GAIL WILSON, Staff Writer

Posted: April 22, 2013

Spotlight

Trainer: Jenn Nash, The Ocean Club in Stafford Township

No-fry fava bean falafel burgers

By SARA MOULTON, Associated Press

Posted: April 22, 2013

The best-tasting veggie burger I've ever met is falafel. A product of the Middle East, falafel are deep-fried fritters made from ground chickpeas or fava beans that are tucked into pita pockets and drizzled with tahini. They are delicious, hearty, inexpensive and relatively healthy.

Cookies come from Down Under

By DANA JACOBI, For The Press

Posted: April 22, 2013

Chocolate chip cookies are an American invention. Around the world, other countries also have sweet treats they created. Think French pain au chocolat and eclairs, Italian biscotti and the chewy Japanese rice flour treat called mochi.

Medical Edge: Early diagnosis can make a big difference in child's ability to manage autism

By DR. PETER JENSEN, Tribune Media Services

Posted: April 22, 2013

Questions: What symptoms should parents watch for if they are worried a young child may have autism? Is it possible to diagnose autism before age 2?

The whole-grain quinoa is packed with nutrition

By JESSIE PRICE, Tribune Media Services

Posted: April 22, 2013

Here are facts about quinoa nutrition, rinsing and cooking quinoa and how to use quinoa flour and quinoa flakes:

Varieties: Quinoa is a quick-cooking, gluten-free whole grain (actually a pseudo whole-grain, because it's cooked like a whole grain but is the seed of a beet relative). Quinoa grows in a rainbow of c

•olors, but the most commonly available are red, black and white. Taste and nutrition are similar among the colors. White quinoa tends to cook up fluffier, while red quinoa and black quinoa have a crunchier texture and the grains don't stick together as much.

•Nutrition facts: Quinoa is nutritionally renowned for its protein content and while it does have a decent amount, it's not actually the amount of protein that's so impressive. Instead it's the type of protein. Quinoa has the perfect balance of all nine amino acids essential for human nutrition. This type of complete protein is rarely found in plant foods, although common in meats. Quinoa also offers a good dose of fiber and iron. There are 111 calories in each 1/2 cup of cooked quinoa.

•Rinsing it: Do you need to rinse quinoa or not? Conventional wisdom has it you need to rinse quinoa before cooking. Why? Quinoa seeds are coated with saponin, a bitter substance that protects the seeds from predators. However, most quinoa sold in the U.S. is pre-rinsed so there's no need to do this. If you want to be cautious, go ahead and give it a rinse: Put the quinoa in a bowl, cover it with water, swish it around and then drain it in a fine-mesh sieve.

•Cooking it: If you can cook rice, you can cook quinoa. Here's the simplest way to cook quinoa: Combine 1 cup quinoa with 2 cups water (or broth) in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer until tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed, 15 to 20 minutes. Fluff with a fork before serving. When it's cooked, quinoa will look slightly translucent and the white "string," which is actually part of the hull, will be visible. One cup dry quinoa yields 3 cups cooked or 6 (1/2-cup) servings. Keep in mind how fluffy quinoa gets when you're putting it into soups. Don't add too much or you'll find all your liquid has disappeared.

•Working with quinoa flour, flakes: Want to go beyond basic quinoa? Here's what to look for next: quinoa flakes, which are a lot like rolled oats and can be used similarly, and quinoa flour, a great option for baking, especially gluten-free baking. Look for both products in well-stocked supermarkets or natural-foods stores. Wondering how to make your own quinoa flour? To make quinoa flour, grind white quinoa in a clean coffee grinder until it's a fine powder. It won't be quite as fine as what you get in the store, but will work in recipes for cookies and bars where a really fine texture is not necessary. ]]>

What is recommended daily serving of veggies?

Posted: April 22, 2013

One in four Americans eats the recommended daily servings of vegetables and fruits, which means we're missing out on the nutrients that produce delivers, especially potassium and fiber. How many servings should you be eating? It depends on your calorie needs.

An adult eating 2,000 calories per day should aim for 2 cups of vegetables. A good rule is to fill half your plate with fruits and vegetables, which also is good news for your waistline, as vegetables are low in calories.

The most brightly colored produce is often the most nutrient-rich, so it's important to eat a wide variety of colorful vegetables - particularly dark green, red and orange vegetables.

To make sure you're getting enough, check out these examples of what counts as a serving of vegetables. All calorie counts are for plain vegetables, with no added butter, dressing or other ingredients:

•Salad greens and lettuce: One serving is 2 cups mesclun greens, 2 cups raw spinach (about 14 calories) or 1 cup cooked greens (about 40 calories).

•Carrots: One serving is 1 cup carrots or 12 baby carrots (about 50 calories).

•Green beans: One serving is 1 cup green beans (about 44 calories).

•Bell peppers: One serving of bell peppers is 1 cup chopped, raw or cooked peppers or 2 small bell peppers (about 30 calories).

•Potatoes: One serving is 1 medium baked sweet potato (103 calories) or 1 cup cooked sliced or mashed sweet potato (180 calories). One serving of potato is 1 medium boiled or baked white potato (144 calories) or 1 cup diced or mashed potato (134 calories).

•Tomatoes: One serving is 1 cup chopped or sliced, raw, canned or cooked tomato (about 32 calories) or 2 small raw whole tomatoes (about 33 calories) or 20 cherry tomatoes (about 61 calories).

•Broccoli: One serving is 1 cup cooked or raw broccoli or 10 broccoli florets (about 30 calories).

•Mixed vegetables: One serving is 1 cup mixed vegetables (118 calories). ]]>

Is Jillian Michaels growing soft? Tough 'Biggest Loser' coach is a new mom of two - and even put on some extra pounds

By RENE LYNCH, Los Angeles Times

Posted: April 22, 2013

Spotlight

LOS ANGELES - Jillian Michaels didn't think she had another weight-loss book in her. She'd already written several, including "Master Your Metabolism," "Win-ning by Losing" and "Making the Cut." What else was there to say?

Eating out with children

By SANDRA PEDICINI, Orlando Sentinel

Posted: April 22, 2013

Spotlight

Even though children's nutrition has received lots of attention the past few years, you're still more likely to find chicken fingers and fries on kids' menus than wraps and salads.

Health briefs: Correct color blindness and lower melanoma risk

Updated: April 24, 2013 - 12:28 pm

Correct color blindness

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