I wanted to post this well before lunch because it is likely to make you lose your appetite. WRAL reporter Monica Laliberte followed a health inspector into nail salons and was grossed out by what she saw. Apparently grossness–and health problems–are nothing new. According to Connie Wilder, chief of enforcement with the North Carolina Board of […]
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When I was in the worst of a serious illness, one of the most confusing questions I had to answer on a daily basis was “How are you?” It was an innocuous question. Some who asked it knew me well, others were just parroting a generic greeting. “How are you?” Think how often you say
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This just in: Owning a dog may reduce your risk of heart disease! This finding was announced by the prestigious American Heart Association (AHA) in a published scientific statement. The precise wording was that owning a dog was “probably associated” with protection from heart disease. Why? According to an article in The New York Times:
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Today starts National Playground Safety Week (runs from April 22-26, 2013). It is a time to focus on the safety of children’s outdoor play environments, and to thank all the adults who work tirelessly to maintain playgrounds. Tell me what you remember about playgrounds in your childhood, and chances are I can tell your age. Metal
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Despite jokes and sitcom story lines, hearing loss is not inevitable. It is common, however, affecting one in three adults over age 65, and about half of people over age 70. While some people are genetically prone to develop problems with hearing, others face increased risk because of loud noises they experience throughout their lives–on
Do You Need a Hearing Aid? And Can You Afford It? Read More »
Temporary tattoos seem so fun and innocuous. But as the saying goes: It’s all fun and games until someone gets hurt. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning about temporary tattoos, also known as “henna” tattoos. There have been reports of severe skin reactions, sometimes leading to permanent scarring. “Just because
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When it comes to exercise, new research suggests that benefits may depend on location, location, location. An article published in The New York Times outlines the reasons why exercising outdoors may be a better physical experience than exercising in a gym or at home. Here are some reasons why: Your stride is different when running outdoors.
When It Comes to Exercise, It Really Is the "Great Outdoors" Read More »
This week, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) released updated safety recommendations for metal-on-metal hip replacement devices. This is the FDA’s most comprehensive set of recommendations to date. What’s the Problem with Metal-on-Metal Hip Implants? While all hip replacements pose risks for patients, research has shown that metal-on-metal hip implants carry unique risks. In metal-on-metal hip
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Lithium disc or “button” batteries–those coin-sized round batteries–are found in many items these day, including mini remote control devices, watches, flameless candles, musical greeting cards, bathroom scales, hearing aids, calculators, and small electronic toys. Because of their small size and appealing shape (looking very much like shiny candy bits), button batteries are frequently swallowed by
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“The home use of trampolines is strongly discouraged.” That is the conclusion of a policy statement issued today by the American Academy of Pediatrics in the journal Pediatrics. According to an article on NBCnews.com, Dr. Michele LaBotz believes that pediatricians need to actively discourage recreational trampoline use. “This is not a toy. It’s a
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