Health in a Heartbeat

A recent Danish study linked hormonal birth control to an increased risk of breast cancer. You may have heard about the study, as it made big headlines nationwide, making women worry their pill, patch or IUD could cause harm. However, before discontinuing your birth control, it’s important to understand the risk uncovered by the study […]

Do you look forward to that creamy, delicious yogurt to start your day in the morning? Researchers from the Netherlands, Austria and Finland found that low-fat, vanilla yogurt can spark feelings of happiness. As part of the study, three groups of at least 24 people were given two types of yogurt to taste. The brand […]

When companies began offering more robust employee wellness programs several years ago, they were welcomed by workers who saw them as avenues toward better health and a tangible sign that the bosses actually cared about them. These days, the bloom may be off the rose. A recent survey of more than 31,000 employees around the […]

Looking to shake off a few pounds? Make sure you sleep well. Studies have repeatedly found that not getting enough sleep makes it harder to lose weight and leads to weight gain. It makes sense. After all, it’s hard to exercise when you’re exhausted. Perhaps you snooze past the alarm in the morning, making it […]

What would you do if you found a spider web in your ear? Probably some sort of dance step halfway between Zumba and the Watusi as you tried to clear your ear. Some day in the future, however, you may be glad to have that addition. If you have trouble hearing, that is. Scientists are […]

Surviving cancer can bring on another ailment — post-traumatic stress disorder. A recent study found that about one-fifth of patients had PTSD several months after their cancer diagnosis. Many of those patients lived with PTSD for many years, the researchers noted. The findings by Malaysian researchers were published in an American Cancer Society journal. The […]

People who are struggling with obesity may consider taking steps such as gastric bypass surgery or laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding to gain control of their condition. These procedures have been shown to work wonders for many, but some may question if the benefits are fleeting. A new study may help put some of those fears […]

Eating a diet of fruits and vegetables along with whole grains and less red meat has long been shown to be a recipe for better health. A new study suggests this diet may also help reduce painful symptoms for people who have multiple sclerosis. MS is a disease in which the immune system eats away […]

Here’s a news flash for people who complain that listening to their spouse chatter on and on is making them lose their minds: A new analysis shows just the opposite is true. Being married may lower your risk of dementia compared with being single for life or widowed, British researchers say. Their findings reinforce previous […]

It’s a staple of comedy routines and TV shows, the tough guy who can run through a brick wall and feel no pain but who becomes a puddle of pitiful, simpering fluff at the first hint of a cold or the flu. There’s even a name for this condition: man flu. For all those guys […]

If you’re feeling a little blue and lonely, new research indicates a good tonic may be to stop doing something that many people find addictive: Engaging in social media. A study tracking 579 students at Brigham Young University found that a student’s feeling of loneliness and depression increased the more time he or she spent […]

Juggling tight deadlines, time-consuming projects, difficult coworkers and the demands of an overbearing boss are skills many employees must possess in today’s economy. A little stress is good for the soul, but too much can take a toll on more than just your sanity and sense of well-being. Women workers in particular should take note: […]

Don’t let the needle get you down. While a flu shot is not traditionally a time of unbridled joy, being in a good mood might actually help some people avoid influenza. British researchers recently found that a positive mood in older adults when they received their flu shot appeared to bolster the response from their […]

The flu season is underway and people may be congratulating themselves for getting a flu shot, lamenting for forgetting or, in some cases, wondering why they even bothered to get stuck. In recent years, flu vaccines have not always lived up to their billing and some experts are pointing to a fragile culprit: Eggs. Since […]

Good news for parents of pooches: Your dog might help you live longer. New research by a team of Swedish scientists shows dog owners had a lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease and other causes. After studying the health histories of more than 3.4-million people over 12 years, the researchers found dog ownership was […]