Personalized care for aortic aneurysms, based on gene testing, has arrived

Researchers have tested the genomes of more than 100 patients with thoracic aortic aneurysms, a potentially lethal condition, and provided genetically personalized care. Their work will also lead to the development of a 'dictionary' of genes specific to the disease, according to researchers.

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New limb-lengthening technique is less cumbersome for patients

A highly specialized procedure that lengthens bones can prevent the need for amputations in selected patients who have suffered severe fractures. And now a new study has found that an alternative limb-lengthening technique makes the long recovery process less cumbersome -- while still providing good-to-excellent outcomes.

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Researchers test bioartificial liver device to treat acute liver failure

Researchers have developed and are testing an alternative to liver transplantation called the Spheroid Reservoir Bioartificial Liver that can support healing and regeneration of the injured liver, and improve outcomes and reduce mortality rates for patients with acute liver failure.

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6 Reasons Why You're Not Losing Weight

1. Not drinking enough water - Your body is 50-60% water so do not deprive it of its most vital nutrient! Water helps you burn fat, build muscle, stay hydrated, and feel satiated. To determine how many ounces of water you should drink, divide your bodyweight in pounds by two. For example, a 180 pound person should drink 90 ounces of water per day.

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Study in mice may identify new ways to treat immune thrombocytopenia

A study in mice may identify new ways to treat immune thrombocytopenia. Immune thrombocytopenia, or ITP, is an autoimmune disease whereby the immune system sends antibodies to attack and destroy the body's platelets--blood cells responsible for controlling bleeding.

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Moderate hormone suppression may be enough in thyroid cancer, 30-year study shows

Moderate suppression of thyroid-stimulating hormone, which drives thyroid cancer, may be as beneficial as more extreme hormone suppression, a study of long-term thyroid cancer outcomes shows. Extreme TSH suppression is associated with increased side effects including osteoporosis and heart rhythm irregularities.

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The Evolution of the Perfume Bottle

A lot of thought goes into the design of a perfume bottle; some tend to be very orate while others are simple. In this article I will give you a brief history of perfume bottles from past to present.

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Neat, Clean and Beautiful Feet With a Pedicure

A pedicure is a treatment that you can get for both your feet and your toenails. During the procedure your feet are rubbed, massaged, exfoliated, and otherwise treated. Also during the treatment your nails will be perfected and painted so that they look their most beautiful. Not only will having a pedicure leave you with healthy feet but it will also leave you feeling good.

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10 Changes You NEED to Make to Lose Stubborn Belly Fat

Struggling to lose belly fat? This article describes 10 of the most common problems preventing people from losing stubborn fat, and provides 10 in-depth solutions to each problem. Implement these 10 changes and you'll see amazing results!

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3 Tips To Living a More Organic Lifestyle

Stop treating your body like a chemical waste plant! Use these 3 tips to begin your journey to a healthier lifestyle.

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Making the Right Recruitment Strategies for Clinical Trials

The recruitment process of patients to a clinical trial sometimes can be long and monotonous as valuable resources are consumed while conducting it. A study conducted on patient enrolment estimated that in a given trial, about 30% of PIs under-enroll and about 20% are unable to enroll a single patient.

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Why Eating "Natural" Foods Doesn't Mean What You Think

We feel so proud when opting for a banana instead of a bag of jalapeño cheddar chips for our afternoon snack. All we have to do is turn over that bag and see the long list of hard-to-pronounce ingredients to know it’s bad for us. But as our friends at AsapSCIENCE point out in their latest video, the rule about avoiding foods with obscure-sounding ingredients doesn’t hold up once you realize bananas are made up of chemicals too, including oleic acid, methionine, and ethyl hexanoate.

This doesn’t mean you should do a happy dance and stock up on all the processed food in sight: Fruits and veggies are more nutritious than most chips you’ll find. But it’s worth pausing to think about how labels like “all-natural” and “chemical-free” are marketing jargon rather than scientifically accurate descriptions.

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Avoid This Weight Loss Killer!

Everyone makes this mistake. It's especially common around the New Year and before the Summer Holidays. Here's what happens... You're super-motivated to change your body. Maybe you're going to go on a diet. Maybe you're going to start exercising. Or maybe you're going to hit it hard and do both!

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What Really Causes a Sunburn (and How to Treat It Fast!)

With the summer sun beating down, spending quality time outside—whether you’re working out or vacationing—is a given. And though you likely know all the rules about wearing sunscreen, sometimes you just forget. Sunburns are no fun and can be dangerous, but there are ways to alleviate the pain and soothe the burn.

What You Need to Know

Sunburns are most common among adults 18 to 29 years old. In fact, 65 percent of white people in that age group reported at least one sunburn in the past year, according to the CDC.¹

And this may come as no surprise, but it’s not the heat that’s causing that burn. Excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light does the damage. When exposed to UV rays from the sun, your skin accelerates the production of melanin—a substance that gives pigment to your skin and gives you your natural color. That melanin-in-overdrive is what gives you a tan. And that tan is your body’s natural sunblocker—and the only defense you naturally have against the sun.

But the melanin can only do so much. How much melanin your body can produce is determined by genetics, and most people don’t produce enough to protect the skin well. The eventual result is a sunburn.

But it goes beyond red skin and weird tan lines. In some cases, blisters can form, and the skin may even swell—a condition called edema. In more severe situations, sun poisoning a.k.a. polymorphic light eruption—can occur. Symptoms of this type sun allergy include tiny red bumps or patches of red skin, blisters, hives, and even bleeding.

Studies have shown that getting burned regularly can significantly increase a person’s risk of developing skin cancer later in life. In particular, one study found that women who got five or more blistering sunburns between the ages of 15 and 20 were at an 80 percent increased risk for melanoma.²Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer and requires immediate attention from a doctor.

Your Action Plan

Be smart in the sun. The easiest way to treat a sunburn is to prevent it from happening in the first place. Apply sunscreen regularly. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using one that is broad spectrum (meaning it protects against UVA and UVB rays), water resistant, and has an SPF (sun protection factor) of 30 or higher. You should also consider staying out of the sun during the middle of the day (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.), wearing protective clothing, and avoid tanning beds. You can also chow down on some sun-friendly foods, like salmon, which contains omega-3 fatty acids that may help block some UV rays.³

If it's too late, here’s how to treat your burn:

• Cool Off. Lightly apply a cool compress like a wet washcloth to the burned skin. However, skip the ice. It can damage your skin or irritate the burn even more. If it’s too painful to use a cool compress, you can also run cool water (but not ice cold) over the burn for 10 or 15 minutes.
• Soothe the sore. Try applying some aloe to help reduce skin inflammation.⁴ Skip skin products that contain alcohol—this may dry out skin even more.
• Hit the pharmacy. Taking an anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen or aspirin may help. If your sunburn is extremely uncomfortable, you may be able to get a topical prescription from your doc for diclofenac, which according to one study, may reduce pain and swelling.⁵
• Don’t pop the blisters. If blisters appear, don’t break them. Instead, cover them lightly with gauze. If they do break, apply an antibiotic ointment and then cover them with gauze.
• Avoid tight clothing. This sounds like a no-brainer, but if your hands or arms are burned and swollen, remove any tight rings, bracelets or watches while you heal. Likewise, you’ll probably be more comfortable in loose clothing.

Originally published August 2012. Updated July 2015.

Works Cited

1. Sunburn and sun protective behaviors among adults aged 18-29 years--United States, 2000-2010. . MMWR. Morbidity and mortality weekly report, 2012, Jun.;61(18):1545-861X.
2. Long-term ultraviolet flux, other potential risk factors, and skin cancer risk: a cohort study. Wu S, Han J, Laden F. Cancer epidemiology, biomarkers & prevention : a publication of the American Association for Cancer Research, cosponsored by the American Society of Preventive Oncology, 2015, Jun.;23(6):1538-7755.
3. Dietary fish-oil supplementation in humans reduces UVB-erythemal sensitivity but increases epidermal lipid peroxidation. Rhodes LE, O'Farrell S, Jackson MJ. The Journal of investigative dermatology, 1994, Aug.;103(2):0022-202X.
4. Efficacy of aloe vera cream in prevention and treatment of sunburn and suntan. Puvabanditsin P, Vongtongsri R. Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand = Chotmaihet thangphaet, 2006, May.;88 Suppl 4():0125-2208.
5. The efficacy and safety of low-dose diclofenac sodium 0.1% gel for the symptomatic relief of pain and erythema associated with superficial natural sunburn. Magnette J, Kienzler JL, Alekxandrova I. European journal of dermatology : EJD, 2004, Oct.;14(4):1167-1122.

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The Best Food to Lose Belly Fat Easily

The balance between eating right and exercise can help us reduce weight easily. Learn about the different foods, which are beneficial for weight loss and step in the path of weight loss.

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Understand How To Deal With Cholesterol

All the cholesterol in your body is not as bad as you think. There are actually two kinds of cholesterol: HDL or High Density Lipoprotein and LDL or Low Density Lipoprotein. HDL is the good kind that protects your body and keeps the cholesterol low in the blood stream. LDL on the other hand, is the one you need to watch and keep in control.

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A 30-Minute Strength and Cardio Circuit to Challenge Your Entire Body

Ready to take your home workout to a new level? While you may have heard about interval training—trainers' dirty little secret for a stronger body (and a less boring workout)—you’ve never seen it like this before.

The 30-minute workout will get your heart rate up while strengthening your upper body, lower body, and core—all without the use of equipment. Follow along as Grokker trainers and professional athletes Jenny Pacey and Wayne Gordon take you through five intense sets of effective strength and cardio moves. From single-leg squats to inverted push-ups to V-sits, the exercises are anything but ordinary. After 30 quick minutes (trust us—they’ll fly by), you’ll feel the burn. Up for the challenge? Just press play.

To recap: Perform each exercise for 40 seconds, followed by 20 seconds of squat spins. Rest 20 seconds between each set.

Set 1:
Single-leg squat
Push-up with shoulder tap
In-out jump
Tuck crunch

Set 2:
Curtsy lunge
Elbow dip
Split lunge, 180-degree jump
Starfish

Set 3:
Single-leg hip raise
Swimming plank
Wide-leg squat thrust
Single-veg V-Sit

Set 4:
Lateral lunge see-saw
Single-leg inverted push-up
Lateral jump
Full kick-up

Set 5:
Walkout push-Up
Y dorsal raise
Tick-tock lizard
Full core rock

Interested in more short and effective at-home workouts? There are thousands waiting for you on Grokker, the one-stop online resource for wellness. Get 30 percent off a Grokker.com membership by entering promo code GREATIST at checkout.

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Greatist Workout of the Day: Friday, July 17th

This series of GWODs was designed exclusively for Greatist by Bodeefit. For more information about the exercises in this workout, or to see video demos of each movement, follow the links below the graphic. Be sure to note the results of your workout so you can track your progress as you go.

Before you tackle this workout, try this quick and effective full-body warm-up. It's just five simple moves but hits every major muscle group and gets your heart pumping.

Little Raven

Complete 25 reps of the following movements, then 20 reps, then 15 reps as fast as safely possible.

Elevated Push-Ups
V-Ups
Plank Splits

Want to kick up the intensity? Just move faster. And don't forget to check back tomorrow for a totally new (but equally awesome) GWOD!

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Electrical signals could help repair injured spinal cords, expert suggests

Wichita State University's Li Yao is taking a special approach to the study of spinal cord injuries through research that uses an electrical signal to repair tissue damage.

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Low chance of obese people recovering normal body weight

The chance of an obese person attaining normal body weight is 1 in 210 for men and 1 in 124 for women, increasing to 1 in 1,290 for men and 1 in 677 for women with severe obesity, according to a new study. The findings suggest that current weight management programs focused on dieting and exercise are not effective in tackling obesity at population level.

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What's the Secret to Permanent Weight Loss?

Are you tired of your flabby body? Do you go on diet after diet but never lose your excess weight? My friend, Andrea has finally discovered the secret after years of struggle.

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How Essential Oils Can Aid in Weight Loss

For centuries, people have been using essential oils for many remedies; including weight loss. Are you ready?

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The 5 Most Misleading "Facts" About Fat Loss

Fat loss is a complicated thing that takes much more than simply creating a calorie deficit. While that is part of it, fat loss success lies in avoiding these common fat loss misconceptions. Learn how to avoid the 5 most misleading fat loss "facts."

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What Is Bulk Billing?

Bulk Billing is a payment option under the medicare system of universal health insurance in Australia. It covers a certain range of health services which is listed in the medicare benefits. Usually, the doctors are paid 85% of the fee directly by the government for billing the patient via the medicare card.

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Magnetic pulses to the brain deliver long-lasting relief for tinnitus patients

In the largest US clinical trial of its kind researchers found that transcranial magnetic stimulation significantly improved tinnitus symptoms for more than half of study participants.

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Prevent The Childhood Obesity Menace

One out of every three children is either overweight or obese. This figure is astounding, when you look at all the countries suffering from this childhood obesity and their lax method in dealing with the problem. They need to come up with a sustainable solution.

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This Tiny Tool Will Intensify Your Bodyweight Workouts

Core Flytes

Bodyweight workouts are one of our favorite ways to break a sweat. But we sometimes get bored by the same old moves—and our bodies stop making major gains.

That’s why we were so happy when a friend introduced us to Core Flytes. The stability trainers take standard exercises to the next level by mimicking the muscle-trembling feeling we get when doing squats or push-ups with an exercise ball. (Our core was still burning several days later.) But unlike an unwieldy piece of gym equipment, the trainers are about the size of dinner plates, meaning you can throw them in a bag and take them with you wherever you plan to work out.

Everyone from exercise newbies to top-notch athletes can get in on the action: Simply adjust the placement of the device and the range of motion to make the moves more or less intense. There's even a series of workout videos to help get you started.

Core Flytes are a bit pricey ($99.95 for a pair), but we really think they’re worth the splurge once you realize that they’re the only tool you need for a killer full-body workout. Plus, Core Flytes is offering Greatist readers a 10 percent discount and free shipping when they use the code GREATIST at checkout.

I Want This! $99.95

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Air pollution from wildfires may ignite heart hazards

Air pollution from wildfires may increase risk of cardiac arrests, and other sudden acute heart problems, researchers have found. Researchers noted that while breathing wildfire smoke was linked to respiratory problems such as asthma -- evidence of an association between wildfire smoke exposure and heart problems has been inconsistent.

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The 1 Reason Why You Cannot Lose Weight

Despite your best efforts, you simply cannot lose weight and keep it off. This article looks at why you cannot lose weight, and how to fix it.

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Potential treatment for Parkinson's disease discovered

Scientists have found that existing anti-malaria drugs could be a potential treatment for Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson's disease is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system that causes a person to lose control of motor movements, such as the ability to move his or her hands, arms, and legs.

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Gene causing appearance of premature aging found

A genetic mutation associated with the appearance of premature aging and severe loss of body fat in children has been identified by scientists. They found that the appearance of premature aging, a neonatal form of Progeroid syndrome, in a 3-year-old girl was caused by a mutation in the gene CAV1.

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Observing brain network dynamics to diagnose Alzheimer's disease

By analyzing blood flow in the brain, a team of researchers was able to observe the interactions between different regions in the brain in real time. Their new imaging technique could help with the early detection of Alzheimer's disease.

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Teen birth, mental health lead child hospitalizations in Texas

From 2004 to 2010 in Texas, mental illness was the most common reason for the hospitalization of children ages 10-14 while pregnancy/birth was the most common reason for the hospitalization of adolescents ages 15-17, according to researchers.

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What You Need to Know About Freezing Your Eggs

When Apple and Facebook announced last year that they would cover elective egg freezing, people started talking more about this new-ish procedure. The ability to "put motherhood on hold" by preserving your eggs for future use seems like an alluring way to ease the baby-making pressure for couples who are meeting and marrying later in life.

But a quick search into elective egg freezing—a.k.a. oocyte cryopreservation—reveals confusing (and often conflicting) information. For starters, the women choosing to go through this process are not all workaholics looking to delay motherhood because of their taxing schedules. In fact, in one NYU survey, 88 percent of women who froze their eggs cited the lack of a partner as the reason for delayed childbearing.

Motivations aside, one 2010 study found that at least 50 percent of in vitro fertilization (IVF) clinics in the U.S. offered elective egg freezing.¹ And since the label “experimental” was lifted from the procedure two years ago, that number has probably grown. That means you're more likely to find a place to freeze your eggs—but first you need to know the facts so you can decide if it's the right choice for you (and your partner, if you have one).

The Link Between Age and Cost

While experts' opinions differ, according to one study, the best age to freeze your eggs is between 31 and 33.²

"Below age 31, the success rates are high," says Tolga Mesen, M.D., a doctor at UNC Fertility Clinic who co-authored the study, "but the success rate is also high if you try to conceive naturally." Thirty-two seems to be the point at which egg freezing makes a significant difference in your potential to get pregnant later in life.

In practice, the average age tends to be late 30s, says Elizabeth Fino, M.D., a reproductive endocrinologist from NYU Langone Medical Center, who's seen the age of her patients slowly drop from 38 or 39 in 2010, to 36 or 37 in 2014. She encourages women to think about the procedure at a younger age. “If you're going to invest that amount of money, you want to make sure you're in the best success rate group."

Egg freezing hits a place in our hearts as we contemplate what we want to do with our life.

And is it quite an investment. "In general, the cost will be between $10,000 to $15,000 to freeze your eggs," says Ilaina Edison, CEO of Extend Fertility, a national fertility center. That price—which has dropped in recent years—is an estimate for a woman about 35 years old, and includes a hormone treatment, one cycle of egg retrieval, and one year of egg freezing. After that, expect to fork out $1,000 to $1,200 per year to store the eggs, Edison says.

The number of eggs harvested depends on the individual, but in general experts recommend putting away 15 to 20. For women younger than 35, sometimes a single cycle will produce that number. But as women age, more cycles are needed to harvest a viable number of eggs. That means another round of hormones and another egg retrieval procedure. So a woman closer to 40 may need two to three cycles in order to retrieve the number of eggs her doctor has recommended—and that could cost $15,000 to $25,000, Edison says. "Egg freezing is expensive, which is why most women tend to be older.”

Plus, unless you work for Apple or Facebook, the cost is likely out of pocket. The majority of people pay either with loans or through other forms of financing, Edison says. Others use what Angeline Beltsos, M.D., the medical director for the Fertility Centers of Illinois, calls “grandparents' insurance”—their parents help cover the cost.

The First Steps in Egg Freezing

The first (and perhaps most important) step is a consultation. During this time, you’ll likely discuss your ovarian reserve—that is, about how many eggs are available based on your natural fertility.

You might recall from high school sex ed that a woman is born with all of her follicles—the fluid-filled spheres inside which eggs mature. Unlike men, who regularly produce new sperm, women have about one million follicles at birth—and that’s it. As a woman ages, her fertility naturally declines, a process called “loss of ovarian reserve.” No single test exists to answer with complete certainty how many eggs are available, but through blood tests or an ultrasound, a doctor can make a pretty good estimate.

Is having a baby the most important thing to you, or is falling in love and having a baby with a partner more important?

You may also discuss more personal aspects of the future: Is having a baby the most important thing to you, or is falling in love and having a baby with a partner more important?

For many, egg freezing removes that “I must meet someone and marry and pop out babies” pressure women may start to feel at some point in their 20s. Taking care of your eggs now means you don't have to worry about it in the future (to some degree), Fino says.

Yet despite feeling empowered, as about half the women in the NYU survey reported, there are also emotional drawbacks. "Egg freezing hits a place in our hearts as we contemplate what we want to do with our life," Beltsos says. "It's a reminder to some women that they don't have someone." And though egg freezing may not be emotionally trying, the IVF a woman faces down the road when she's ready to use the preserved eggs can be. It's a lot to think through.

The Egg Retrieval Procedure

If freezing your eggs is the right choice for you, you’ll start a hormone treatment to stimulate egg production. This typically involves oral doses, subcutaneous injections to the abdomen, and frequent endocrinologist visits to make sure everything is going smoothly.

During this time, there is a small chance (Fino estimates 1 to 2 percent) of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). Because of the extras hormones, the ovaries can become swollen and painful. Often the syndrome resolves on its own, but at worst, you would need to be hospitalized.

Assuming there aren’t any complications, at the end of 10 to 14 days, you undergo an egg retrieval procedure, which takes about 30 minutes and requires sedation. Usually a method called transvaginal ultrasound aspiration is used. Basically, after the follicles are identified, a thin needle is inserted into an ultrasound guide, which pierces the vagina and enters the follicles to retrieve the mature eggs. A suction device is located on the other end of the needle, and one by one, the follicular fluid is drained and the egg is retrieved. Risks are small, but you may experience soreness for up to a week after the procedure.

After the eggs are collected, they're frozen using either a slow-freeze method or a fast-freeze process called vitrification. Freezing is complicated because the eggs have a high water composition, and if ice forms, they're damaged. So how do you freeze a watery egg without creating ice? Both methods replace intercellular water with cryoprotectants—chemicals that help prevent ice crystals from forming—but in different ways. Slow-freeze methods, which were more common until recently, introduce cryoprotectants gradually, as the eggs are cooling. Vitrification, on the other hand, uses high initial concentrations of cryoprotectants in combination with faster cooling so that ice crystals don’t have time to form. Because of the reduced risk of ice, some clinics now use this method exclusively.

Frozen eggs are held at sub-zero temperatures at a fertility center or egg bank until you decide to use them. The eggs are good for at least a decade—and probably longer—as long as they are stored correctly, experts say.

And if you move, there are companies that specialize in transporting cryopreserved material—at the expense of around $1,000, according to one company. There's also risk involved since something could happen in shipment that makes the eggs unusable.

Maybe Baby

Great as it may sound, egg freezing doesn’t guarantee the ability to have a baby on demand. "People think frozen eggs are as good as fresh eggs, and that's not true," says Kutluk Oktay, M.D., an expert in fertility preservation. "When you preserve eggs, you preserve the possibility of getting pregnant.”

While the American Society for Reproductive Medicine says a single thawed egg has a 2 to 12 percent chance of yielding a baby, doctors always thaw a batch of eggs for IVF, Fino says, which increases the chances of pregnancy.

Still, success rates vary depending on the age at which the eggs were retrieved and the age at which a woman decides to use them. Fino gives a 40 to 50 percent pregnancy rate from using eggs frozen at age 35 or younger. Both Oktay and Mesen also have online calculators (here and here, respectively) that provide estimates based on data from separate studies.³

But just because you freeze eggs doesn't mean you'll use them. When you decide to try to have a baby, even if you're 40 and have a boyfriend or husband, your doctor may suggest trying naturally for a few months. If that doesn't work, your doc may still recommend going through IVF with fresh eggs because there's a finite number of frozen eggs that can be thawed for pregnancy, and you may want a second child, Fino explains.

Oktay adds that because elective egg freezing is relatively new, there could be other unknowns. "We are 99.9 percent sure we won’t have any issues with these children. But we need another 10 to 20 years of data to say definitively that all of these children are healthy and don't have increased problems compared to naturally born babies."

The Takeaway

"The reality is, we're born with our eggs. We can't make anymore," Beltsos says. "And by the time you want to start a family, if you don't have eggs—you're out of luck. That's why you at least want to consider freezing."

Fino adds that egg freezing shouldn't become another stress, rather it's a chance to take control of your reproductive future. In the end, the biggest upside to elective egg freezing is that when a woman is finally ready to get pregnant, she might be able to do just that.

Works Cited

1. The status of oocyte cryopreservation in the United States. Rudick B, Opper N, Paulson R. Fertility and sterility, 2010, Jun.;94(7):1556-5653.
2. Optimal timing for elective egg freezing. Mesen TB, Mersereau JE, Kane JB. Fertility and sterility, 2015, Apr.;103(6):1556-5653.
3. Age-specific probability of live birth with oocyte cryopreservation: an individual patient data meta-analysis. Cil AP, Bang H, Oktay K. Fertility and sterility, 2013, May.;100(2):1556-5653. Optimal timing for elective egg freezing. Mesen TB, Mersereau JE, Kane JB. Fertility and sterility, 2015, Apr.;103(6):1556-5653.

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Why Drinking Hot Chocolate Can Make You Nicer

Nothing beats good company, great conversation and a hot cup of cocoa- all while you are curled up indoors- on a blisteringly cold winter's evening. The warmth exuding from cup, conversation and company make even the harshest of times so much easier and enjoyable. But that's just me and my personal fancies- right? Turns out no! It seems science agrees with me on this point- a simple cup of cocoa can indeed make for much warmer interactions, engagements and experiences.

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Understanding Urgent Care

Anyone who has visited a doctor's office lately knows that it's not easy to get in and out quickly, especially during peak times or during cold and flu season. This is why busy people appreciate urgent care centers designed to treat injuries or illnesses that are considered non-life-threatening.

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The Truth Behind Why Diets Do Not Work

While eating less overall can be an important first step for someone with obesity, it falls short of being the driving force toward weight loss goals. "Which diet is best?" is a familiar question, since we are continually bombarded with marketing and heresay about the trendiest regimen for shedding pounds. The most truthful answer to this question is that any diet - Atkins, blood-type diet, cabbage soup diet and so forth - will initially shake things up and drop a few numbers on the scale. However; in general, none of these diets work in the long run.

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Greatist Workout of the Day: Thursday, July 16th

This series of GWODs was designed exclusively for Greatist by Bodeefit. For more information about the exercises in this workout, or to see video demos of each movement, follow the links below the graphic. Be sure to note the results of your workout so you can track your progress as you go.

Before you tackle this workout, try this quick and effective full-body warm-up. It's just five simple moves but hits every major muscle group and gets your heart pumping.

Shotgun Start

Complete 8 rounds of the following as fast as safely possible.

10 Hand Release Push-Ups
15 Bicycle Sit-Ups (per side)
10 Step-Ups (5 per leg, alternating)

Want to kick up the intensity? Hold lightweight kettlebells or dumbbells in both hands on the step-ups. And don't forget to check back tomorrow for a totally new (but equally awesome) GWOD!

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Women should be allowed to get treatment for cystitis without a prescription

Women should be able to treat cystitis themselves with antibiotics without a prescription, says a general practitioner. Acute uncomplicated urinary tract infections (AUUTIs) such as cystitis are the most common bacterial infections in women. Cystitis affects around half of women at least once in their lifetime.

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Combined use of antidepressants and painkillers linked to bleeding risk

Taking a combination of antidepressants and common painkillers is associated with an increased risk of bleeding soon after starting treatment, finds a new study. The researchers say their results may have been affected by other unmeasured or unknown factors and should be interpreted with caution. However, they suggest special attention is needed when patients use both these classes of drugs together.

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Study highlights pneumonia hospitalizations among U.S. adults

Viruses, not bacteria, are the most commonly detected respiratory pathogens in U.S. adults hospitalized with pneumonia, according to a new study. The findings highlight a need for more sensitive rapid diagnostic tests to identify pneumonia pathogens and target appropriate treatments when considering that neither viruses nor bacteria were detected in 62 percent of hospitalized adults during the two-and-a-half year study, researchers said.

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Therapeutic target identified for treatment of spinal cord injuries

A therapeutic target for the treatment of acute spinal cord injuries has been identified by researchers. According to this research, conducted on mice, the administration of a drug that prevents loss of myelin -- the insulating sheath around nerve fibers that allows signals to be transmitted -- increases the mobility of the mice after an injury.

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'Housing First' can reduce alcohol problems for homeless people with mental illness

A 'Housing First' approach can reduce alcohol-related problems among homeless people with mental illness, a study finds.

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Clinical pathway uncovers obstructive sleep apnea in hospitalized patients

A multi-disciplinary group of researchers and physicians has created a clinical pathway to identify obstructive sleep apnea in higher-risk, hospitalized patients.

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Outcomes comparable for in-person, in-home telerehabilitation following total knee replacement surgery

Patients who received rehabilitation instructions via video teleconference, or 'telerehabilitation,' following total knee replacement surgery had comparable outcomes to patients who received in-person physical therapy, according to a study.

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Stem cells move one step closer to cure for genetic diseases

Scientists have created mutation-free lines of stem cells from human patients with mitochondrial diseases.

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A new strategy against spinal cord injuries

Patients, doctors and researchers look with great expectations to epidural electrostimulation, a medical technique that could alleviate the condition of subjects affected by paralysis due to spinal cord injury. Although still relatively rudimentary, the technique is constantly being improved thanks to research. A group of scientists propose a new methodological approach based on distributing the stimulation and modulating the frequency of electrical impulses, which has provided good results in vitro.

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Hydraulic fracturing linked to increases in hospitalization rates in the Marcellus Shale

Hospitalizations for heart conditions, neurological illness, and other conditions were higher among people who live near unconventional gas and oil drilling (hydraulic fracturing), according to new research. Over the past ten years in the United States, hydraulic fracturing has experienced a meteoric increase. Due to substantial increases in well drilling, potential for air and water pollution posing a health threat has been a concern for nearby residents.

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Raspberry Ketone: A Potent Weight Loss Agent

Raspberry ketone is known as the weight loss miracle drug; it is said to aid in increasing lean body mass and is an effective weight loss agent. In addition, it also helps in effective blood and sugar regulation. Raspberry Ketone does not only aid in weight loss but also contains health-promoting properties including anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and liver health-promoting activities.

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Lower-cost procedure for children with digestive tract problems

Physicians have published research that suggests a safe and lower-cost way to diagnose and treat problems in the upper gastrointestinal tract of children. The researchers assessed the effectiveness of unsedated transnasal endoscopy (TNE) in evaluating pediatric patients with potentially chronic problems in their esophagus, which is the tube that connects the patient's mouth to the stomach.

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What Different Methods of Fertility Awareness Are There?

There are many different methods of contraception available today to women all over the world. Many of these are man-made, including condoms, the combined pill, the IUD, contraceptive implants and several more. There are, however, a few reasons why women may prefer to choose a natural method of contraception instead.

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A portable 'paper machine' can diagnose disease for less than $2

In the US and other industrialized nations, testing for infectious diseases and cancer often requires expensive equipment and highly trained specialists. In countries where resources are limited, performing the same diagnostics is far more challenging. To address this disparity, scientists are developing a portable, low-cost 'paper machine' for point-of-care detection of infectious diseases, genetic conditions and cancer.

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Subset of plasma cells represent 'historical record' of childhood infections

Immunologists have identified a distinct set of long-lived antibody-producing cells in the human bone marrow that function as an immune archive.

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Many opioid overdoses linked to lower prescribed doses, intermittent use

Overdoses of opioid pain medications frequently occur in people who aren't chronic users with high prescribed opioid doses -- the groups targeted by current opioid prescribing guidelines, reports a new study.

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Peripartum cardiomyopathy: Rare but potentially fatal cardiovascular disorder can strike healthy pregnant women

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a rare disorder characterized by weakened pumping of the heart, or "left ventricular dysfunction," which results in otherwise healthy pregnant women experiencing heart failure shortly before or up to five months after they deliver healthy babies. Despite the seriousness of this condition, a new study revealed that no significant research has been undertaken to explore how to prevent or treat this disorder. In fact, only three studies of possible treatments have ever been conducted, and only two of those have shown any promise.

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High blood levels of growth factor correlate with smaller brain areas in patients with schizophrenia

High blood levels of a growth factor known to enable new blood vessel development and brain cell protection correlate with a smaller size of brain areas key to complex thought, emotion and behavior in patients with schizophrenia, researchers report.

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New variant of streptococcal bacteria causing severe infections

Scientists have discovered a new variant of streptococcal bacteria that has contributed to a rise in disease cases in the UK over the last 17 years.

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Low cost interventions can improve patient and staff safety in mental health wards

A recent study reveals a set of ten low-cost interventions that can increase safety on psychiatric wards. This Safewards Model reduces aggression, self-harm and other risky behaviors by 15% and reduces coercive control, such as restraint, by 24%.

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The 4-Step Weight Loss Plan That Will Save You Time, Energy and Money

The past 20 years have witnessed significant improvement in short-term weight reduction intervention strategies that had been less successful in improving long-term outcome measures. Most obesity-related programs in the past had focused more on energy expenditure versus calorie intake, recognising that focusing on food density alone was unsustainable in the long term as far as obesity was concerned in adults.

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Nick Offerman's PSA About Pizza Farms Is Ridiculous in the Best Way

We love all things fresh and sustainable, but our definition of "healthy" and the government's don't always line up. Which is what makes Funny or Die’s latest video—in which Nick Offerman picks pizza off trees (“If it’s on a plant, it’s good for you. Who cares how it got there?”)—so amusing. The short, sponsored by the American Heart Association, is patently absurd and painfully real. Now we'd like a piece of celery, please. Hold the staples.

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8 Tools to Help You Save Money (Even If You Don’t Make Much)

5 Superfoods Which Can Help Keep Weight Gain at Bay

Are you a couch potato? Have you put on kilos of weight on your body? Do you want to get rid of your bulky body and look beautiful again? Following is the list of 5 super foods which can help you keep weight gain at bay and kick up your metabolism.

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Understanding Chiropractic Treatment And How It Works

Chiropractic is a profession that deals with diagnosing and treating conditions that are related to the spine. This form of therapy is classified as a complementary and alternative form of medicine and it has been gaining a lot of popularity due to its effectiveness for different types of spinal problems.

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How Letting Go Helped Me Live My Best, Healthiest Life

For some, chronic illness descends slowly with intermittent aches and pains. For me, it came overnight: One week I was bouncing around Nashville bars; the next I was hunched over at work with headaches, fatigue, and body aches.

At age 22, I’d come down with the Epstein-Barr virus, commonly known as mono. It shattered my immune system and completely derailed my life. I was bedridden for the good part of a year, and I've spent the last five years dealing with near-constant chronic fatigue, pain, and POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome).

Photo: Lindsay Sihilling Before I was sick, I was a mountain guide. I was quick and strong and carefree. Now I often wake to a debilitating fatigue that feels like the hangover of a lifetime—one that won’t fade away by the afternoon.

Such a dramatic onset of illness has required a lot of me: the maturity to accept loss, the courage to question my doctors, and a daily willingness to let go of the things that no longer add to my life.

It’s definitely a different way of thinking of wellness. So much of today's advice emphasizes addition as the path to health: Drink more green juice. Lift more weight. Sprinkle more chia seeds.

But I’ve found the opposite to be true. The practice of letting go offers me a better way to understand what my body really requires to heal. Below are five things that I’ve let go of to not only overcome my health issues, but also lead a more integrated, peaceful life.

1. My Post-College Plans

By now I thought I’d have two master’s degrees and a tricked-out passport. I wanted the world when I graduated college: travel, independence, and a career in hard-nosed journalism.

Instead I was feeling nauseous at parties, waiting on hold with insurance companies for hours, and sleeping in my car after job interviews to recover from the exhaustion. The fatigue was bone-crushing, amazing in its power to suck out all life and spirit.

After I got sick, I still wanted to keep up old habits. I made plans to go camping. I stayed up late. I drank beer and ate pizza. Now I see that this was my way of scolding my body for what it simply could no longer do. I liked the way my story was going, and when the plot veered south, I spent years kicking and screaming for a rewrite. But my illness forced me to reframe my narrative.

Finally, I realized it was time to let those plans go.

Two years after coming down with mono, I was shopping at REI. I’d accepted a job on a farm outside of London—another endearingly sad act of denial. I was going to be a gardener—delirious with fatigue. As I struggled to try on boots, it occurred to me that my life wasn't going to be what I'd hoped. I thought, "Maybe I’m not up for this. Maybe this is bad plan." Finally, I realized it was time to let those plans go.

Soon after I resigned from the job, I started to rethink my dream. If I couldn’t farm in England, I’d plant seeds in my backyard in St. Louis. At the time it was a heartbreaking compromise, but it was also my first gesture of acceptance. I’d made a slow turn toward reality, and my body was thanking me for slowing down.

Although I can’t control the disease, I know now that I have the responsibility to determine its effect on my life. To some degree, I’m still the narrator, the one who can name what is good and beautiful about a hard situation.

2. My Doctors’ Authority on My Body

“Your body is your business.” Those words from Lissa Rankin, M.D., have been a wonderful encouragement to reclaim my body from the misguided information I’ve received from so many specialists. My family physician, for instance, did more harm than good when she wrote me a steady supply of antibiotic prescriptions for a year to try to manage chronic sinus infections—drugs I now know appear to be detrimental to healthy gut flora and to open a floodgate of issues like leaky gut syndrome.¹

I’m my body’s best caretaker. Every day I decide what’s going to be the most nourishing form of medicine—whether that’s a hefty a dose ibuprofen or a few glasses of wine shared with girlfriends.

I love this approach because it empowers the patient to take a more active, participatory role in their healing. I’ve seen more than 20 specialists, and not one asked me about my thoughts on my body, illness, or recovery. It was only my functional medicine doctor who emphasized that diet is a medicine stronger than any drug. We know our bodies best. Who’s to say that someone in a white coat gets to have the last word?

3. My Favorite Foods

A black bean quesadilla: That’s what I ate regularly for lunch before a friend urged me to think more critically about food. While it wasn't the most unhealthy choice (I was adding vegetables! The tortilla was whole-wheat! The salsa organic!), the quesadilla era of my life was more about consuming food without thinking about its nutritional properties, the ethics of its sources, or what kind of environment it was creating in my body.

After much research and talking with other food-conscious folks, I’ve found the foods that work best for my body. I avoid gluten, dairy, sugar, and all processed foods because they promote systemic inflammation in my body. I try to eat slowly, mindfully, and locally. I know the names of a lot of people who grow my food and can make a mean salad from my own backyard garden.

Interestingly, my roommates were unaffected by the quesadillas we had every day for lunch. They didn't become post-quesadilla zombies. Now that I’m studying to become a health coach, I see the wisdom of bioindividuality: The idea that one person’s food is another person’s poison. What makes me feel energized may have deleterious effects on someone else’s health. We should all pay attention to what our food is offering our bodies, whether it's energizing nourishment or a post-lunch slump.

4. The “B-Word”

Busy! My journey with illness has forced me to rethink how I choose to relate to time. I learned the beauty of embracing a slower life from Brené Brown, a researcher and professor at the University of Houston. In her book Daring Greatly, she writes about how exhaustion has become a status symbol and a metric for self-worth. “’Crazy-busy’ is a great armor, it’s a great way for numbing,” Brown writes. “I see it a lot when I interview people and talk about vacation. They talk about how they are wound up and checking emails and sitting on the beach with their laptops.“

I think I used to be like that: frazzled, overcommitted, waving around my to-do list like a flag to say: “I’m doing important things.“ “I don't have time for you.“ “I’m too busy to help out.“

Because I simply can’t keep up with my former pace of life, I enjoy so much more by doing less.

But now because I simply can’t keep up with my former pace of life, I enjoy so much more by doing less. I’m more available to the people in my life; I often cook long, leisurely meals; and I wake up early in the morning to write. I know my priorities. I work hard to get them done. The rest is for gardening, yoga, and cooking for people I love.

5. An “Average” Workday

Because fatigue gets the best of me, I have to nap every afternoon. It happens every day around 3 p.m.: I’m writing, I get sloppy with brain fog, and I start to plot my stopping point.

My daily siesta has made me particularly sensitive to the cultural stigma around the afternoon nap—and rest in general. I used to make myself miserable with guilt every afternoon. With the sun still shining, I’d tuck myself into bed and think about how I should be working, creating, producing—anything but sleeping. It felt really bad.

And although there is plenty of research in praise of the power nap, my issue was more about the shame of not being able to live in the flow of a “normal” life with its 9-to-5 workday, post-work happy hours, and time allotted for exercise and errands.

But that just can’t be my way—and frankly, I’m not sure it would be if I were perfectly healthy. I’m introverted and bookish. I’m always nursing a cup of steaming tea. Perhaps I’ll always gravitate toward a quieter, slower life. Maybe happy hour isn’t really my thing anyway.

This notion applies to those whose bodies don’t need a daily nap too. It’s about relaxing into the inherent limitations in your life instead of forcing a better reality. It’s about accepting what is honestly available to you and embracing what may never be: a fertile body, wages commensurate to talent, or a functional relationship with your family. Instead of lamenting what I've lost, I’m learning to simply love what is.

Works Cited

1. The role of gut microbiota in immune homeostasis and autoimmunity. Hsin-Jung Wu, Eric Wu. Gut Microbes. 2012 Jan 1; 3(1): 4–14.

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How To Look Young And Fabulous In Your Thirties

Thirty is now the new twenty. The advent of new and advanced skin care makes it easier for older women to look younger than their actual age. If you just reached the magic number and are concerned about the right products for your skin, then this article can shed some light on how to help your skin fight wrinkles and free radicals.

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4 Unique Ways Of Losing Weight

If you are keen on weight loss you must have realized that the same information keeps on circulating in books and the internet. If you are tired of reading the same information here are unique ways of losing weight: Eat Barley - Carbohydrates in barley raise blood sugar levels more slowly than other carbohydrate foods. This aids in preventing a sudden increase and drop in sugar levels which often leaves you feeling famished. While barley is good for you, you shouldn't take just any other barley-you should take hulled barley. The cool thing with it is that its unprocessed thus it doesn't have the effects associated with processed barley.

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Tips On How To Lose Weight As A Busy Person

Are you a busy person and wondering how you can lose weight with your busy schedule? Here are tips on how to do it: Eliminate Junk - The journey begins with you getting rid of all the junk food in your kitchen or fridge. This calls for you to get rid of all sugary snacks, processed chips, frozen treats, crackers and any other junk food that might be there.

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Japanese Fried Chicken (a.k.a. Tori No Karaage)

Sometimes only real fried chicken—not the baked kind—will do. And that's totally cool, especially when you have a special twist on it, like this Japanese recipe. It's super easy and still full of flavor thanks to a four-ingredient marinade. Fry the chicken in coconut oil since it has a high smoke point.

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together shoyu, garlic, ginger, and sesame seeds until well combined. Place chicken in a small airtight container and marinade over chicken. Seal container and marinate chicken for about 30 minutes in refrigerator, turning chicken halfway through.
2. Remove chicken from marinade, shaking off any excess liquid, and transfer to a plate.
3. Place flour on a small baking sheet and coat each piece of chicken, shaking off any excess.
4. In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat coconut oil over medium-high heat until oil begins to simmer. Reduce heat to medium; do not let oil smoke. Cover a second small sheet pan with three layers of paper towels. Place next to the stove.
5. Carefully place chicken into hot oil. (Don’t put too much chicken in at once, as it will cause the oil temperature to drop sharply.) Cook both sides of chicken in oil until a beautiful brown color develops and chicken is cooked through. Carefully remove chicken with tongs or a large slotted spoon, and transfer to the paper towel-lined sheet to drain excess oil.

Recipe reprinted with permission from Clean Green Eats by Candice Kumai.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup hoyu (reduced-sodium tamari soy sauce)
• 2 cloves garlic, grated
• 2 teaspoons peeled and grated fresh ginger
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
• 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, trimmed
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 4-5 cups coconut oil

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Greatist Workout of the Day: Wednesday, July 15th

This series of GWODs was designed exclusively for Greatist by Bodeefit. For more information about the exercises in this workout, or to see video demos of each movement, follow the links below the graphic. Be sure to note the results of your workout so you can track your progress as you go.

Before you tackle this workout, try this quick and effective full-body warm-up. It's just five simple moves but hits every major muscle group and gets your heart pumping.

The Wildcat

Complete 5 rounds of the following as fast as safely possible.

20 Jumping Squats
25 Mountain Climbers (per side)
50-foot Bear Crawl

Want to kick up the intensity? Just move faster. And don't forget to check back tomorrow for a totally new (but equally awesome) GWOD!

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Non-invasive device could end daily finger pricking for people with diabetes

A new laser sensor that monitors blood glucose levels without penetrating the skin could transform the lives of millions of people living with diabetes.

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Key measure of hospital quality does not give accurate indication of avoidable deaths

Standardized mortality ratios for hospitals do not provide an accurate picture of how many deaths could have been avoided, according to a new study.

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Why kids' recovery times vary widely after brain injury

Why do some youngsters bounce back quickly from a traumatic brain injury, while others suffer for years? New research suggests that damage to the coating around the brain's nerve fibers may explain the difference. The finding identifies possible biomarkers that physicians could use to predict high-risk patients.

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Memory-loss man case 'like nothing we have ever seen before'

A psychologist has described a unique case, new to science. A 38-year-old fit and healthy man suffered memory loss after a local anesthetic and root-canal treatment at his dentist. For the past decade he can only remember up to 90 minutes. Symptoms are akin to those depicted in movies such as Groundhog Day and Memento. And, there is no evidence that the treatment at the dentist can be blamed for his condition. He is fully aware of his identity and his personality did not change -- but every day the man thinks it is the day of his dental appointment.

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Are Hot Workouts Safe?

Squeezing any physical activity into a hectic schedule is a great idea, but does a hot, humid environment make a difference? Turning up the heat isn't exactly a new idea—in fact, Bikram Choudhury decided to start practicing yoga in higher temps about three decades ago. Since then, the practice has expanded to more than 600 Bikram studios in the US alone. For the 90-minute class, an instructor runs through 26 postures in intense heat: 105 degrees and 40 percent humidity.

But in the past few years, hot workouts have gone from a niche experience for devoted yogis, to include a wide variety of barre, strength training, and cycling classes. So before you attempt to maintain a solid dumbbell grip with sweaty palms or start slip-n-sliding down a wet yoga mat, here's what you need to know.

What Happens When You Heat Up

Mimi Benz, founder of The Sweat Shoppe, an indoor cycling studio in North Hollywood, offers "warm" spin classes. Unlike Bikram, the temp in these classes never rises above 82 degrees. The difference, Benz says, is that training in these temps carries a relatively low risk compared to environments above 90 degrees.

As the body's internal temperature rises, the heart beats about 10 beats faster per minute with every one centigrade increase.¹ Higher than 90 degrees—the heart beats even more rapidly. "Your heart has to work harder for blood to pump to the working muscles," says Santiago Lorenzo, M.D., a former Olympian and researcher who studies physiological changes in hot and cold weather. To regulate body temperature, the body sweats more in high heat, and consequently loses nutrients and minerals.²

The Pros & Cons of Heating Up

Studies have shown that there may be some negatives to cranking up the thermostat. Elevated temps may make heat-sensitive medical conditions worse, and increase risk for heat injury, which can range from mild cramps to a life-threatening heat stroke. Heat exhaustion—which includes symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, weakness, and fainting—is more likely to occur as core temperature rises, says Robynn Europe, a Greatist expert.

People with high blood pressure should take caution before heading into the heat, and in general, pregnant women should not participate in hot workouts.³

While heat adds a level of risk, it may also offer some benefits (though the research is limited)."Sweating promotes detoxification and elimination through the skin, which is the body's largest eliminating organ," Benz says. In fact one study found that sweat actually helped to eliminate trace amounts of lead, arsenic, and mercury from the body.⁴ However, other experts believe the main function of sweating is simply to cool down and that extra sweat may impair natural detox function by the liver and kidneys.

You may also notice many classes are heated via infrared lamps. Though the research is unclear, manufacturers and hot workout devotees claim infrared heating detoxifies the body faster and removes more toxins and less water through sweat than hot air or gas heating (like the kind you likely have in your home).

And in one study, elite cyclists who hit a chilled space after acclimating to a 104-degree lab showed improvements in performance by 4 to 8 percent.⁵ Lorenzo, who was involved with the study, believes working out in high heat can be safe because of peoples' ability to adapt to elevated temperatures.⁶ But he cautions exercisers to stay hydrated and listen to their body. If the heat becomes unbearable, Lorenzo suggests slowing the pace, cooling down, and stretching.

Know Before You Go

Since the aforementioned study examined only elite athletes, researchers can't promise the same adaptation ability for recreational exercisers. So what if you’re interested in trying a new hot yoga or hot cycling class?

“Definitely eat something,” says Sarah Levey, co-founder of Y7 Yoga, a hot yoga studio. “You’re going to sweat a lot of nutrients and water, so have something with sugar or electrolytes beforehand.”

She also says to wear lightweight clothing—and not necessarily shorts, if you think you might end up slipping too much on your mat. Drink 17 to 20 ounces of water beforehand, and bring water and a towel to your class.

A loss of 2 percent of your total body weight or more can be a sign of dehydration (that's three pounds for a 150-pound person). If you tend to get dizzy in heat or dehydrated quickly, check with your doc before trying that first hot session. Paying attention to your body and knowing your own limits is also important.

“Take breaks when you need them,” Levey says. “You don’t have to feel pressured to go along with everyone else.”

Originally published July 2012. Updated July 2015.

Works Cited

1. The relationship between body temperature, heart rate and respiratory rate in children. Davies P, Maconochie I. Emergency medicine journal : EMJ, 2009, Nov.;26(9):1472-0213.
2. Sweat mineral-element responses during 7 h of exercise-heat stress. Montain SJ, Cheuvront SN, Lukaski HC. International journal of sport nutrition and exercise metabolism, 2008, Mar.;17(6):1526-484X.
3. Hot yoga and pregnancy: fitness and hyperthermia. Chan J, Natekar A, Koren G. Canadian family physician Médecin de famille canadien, 2014, Sep.;60(1):1715-5258.
4. Arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury in sweat: a systematic review. Sears ME, Kerr KJ, Bray RI. Journal of environmental and public health, 2012, Feb.;2012():1687-9813.
5. Heat acclimation improves exercise performance. Lorenzo S, Halliwill JR, Sawka MN. Journal of applied physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985), 2010, Aug.;109(4):1522-1601.
6. Effects of endurance training and heat acclimation on psychological strain in exercising men wearing protective clothing. Aoyagi Y, McLellan TM, Shephard RJ. Ergonomics, 1998, Apr.;41(3):0014-0139.

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Physician peer influence affects repeat prescriptions

A new study finds that peer influence among physicians can affect both trial and repeat prescription behavior of a risky new prescription drug. The study tracks prescriptions of a new drug over 17 months, and measures the discussion and patient referral connections among physicians in New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.

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Best Weight Loss Supplement - The White Lie

Call it a marketing gimmick, a white lie or a myth, there are no real ways of losing weight in a side-effect free manner, except for sweating out in a gym or participating regularly in your favorite outdoor sport. The author draws heavily from his experience to expose the reality, the naked truth in front of the mass audience in an extremely simplified and logical manner, giving this article an unparalleled edge.

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High-pressure oxygen can effectively treat fibromyalgia

Women with fibromyalgia, a chronic pain syndrome, were able to drastically reduce, or even eliminate, their use of pain medication following hyperbaric oxygen treatment, according to new research.. The researchers also believe they have identified the primary factor causing fibromyalgia: the disruption of the brain mechanism for processing pain.

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Treating more adults with statins would be cost-effective way to boost heart health

A new study has found that it would be cost-effective to treat 48-67 percent of all adults aged 40-75 in the US with cholesterol-lowering statins. By expanding the current recommended treatment guidelines and boosting the percentage of adults taking statins, an additional 161,560 cardiovascular-related events could be averted, according to the researchers.

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