Blood test could match cancer patients to best treatments

Scientists have developed a blood test that could help pair cancer patients with the most suitable therapy for their disease and then track the tumor's progress to see if the treatment is working, according to new research.

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7 Healthy Eating Mistakes To Avoid When Trying To Lose Weight

When you're making the effort to eating healthy it's very easy to make mistakes regarding your nutrition and diet. Make sure you are not making these 7 healthy eating mistakes when your trying to lose weight.

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54 Healthy Smoothies for Any Occasion

Green public housing may reduce health risks from environmental pollutants

Low-income housing residents who live in 'green' buildings that are built with eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient features appear to have fewer 'sick building' symptoms than residents of traditionally constructed low-income housing, according to a new study. Asthma outcomes -- hospitalizations, attacks, and missed school days due to asthma -- were also significantly lower for children living in the green buildings.

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Doctors call on hospitals to oppose the overuse of antibiotics in animal agriculture

To help stop the spread of antibiotic resistance, scientists are urging hospitals around the country to stop buying meat from animals that were given antibiotics for growth promotion.

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Investigators create complex kidney structures from human stem cells derived from adults

A highly efficient method has been developed for making kidney structures from stem cells that are derived from skin taken from patients. The kidney structures formed could be used to study abnormalities of kidney development, chronic kidney disease, the effects of toxic drugs, and be incorporated into bioengineered devices to treat patients with acute and chronic kidney injury, say scientists.

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Young Latinos experience discrimination when obtaining health care, research shows

Young Latinos living in rural areas say they face discrimination when they obtain health care services -- a factor that could contribute to disparities in their rates for obtaining medical care and in their health outcomes, a new study has found

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College students say prescription stimulants easy to find on campus

Seven out of 10 college students say it is somewhat or very easy to obtain controlled stimulants without a prescription, according to a new survey conducted on eight US campuses.

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Concussion Puzzle's Missing Piece

Neuroelectrical scans should be the gold standard for assessing concussions. They should be comprehensive and encompass visual and auditory processing.

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The Advantages of Hypnotherapy for Helping Achieve a Healthy Weight

There are many people all around the world who wish they were a dress size or two smaller, whether it is for health reasons or to look and feel better about their appearance. With obesity and related illnesses being no small problem in the Western world, hypnotherapy is presenting itself as a very compelling solution to the problem. Hypnotherapy is a technique that allows the individual suffering from a certain condition or problem to access their innermost thoughts, and therefore the mental patterns that are keeping them stuck in a cycle of negative behaviours, thoughts and feelings.

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Self-esteem among young women undergoing facial plastic surgery in China

A study of young women in China undergoing cosmetic surgery on their eyelids and noses suggests feelings of self-esteem and self-efficacy (confidence in one's abilities) were lower before surgery but increased in the months after surgery, according to an article.

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Doctors find insulin dose not a risk factor for cardiovascular mortality

A double-blinded, randomized clinical trial came to a halt after patients receiving more intensive diabetes therapy were found to have a higher mortality rate, compared to the standard therapy. In 2008, the results were released, puzzling researchers. Subsequent investigations have not been able to clearly identify the exact reason for the increased mortality, although some previous epidemiologic and mechanistic studies did suggest that insulin may be associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes.

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App facilitates early detection, treatment of COPD exacerbation symptoms

A digital health application for reporting symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) facilitated early detection and treatment of COPD exacerbation symptoms, according to an analysis.

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6 Quick Fixes for Puffy Eyes - Home Remedies & Makeup Tips

If you ever woke up with puffy eyes in the morning, you know how frustrating it is, especially when you have a big day ahead. These 6 quick fixes will help you reduce and conceal swelling around the eyes.

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Researchers' cure of metastatic skin cancer revealed

Metastatic Merkel-cell carcinoma is often fatal and there is no effective treatment. Now a researcher is reporting some positive results from treating this illness with a drug called idelalisib.

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Study quantifies threat of rising antibiotic resistance on surgery, chemotherapy

Researchers report the strongest evidence yet that rising antibiotic resistance could have disastrous consequences for patients undergoing surgery or cancer chemotherapy. New estimates suggest that up to half of infections after surgery and over a quarter of infections after chemotherapy are caused by organisms already resistant to standard prophylactic antibiotics in the USA.

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The 30-Minute Bodyweight Routine to Improve Flexibility and Balance

When it comes to fitness, “basic” can be a good thing—from planks to push-ups, traditional bodyweight moves are easy and super effective. Still, mixing things up—say, learning to move like a ninja—sounds a lot more fun than doing three sets of 20 push-ups.

In this workout video from Grokker, trainer Angelo dela Cruz, a second-degree black belt in Taekwondo, will take you through a 30-minute flexibility, agility, and cardio routine, with no equipment required. Start with a dynamic warm-up to prepare your body for the work ahead, then perform a series of moves that will boost your heart rate and challenge your balance. Though you may not be the next American Ninja Warrior by the end, there's no doubt you'll feel a lot stronger and more flexible.

To recap, after the 10-minute warm-up, perform two sets of the following exercises.

  1. Murpees
  2. Speed Skaters
  3. High Knees and Punches
  4. Cross-Touch Kicks
  5. Cheetah Cross-Jumps

Interested in more short and effective at-home workouts? We have thousands waiting for you on Grokker, the one-stop shop online resource for wellness. Join Grokker today and get 14 days of FREE unlimited at-home workout classes.



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10 Most Known Fat Burning Low-Calorie Food

Getting more fit includes doing one of these two things; devouring fewer calories or blazing more calories. Numbering calories is a noteworthy piece of any fruitful health improvement plan.

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Brief interventions in primary care clinics could curb patients' drug use

A few minutes of counseling in a primary care setting could be an effective tool in steering people away from risky drug use, and possibly full-fledged addiction, a new report suggests. The researchers found that this sort of intervention helped patients reduce their risky drug use by one-third.

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Advantages and Disadvantages of Perfume Testers

I am asked repeatedly to explain what a perfume tester is and what the benefits of purchasing them are. Let me provide some valuable information and precautions to buying perfume testers.

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3D scans spot earliest signs of heart disease

People with high blood pressure develop changes in their hearts even before symptoms appear, new research shows. These changes are known to put people at risk of dying early, and the new work suggests it is possible for doctors to recognize such signs of heart disease earlier than they can today -- by examining detailed images of the heart.

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Many AFib patients are not properly assessed for stroke and bleeding risks

Researchers have found that primary care physicians were often under- or over-estimating stroke and/or bleeding risk in patients with atrial fibrillation, in part because they failed to utilize guideline-recommended risk scoring approaches in one-half and three-quarters of their patients, respectively. This, in turn led to under- and over-prescription of oral anticoagulation therapy, misdosing, and other problems that could result in an unnecessarily increased risk of stroke and bleeding events.

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Facial Therapy: To Rejuvenate Your Skin

The skin is certainly the most important organ. There are several environmental factors that adversely affect the glow of the skin. Some of the most popular factors are heat, sun rays, pollution and dust.

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45 Creative Ways to Cook Sweet Potato

Understanding Sclerotherapy - A Basic Overview Of This Treatment

One of the many ailments that affect the human body as a result of venous disorders is Varicose Veins. This condition creates a situation where the blood flow in legs gets sluggish while making its way back towards the heart due to faulty valves in veins. The result - the affected leg veins become swollen and begin to protrude from under the skin, taking on a knotty appearance that is characteristic of the varicose vein condition.

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Symptoms, Causes And Treatment Of Spider Veins

Most of the people wouldn't know that spider veins and varicose veins are actually two different conditions with the latter more serious than the former. Varicose veins are raised, large and swollen blood vessels usually developing in legs in a twisted pattern. Spider veins are also twisted, however, they are of a different color. Spider veins are smaller than varicose veins and can be red, blue or purple colored blood vessels. Both these veins are visible through the skin.

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Greatist Workout of the Day: Friday, October 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.

Greatist Workout of the Day: Mountain Burn Mountain Burn

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

1-minute Squat Hold
20 Mountain Climbers (per side)
1-minute Side Forearm Plank (30 seconds/side)

Want to kick up the intensity? Hold a light dumbbell or kettlebell in front of your chest on the squat holds. And don't forget to check back on Monday for a totally new (but equally awesome) GWOD!



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What metabolism could reveal about aging and mortality

Why some people live much longer than others is an enduring mystery. Now, based on a study of a worm, scientists are getting one step closer to understanding longevity. They report that the metabolic profiles of the worms could accurately predict how long they would live and that middle age could be a key turning point.

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Favorable one-year clinical outcomes for catheter-based aortic valve replacement with latest generation of device

Findings from the PARTNER II Trial, which examined one-year clinical outcomes among high-risk or inoperable patients who received TAVR with the latest generation of balloon-expandable (SAPIEN 3) device, are being released by researchers, suggesting that the new device offers promising outcomes for patients.

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Updated Pap smear test guidelines lead to decreased STI screening, study finds

Following the introduction of Cancer Care Ontario's 2012 cervical cancer screening guidelines, female patients were 50 per cent less likely to undergo screening for sexually transmitted infections, a new study has found.

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New test to predict relapse of testicular cancers

Scientists have developed a new test to identify patients who are at risk of suffering a relapse from testicular cancer. Assessing just three features of a common kind of testicular cancer -- called non-seminomatous germ cell tumor -- can identify those at most at risk of relapse even where there is no evidence of tumor spread. The researchers believe the test could be used in the clinic to make decisions about which patients should be given chemotherapy.

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Trained medical interpreters can reduce errors in care for patients with limited english proficiency

For patients with limited English proficiency (LEP), errors in medical interpretation are common—especially when the interpreter is a family member or other untrained person, reports a new study.

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Sexual transmission of Ebola virus in Liberia confirmed using genomic analysis

A suspected case of sexual transmission of Ebola virus disease in Liberia was confirmed using genomic analysis, thanks to in-country laboratory capabilities. The work provides molecular evidence of Ebola virus transmission between a disease survivor and his female partner. It also demonstrates the value of real-time genomic surveillance during an outbreak.

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Eat More Food and Lose More Weight

Your body is like an old dog. It's hard to teach it new tricks! But not impossible. You see... Your body is an amazing machine that loves stability. It likes to keep things the same. It doesn't like change. When you eat more real food your body'up regulates' it's metabolism and burns more food. When you cut your food and drop you calories it 'down regulates' to protect itself and its energy stores.

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Plan to Be a Slim Seasoned Citizen

Growing older is a wonderful time of life, but 'living' is not the same as 'existing.' Overweight seniors have a lower quality of life.

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Team describes rapid, sensitive test for HIV mutations

Researchers have developed a method for detecting single nucleotide mutations directly in the RNA of HIV, including mutations that make it resistant to some drugs. In lab tests, the single-step system performed more quickly and with better sensitivity than standard technologies.

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Can A Robot Go to Work for You? Or Perform Your Next Surgery?

According to a new study, the market for telepresence robots is developing rapidly and will have a significant impact on collaboration and communication in the enterprise, education, healthcare, and consumer markets. But what are telepresence robots and what do they do? Telerobotics is the area of robotics concerned with the control of semi-autonomous robots from a distance, chiefly using a wireless network or tethered connections.

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Getting Started Losing Weight - What You Need To Do First

To be successful with any diet you need to start with this. You need to make, and commit to this, and then you will successfully reach your goal.

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How to Handle Living With Dry, Damaged Hair

Having naturally dry, or damaged hair is not the end of your beauty world. There are steps set out below to get your hair gorgeous and glowing, the healthy way.

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Rare mutation may extend survival in lung cancer patients with brain metastases

Most patients with non-small cell lung cancer that has metastasized to the brain have a dire prognosis. But researchers have identified a subset of those patients with a rare genetic mutation who are living significantly longer than patients without the mutation.

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Make A Choice To Choose Urgent Care For Best Care

Fact! Accidents and injuries hit unexpectedly at unexpected times and that situation is breathtaking. At that time, every one of us steadily rushes away from there to the hospital for an immediate care.

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Bioethicist calls on researchers for more evidence-based end-of-life care programs

Although the public and private sectors are currently engaged in an unprecedented array of efforts to improve end-of-life care, too many of these programs are not evidence-based, says one expert. Investigators and research sponsors must be more involved to 'identify, develop and rigorously test interventions so they can offer guidance' on implementing programs that work among the terminally ill, he says.

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20 Healthier Halloween Candy Choices

For children with rare genetic disorder, more extensive epilepsy surgery yields better seizure control

Children with the genetic disorder tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) often need epilepsy surgery for severe, uncontrollable seizures. A new study finds that seizure control is improved for patients undergoing more extensive surgery.

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Red wine with dinner can improve cardiovascular health of people with type 2 diabetes

In this first two year long alcohol study, researchers aimed to assess the effects and safety of initiating moderate alcohol consumption in diabetics, and sought to determine whether the type of wine matters. They gradually initiated moderate wine consumption, as part of a healthy diet platform, and not before driving. The trial completed with unprecedented adherence rate of 87 percent after two years.

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Get Instant Access to Therapy Anytime You Need

Stuff We Love: Lantern Lantern App

With today’s always-on world, it’s hard to not feel overwhelmed. A little stress here and there is a good thing—it actually improves our cognitive functioning. But when anxiety reaches chronic levels, we usually turn to a trusted therapist. The only problem is we typically have to wait a few days (or sometimes weeks) to see him or her.

That's why we looked to Lantern: The company offers web and app-based therapy through personalized, one-on-one coaching. Start by taking a five-minute quiz to determine the best track—stress, anxiety, or body image—and coach for you. We settled on the anxiety track and chatted with our coach to determine how frequently we planned to check in and what we wanted to get out of the program.

Each time you log in, you to send your coach a quick update. Then you're treated to a 10-minute lesson, where you learn a tool or technique based upon the principles of cognitive behavioral therapy. We love how Lantern spoon-feeds these strategies, from tracking automatic thoughts to cognitive reframing, in an easy-to-digest way. (We applied them to real-world situations almost instantly.)

Best of all, if life throws you any curveballs, your coach is just one click away. Anytime a pressing issue came up, our coach responded within a few hours. Lantern is a bit pricy—it'll set you back $49 per month—but it's a bargain compared to what you'd pay to see a therapist in person (and it's way more convenient).



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Children with developmental delays: Are we checking their genes for answers?

Few doctors would order genetic testing or refer a child to a genetics specialist as a first step when they see children with developmental delays, report researchers.

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Laser-based imaging tool could increase accuracy, safety of brain tumor surgery

Researchers are testing technology that gives brain surgeons real-time microscopic vision of tumors, potentially allowing the surgical decision-making process to become data driven, instead of subjective "best guesses," say authors of a new report.

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Four in ten older adults burdened by demands of health care system

Nearly four in ten older adults say that managing their health care needs is difficult for them or their families, that medical appointments or tests get delayed or don’t get done, or that all of the requirements of their health care are too much to handle, new research suggests.

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Dance Classes - Far Better Than Working Out at the Gym

Gyms play an indispensable part when it comes to strengthening your muscles and keeping your ligaments in good shape, helping you lose weight, lowering the risk of getting heart diseases or any other problems, speeding up your metabolism, allowing your heart to pump more efficiently with less strain, enhancing your social life, and making you feel calm and content. Apart from these benefits, exercising at the gym has some disadvantages too. One of the biggest drawbacks of joining a gym is its cost.

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Chiropractic Healing Therapy: To Get Better Health Standards

The Chiropractic is a healing therapy which deals in the curing of the muscle and bone system of the human beings. This also involves the healing of the nervous system.

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Fitness: Top 2 Dangers of a Sedentary Lifestyle to Avoid

A sedentary lifestyle presents a number of possible threats and dangers, and the topmost of these threats include obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes. If you spend most of your time in a static position, your muscles and bones may grow weaker, resulting to acute pain and even arthritis. Also, according to health experts, sedentary lifestyle has the potential to promote speedy aging process and would likely cause psychological issues.

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Which Is Healthier: Drinking a Little Every Day or Only on Weekends?

If there’s one thing that tends to blur the line between friend and foe, it’s alcohol. One glass of wine can easily morph into two. Then add shots to the mix, and your casual night out gets sloppy fast. So we had to wonder: Is it better to stay sober during the week and get crazy on the weekend or pour yourself one drink on the daily?

Why It Hurts to Go Hard

We hate to be killjoys, but just because you didn’t partake during the work week doesn’t mean you’ve got a free pass to rage your face off on Friday. In fact, there’s a lengthy list of how heavy drinking—even if it’s confined to a single night—can wreck your health.

For starters, binge drinking (i.e. pounding four drinks if you’re a girl and five if you’re a guy in under two hours) boosts your risk for liver disease, which in turn damages other organs in the body, such as your heart, kidney, and brain.1 And you may be hitting that threshold more often than you realize. One standard drink technically equals 12 ounces of regular beer, five ounces of wine, and 1.5 ounces of hard (80-proof) liquor—meaning a couple of hefty pours at happy hour can add up fast.

Worst-case scenario: Since alcohol acts as a depressant, drinking a substantial amount in a relatively short time period can lead to alcohol poisoning/overdose, coma, or death, explains Dessa Bergen-Cico, Ph.D., an associate professor of Public Health and Addiction Studies at Syracuse University. When a person consumes more alcohol than their body can metabolize at one time, the concentration of alcohol builds up in the bloodstream, suppressing vital functions like breathing and heart rate.

Binge Drinking What's more, binge drinking could also lead to scary stuff like accidents, memory problems, or alcohol addiction, warns Nasir H. Naqvi, M.D., Ph.D., an assistant professor at Columbia University’s Division on Substance Abuse. Research also suggests that binge drinking may lead to insomnia symptoms, a higher risk of injury for women in particular (so that explains those mystery bruises), and an earlier risk of stroke—just to name a few.2

To top it off, you could end up doing stuff you wouldn’t normally do while under the influence, adds Alison Moore, M.D., a professor of medicine in the division of geriatrics and psychiatry at the UCLA School of Medicine. After all, it’s not called liquid courage for nothing; alcohol’s been shown to make you more impulsive, so you may be more prone to tipsy texting, regrettable (or unsafe) hookups, and unhealthy late-night bites.3

A final piece of bad news: Nasty hangovers are pretty much unavoidable—unless you regularly drink too much. (People who do may build up a tolerance that may keep them hangover-free, says Moore—not that drinking more frequently is the answer.) And giving into the drunk munchies isn’t going to help: Eating or drinking water only leads to a slight improvement in how you feel the next morning, according to recent research. The only proven hangover cure: Drink less.

Making the Case for Moderation

Women Drinking Wine Though there’s controversy over just how great alcohol really is for you, there’s plenty of research that points to it being more of a boon than a bummer. That said, less is definitely more: Having one drink or half a drink fairly regularly does seem to reduce the risk for heart attack, stroke, and diabetes, says Moore.4 Drinking moderately may also boost your brain health—one study suggests that it helps protect against dementia.5 And it may up your dating game too: Having a single glass of wine (but no more) may make you appear more attractive to other people—seriously, it’s science!6

But here’s the funny part: You may not even be reaping many of the health rewards—at least not for a few more years. “The main benefits of alcohol occur in middle age or older,” Moore says. That’s because people in their 20s and 30s generally don’t have to deal with conditions like heart disease, stroke, and other complications that can improve from moderate alcohol intake, she explains.

Moore also points out that even light or moderate drinking may not be for everybody, like women with a strong history (whether personal or family) of breast cancer. Even one drink per day may boost a woman’s risk for the disease, according to a recent study.7

Another study found that moderate drinking (one to two drinks daily) led to an increased risk of a-fib, a heart condition associated with stroke and heart attack.8 (Liquor was associated with the greatest risk, followed by wine, but beer consumption had no association.)

One last cause for concern? You find yourself using your daily drink of choice as an Rx for recurring mood or anxiety issues. If you think that could be the case, see a mental health expert, Naqvi says.

The Bottom Line

Sorry, boozy brunchers and part-time party people, but going on a weekend bender is just a plain ol’ bad habit. As far as your overall wellness goes, drinking a little on a daily basis trumps being good all week, only to get trashed on Saturday night.

The healthiest game plan: Stick to drinking in moderation (one drink a day for women, two drinks for men) and avoiding binge drinking, Naqvi suggests. And know yourself, adds Moore. Before popping bottles, consider your family health history, what—or how many—drinks it takes to trigger bad behavior, and whether or not you’re on any meds that may have less-than-stellar alcohol interactions.

Works Cited

  1. Binge ethanol and liver: new molecular developments. Shukla SD, Pruett SB, Szabo G. Alcoholism, Clinical and Experimental Research, 2013, Jan.;37(4):1530-0277.
  2. Binge drinking and insomnia in middle-aged and older adults: the Health and Retirement Study. Canham SL, Kaufmann CN, Mauro PM. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 2014, May.;30(3):1099-1166. Relative risk of injury from acute alcohol consumption: modeling the dose-response relationship in emergency department data from 18 countries. Cherpitel CJ, Ye Y, Bond J. Addiction (Abingdon, England), 2014, Nov.;110(2):1360-0443. Heavy alcohol intake and intracerebral hemorrhage: characteristics and effect on outcome. Casolla B, Dequatre-Ponchelle N, Rossi C. Neurology, 2012, Dec.;79(11):1526-632X.
  3. Associations between Heavy Drinking and Changes in Impulsive Behavior among Adolescent Males. White, H., Marmorstein, N., Crews, F., et al. Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 2011 Feb; 35(2): 295–303.
  4. Red wine: A drink to your heart. Saleem TS, Basha SD. Journal of Cardiovascular Disease Research, 2011, Jul.;1(4):0976-2833.
  5. Ethanol protects cultured neurons against amyloid-β and α-synuclein-induced synapse damage. Bate C, Williams A. Neuropharmacology, 2011, Aug.;61(8):1873-7064.
  6. Increased facial attractiveness following moderate, but not high, alcohol consumption. Van Den Abbeele J, Penton-Voak IS, Attwood AS. Alcohol and Alcoholism (Oxford, Oxfordshire), 2015, Feb.;50(3):1464-3502.
  7. Light to moderate intake of alcohol, drinking patterns, and risk of cancer: results from two prospective US cohort studies. Cao Y, Willett WC, Rimm EB. BMJ (Clinical Research Ed.), 2015, Aug.;351():1756-1833.
  8. Alcohol consumption and risk of atrial fibrillation: a prospective study and dose-response meta-analysis. Larsson SC, Drca N, Wolk A. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 2014, Sep.;64(3):1558-3597.


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9 Halloween Cocktails to Get You in the Spooky Spirit

Greatist Workout of the Day: Thursday, October 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.

Greatist Workout of the Day: The Triple The Triple

Complete as many rounds of the following as possible in 10 minutes.

9 Tuck Jumps
6 Dips
3 Handstand Push-Ups

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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Retail clinics best used as backup to a patient's primary care physician

Retail health clinics -- now commonly present in drugstores and/or big box retailers -- are best used as a backup alternative to a patient's primary care physician for the diagnosis and treatment of episodic minor illnesses, according to The American College of Physicians.

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Benefit of early physical therapy for low-back pain appears modest

Early physical therapy for recent-onset low back pain resulted in statistically significant improvement in disability compared to usual care, but the improvement was modest and did not achieve a difference considered clinically important at the individual patient level, according to a new study.

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Number of addicted rises, but percentage in drug treatment remains stagnant

Despite the quadrupling of heroin overdose deaths over the past decade and a dramatic rise in deaths from prescription painkillers, the percentage of people getting treatment for their opioid abuse and dependence has remained the same, new research suggests.

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The dilemma of screening for prostate cancer

Primary care providers are put in a difficult position when screening their male patients for prostate cancer -- some guidelines suggest that testing the general population lacks evidence whereas others state that it is appropriate in certain patients. Now a new perspective piece offers some guidance on when to screen patients and how to involve them in decisions about screening and treatment.

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What Should I Use for Strength Training and Weight Loss, Machines or Free Weights?

One of the most frequent questions, even amongst experienced gym-goers, is that for strength and muscle training, which is more effective, using weight machines or using free weights? There are advantages and disadvantages to both, and having a better idea of what they each can offer will help us understand which would be more beneficial.

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14 Healthy Halloween Recipes

Hosting a Halloween party this year? Treat friends to fun homemade goodies—these 14 recipes are a bit healthier, much cuter, and way more inventive than prepackaged candies. From fresh fruit to low-fat cheese, these tasty All Hallow's Eve recipes from around the web won't send you running to the dentist.

1. Candy Corn Chicken Quesadillas

Start the evening with a nutritious, protein-rich dinner that will keep you fueled through hours of Trick or Treating (or Monster Mashing). Add some fiber by subbing in whole-wheat tortillas.

2. Gluten-Free Spiderweb Cupcakes

These healthier treats are made with almond flour, coconut oil, and unsweetened applesauce. Make the creepy-crawly design by dragging a toothpick through the center of concentric circles of icing.

3. Mummy Hot Dogs

This adorable snack is a Greatist Halloween classic! For a healthier take, swap in a soy dog or low-sodium chicken sausage. Our mummy is pretty well-wrapped, but try leaving some gaps for a spookier look.

Orange Pumpkins Fruit Cups

4. Snack-o'-Lantern Fruit Cups

Looking for a festive way to serve dessert? Look no further—these carved-out oranges make a perfect container for fruit salad.

5. Blood and Bones

This recipe provides two spooky recipes—bone-shaped meringues made of egg whites and sugar, and red-colored semisweet hot chocolate. Serve them together for a totally grown-up Halloween dessert.

6. Frozen "Boo"-nana Pops

These scarily yummy frozen banana pops are dipped in white chocolate, but for a healthier version try dunking in low-fat vanilla yogurt instead.

7. Witch's Brooms

Take a break from all the sweet stuff with these savory snacks. The witchy nibbles are made of sliced cheese, pretzel sticks, and chives—they're magically easy to make.

8. Chocolate-Date Pumpkin Tartlets

Blend together dark chocolate, Medjool dates, almond butter, and Cheerios to make these delicious grab 'n' go bites.

9. Banana Mummies

These frozen desserts are made without gluten, dairy, eggs, soy, or nuts, so they'll appeal to any guest at your Halloween party. What's in them, then? Nothing but bananas, cocoa butter, and easy-to-make coconut sugar.

10. Carrot Rice Jack-o'-Lanterns

Take a step away from the mountains of candy and try this savory Halloween snack instead. The healthy secret behind these cute pumpkins? Carrot juice.

11. Vegan Peeps

These little ghosties are made with vegan marshmallow cream and a dusting of sparkly granulated sugar. Draw the faces with edible marker or use chocolate bits or sprinkles.

12. Peanut Butter Pumpkins

Make a whole pumpkin patch of these no-bake treats and stay energized all night long. These pre-party bites are made with natural peanut butter, flax seeds, and rolled oats (a little chocolate doesn't hurt either).

13. Frankenstein Marshmallow Pops

While chocolate-dipped marshmallows aren't exactly a health food, these lil' monsters were so cute we couldn't leave them off the list! They're practically too adorable to eat.

14. La Llorona (Weeping Woman) Martini

Combine brandy, Angostura bitters, and lemon and lime juices for this potent, delicious cocktail. A touch of dry ice creates the spooky wisps of smoke. Read the story of La Llorona—Spanish for Weeping Woman—for more Halloween fun (but maybe keep the lights on!).

Originally published October 2012. Updated October 2015.



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Lower systolic blood pressure reduces risk of hypertension complication

Lowering systolic blood pressure below the currently recommended target can reduce the risk of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), the most common complication of high blood pressure, according to new research.

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Drug-resistant E. coli continues to climb in community health settings

Drug-resistant E. coli infections are on the rise in community hospitals, where more than half of US patients receive their health care, according to a new study.

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Liposuction Treatment

Liposuction is one of the best available surgeries that can get rid of the excess fat from various parts of a human body. Cost of Liposuction in India varies and you must visit the best cosmetic surgeon in Mumbai to get the exact cost for the surgery.

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Lack of referrals for suspected cancer leads to more deaths

Deaths are higher in cancer patients whose GPs do not regularly send patients through the two-week urgent referral route for suspected cancer, suggests a British study.

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Drop off feared in the number of physicians conducting research

Physician-scientists are responsible for many lifesaving medical discoveries but their ranks could be thinning in coming years, warn experts.

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How To Quickly Lose Weight While Keeping Your Lifestyle In a Balance

As much as we might wish it otherwise, there's simply no magic pill to slimming down in under a week. That's not to say you can't slim down, of course. There's just not a one shot, easy solution.

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17 Genius Ways to Use an Ice Cube Tray (That Aren't Making Ice)

Important Tips For Possessing Long Thick Hair

Long thick hair play an important role in the beauty of women. Like an attractive face, they also help in catching the attention of men. Woman around the world, try different methods to ensure the good health of their hair. Hair salons and hair dressers also offer various useful tips for hair improvement.

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We're All Putting on Deodorant at the Wrong Time

Mornings are hard. With the memory of sleep mere moments ago, our set-in-stone a.m. routine is sometimes all that keeps us from dropping back into the sheets. Face washed, teeth brushed, deodorant on? There’s no turning back now, this day’s officially a go.

While we're not ones to question the zombie-to-person transformation that happens every morning, we recently learned that we've been applying deodorant all wrong—or at least not at the optimal time. And because we are all about the most efficient way to do things, brace yourself for change: It turns out antiperspirants actually work much better if they’re applied at night. “Remarkably, this gives the best possible result, but almost no one does it," says Jeffrey Dover, M.D., a Boston-based dermatologist.

Technically, deodorants and antiperspirants are two separate beasts. Deodorant is basically a fragrance fixer-upper: It covers up body odor with scents like "shower fresh" or "dark temptation," and wears off after a few hours. Antiperspirants, on the other hand, target sweat production with aluminum compounds, temporarily plugging your sweat ducts to keep things dry. Confusingly, many of the products we call deodorant are actually hybrids with antiperspirant qualities—just look at the label and see if aluminum is one of the active ingredients.

It's better to apply antiperspirants at night because our natural sweating rate is decreased, says A. Yasmine Kirkorian, M.D., a clinical assistant professor of dermatology at George Washington University’s School of Medicine and Health Sciences. Using it in the morning is like trying to plug a dam as water rushes in; applying at night builds a stronger dam before the storm hits.

Some products, like Secret Clinical, include directions to use before bedtime, but this advice goes for any antiperspirant on the market, says Soheil Simzar, M.D., a dermatologist in Santa Clara, CA. And if you want to bump up your sweat protection a notch above that, you can apply again in the morning, Simzar says.

The Takeaway

Night is right. If you want your antiperspirant to work at full capacity, try applying it at bedtime, either instead of (or in addition to) the morning swipe. But for the good of everyone, keep the deodorant going. There’s no downside to frequent application, although antiperspirants can last for several days, Kirkorian says. And now that your morning routine is a bit shorter, you can get to work a few minutes earlier—or just sleep in. Probably just sleep in.



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5 Tips For Staying Motivated When You're On A Weight Loss Diet

Loss of motivation is one of the main reasons why people wanting to lose weight fail to shed the pounds. Knowing the difficulty of losing weight, how can dieters stay motivated?

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The Best Stretch for Every Tight Spot in Your Body

Weight Loss - Drinking Water Can Help You Lose Weight

No doubt you've heard how drinking ample amounts of water will help you lose weight. This will be surprising to some, but water is one of the six essential nutrients, along with carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins and minerals. You probably already know the benefits of staying hydrated. or, at the very least, the general idea of why you should, so we will spare you the details. Instead, let's focus on how drinking water can help you lose weight...

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Quinoa Burgers With Mango Curry Relish

Delicious, healthy, and packing about 8 grams of protein, these burgers are an excellent substitute for your average beef patty. We're not sure which we love more—the tropical mango relish kissed with curry and a hint of lime or the fact that they're ready in less than 30 minutes. If you stick to a gluten-free diet, use cornmeal in place of the breadcrumbs.

Directions

  1. In a bowl, combine all mango relish ingredients. Set aside.
  2. In a separate large bowl, combine quinoa, breadcrumbs, eggs, garlic, salt, and pepper. Using 1/2 cup at a time, form mixture into patties.
  3. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat and cook quinoa burgers for 5 minutes. Flip and cook for an additional 4 to 5 minutes until golden.
  4. Serve on a bed of fresh lettuce greens and top with mango relish.

Recipe created exclusively for Greatist by the National Mango Board.

Ingredients

  • For mango relish:
  • 1 1/2 cups diced mango
  • 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon curry powder
  • Pinch salt
  • For burgers:
  • 1 1/2 cups cooked quinoa
  • 1 cup whole-wheat breadcrumbs
  • 3 eggs, beaten
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil


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Greatist Workout of the Day: Wednesday, October 14th

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.

Greatist Workout of the Day: June 10 Breathe!

Complete 10 reps of each of the following movements, then 15 reps, then 20 reps as fast as safely possible.

Jumping Squats
Elevated Push-Ups
Burpee Box Jumps

Want to kick up the intensity? Move your feet higher to make the elevated push-ups more difficult. And don't forget to check back tomorrow for a totally new (but equally awesome) GWOD!



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Schizophrenia symptoms linked to features of brain's anatomy?

Using advanced brain imaging, researchers have matched certain behavioral symptoms of schizophrenia to features of the brain's anatomy. The findings could be a step toward improving diagnosis and treatment of schizophrenia.

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Patients using nurse practitioners are less likely to have avoidable hospital admissions

Diabetic patients who got their primary care from nurse practitioners did not have an increase in potentially preventable hospital admissions, new research concludes.

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Relaxation response-based program may reduce participants' future use of health services

A new study finds that individuals participating in a relaxation-response-focused training program used fewer health care services in the year after their participation than in the preceding year.

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What You Need to Know About Executive Health Screening

Health screenings enable you to monitor your health and increase survival rate by treatment through early diagnosis. Gender specific screenings enable higher accuracy with targeted exams.

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Health care, research failing to adapt to US's growing multiracial population

Health care and research are failing to adapt data collection methods to the growing multiracial population in the US, an author suggests in a new report.

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