I am having trouble quitting smoking cigarettes. I have been smoking for 50 years, and I have tried to quit this bad habit at least 8 times. I am so frustrated, do you have any suggestions?
One of the reasons it is so difficult to quit smoking is that it is not just a bad habit, it is an addiction. Your body becomes physically addicted to nicotine. Because of that, some people will need to slowly decrease their nicotine intake, and to use one of the nicotine patches. There are also medicines which can decrease the physical craving. See your
MyPlate, an Improvement?
by Louise August 4th, 2011 | Health News
Ever since its release in 1992, the USDA Food Pyramid has been a guide for the American diet. The pyramid was divided into six horizontal sections which featured foods from each section's food group. It was updated in 2005, with colorful vertical wedges replacing the horizontal sections, and the silhouette of a person climbing a staircase added on the side to represent exercise. It was even renamed as MyPyramid.
The USDA's pyramid was actually quite controversial. Some point out that it makes little sense that the U.S. Department of Agriculture, whose responsibilities include developing and executing U.S. federal government policy
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The USDA's pyramid was actually quite controversial. Some point out that it makes little sense that the U.S. Department of Agriculture, whose responsibilities include developing and executing U.S. federal government policy
Drugs: The Good and the Bad
by Lori Sciame August 1st, 2011 | Medication
Americans rely on medications to keep them healthy. We take drugs to get rid of infections, to ease aches and pains, and to lower blood pressure. Some people use drugs to keep themselves out of wheel chairs for as long as possible (multiple sclerosis), or to keep themselves out of nursing homes (alzheimer’s). And still others need drugs to keep them alive. For example, many of those who suffer from cancer, diabetes, or HIV/AIDS rely on drugs for their very existence.
Although medications or “wonder drugs†(as you may have heard them called) can be essential to a healthy life,
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Although medications or “wonder drugs†(as you may have heard them called) can be essential to a healthy life,
Urinary Incontinence
by Dean Heller MD July 29th, 2011 | Ask the Doctor
I have incontinence of urine, and it is very embarrassing. A doctor recommended a bladder pacemaker, and I never even heard of that, have you?
Yes, this procedure does have proven benefits in some patients. It helps the bladder function more normally, and it decreases the incidence of incontinence. This device is similar to pacemakers that are used in the heart, so it is a well-proven technology.
Expert:Â Nebraska Medical Center
To learn more about urinary incontinence, watch this video from VideoMD.com.
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Yes, this procedure does have proven benefits in some patients. It helps the bladder function more normally, and it decreases the incidence of incontinence. This device is similar to pacemakers that are used in the heart, so it is a well-proven technology.
Expert:Â Nebraska Medical Center
To learn more about urinary incontinence, watch this video from VideoMD.com.
New FDA Rules for Sunscreens
by Louise July 28th, 2011 | Health News
When buying sunscreen, it is often hard to understand what kind of protection each product offers. Sunscreen isn't cheap; we want the bang for our buck. The FDA has finally made some reforms to the rules for the labeling of sunscreen:
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- Water and sweat resistance - Products may no longer claim to be waterproof or sweat-proof; that is a misleading overstatement. Sunscreen labels may claim to be water resistant, but must indicate the amount of time the product remains effective, either 40 or 80 minutes. Sunscreens that are not water resistant must include directions to use a water resistant sunscreen if swimming or