Health and Beauty Articles for Women

Usually a headache is just a headache, and heartburn is just a sign that you rang the Taco Bell a few times too many. Except when they’re not.

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Researchers assessed 82 men and women, ages 18 to 66, who were awaiting an emergency psychiatric evaluation before being admitted to a community mental health hospital. They were asked about their nightmares, insomnia, depression and suicidal tendencies.

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A study done by the Harvard Medical School looked at records from the Nurse’s Health Study, which included data from 90,000 women who were questioned on their dietary habits in 1991, 1995, and 1999. One thing the researchers learned was that red meat consumption is linked to a higher risk of breast cancer.

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Being bootylicious is nothing to be ashamed of, but in today’s image-conscious society it’s no wonder that even the slightest dimple triggers a near meltdown. Though women may be the fairer sex, men get a fairer deal in this area: Men’s connective tissue effectively holds fat together under the skin, whereas women tend to have a shortage of this connective tissue, which causes excess fat to bulge out toward the skin’s surface in the form of cellulite. Women also tend to have a thinner outer layer, making each bump easier to see.

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What is obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)?

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a type of mental illness that causes repeated unwanted thoughts. To get rid of the thoughts, a person does the same tasks over and over. For example, you may fear that everything you touch has germs on it. So to ease that fear, you wash your hands over and over again.

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What is healthy aging?

Getting older is a natural part of life. How you will feel as you get older depends on many things, including what health problems run in your family and the choices you make. If you take good care of your body and learn positive ways to deal with stress now, you can slow down or even prevent problems that often come with getting older.

It’s never too early or too late to change bad habits and start good ones. No matter when you start, a healthy lifestyle can make a difference in how you feel and what you can do.

What determines how healthy you will be as you get older?

The changes you’ll go through as you get older depend on a number of things. One is your family history (genetics). If your family members have diseases or ongoing (chronic) health problems like high blood pressure or diabetes, then you may have a greater chance of having those problems yourself. But just because your risk is higher, it doesn’t mean you will definitely have the same problems. In fact, the lifestyle choices you make can help reduce your chances of getting illnesses that run in your family. And even if you do get a family illness, choosing to be physically active, to eat right, and to learn how to deal with stress can keep the illness from destroying your ability to enjoy your golden years.

What kinds of changes should you expect as you age?

Changes as you get older are usually gradual. Certain physical changes are common. Your metabolism (how fast your body can burn calories) slows over time, which means that your body needs less food energy than before. Also, most people start needing reading glasses between ages 40 and 50, and many have some hearing loss later in life. Starting in your 50s, bone aging increases. Also starting around age 50, you may notice changes in sexual function—it’s normal to have a slower sexual response.

Most vital organs gradually become less efficient with age. The kidneys are less able to keep enough water in your body. And the heart can start to show signs of wear and tear caused by years of eating the wrong foods and not exercising. So as you get older, it’s important to be physically active, drink plenty of water, and eat the right foods. Doing these things will help your body work well for a longer period of time.

What do you need to do to feel your best as you age?

One of the most important things you can do for your health at any age is to be physically active. Physical activity keeps your body strong, and it helps with how you feel. People who stay active are less likely to get depressed. Physical activity can be anything from walking to gardening to working out at the gym. The important thing is to be active almost every day. No matter what your age or condition, there is a type of physical activity that’s right for you. Always ask your doctor whether it is safe for you to start a physical activity program.

Your mental and emotional health are also important. Protect or improve your emotional health by staying in touch with friends, family, and the community. People who feel connected to others are more likely to thrive than those who do not. And try to keep stress at a minimum. In addition to getting regular physical activity, you can take charge of how stress affects you by taking 20 minutes a day to just relax.

Protect or improve your memory and mental sharpness by keeping your brain active through learning, doing crossword puzzles, or playing cards or strategy games. Depression can be a serious problem for older adults. If you think you may be depressed, seek help—antidepressant medicine and counseling can help treat depression.

Other good health habits can help you stay at your best:

• Eat a healthy, balanced diet. Avoid salty foods and foods with a lot of fat in them, such as fried foods.
• Remember that sexually transmitted diseases can affect anyone at any age, so safe sex is a must.
• If you smoke, try to quit.
• Don’t abuse alcohol or drugs.

Source:

http://health.yahoo.com/other-other/healthy-aging/healthwise–tn9719.html

Anxiety

Feeling worried or nervous is a normal part of everyday life. Everyone frets or feels anxious from time to time. Mild to moderate anxiety can help you focus your attention, energy, and motivation. If anxiety is severe, you may have feelings of helplessness, confusion, and extreme worry that are out of proportion with the actual seriousness or likelihood of the feared event. Overwhelming anxiety that interferes with daily life is not normal. This type of anxiety may be a symptom of another problem, such as depression.

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What drink is best for getting and staying hydrated during exercise? Should you choose water? Are sports drinks best? What about juice or carbonated soft drinks? Coffee or tea? Beer?

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What is emergency contraception?

Emergency contraception is a way to prevent pregnancy if:

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