Friday, May 17, 2013

FIVE IDEAS FOR WOMEN GOOD HEALTH




Women today are busier than ever, and they often do not have the time to spend hours at the gym. Fortunately, there are a number of things that women can do to stay healthy and in shape. Below are five keeping fit ideas for women:

Walk More

Women HealthThis is perhaps one of the simplest things that women can do to stay in shape. Walking is a great exercise because it does not require any equipment, and it can be done almost anywhere at any time. If a woman lives close to her job, then she should consider walking a couple of times out of the week. Additionally, women should consider parking further away from the building and using the stairs.

Perform Resistance Exercises

Resistance training is something that many people forget to include in their routine. However, performing resistance exercises is one of the key things that women can do to keep themselves fit. Resistance training helps reduce body fat and build lean muscle. It also helps boost metabolism. Women should perform resistance training at least twice a week. They should make sure that they perform exercises that work the entire body.

Eat Plenty of Fruits and Vegetables

Diet plays a very important role in keeping one fit. That is why women need to make sure that they are eating healthy. Women should get between three and five servings of vegetables and fruits per day. Vegetables and fruits are relatively low in calories, and they are also filling. Furthermore, vegetables and fruits are filled with essential nutrients.

Play With The Children

Playing with children is perhaps one of the simplest things that women can do to stay fit. If a woman plays with her kids for 30 minutes, then she could burn over 130 calories. Playing tag, basketball and hiking are some activities that women can do with their children. Those activities will not only help a woman stay fit, but they will help her bond with her children.

Get Plenty Of Sleep

Many women are not getting enough sleep. Studies have shown that people who get less than six hours of sleep per night are more likely to be obese. Researchers have found that sleep-deprived people are more likely to overeat and make unhealthy food choices. Sleep-deprivation causes ghrelin levels to increase. Ghrelin is a hormone that stimulates appetite. Sleep-deprived people also have a tendency to have slower metabolism.

Additionally, if a woman does not get enough sleep at night, then she will not have the energy to exercise. That is why women need to make sure that they get at least seven hours of sleep at night.

Staying fit is not as challenging as many women think. Walking, playing with the children and performing resistance exercises will help a woman stay in shape. Additionally, women need to make sure that they are eating right and getting plenty of sleep.

Look out some workout videos for women online for a great range of exercises to get in shape
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Thursday, May 2, 2013

Few Americans Understand Basics of New Health Care Law





I wrote last week about the massive confusion about ObamaCare ( the Affordable Care Act) but it seems that it is much worse than I thought.  The Kaiser Family Foundation came out with a poll that shows 42% of Americans don't even know that ObamaCare is the law.  Seven percent of people think the Supreme Court struck it down and 12% think Congress repealed it. 

I understand that there is

Monday, April 29, 2013

Poison Oak




Photo from Consultant360.com

As the weather heats up and people are hiking and walking animals outdoors, we physicians start seeing the results of a contact dermatitis known as poison oak or poison ivy.  Some of the tell-tell signs for diagnosing this condition is the severe itching, patchy redness that is in certain skin areas only and also notice the linear streak on the top back area of

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Health Care Reform Confusion




If you think you are confused about ObamaCare and what it will mean to you and your family, you are not alone.  Confusion is rampant and open enrollment for the health exchanges is supposed to start October 1.   Yes that is a mere 6  months from now!  Despite this looming date, the various States still don't know what they will be offering and doctors and hospitals also have no idea how it

Saturday, April 20, 2013

Answer to Image Challenge




psoriasis

The answer to yesterday's diagnostic challenge is...drum roll...
# 3.  Psoriasis.

The scattered reddish, scaly, indurated papules on the lower back and buttocks are psoriasis.  The acupuncture needling of the skin produced trauma that caused Koebner's phenomenon and subsequent psoriatic flare.  This is a rare event and it was treated with a steroid cream.

Thanks for your guesses.

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

What is the Diagnosis?




Today's image challenge from the New England Journal of Medicine is a tough one.  Full disclosure - I missed it.  (bragging rights: I usually get about 99% right) 

This patient had acupuncture to the area and developed these lesions.  What is the diagnosis?
1.  Herpetic whitlow
2.  Nummular eczema
3.  Psoriasis
4.  Ringworm
5.  Scabies

Click on the image for a closer view and make your

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Fake Drugs




In Africa drugs are sold without proper handling or control

Unfortunately many of the drugs that enter the United States (and other Countries) are fake.  Research shows that more than half of the drugs sold by online pharmacies may be fake. Globalization of the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry and distribution system is contributing to the problems of false and substandard drugs. 



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