Dangerous infections occurring more often than previously believed, study finds.
by Steven Reinberg, HealthDay Reporter
Potentially deadly, drug-resistant staph infections are more common, both in and out of hospitals, than experts once thought, a new study warns.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections are the top cause of skin and soft tissue infections among people in hospitals and can result in severe and even fatal disease. In fact, MRSA infections account for almost 19,000 deaths and more than 94,000 life-threatening illnesses each year in the United States.
Heal Your Headaches (from Alternative Medicine) What’s causing your migraines? Factors such as stress, hormone fluctuations, fatigue, weather changes, and hunger all can bring on a headache, but few people realize a connection may exist between their headaches and food. Here are some suggestions to help you ferret out the offender.
Keep a diary that records your food intake, activities, and environment (weather, office surroundings, lighting, odors, and so forth). When a headache strikes, looking at the entries from the past 24 hours will help you spot recurring aggravators. Caffeine may be one of the most potent triggers, so chronic headache sufferers should eliminate it cold turkey or gradually over the course of two weeks. Dark chocolate (alas), MSG, red wine, aspartame, and brown onions have also been recorded as common triggers, so check your diet for those and other culprits. Continue reading for more ways to help headaches, such as supplements and yoga.
Get Rid of Toxins in Your Body (from Alternative Medicine) Feeling headachy, maybe some fatigue? Suffering a bit of acid reflux, perhaps a little bloating, some muscle aches? Maybe it’s time to detox—whatever that means.
For some, detox involves eating only organic foods or eliminating sugar, caffeine and alcohol. For others, colon cleansing and liquid-only fasts are part of the regimen. Whatever it means to you, many experts think it’s a practice well worth considering in today’s toxin-rich world.
So how can we rid our bodies of noxious invaders? Supplements are key to helping organs and systems work efficiently. Try B vitamins to aid protein production and repair DNA, and use milk thistle to boost the liver, the primary detox workhorse. A healthy gut is also crucial to giving toxins the heave-ho—the ayurvedic formula Triphala, composed of three different fruits, helps the intestine cleanse itself and also tones and strengthens the entire digestive system.
For dosages and other detox supplement ideas, click here.
Supplements for Bones and Joints (from Dr. Weil) Whether you're trying to bone up on nutrients to help prevent osteoporosis, maintain healthy cartilage, or ease the discomfort of osteoarthritis, supplements may help. Consider taking one or more of the products described here, with your doctor's supervision. And be sure to eat an anti-inflammatory diet and get regular exercise, including weight-bearing routines and plenty of walking.
Tooth-Friendly Foods (from Alternative Medicine) Did you know? In addition to regular brushing and flossing, any one of “nature’s toothbrushes” can help keep your mouth healthy. Add any or all of these items to your shopping list to help maintain a naturally beautiful smile.
Cranberries: Minerals in these tart treats form a shield over teeth to block stains caused by spaghetti sauce, coffee, red wine, and colas.
Yogurt: As little as a few tablespoons of yogurt restores the pH level in your mouth to a healthy target of 7. The phosphate, calcium, and casein in the yogurt also help remineralize your teeth.
Green Tea: The antioxidant catechins in green tea kill both cavity-causing and bad-breath bacteria.
For more teeth-friendly treats, as well as foods to avoid, click here.