How to Sleep Better

September 9, 2009 by Admin · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Sleep Disorders 

Always Tired? Follow these tips.

Many of us suffer from sleep deprivation, regularly getting fewer hours of sleep than needed. It’s affecting our physical and mental health and possibly even shortening our lives.

“There is plenty of compelling evidence that sleep is the most important predictor of how long you will live—perhaps more important than whether you smoke, exercise or have high blood pressure or cholesterol levels,”

Yet we are sleeping less—down from about 8.5 hours a night in 1960 to fewer than 7 today. Many people are in bed only 5 to 6 hours a night on a regular basis.

Longer hours at work—and longer commutes—are what threaten sleep most. Moreover, once home, weary workers may unwisely choose TV or Internet surfing over a good night’s sleep.

Compromised sleep elevates stress hormones and impairs metabolism, which can lead to depression, obesity and life-threatening illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure. A 2005 survey by the National Sleep Foundation found that a third of couples have problems in their relationships because of a partner’s abnormal sleep (usually snoring). Nearly a fourth say they flee to a different bed or room and that they are just too sleepy for sex.

Here are some tips to help you get the rest you really need. Read more

Flu germs: How long can they live outside the body?

September 7, 2009 by Admin · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Health News, Swine Flu 

Flu germs are more resilient than you may think. Learn how to protect yourself.

Q: If someone has the flu or a cold and coughs into his hand, and then he touches a doorknob, how long can those germs live on that doorknob?

A: The length of time that cold or flu germs can survive outside the body on an environmental surface, such as a Read more

Swine flu

September 7, 2009 by Admin · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Health News, Swine Flu 

Swine flu — Comprehensive overview covers swine flu symptoms, tests, treatment and prevention.

Definition

Swine flu refers to a respiratory infection caused by influenza A viruses that ordinarily cause illness in pigs. Humans can catch swine flu from infected pigs, but pig-to-human transmission is unusual. Human-to-human transmission of true swine flu is also possible but infrequent.

The recent outbreak of what is being called swine flu involves a new H1N1 type A influenza strain that’s a genetic combination of swine, avian and human influenza viruses. It’s capable of spreading from human to human.

In June 2009, based on its wide spread to many nations, the World Health Organization declared the swine flu outbreak a global pandemic.

This new swine flu strain is being called by a number of names, including: swine-origin influenza A, swine influenza A (H1N1), influenza A/California/H1N1, swine origin influenza virus, North American flu and influenza A (H1N1).

The best approach you can take is to try to avoid infection. If you do develop symptoms of swine flu, seek prompt medical attention so that you have the best chance of antiviral drugs providing you with successful treatment.

Symptoms

The symptoms of swine flu in humans are similar to those of Read more