Two new studies published in the Morbidity and Mortality Report from the CDC reveal that approximately one third of adults in the US get less than recommended minimum seven hours sleep.  While different age groups displayed different consequences from insufficient sleep levels, failure to get the appropriate amount of shut eye could put anyone’s health at serious risk.

Participants who reported getting less than the recommended amount of sleep had more difficulty concentrating, issues with memory and showed tendencies for unintentionally falling asleep. 

Falls present a serious health risk for senior citizens.  Depending upon the individual scenario a fall could result in anything from minor, superficial injuries to factures that require could months of rehab or possibly even death.  This is precisely why panel members from the American and British Geriatrics Societies set out to develop an updated set of guidelines for fall prevention among seniors.

According to the updated guidelines, many seniors could reduce their risk of falls by having a health care provider review their current medications and make any necessary adjustments.  Some antidepressants and prescription sleep aids can increase the risk of falls.   If there is a possibility of eliminating these medications altogether or reducing the dosage, the risk of falling can be reduced.

A thorough examination and restructuring of the living environment 

After analyzing findings of more than 50 previous studies, the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force has concluded that vitamin D and regular exercise can help to minimize chances of falling in seniors.

Based on the wealth of information reviewed, experts were able to determine that participating in regular exercise helped reduce the risk of falls by an average of thirteen percent.  The numbers represented reflected strength training, movements designed to improve balance and exercises for flexibility.

What may be even more impressive than the improvements

The bad news is that, despite a decline in the death rates over the course of the last five years, that stroke is till the number three cause of death and a huge health concern in the US.  The good news is that, by following some easy to implement lifestyle changes that you can work to minimize your risk for stroke.

The American Heart Association has released some new and enlightening information in Stroke:  Journal of the American Heart Association.  According to the AHA, adopting certain healthy lifestyle behaviors, like quitting smoking and maintaining a healthy bodyweight, has the power to help reduce the risk of first time strokes by as much as eighty percent.

A new study reveals that a good portion of the American female population is mistaken in their perception of where they fall in terms of a healthy weight.   While there is certainly more to overall health than just numbers on a scale, beliefs about weight and BMI can have a lot to do with how people approach their health.

Information gathered in the study, published in December’s Obstetrics & Gynecology, shows that about 25% of overweight women believe that they are within the normal range of bodyweight.  Women who feel as though they fall within a healthy weight range are less likely to make changes to their diets or eating habits.

The weight loss drug Qnexa was denied FDA approval last week.  The problem associated with Qnexa had nothing to do with its inability to help people lose weight, which it seemed to do very well.  The concern and ultimate denial came from Qnexa’s association with a number of very serious side effects.

Some of the most serious side effects suffered by patients taking Qnexa were heart palpitations, lapses in memory and thoughts of suicide.  The manufacturer of the weight loss drug is still confident in the product and plans on taking necessary steps with the FDA to get Qnexa approved for sale.

Cortisone injections seem to be the treatment of choice these days for tendon injury, but a recent study reveals that there may be better options available.  Cortisone shots can provide almost immediate relief of the pain associated with tennis elbow and other common tendon ailments, but they don’t seem to have many benefits over the long term.

Information from more than forty previously published studies that included more than twenty five hundred patients were reviewed in order assess the true value of cortisone shots.  The researcher’s findings prove that cortisone shots tend to be ineffective for intermediate and long term treatment of tendon injuries.

The FDA has issued a warning that osteoporosis drugs in the bisphosphonate class may increase the risk of atypical femur fractures.  The warning will be present on labels of all bisphosphonates to help patients and health care providers determine the best possible course of treatment for prevention of osteoporosis.

Representatives from the FDA have acknowledged the overall benefits that bisphosphonates have had in preventing fractures caused by osteoporosis and are continuing investigations on long term bisphosphonate use for osteoporosis.

It’s of the utmost importance that patients and all health care providers have access to any and all information concerning different treatments and medications when considering the best possible course of action. 

A survey consisting of more that a quarter of a million interviews has revealed a possible link between being overweight and being depressed.  The information collected shows than more than 23% of obese adults have been diagnosed with depression.  The percentage of depression for adults of a healthy weight is much lower, at less than fifteen percent.

It works this way every year – Summer ends, Fall begins and the instances of colds and flus start to go up.  While you should always make a concerted effort to wash your hands after using the restroom, before and after handling food and after changing diapers or handling trash – this is the time of year that it almost pays to be fanatical about keeping clean.

Recent onsite and phone surveys conducted by Harris Interactive for the American Society for Microbiology and the American Cleaning Institute revealed that though statistics are up when it comes to cleaning up after using the restroom, that they still aren’t where they need to be in order to prevent spreading of germs.  Overall statistics for properly washing up after necessary events were up nearly twenty percent from the paltry numbers that a similar survey revealed just four years ago. Which means that more people across America are getting the hint that it pays to fight germs by washing hands. But in order to prevent major outbreaks of colds and flus, those statistics need to be a lot closer to one hundred percent.

It’s not possible to entirely avoid every single instance where you could become infected with a virus. Taking the time and doing your part to properly clean up after you’ve used any restroom (public or private), after you’ve been around someone who’s been sick or after you’ve handled a heavily used public item like the handle of a supermarket shopping cart, can go a long way in protecting you from becoming sick this cold and flu season.

It’s also a good idea to consult your doctor or home nurse about getting a flu shot as early as possible and there are certainly other suggestions that you doctor or health aide can help you with in regards to staying as healthy as possible throughout the coming cold and flu season.