Health and Fitness: News & Videos about Health and Fitness - CNN.com
George Dohrmann: Herold hopes retirement increases awareness of heart ailmentsSeven months ago, Zachary Herold was the starting right back for the United States at the U-17 World Cup in Nigeria and a promising prospect for the senior national team. Three months ago, Toronto FC selected Herold in the second round of the MLS Super Draft, and the team's director of soccer, Mo Johnston, called him "one of the best young kids in the country."Pressure for female genital cutting lingers in the U.S.Fatima Mohamed, a 45-year-old Somali immigrant living in America, was faced with a question most parents will never worry about: Should my daughter be circumcised?Sex life better among heart patients who consult their docsHeart-attack patients who don't talk to their doctors about when it's safe to have sex again are likely to see a drop-off in their sex lives, new research suggests.For cancer survivors, yoga may boost energy and aid sleepCancer survivors often feel fatigued and have trouble sleeping for months -- or even years -- after their last chemotherapy or radiation session. Now, a new study shows that yoga can help them sleep better, feel more energized, and cut back on sleeping medications.Could slightly high blood sugar cause neuropathy?My glucose levels usually run between 120 and 135 with a nonfasting blood test, though do not have a diagnosis of diabetes. I suffer greatly with my feet and been told by a podiatrist that it is neuropathy. Is it possible that my high glucose levels are causing the neuropathy?How integrative medicine can help your healthThere are countless opinions regarding how to improve health care in the United States, but many experts agree on one fact: "Our current health-care system is mainly a sick-care system," says Adam Perlman, executive director of the Institute for Complementary and Alternative Medicine at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.More often than not, brain injuries lead to depressionPeople who experience serious head injuries often require days -- if not weeks -- of medical care to get back on their feet. For most of them, the mental aftershocks will last long after they've checked out of the hospital.Dads get postpartum depression, tooMatthew and his wife were excited about the birth of their daughter in January 2008, and the proud father took a month off of work to spend time with his spouse and child.Study fails to end debate on cancer, cell phone linkLong-awaited data from an international study have shown no evidence of increased risk of brain tumors associated with mobile phones, except in people who have the most exposure.What can a bipolar person do to handle stress better?I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder when I was 16, and I'm now 18 and it has gotten where I can't even get a job because I stress myself out so much that I can't even think straight. I've been on Zoloft, Prozac, Lexapro, and Seroquel but nothing has helped me get over this. I feel like every time I try to do something a switch comes on in my head, and I get in fight-or-flight mode, and I usually flee. My sleeping patterns are also irregular. If anyone has some suggestions for me I would greatly appreciate it.Will antidepressants make your nose job look better?Thinking about having a nose job or facelift? You may be more pleased with the results if you're older--or if you're being treated for depression, a new study suggests.Study: ADHD linked to pesticide exposureChildren exposed to higher levels of a type of pesticide found in trace amounts on commercially grown fruit and vegetables are more likely to have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder than children with less exposure, a nationwide study suggests.Vitamin E may protect lungsPeople who take vitamin E supplements regularly for years -- whether they are smokers or nonsmokers -- may lower their risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, the lung condition that is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States.Postpartum depression: When moms feel out of controlNine years ago, Chris Loo thought about putting her newborn daughter, Becky, in a basket on the steps of a church down the street from her home, and leaving her there.Trouble sleeping? Maybe it's your iPadJ.D. Moyer decided recently to conduct a little experiment with artificial light and his sleep cycle.Walters on heart problem: 'I haven't felt differently'After Barbara Walters told her fellow anchors on "The View" about her plans to have surgery later this week to fix her heart's faulty aortic valve, she mentioned she had known about her problem for a long time.Working overtime may harm the heart, study saysIf you've been saying for years that long hours at work are killing you, forward this article to your boss--it might literally be true. According to a new study, people who work more than 10 hours a day are about 60 percent more likely to develop heart disease or have a heart attack than people who clock just seven hours a day.Stressed? Calling Mom helps, study saysIt's a situation every mother has been through: Your child is stressed out or upset, but she's at school or summer camp--too far away for you to give her a hug.Food allergy diagnosis 'an inexact science'Heidi Bayer knows all too well that diagnosing food allergies isn't clear-cut.Insured workers' health costs still risingOut-of-pocket costs for the millions of Americans with employer-based health coverage rose again in the past year, although at a slower pace than the year before, according to a new industry report released Tuesday.Where's the male birth control pill?When the pill came out in 1960, women got to take charge of their own bodies in a new way: They didn't have to rely on men to prevent pregnancy.California, New York mull changes to organ donor lawsA California bill may soon create a living donor registry -- the first for any state.What 'The Pill' didIt was 50 years ago that the U.S. FDA approved the birth control pill, an anniversary the agency is celebrating this Sunday, which (coincidentally?) happens to be Mother's Day. Here are a range of opinions CNN.com gathered on the significance of The Pill's introduction, and the cultural ripples it set in motion.Can drinking lots of water help you lose weight?Is it true if you drink lots of water, it will help you to lose weight? Is it bad for your body if you consume too much of it?Periods -- Who needs them anyway? Women have mixed feelingsFifty years ago, women obtained a new level of control over their reproductive systems. The introduction of the birth control pill meant they could have sex without getting pregnant, decide how far apart to have their children and they could even decide when -- or whether -- to have a monthly period.How a top chef lost, regained his tasteAcclaimed chef Grant Achatz once said he would rather die than lose his tongue.How can I get rid of my acne?I would like to know how can I get rid of my acne. I have tried many creams but am allergic to Proactiv and benzoyl peroxide. At the moment, I am using tea tree oil, but it still has not been helping very well. Kindly help me please.Obese kids more vulnerable to bulliesChildren in Grades 3 through 6 who are obese are more likely to be bullied than their normal-weight peers, a new study has found.Study: Pregnant women should get more vitamin DPregnant women could -- and probably should -- consume 10 times more vitamin D than experts currently recommend, according to a new study.Guilt-free eating: 10 nutrition myths debunkedSome nutrition myths bounce around on crazy e-mail chain letters and pop up on goofy evening news reports. Others fuel the sale of rip-off diet books. Some are so accepted they seem hardwired into our brains. Take deep-fried foods, for example. They're universally bad for you, right? Well, no.'Landmark' cancer vaccine gets FDA approvalA vaccine treatment for prostate cancer has become the first therapy of its kind to win approval for use in U.S. patients.China lifts ban barring entry to foreigners with HIV and AIDSThe Chinese government has lifted a 20-year-old rule that banned foreigners with HIV and AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases and leprosy from entering the country, according to the country's state news agency.Can someone with aortic stenosis still travel by air?Can an 87-year-old woman with aortic stenosis travel on a jet without complications?WHO commends China on repeal of AIDS banThe World Health Organization commended China for repealing a 20-year-old ban on foreigners with HIV and AIDS from entering the country.How can I break my sugar addiction?Is there any way to help break a sugar addiction that's as powerful as an alcohol addiction without going into rehab? I've been trying for four years and can't seem to break free. It's destroying my body but I can't seem to stop with basic discipline. Clearly there is an emotional component to addiction but therapy doesn't seem to help. Any recommendations? Thank you.CDC urges 50-state anti-smoking effortA coordinated national anti-smoking effort could reduce the more than 400,000 annual tobacco-related deaths in the United States, federal health officials said Thursday.Sweet tooth? Here's news hard to live withSugar lovers may have to face a bitter truth: The less sugar added to foods for typical people, the better are their blood-fat profiles and the lower are their cardiovascular risks, a study to be published Wednesday concludes.Despite widespread claims, little proof for brain supplementsIn the fight against memory loss, nothing is certain, doctors say.Zuma launches health campaign by disclosing HIV statusPresident Jacob Zuma launched a program to combat AIDS in South Africa by making a public announcement that he is HIV negative.Social smokers aren't hooked on nicotine, just smokingThere's a species of smoker among us that is common, yet poorly understood.Nicotine vaccine effective in early testsA vaccine that could help people stop smoking is showing promise in early clinical trials, researchers announced this week at a national meeting of addiction specialists.The new nightclub: your gymAs you get older, you realize nightclubs aren't your scene. You say you go to enjoy the music. But after a while it gets too hard to avoid the single scene drama of the club.Analysis: Obama's stronger role on Wall Street reformPresident Obama appears to have learned one lesson from the bruising fight over health care reform.CookingLight: A 'less is more' approach to sodiumSugar hides in plain view on many food labels, as honey, dextrose, high-fructose corn syrup, and any number of nutrient-poor, calorie-rich, so-called "natural" sweeteners. And sugar has good reason to hide: It's the target of big public health campaigns, soda-taxing schemes, and anti-fructose agitation, the result of its suspected link to obesity.Doctors: 5 gripes about the health lawNow that health reform is law, many physicians are complaining that while it may help their patients, it doesn't go far enough to help doctors.Sudan can rid world of a horrible diseaseOppressed by war and poverty for generations, the Sudanese have struggled with terrible hardships. But the people of this vast country have a narrow window of hope to achieve progress by ridding both their nation and the world of a horrible disease forever.Is it baby fat -- or obesity?Desani Marshall was never really overweight, but she was always a little big for her age. During a checkup at age 4, her doctor pointed out to her mother that Desani was gaining weight more rapidly than he thought was normal. Six months later, she was still putting on pounds at a rapid pace -- a strong predictor of future obesity.Tobacco in candy-like form can poison kidsA new generation of smokeless, flavored tobacco products that look like breath mints or breath-freshening strips may be life-threatening for children who mistake them for candy, according to researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).How crash diets harm your healthLinda Bacon, Ph.D, dreads swimsuit season, but not because she has anything against the beach.White bread, rice, and other carbs boost heart disease risk in womenWomen who eat more white bread, white rice, pizza, and other carbohydrate-rich foods that cause blood sugar to spike are more than twice as likely to develop heart disease than women who eat less of those foods, a new study suggests.Coupon culture extends to prescription medsCoupons give discounts on frozen meals, toothpaste, breakfast cereals and household cleaners. And increasingly, consumers are turning to coupons for their prescription medications, too.Stranded woman unable to find life-saving medicationA woman stuck in the United Kingdom because of the ash cloud and unable to secure medication for a life-threatening condition has called on the U.S. government to take urgent action to help stranded Americans return home.Sinus trouble? Secondhand smoke may be to blameIf you have perpetually clogged and swollen sinuses, secondhand smoke -- even in small amounts may be to blame. According to a new study, secondhand smoke may be responsible for up to 40 percent of cases of chronic sinusitis.Sebelius: Health workers need vaccination tooThe H1N1 vaccine was the "most ambitious immunization campaign ever," but vaccination rates need to improve in minority communities and among health workers, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said Monday.Studies clash on vitamin benefitsTo take the multivitamin or to not take the multivitamin: That is the question researchers are still trying to answer.Healthy food for your eyesWe've all heard that carrots play a huge role in overall eye health but what else can you eat to improve the health of your eyes and reduce the risk of disease?Low health risk from volcano ash, experts sayThe ash from the volcanic eruption in Iceland this week is paralyzing air travel because it is too dangerous for aircraft to fly through it. Those on the ground may be concerned about health effects when the ash falls to Earth, but experts say there is little to worry about.Under revised FAA rules, 'Prozac Pilot' hopes to fly againTwo years ago, in perhaps the hardest decision of his life, an Oklahoma charter jet pilot stopped flying because he was suffering from depression. Embarrassed, he kept the reasons for leaving his career hidden from all but his closest confidants.Scientists work to keep hackers out of implanted medical devicesNathanael Paul likes the convenience of the insulin pump that regulates his diabetes. It communicates with other gadgets wirelessly and adjusts his blood sugar levels automatically.E. coli cases down in 2009, CDC saysCases of E. coli 0157, a strain of bacteria in the E. coli family that can cause severe food poisoning, dropped significantly in 2009, according to surveillance data for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Your toughest retirement puzzle: Long-term careAsk someone why he or she bought a long-term-care insurance policy and you will probably hear a story about family. Often a sad or scary story.Why people swear by the neti pot"Saline irrigation" may not sound sexy, but Kelly Nance says she's hooked.do not pub"Saline irrigation" may not sound sexy, but Kelly Nance says she's hooked.The downside of 'friends with benefits'When Jennifer Nicholas sees television shows or movies where characters "hook up" or have sex with "friends with benefits," she cringes, because that's how she got herpes.It's time to spring clean your dietSpring has arrived, and with longer days and warmer weather comes a new crop of fresh produce.To fix deficit, Congress needs the will to cutWith Congress having passed an expensive new health care plan, it is a good time to ask whether our political system is capable of undertaking major entitlement and tax reform to put the nation on a sustainable fiscal path.Anorexia, bulimia definitions hinder treatment, study saysThe term "eating disorder" often suggests losing a dangerous amount of weight.Fat camps for grown-ups: Do they work?Five years ago, Juli Ackerman never thought she'd be able to buy an off-the-rack wedding dress. At 5 feet 10 inches, the software-company executive from Newport, California, then 40, was 280 pounds. Her weight had always fluctuated, but she decided that she wanted to slim down once and for all.Navy nixes smoking on submarinesSmoking and submarines don't mix.This allergy season nothing to sneeze atFeel like you can't breathe? Do you have the uncontrollable urge to rub your eyes every 10 seconds?How can I lose regained weight after bariatric surgery?I had gastric bypass six year ago and lost 150 pounds and had kept it off. A year ago, I began a desk job for the first time in my life. I have gradually gained about 35 pounds. I have what some consider an alcohol problem since the weight loss.Martina Navratilova has breast cancerNine-time Wimbledon tennis champion Martina Navratilova said Wednesday she has breast cancer.Tennis legend Martina Navratilova says she has breast cancerNine-time Wimbledon tennis champion Martina Navratilova said Wednesday she has breast cancer.Martina Navratilova Has Breast Cancer"I cried," the tennis legend, 53, tells PEOPLE. "It knocked me on my ass, really"World Health Day focuses on urbanizationIt's World Health Day on Wednesday, which this year has a special focus on urbanization and health.Drinking habits spread in social networksIf a friend or relative starts drinking more heavily--or decides to drink less or give up alcohol entirely--you're more likely to do the same, according to a new study that found heavy drinkers, moderate drinkers, and teetotalers tend to cluster within social networks.Guinea worm a greater challenge than smallpoxSince 1980, one disease has been erased from the face of the Earth: smallpox. Health officials believe Guinea worm disease will soon be next.Hotels try to kick the smoking habitAfter President Obama's negative comments about Sin City and his subsequent mea culpa ("I love Vegas -- always have!"), I realize that this might not be the most prudent way to start a column. But how do you fire up a discussion about smoking in hotels without mentioning America's capital of secondhand smoke?Couples at greater risk of breakup after pregnancy lossAsk anyone who's tried it: Sustaining a marriage or long-term relationship is hard. More than 40 percent of first marriages and nearly 70 percent of first live-in relationships fail to reach the 15-year mark, statistics show.Teen with autism advises other 'different' kidsFiguring out what's cool. Struggling for acceptance. Dealing with homework. These are familiar perils of middle school. But Haley Moss did it all while dealing with a hidden challenge: autism.Dead $14 billion loophole could sink corporate health careWith President Obama still glowing over last week's passage of health-care reform, it's a good time to ask why American businesses ever began providing health-care coverage, and especially prescription drug benefits, to begin with. Out of all industrialized nations, only the United States has tied employment to health care and retirement coverage.10 sites worth checking out if your child has autismLike many parents, Shannon Kinninger spends a lot of time chauffeuring her children around town.Trade movie popcorn for yogurt?Some silver screen couples were just meant to end up together: Bogey and Bacall, Harry and Sally, Saturday matinees and ... a cup of low-fat yogurt?What's a healthy breakfast for a picky 6-year-old?What kind of breakfast can I prepare for a 6-year-old who doesn't like cereal, oatmeal or eggs? I want to make sure she gets a healthy breakfast but without the eggs and cereal it is kind of impossible. ThanksSelf-help treatment effective for binge eating, researchers sayHelp to control binge eating could be as simple as a self-help book and check-ins with a health educator, according to new research out this month.Obama signs health care 'fixes' billPresident Obama sealed a final victory on his signature domestic priority Tuesday, signing a sweeping package of changes to the newly enacted health care reform law.Is chemo causing my hands to shake?How many, if any, cases of nervous system disorders have been reported because of A-C breast cancer chemotherapy? I'm 45 and had treatment at 39 and 40. I now experience a very exaggerated amount of shaking of the hands.Health care reform: How it might work for real peopleAbout 32 million Americans who don't have health insurance will get access to coverage when the $940 billion health care plan takes effect.Official: Obama expected to name head of Medicare, MedicaidPresident Obama is expected to nominate a Massachussetts pediatrician and Harvard University professor to oversee Medicare and Medicaid, a senior administration official told CNN on Saturday.Obama's health care reform: VAT or Sinkhole?In President Obama's 2011 budget, a kind of fiscal "cigarette warning" appears in a box on page 146 under a table displaying a future of big deficits and mounting debt. The Administration, the warning declares, is creating a "Fiscal Commission" to "achieve sustainability over the long-run."5 key things to remember about health care reformWhat? Really? You don't understand the new health care reform legislation? You find yourself confused? If you haven't mastered the minutiae on all 2,309 pages of the health care reform bill signed earlier this week by President Obama, there's nothing wrong with you -- even experts are having a hard time getting a grip on all the details.Virtually addicted: Weaning Koreans off their wired worldWhile in high school, Cheong Beom-seok often slept through his classes and played online games seven or eight hours at night, sneaking in front of the computer while his parents were in bed.Timeline: When health care reform will affect youPresident Obama signed sweeping health care reform into law Tuesday. The Senate must now pass a package of changes that will reconcile the differences between Senate and House bills. If those changes are worked out, here is how health care reforms will affect you:Retired couples need $250,000 for health care costsIf you're retiring this year, you will need $250,000 in savings to cover your family's medical expenses during your retirement, Fidelity Investments announced on Thursday.Medical marijuana users risk job lossWhen a rare form of cancer invaded Joseph Casias' nasal cavity and his brain, his doctor prescribed marijuana to help alleviate the daily pain.Heart health: Cutting saturated fat alone doesn't cut itFor years, experts have warned us to cut down on saturated fat -- think butter, cheese, bacon, red meat, and countless other tasty foods -- because it clogs arteries and causes heart attacks.Detained gay couple to face trial in MalawiTwo men face up to 14 years in jail in a case that human rights activists say is a test case for gay rights, as well as one that could undermine efforts to curtail Malawi's devastating HIV infection rates.UK doctors urge ban on smoking in carsA British doctors group called Wednesday for a ban on all smoking in cars, saying the secondhand smoke inside a vehicle can cause severe health problems for children and adults.Some nurses paid more than family doctorsDespite the growing shortage of family doctors in the United States, medical centers last year offered higher salaries and incentives to specialist nurses than to primary care doctors, according to an annual survey of physicians' salaries.Health care: Patients, doctors, insurers reactThe House's approval of a measure to reform and revamp the nation's health care system was praised Monday by consumer groups, given mixed reviews by doctors and got a thumbs down from insurers.
