Health & Wellness
Sacramento -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger today proposed upending just about every portion of the healthcare industry in one of the country's most elaborate efforts at holding down medical costs and expanding insurance to those who don't have it.
Beijing - China is super-sizing its children as fast as its economy, prompting fears of an American-style obesity crisis here.
New figures from the Health Ministry show that urban Chinese boys age 6 are 2.5 inches taller and 6.6 pounds heavier on average than Chinese city boys 30 years ago.
China "has entered the era of obesity," says Ji Chengye, a leading child-health researcher. "The speed of growth is shocking."
New figures from the Health Ministry show that urban Chinese boys age 6 are 2.5 inches taller and 6.6 pounds heavier on average than Chinese city boys 30 years ago.
China "has entered the era of obesity," says Ji Chengye, a leading child-health researcher. "The speed of growth is shocking."
Even at the youngest ages, little girls find their way into their mother's makeup kit, making a mess of lipstick, eye shadow and mascara on their face. And as girls grow older, they begin the delicate debate with their parents over what type of makeup they can wear and when. However, mothers and fathers everywhere may have one more tool in their arsenal for convincing their daughters to delay that trip to the cosmetics counter.
A new study suggests that women who begin using makeup at an earlier age and in greater amounts may have an increased risk of developing breast cancer later in life.
A new study suggests that women who begin using makeup at an earlier age and in greater amounts may have an increased risk of developing breast cancer later in life.
Five years ago Darci Jayne hardly ever touched a vegetable and pretty much lived on pizza, pasta and fast food.
That diet led to weight gain and health problems, including severe joint pain. "I was close to 200 pounds and getting scared," she says.
By cutting portion sizes she lost 50 pounds but always felt as if she were on a diet. Then Jayne took an Indian cooking class that emphasized fresh vegetables and curry spices.
She began to whip up an Indian dinner once or twice a week -- and soon she noticed she wasn't always looking for a late-night snack. And the curry in the food offered her a bonus: It seemed to ease the pain and swelling in her joints.
That diet led to weight gain and health problems, including severe joint pain. "I was close to 200 pounds and getting scared," she says.
By cutting portion sizes she lost 50 pounds but always felt as if she were on a diet. Then Jayne took an Indian cooking class that emphasized fresh vegetables and curry spices.
She began to whip up an Indian dinner once or twice a week -- and soon she noticed she wasn't always looking for a late-night snack. And the curry in the food offered her a bonus: It seemed to ease the pain and swelling in her joints.
The recording of the song you will most often hear these days is an instrumental version complete with lush strings, a backing choir and a gently soaring saxophone solo that rises up out of the brass section.
But in 1966 when Burt Bacharach penned "Nikki" for his prematurely born daughter, there were accompanying lyrics courtesy of his long-time writing partner, Hal David, that spoke of good times and bad: "Nikki, where can you be? It's you, no one but you for me. I've been so lonely since you went away. I won't spend a happy day till you're back in my arms."
But in 1966 when Burt Bacharach penned "Nikki" for his prematurely born daughter, there were accompanying lyrics courtesy of his long-time writing partner, Hal David, that spoke of good times and bad: "Nikki, where can you be? It's you, no one but you for me. I've been so lonely since you went away. I won't spend a happy day till you're back in my arms."
Doctors in Seattle who treated the severely disabled girl Ashley with surgery and hormones to keep her at the size of a six-year-old child have received requests from parents of other disabled children to repeat the treatment.
Dan Gunther, an associate professor of paediatrics at the University of Washington who devised Ashley's treatment with the blessing of her parents, said four sets of parents had contacted him to ask that their children be considered.
Dan Gunther, an associate professor of paediatrics at the University of Washington who devised Ashley's treatment with the blessing of her parents, said four sets of parents had contacted him to ask that their children be considered.
An Italian psychiatrist is obtaining startling results with patients suffering from schizophrenia and depression by enlisting them in a competitive football team. Mauro Raffaeli trains his players, many of whom cannot work and are on psychiatric medication, twice a week on a pitch on the outskirts of Rome.
Of the 80 who have passed through the ranks since the team formed in 1993, over half have cut down their drug intake, but more importantly, more than half have returned to work. "Drugs you can often never get rid of, but reintegrating into society is as important," he said.
Of the 80 who have passed through the ranks since the team formed in 1993, over half have cut down their drug intake, but more importantly, more than half have returned to work. "Drugs you can often never get rid of, but reintegrating into society is as important," he said.
Excerpts from Robert Whitaker's Anatomy of an Epidemic: Psychiatric Drugs and the Astonishing Rise of Mental Illness in America published in Ethical Human Psychology and Psychiatry, Vol. 7, Number 1, Spring 2005
Excerpted, with minimal editing, by Gary G. Kohls, MD, Duluth, MN
Excerpted, with minimal editing, by Gary G. Kohls, MD, Duluth, MN
Trials have begun on a sex drug that works directly on the pleasure zones of a woman's brain to restore flagging libido.
If successful, flibanserin - developed by the German pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim - could become the "female Viagra".
If successful, flibanserin - developed by the German pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim - could become the "female Viagra".
Organic food may be no better for you than mass-produced farm food, according to the cabinet minister responsible for the industry.
David Miliband, the environment secretary, says organic produce, which is usually more expensive, is a "lifestyle choice" with no hard evidence that it is healthier.
David Miliband, the environment secretary, says organic produce, which is usually more expensive, is a "lifestyle choice" with no hard evidence that it is healthier.
Comment: Of course he wouldn't want to admit that 96% of the food produce is not fit to eat!
Comment: It's always the psychopathic employers going for obscene profits that object to taxes that help the people. We say: "Go for it, Arnie!"