Did You Know?

Americans spend more than $40 billion dollars each year on dieting and diet-related products. That’s about the same as the U.S. federal government’s annual education budget. But the only thing that seems to be getting lighter are American wallets. Almost all — 95 percent — of dieters regain any weight they lost within one to […]

Dragon-boat racing may help breast cancer survivors cope with post-recovery trauma and improve their mental and physical health. Dragon-boat racing is an ancient Chinese sport that began in the 4th century BCE. Teams of 10 to 20 paddlers crew the long, narrow canoe-like boats. A drummer at the bow and a tiller (or steerer) at

Cleaning your windows with vinegar is easy, effective, and cheap. Here’s how to clean windows using a white vinegar solution: Combine 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar with 1/2 teaspoon or less of natural dishwashing detergent and 2 cups water. For a fresh smell, add 10 to 15 drops of lemon essential oil, or 2 teaspoons

Turning down the thermostat on your hot water heater can keep your family safer — and save you money. Safety experts recommend that you keep your hot tap water at 120 degrees Fahrenheit (49 degrees Celsius) or less. And you’ll save about 3 to 5 percent on your energy bill for every 10 degrees (Fahrenheit)

Women who have a mother or sister who suffered from postpartum depression are more likely to experience depression after pregnancy themselves. Postpartum depression is a mood disorder that occurs after the birth of a child, characterized by negative thinking patterns and feelings of hopelessness, sadness, and despondency. Unlike the “baby blues,” which last for a

Knee arthroscopy accounts for more than half of all orthopedic procedures performed in outpatient surgical clinics in the United States. Arthroscopy, sometimes called keyhole surgery, is a surgical procedure that allows surgeons to see and operate inside a joint using a tool called an arthroscope. The arthroscope — a lighted tube about the size of

Colon cancer is the third most common cancer — and the third leading cause of cancer deaths — in the United States. One in 19 Americans will be diagnosed with colon cancer during their lifetimes. More than 80 percent of all cases of colorectal (colon or rectal) cancer could have been prevented with early and

People who don’t consume enough folate (vitamin B6) are at risk of anemia. Anemia is a condition in which the blood does not supply the body with enough oxygen, either because There are not enough red blood cells circulating in the body or Those red blood cells don’t contain enough hemoglobin.  Hemoglobin is the iron-containing

Almost 14 million Americans (1 in 13 adults) have problems with drinking alcohol. About 8 million of these people are considered alcoholics. Exposure to alcohol abuse often starts at a young age. About 1 in 4 American children (19 million) is exposed at some time before age 18 to alcohol abuse or dependence in their

The first tonsillectomy was recorded in India in 1000 B.C. During the ensuing 3000 years, the popularity of the procedure has waxed and waned. In 1959, 1.4 million tonsillectomies were performed in the United States. Although that number has dropped to 530,000, tonsillectomy remains the third most common surgery for children ages 0 to 14

  Concerned about a heart problem? Stress-management programs have been shown to reduce the risk of heart problems, including heart attack, by up to 75 percent in people with heart disease. Need help managing stress? Visit our stress resources. 

Honey may be an effective home remedy for cough, especially for children. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends against the use of dextromethorphan, a cough suppressant found in over-the-counter cough and cold formulations such as Robitussen DM and Children’s Dimetapp DM. But when a child is up all night coughing, what’s a parent to do?