Friday, December 4, 2015

Restaurant group sues over NYC salt warning labels

"This regulation will confuse and mislead consumers into potentially making less healthy food choices," restaurants claim

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/restaurant-group-sues-over-nyc-salt-warning-labels/

High-tech help for the visually impaired

Special eyewear called eSight can help people who are visually impaired see better and live more independently

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/high-tech-help-for-the-visually-impaired/

New eyewear technology offers hope for visually impaired

A teen shares how a pair of highly magnified goggles is helping him finally see clearly

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/new-eyewear-technology-offers-hope-for-visually-impaired/

How safe are over-the-counter drugs?

Doctors warn there are risks many consumers aren't aware of

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/how-safe-are-over-the-counter-drugs/

Astronomer Joins Healthy Soils Campaign



From: USDA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zqZ0eeib4A

Marijuana breathalyzer test could be coming soon

Company develops a way to test for both pot and alcohol impairment at a traffic stop

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/marijuana-breathalyzer-could-be-ready-next-year/

USDA Week In Review December 4



From: USDA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saq3dzdwHWE

Antidepressants With Tamoxifen Safe: Study

No greater risk of breast cancer recurrence seen



From: http://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/news/20151204/safe-to-take-antidepressants-with-tamoxifen-study?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Diabetes Drug Improves Gut Bacteria

Metformin improved levels of fatty acids that help lower blood sugar levels



From: http://www.webmd.com/diabetes/news/20151204/diabetes-drug-improves-gut-bacteria-study-finds?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Doctors warn of risks of over-the-counter medications

Over-the-counter medications both provide benefits and pose risks to consumers looking to self-medicate

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/doctors-warn-of-risks-of-over-the-counter-medications/

Asthma Appears to Double Chronic Migraine Risk

Business woman with hand on face and eyes closed

If you have asthma and occasionally get migraines, that may double your chances of eventually getting 15 or more these powerful headaches a month, a new study says. WebMD has the details.



From: http://www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/news/20151204/asthma-chronic-migraine-headaches?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Chipotle tightening food safety after E. coli cases

Mexican food chain's restaurants linked to dozens of cases of the illness in six states

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/chipotle-tightening-food-safety-after-e-coli-cases/

New Gene Variants May Contribute to Very Early Onset IBD - IBD in the News



From: Mayo Clinic http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQ-vYA29gA4

WHO: Recovering from mental illness with dignity



From: World Health Organization http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4e7uobXp9z0

Too Few Are Taking Needed Cholesterol Drugs

Only half who should are using medications to help prevent heart disease



From: http://www.webmd.com/cholesterol-management/news/20151203/too-few-americans-are-taking-needed-cholesterol-lowering-drugs-cdc?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Making Sense of the Senseless Violence

After latest mass shooting stirs now-familiar fears, experts see growing psychological toll



From: http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/news/20151203/making-sense-of-the-senseless-violence?src=RSS_PUBLIC

More Seek Treatment for Painkiller, Heroin Abuse

Report reflects changing patterns of substance abuse



From: http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/news/20151203/more-americans-seek-treatment-for-painkiller-heroin-abuse?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Youth Contact Sports May Raise CTE Risk

Study suggests that vulnerability to CTE not limited to professional football players



From: http://www.webmd.com/brain/news/20151203/playing-contact-sports-in-youth-may-raise-risk-for-degenerative-brain-disease?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Agricultural Pesticides May Affect Kids' Breathing

Early exposure to organophosphates could raise risk of COPD later, researchers suggest



From: http://www.webmd.com/children/news/20151203/agricultural-pesticides-may-affect-kids-breathing?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Mom's Diabetes, Obesity May Affect Fetal Heart

Researchers aren't sure if abnormalities will last or cause problems, however



From: http://www.webmd.com/baby/news/20151203/diabetes-or-obesity-during-pregnancy-may-affect-fetal-heart-study?src=RSS_PUBLIC

WHO: Global Road Safety - Time for Results



From: World Health Organization http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eq1SageDwjg

Why aren't cholesterol patients taking their drugs?

Half of the people who'd benefit from cholesterol-lowering drugs don't take them, a new study finds

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/why-are-cholesterol-patients-not-taking-their-drugs/

Massage: Get in touch with its many benefits



From: http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/massage/art-20045743

Medical marijuana



From: http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/in-depth/medical-marijuana/art-20137855

Yoga for Better Sleep

Yoga is a gentle and restorative way to wind down your day. A national survey found that over 55% of people who did yoga found that it helped them get better sleep. Over 85% said yoga helped reduce stress. You can use supportive props like bolsters, blankets, and blocks to make poses comfortable so that you can stay in the pose for longer and continue to breathe.

Your breath is key to be able to relax in these poses. Breath in yoga is equally important—if not more important—as the physical pose. Use a gentle and calming yoga breath technique called Ujjayi Breath, also known as Ocean Breath or Victorious Breath. Inhale deeply through the nose. With your mouth closed, exhale through your nose while constricting the back of your throat as if you are saying “ha” but keep your mouth closed. This exhalation should sound like the waves of the ocean (or like Darth Vader from Star Wars). Use this slow and steady breath to soothe yourself in each of these poses.

Practice these yoga poses right before bedtime and stay in them about 3 to 5 minutes each. Use your Ocean Breath in each pose, with the exception of Corpse Pose, where your breath returns to normal.

These seven restorative yoga poses relieve tension and stress at the end of the day. The more that you practice these poses regularly, the more you likely you can get a good night’s rest.

1. Wide-Knee Child’s Pose (Balasana)

Wide-Knee Child’s Pose (Balasana)

Image: iStock

Relaxing exercise

Image: iStock

This resting pose provides a sense of calm and stability. Be cautious if you have hip or knee injuries.

  • Kneel on the floor and bring your big toes together.
  • Separate your knees hips width apart or as wide as the edges of the mat.
  • Exhale and sink your torso onto your thighs.
  • Let your hands relax alongside your torso, so your arms are pointed to the back of the room, palms facing up. This should release shoulder tension by widening your shoulder blades away from each other.
  • If you want a more active pose, reach your hands forward, palms down on the mat.
  • Keep your forehead on the ground. Roll your head to each side gently. This releases tension in your brow.
  • Take slow and steady breaths, in and out through your nose.

2. Standing Forward Bend (Uttanasana)

Profile of sporty young man on white background in uttanasana with elbow grab (intense stretch pose, forward bend, forward fold, head to knees), surya namaskar, sun salutation complex

Image: iStock

  • Stand with your feet hips width apart. Inhale deeply.
  • Exhale and extend your torso forward and over your legs to elongate your spine.
  • Hold onto your elbows or let your hands rest on your shins or the floor.
  • Do not strain to reach the floor—the purpose is not to achieve a perfect shape, but is to elongate the spine and relax your neck and shoulders.
doing variation of Ardha Uttanasana pose, studio three-quarters view on white background, isolated

Image: iStock

  • This forward bend allows you to relax your neck tension and gently stretches your hamstrings, calves, and hips. Be careful if you have a back injury.
  • If it is difficult for your hands to reach the floor or your back is uncomfortable, place blocks under each hand to provide more support.
  • Breathe in and out through your nose slowly and smoothly.
  • If you have tight hamstrings, keep your knees “soft” by bending them slightly so thatyour chest can relax on your thighs.
  • Gently shake your head “yes” and “no” to relax and loosen your neck muscles.
  • To come up, roll up slowly to standing to avoid getting light-headed.

3. Standing Half Forward Bend (Ardha Uttanasana) at the wall

This is another modification of the pose, standing forward bend. Video available here.

Standing Half Forward Bend (Ardha Uttanasana)

Image: iStock

  • Place your mat perpendicular to the wall.
  • Stand about a foot away from the wall.
  • Your feet should be hips width apart and parallel to the edges of the mat.
  • Press your hands against the wall with your palms spread at the height of your hips.
  • Step back with your feet hips width apart and lower your torso until you come into a flat back position, so that your torso is perpendicular to the floor.
  • Use your palms to press the wall away from you to lengthen your back.
  • Press into all four corners of your feet.
  • Keep your ears in line with your arms.
  • Adjust your distance from the wall to make sure your body is at a 90-degree angle (L shape). If you are too close to the wall, your back and arms will not be able to be fully extended. If you are too far from the wall, you will not be able to bend forward enough.
  • Continue to breathe deeply as you press the wall away from you with your palms.

4. Reclining Bound Angle (Supta Baddha Konasana)

Sporty girl on white background resting in Reclining Bound Angle yoga Pose, Supta Baddha Konasana, restorative, relaxing asana, using bolster

Image: iStock

This pose eases tension in your hips and groin area. Be cautious if you have knee, hip or groin injuries.

  • Lie down on the mat.
  • Bend your knees, and place your feet on the floor, close to your tailbone.
  • Bring the soles of your feet together and allow your knees to relax away from each other, while placing blocks or firm cushions underneath your knees on each side to support your hips.
  • If you have tight hips, you can adjust your feet so that they are further away from your tailbone or add more blocks or cushions under your knees for additional height.
  • Relax your arms on the floor about 45 degrees away from your torso, palms facing the ceiling.
  • Do not press down on knees to create additional tension. Gravity is already doing the work.
  • You should feel a gentle stretch in your hips and groin, but it should not be painful.

5. Legs Up The Wall Pose (Viparita Karani )

Image: iStock

Image: iStock

At the end of the day, especially if your job involves staying on your feet, your feet and ankles can get swollen and tired. This simple pose helps recirculates your blood flow.

  • Find an empty space on your wall and place your mat perpendicular to the wall.
  • Sit down on the mat and bring your left or right side to the wall as close as possible, so your side body meets the wall.
  • Lie back onto mat, and gently place your legs up the wall.
  • Relax your arms by your sides.

Optional: You can add a rolled up mat or firm cushion underneath your tailbone to give your tailbone added support.


6. Corpse Pose (Savasana)

Corpse Pose (Savasana)

Image: iStock

Corpse pose is the traditional final resting pose of yoga practice. You can let your breath return to normal in this pose.

  • Lie back on the mat.
  • Hug your knees in towards your chest tightly and take a deep inhale.
  • Exhale and stretch your legs out away from you while keeping your tailbone grounded on the mat.
  • Your feet should be hips width apart and relaxed away from each other, toward the edges of the mat.
  • Let your lower back soften and relax. You should not feel any pain or tightness in your lower back.
  • Relax your arms at your sides, palms facing upward.
  • Check to make sure your shoulders are not hunched, and, if so, relax your shoulders away from your ears.
  • Optional: Place a folded towel over your eyes to block out any light.

7. Legs on a Chair Pose

This pose is useful for people who might have more difficulty fully extending their legs up the wall due to lower back, knee, or hip injuries. You can find a video of how to get into this pose here.

  • Place a chair at the end of your yoga mat so that it faces you.
  • Place a folded towel or blanket on the seat of the chair. Depending on the height of the chair, you may need a few folded blankets under your sacrum as well.
  • Sit close on the mat, with your seat close to the front of the chair.
  • Lie down on one side with knees bent in fetal position. Scoot onto the center of the mat.
  • Roll onto your back with bent knees so that your calves can rest on the seat of the chair.
  • Your thighs should be at a 90-degree angle to your shins.
  • Keep your arms relaxed at your sides, palms facing up.

 

The post Yoga for Better Sleep appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.



From: Marlynn Wei, MD, JD http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/8753-201512048753

Medical marijuana



From: http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/in-depth/medical-marijuana/art-20137855

Massage: Get in touch with its many benefits



From: http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/massage/art-20045743

WHO checklist targets major causes of maternal and newborn deaths in health facilities

Worldwide, the majority of maternal and newborn deaths occur around the time of birth, typically within the first 24 hours after childbirth. Most of these deaths are preventable.

WHO's new "Safe Childbirth Checklist and Implementation Guide" targets the major causes of maternal and newborn complications and deaths, including post-partum haemorrhage, infection, obstructed labour, preeclampsia and birth asphyxia.

From: http://www.who.int/entity/mediacentre/news/releases/2015/maternal-newborn-deaths/en/index.html