Being Healthy is a choice

Posts Tagged ‘disease’

Travelers should see a physician before leaving for a trip if they are going to developing countries, going off the usual tourist routes, or if they have chronic diseases that could be affected by travel. Travelers should protect themselves against common diseases that may be mild but that will disrupt their trip as well as protecting themselves against less common diseases that may be serious or even fatal. Some foreign countries require certain vaccinations before they will allow the traveler to enter the country. All travelers need to be up to date on routine vaccines they would normally get if they were not traveling (for example, an annual influenza vaccination if indicated). No vaccinations are required for re-entry into the United States for foreign travelers.

What diseases occur in travelers, and how can disease be prevented? Read the rest of this entry »

Looking for the secret to the fountain of youth? Alas, there is no real way to stop the aging process.
But studies on people who live into their nineties and beyond offer several clues that may play a role in living longer and enjoying a high quality of life at a ripe old age.

Studies of twins suggest that environment, diet and lifestyle combined have a far greater influence than genes in how long you live. In fact, about 75 percent of known longevity factors are in your control. Read the rest of this entry »

For years, the media have trumpeted the vital role calcium plays in preventing osteoporosis, a silent disease of the bones that makes them weaken and prone to fracture.

The calcium clamor is so loud it sometimes drowns out messages about another nutritional necessity – vitamin D. Without enough vitamin D, the body cannot absorb calcium and deposit it in the bones. In such cases, the blood raids the skeleton for the calcium it needs, thus raising the risk of osteoporosis and fractures. About 10 million Americans have this condition, with another 34 million at risk. Read the rest of this entry »