http://athensi.com/ audio/video content Moski2.net http://fhradio.org/MP3/32225.mp3 Can eating chocolate help you lose weight? Surprising health claims about chocolate have come out in recent years. Studies have found, for example, that eating chocolate on a regular basis might help to lower blood pressure and heart attack risk, improve cholesterol levels and help regulate insulin. Script Number: 32225 For archived Family Health programs visit fhradio.org. Fri, 08 Jun 2012 07:00:00 +0200 http://fhradio.org/MP3/32224.mp3 Can a blood test help to detect Alzheimer's disease? Alzheimer's disease is the term for aging-related dementia that gets worse over time. It typically begins with memory loss, but it also affects overall thinking and behavior. In severe cases, Alzheimer's can lead to depression, delusions and the inability to recognize loved ones or control bodily functions. Script Number: 32224 For archived Family Health programs visit fhradio.org. Thu, 07 Jun 2012 07:00:00 +0200 http://fhradio.org/MP3/32223.mp3 Why is the obesity rate rising among Mexican-Americans? We Americans, in general, have a weight problem. This is not a political issue, but instead a major health concern, and it contributes enormously to the rising cost of national health care. More than one third (1/3) of all American adults are obese, along with almost 20 (twenty) percent of children. In fact, those rates might actually be higher, since they are based on self-reporting, and both men and women tend to stretch the truth (or shrink the truth) when it comes to reporting their weight and height. Script Number: 32223 For archived Family Health programs visit fhradio.org. Wed, 06 Jun 2012 07:00:00 +0200 http://fhradio.org/MP3/32222.mp3 Does a more comprehensive sex ed program prevent teen pregnancies? A new study indicates that American states offering abstinence-only sex education programs had higher rates of teenage birth rates than those states offering a more comprehensive program. However, researchers believe that the disparity had more to do with broader political, religious and social differences between those states than sex ed alone. Script Number: 32222 For archived Family Health programs visit fhradio.org. Tue, 05 Jun 2012 07:00:00 +0200 http://fhradio.org/MP3/32221.mp3 Can eating certain fruits help reduce the risk of developing diabetes? An apple a day -- or a handful of blueberries -- may in fact help keep the doctor away. A new U.S. study suggests that eating more apples, blueberries and pears can help ward off type two diabetes. Script Number: 32221 For archived Family Health programs visit fhradio.org. Mon, 04 Jun 2012 07:00:00 +0200 http://fhradio.org/MP3/32220.mp3 Are there prescription drugs that can help you quit smoking -- and do they work? Addiction works in funny ways. While one person might be able to quit smoking cold turkey and never look back, another person tries to quit countless times, to no avail. The cravings cause extreme discomfort, distraction and irritability, as well as physical symptoms like headaches, stomach pain and soreness in the mouth. Script Number: 32220 For archived Family Health programs visit fhradio.org. Fri, 01 Jun 2012 07:00:00 +0200 http://fhradio.org/MP3/32219.mp3 What is the salvia drug, and what are the health risks involved with its use? Interest in the not-yet-illegal drug called salvia has sky-rocketed, largely due to a leaked internet video showing pop star Miley Cyrus smoking the herb. The New York Times reported that shortly after the Cyrus video appeared, Google searches for salvia jumped by about 600 percent. Script Number: 32219 For archived Family Health programs visit fhradio.org. Thu, 31 May 2012 07:00:00 +0200 http://fhradio.org/MP3/32218.mp3 Can you predict someone's life span based on how fast they walk? We tend to use images of speed when talking about the health of older adults. We describe a hearty older relative as having "a spring in her step," or express concern about an ailing friend, who is "starting to slow down". A report recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Association may lend scientific support to these ideas. Script Number: 32218 For archived Family Health programs visit fhradio.org. Wed, 30 May 2012 07:00:00 +0200 http://fhradio.org/MP3/32217.mp3 Do American children receive too much radiation from medical imaging tests? Americans today receive more radiation from medical imaging procedures like x-rays and CT scans that ever before. Approximately seven million CT scans are performed on children every year in the U.S., and that number is rising by about ten percent each year. Although x-rays emit very little radiation, CT scans emit much more -- the equivalent of almost 100 x-rays per scan -- and some experts believe that they raise the risk for cancer, especially among children. Script Number: 32217 For archived Family Health programs visit fhradio.org. Tue, 29 May 2012 07:00:00 +0200 http://fhradio.org/MP3/32216.mp3 Why do people with diabetes need to be especially concerned about their feet? Many people with diabetes have problems with the nerves in their feet. That means they may not feel pressure points on the bottoms of their feet, and because they are also likely to have problems with blood circulation they're especially prone to skin breakdown, foot ulcers, and more serious foot problems. Left untreated, these problems may even necessitate amputation. More than twenty-thousand amputations are performed every year on people with diabetes. Script Number: 32216 For archived Family Health programs visit fhradio.org. Mon, 28 May 2012 07:00:00 +0200 http://fhradio.org/MP3/32215.mp3 How does having diabetes affect professional and academic success rates? Diabetes may be a factor in high school drop-out and unemployment rates, and may reduce overall lifetime earnings among those working, according to a recent study published by the journal Health Affairs. Script Number: 32215 For archived Family Health programs visit fhradio.org. Fri, 25 May 2012 07:00:00 +0200 http://fhradio.org/MP3/32214.mp3 Can traditional herbal medicines help treat arthritis pain? Herbal medicines have long been used to treat symptoms of osteoarthritis, a painful disease that causes joint damage. One popular herbal arthritis medicine is glucosomine chondroitin, although other traditional remedies include ginger, nettle, rosehip, willow bark, turmeric, Devil's claw and Indian frankincense, among others. Script Number: 32214 For archived Family Health programs visit fhradio.org. Thu, 24 May 2012 07:00:00 +0200 http://fhradio.org/MP3/32213.mp3 Can grief help to trigger a heart attack? Feelings of grief following the death of a loved one can range from shock to anger to serious depression. The stress caused by mourning can effect more than just your emotions, however. Script Number: 32213 For archived Family Health programs visit fhradio.org. Wed, 23 May 2012 07:00:00 +0200 http://fhradio.org/MP3/32212.mp3 Have scientists isolated a specific gene mutation for prostate cancer? Researchers have reported finding the first major gene mutation that seems to be associated with a higher risk of inherited prostate cancer. It does not occur in every case of hereditary prostate cancer, but it does greatly increase the risk. Script Number: 32212 For archived Family Health programs visit fhradio.org. Tue, 22 May 2012 07:00:00 +0200 http://fhradio.org/MP3/32211.mp3 Can a combination of two drugs help fight aggressive breast cancer? Combining drugs can be tricky business. Sometimes two medications cancel each other out; sometimes they create negative side effects. Other times, combining two drugs can improve the outcomes of both. For example, a recent clinical study suggests that combining two drugs used to treat a certain aggressive breast cancer called HER2-positive works better than using either drug on its own. Script Number: 32211 For archived Family Health programs visit fhradio.org. Mon, 21 May 2012 07:00:00 +0200 http://fhradio.org/MP3/32210.mp3 Is retirement good for your health? European researchers recently published a study indicating that retirement improves overall wellbeing. This may not be a great surprise to anyone. But, the study is politically important, since legislators in many developed countries are pushing to increase the minimum retirement age. Script Number: 32210 For archived Family Health programs visit fhradio.org. Fri, 18 May 2012 07:00:00 +0200 http://fhradio.org/MP3/32209.mp3 What are some tips to keep in mind when buying seafood? Fish and shellfish offer tons of omega-3 fatty acids, proteins and other essential nutrients, but there are safety considerations to keep in mind when buying, preparing and storing seafood -- especially when you live inland, like I do. Script Number: 32209 For archived Family Health programs visit fhradio.org. Thu, 17 May 2012 07:00:00 +0200 http://fhradio.org/MP3/32208.mp3 What do you do when your child is the bully? Most parents worry about bullying at school, and with social media and cell phones, both the reach and the nature of bullying have grown in unexpected and shocking ways. Script Number: 32208 For archived Family Health programs visit fhradio.org. Wed, 16 May 2012 07:00:00 +0200 http://fhradio.org/MP3/32207.mp3 Just how bad are the vending machines in schools? Vending machines have never been known for their good contribution to healthy living. And parents and health experts have long worried about the negative impact of vending machines in our children's schools. Script Number: 32207 For archived Family Health programs visit fhradio.org. Tue, 15 May 2012 07:00:00 +0200 http://fhradio.org/MP3/32206.mp3 Do antibacterial soaps weaken the immune system? In recent years, people have begun to wonder if too much hygiene weakens the immune system. The idea is that, if your body doesn't get enough practice killing off the everyday, garden-variety germs, then it won't be properly conditioned to fend off infections and viruses when they do hit. Some researchers also worry about the development of anti-bacterial-resistant bacteria, dubbed "superbugs." Script Number: 32206 For archived Family Health programs visit fhradio.org. Mon, 14 May 2012 07:00:00 +0200 http://fhradio.org/MP3/32205.mp3 Does taking multiple prescription drugs make falls more likely -- regardless of your age? Accidental falls are among lead causes of injury and death worldwide, although those most at risk and most researched are older adults and young children. A recent study, published in the journal Injury Prevention, looks instead at factors surrounding accidental falls among young and middle-aged adults. Specifically, they found that even among this group, taking two or more prescription drugs at the same time seemed to increase the risk of serious accidental falls. Script Number: 32205 For archived Family Health programs visit fhradio.org. Fri, 11 May 2012 07:00:00 +0200 http://fhradio.org/MP3/32204.mp3 Can drinking enough water prevent diabetes? It seems that every day we find more reasons to drink more water: increasing energy level, preventing headaches, lowering blood pressure -- the list goes on. And, researchers think, it may also include lowering your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Script Number: 32204 For archived Family Health programs visit fhradio.org. Thu, 10 May 2012 07:00:00 +0200 http://fhradio.org/MP3/32203.mp3 Should you be taking an aspirin every day? Are you currently taking an aspirin a day to prevent heart disease? If you are, then you're in good company. Nearly 20 percent of Americans regularly take aspirin, including almost a third of people between the ages of 45 and 64, and about half of people older than that. Script Number: 32203 For archived Family Health programs visit fhradio.org. Wed, 09 May 2012 07:00:00 +0200 http://fhradio.org/MP3/32202.mp3 Are trans fats always bad for you? You've probably noticed that many snack foods are now labeled "No Trans Fat". Perhaps your doctor advised that you avoid these fats in order to get your cholesterol levels in line. So are trans fats really so bad? Script Number: 32202 For archived Family Health programs visit fhradio.org. Tue, 08 May 2012 07:00:00 +0200 http://fhradio.org/MP3/32201.mp3 Does having both a television and a car put you at a higher risk for heart attack? There may be good health wisdom in folksinger John Prine's advice to "blow up your TV." If you own both a television and a car, you may be more likely to suffer a heart attack, according to a worldwide study published earlier this year. In fact, the study suggests that those of us who own both of these luxury items are twenty-seven 27 percent more likely to have a heart attack, compared to those who have neither. Script Number: 32201 For archived Family Health programs visit fhradio.org. Mon, 07 May 2012 07:00:00 +0200 http://fhradio.org/MP3/32200.mp3 What can a person do to overcome fear of the dentist? Since dental treatment can be nearly painless these days, there's no sensible reason to be scared of the dentist. Still, some people have learned to fear the dentist by hearing scary stories from family and friends, or by having a bad experience at the dentist's office. Others' fear can be traced to the sound of the drill, the feeling of helplessness that may overcome you while in the chair, or simply fear of the unknown. Script Number: 32200 For archived Family Health programs visit fhradio.org. Fri, 04 May 2012 07:00:00 +0200 http://fhradio.org/MP3/32199.mp3 What are some ways that you can get a loved one to be more active? A lot of people should do more physical activity, but they find it difficult to motivate themselves, or hard to fit exercise into their daily schedules. If you're concerned about someone who should be more active, there are some things you can do to offer support. Script Number: 32199 For archived Family Health programs visit fhradio.org. Thu, 03 May 2012 07:00:00 +0200 http://fhradio.org/MP3/32198.mp3 What causes coughs that just don't seem to go away? This time of year we all get coughs now and then, usually as a result of a cold. But some people develop coughs that stay and stay. A cough that you have for more than a month is what doctors call a chronic cough. Some people with chronic cough just experience it in the morning when they get up or only at night when they lie down. Maybe they only cough during winter and feel fine the rest of the year, or maybe they cough almost constantly, day and night, all year round. Script Number: 32198 For archived Family Health programs visit fhradio.org. Wed, 02 May 2012 07:00:00 +0200 http://fhradio.org/MP3/32197.mp3 How much vitamin D do we need, and how do we get it? Most of us actually do get enough vitamin D and calcium with just a normal, healthy diet, according to the Institute of Medicine. The institute's recent report contradicts some experts who say that most Americans are deficient in vitamin D and should take supplements. Script Number: 32197 For archived Family Health programs visit fhradio.org. Tue, 01 May 2012 07:00:00 +0200 http://fhradio.org/MP3/32196.mp3 Can government initiatives help improve the nation's health? There's been a lot of national debate lately about health-care reform, as well as legislative efforts to curb the childhood obesity and diabetes epidemics. To help guide such projects, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has developed a set of ten-year goals and objectives for promoting health and preventing disease. They call their effort: "Healthy People 2020." Script Number: 32196 For archived Family Health programs visit fhradio.org. Mon, 30 Apr 2012 07:00:00 +0200 http://fhradio.org/MP3/32195.mp3 What causes hiccups, and what should be done to stop them? Perhaps no malady known to man is surrounded by as many folk remedies as the common hiccup. To cure hiccups, people swear by everything from swallowing a spoonful of sugar, or eating a lemon, to putting a bag over your head. Script Number: 32195 For archived Family Health programs visit fhradio.org. Fri, 27 Apr 2012 07:00:00 +0200 http://fhradio.org/MP3/32194.mp3 What is a sprained ankle and how is it difference from a fracture? Ankle sprain is the term we use to describe a condition where the ligaments in the ankle become stretched or torn. These ligaments connect bones to other bones in the ankle, and help to stabilize the ankle and hold all of its parts together. Although the ligaments are quite strong, they can be stretched beyond their normal limits -- causing pain, swelling, and bruising. Script Number: 32194 For archived Family Health programs visit fhradio.org. Thu, 26 Apr 2012 07:00:00 +0200 http://fhradio.org/MP3/32193.mp3 What is lactose intolerance? Lactose is a sugar commonly found in milk. This sugar is broken down in the body by an enzyme called lactase. When a person produces too little lactase, he or she cannot digest milk or dairy products and may experience cramps, bloating or diarrhea after consuming milk products. This condition is called lactose intolerance. Script Number: 32193 For archived Family Health programs visit fhradio.org. Wed, 25 Apr 2012 07:00:00 +0200 http://fhradio.org/MP3/32192.mp3 What's the key to maintaining a healthy heart? If you're going to give somebody the key to your heart this Valentine's Day, you'll want to make sure it's the key to a healthy heart. Nobody wants a heart that hasn't been cared for and is forced to work harder than it needs to. Script Number: 32192 For archived Family Health programs visit fhradio.org. Tue, 24 Apr 2012 07:00:00 +0200 http://fhradio.org/MP3/32191.mp3 Is chocolate bad for your health? Chocolate is not a "health food" and should certainly be eaten only as an occasional snack. It's not, however, nearly as bad as some people might have you believe. Many of us grew up being told that eating chocolate would cause our faces to break out, our teeth to rot, and other parts of our bodies to go bad. Most of those stories are more fiction than fact. Script Number: 32191 For archived Family Health programs visit fhradio.org. Mon, 23 Apr 2012 07:00:00 +0200 http://fhradio.org/MP3/32190.mp3 How are problems of the temporomandibular joint treated? On a previous "Family Health" program, I explained that temporomandibular joint -- or the TMJ for short -- is the system of hinges and bones that allow the jaw to move. I said that anything that interferes with the operation of this complex system could result in a TMJ disorder. The American Dental Association says sixty million Americans may suffer from TMJ problems, but experts disagree about whether the condition is over-diagnosed. Script Number: 32190 For archived Family Health programs visit fhradio.org. Fri, 20 Apr 2012 07:00:00 +0200 http://fhradio.org/MP3/32189.mp3 What is the temporomandibular joint, and what can go wrong with it? The temporomandibular joint -- or the TMJ for short -- is the system of bones that form the hinges that allow the jaw to move. Anything that interferes with the operation of this complex system could result in a TMJ disorder. The American Dental Association says sixty million Americans may suffer from TMJ problems, but experts disagree about whether the condition is over-diagnosed. Script Number: 32189 For archived Family Health programs visit fhradio.org. Thu, 19 Apr 2012 07:00:00 +0200 http://fhradio.org/MP3/32188.mp3 Which are better: fitness machines or free weights? Among weight trainers, the tendency is to recommend free weight exercises over weight machines. This is largely based on studies from ten or more years ago that recorded electric impulses from muscle activity during weight exercise and concluded that free weights generated more muscle activity than machines. This may be true, but it's not the only factor to consider when going to the gym or purchasing weight equipment for your home. Script Number: 32188 For archived Family Health programs visit fhradio.org. Wed, 18 Apr 2012 07:00:00 +0200 http://fhradio.org/MP3/32187.mp3 What are the health effects of soda? Recently a small sales tax was added to sodas in an attempt to curb children's soda consumption. Unfortunately, a study by the Rand Corporation indicates that the sales tax has little to no significant effect on consumption of soda or on childhood obesity. Researchers suggest that the tax was too small, and that children would respond better to an excise tax that increases the shelf price, as they may not make the connection between buying a product and a sales tax. Script Number: 32187 For archived Family Health programs visit fhradio.org. Tue, 17 Apr 2012 07:00:00 +0200 http://fhradio.org/MP3/32186.mp3 Why and how should cancer survivors seek support? The American Cancer Society is encouraging all doctors to create individualized "survivorship care plans" for recovering cancer patients after their treatment ends. The plan offers tips on how to monitor, improve and maintain health. Physicians often provide information about local, state and national survivor support groups, which tend to be very active and robust organizations. Script Number: 32186 For archived Family Health programs visit fhradio.org. Mon, 16 Apr 2012 07:00:00 +0200 http://fhradio.org/MP3/32180.mp3 Are jams and jellies unhealthy? Jelly and jam could hardly be classified as health foods, but surprisingly, they aren't junk foods like some people think, and they have a lot of advantages over other spreads like butter, margarine and cream cheese. Script Number: 32180 For archived Family Health programs visit fhradio.org. Fri, 06 Apr 2012 07:00:00 +0200 http://fhradio.org/MP3/32179.mp3 Can a person be allergic to dust? Dust allergy is a legitimate medical condition that's relatively common. Unlike people who are allergic to pollen, people with dust allergies experience their worst symptoms indoors, not outdoors. Dust allergies bring their victims a runny nose and itchy eyes, wheezing, shortness of breath and, maybe, a cough. Script Number: 32179 For archived Family Health programs visit fhradio.org. Thu, 05 Apr 2012 07:00:00 +0200 http://fhradio.org/MP3/32178.mp3 When can houseplants be dangerous? A lot of people don't realize that some common houseplants are poisonous if their leaves are eaten. And children are naturally curious about exotic looking plants in and around their homes. So if you have plants and young children around the house, listen carefully. Script Number: 32178 For archived Family Health programs visit fhradio.org. Wed, 04 Apr 2012 07:00:00 +0200 http://fhradio.org/MP3/32177.mp3 Can olive oil prevent heart disease? Fewer Mediterranean people suffer from heart disease than northern Europeans and Americans. It may be useful for you to know that their fondness for olive oil could be part of the reason for their good health. Script Number: 32177 For archived Family Health programs visit fhradio.org. Tue, 03 Apr 2012 07:00:00 +0200 http://fhradio.org/MP3/32176.mp3 What is PTSD, and who gets it? PTSD refers to post-traumatic stress disorder. Although it's called a disorder, PTSD is actually a very normal reaction to a highly dangerous event. You may have heard news about PTSD in reference to war veterans returning from Iraq, but PTSD can also afflict people who experience abuse, sexual assault, major accidents and natural disasters. Script Number: 32176 For archived Family Health programs visit fhradio.org. Mon, 02 Apr 2012 07:00:00 +0200 http://fhradio.org/MP3/32175.mp3 Is boredom bad for your health? Recently the International Journal of Epidemiology published a story linking chronic boredom and higher death rates, prompting the question, "Can you be bored to death? Script Number: 32175 For archived Family Health programs visit fhradio.org. Fri, 30 Mar 2012 07:00:00 +0200 http://fhradio.org/MP3/32174.mp3 What are the most common types of anxiety disorders? Mental disorders are common in the United States and internationally. An estimated 26 percent of Americans ages 18 and older - about one in four adults - suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year. Script Number: 32174 For archived Family Health programs visit fhradio.org. Thu, 29 Mar 2012 07:00:00 +0200 http://fhradio.org/MP3/32173.mp3 What health rumors should you trust? On a previous "Family Health", I told you about some of the more pervasive myths surrounding food and beverages. Today, let's look at some of the rumors having to do with injury and disease. It's a good idea for everyone to brush up on first-aid basics from time to time. First aid myths can do more harm than good. Script Number: 32173 For archived Family Health programs visit fhradio.org. Wed, 28 Mar 2012 07:00:00 +0200 http://fhradio.org/MP3/32172.mp3 Which popular food facts are actually fictitious? Despite the wealth of medical information available to consumers today, many health rumors persist -- sometimes even among doctors and nurses. Occasionally, I like to challenge these longstanding myths on this show. Script Number: 32172 For archived Family Health programs visit fhradio.org. Tue, 27 Mar 2012 07:00:00 +0200 http://fhradio.org/MP3/32171.mp3 What special challenges are faced by parents of twins? One out of every ninety pregnancies results in the birth of twins. In this country, nearly 36 thousand sets are born each year. Twins come in two forms, and you can tell the difference just by looking at them. Identical twins are "monozygotic," which means a single egg is fertilized but splits shortly after conception. Each twin receives the exact same genetic material, so they are of the same sex, and have the same blood type, hair color and eye color. Script Number: 32171 For archived Family Health programs visit fhradio.org. Mon, 26 Mar 2012 07:00:00 +0200