Risk factors for strokes include obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure, which are growing problems all across the United States. Symptoms can include mild blurry vision, slight weakness and numbness. Though many are quick to point out that prior to 1993 and the rise of MRI usage, doctors might not have associated these symptoms with strokes. The study was based on nearly 5,900 Ohio and Kentucky adults who suffered a first-time stroke between 1993 and 2005. Over that time, 20 to 54-year-olds accounted for a growing proportion of strokes –
from 13 percent in 1993 to almost 19 percent by 2005. From 1993-1994, only 18 percent of all stroke patients in their study had an MRI. By 2005, that figure had risen to 58 percent.

This is a good sign for early detection as modern brain imaging technology is able to detect smaller strokes. Doctors still stress that healthy living is the best way to avoid these strokes, small or not and early detection is still key to saving lives. (Source: Reuters)

It might sound strange, but this is actually a real idea, based on new research. It’s a bit like six degrees of separation. Chances are, if you slept with someone, that someone might have slept with one of your friends as well. Researchers like Peter Leone, a professor of medicine at the University of North Carolina’s Center for Infectious Diseases, believes that using social networks we can better track and monitor outbreaks of sexual transmitted infections.

During a recent syphilis outbreak in North Carolina, by analyzing social networks of those infected they were able to track down 80% of the cases. This takes the focus away from a particular at-risk demographic and onto a larger cluster of infection. So just how close are your close friends after all? Knowing this might be the difference in catching a disease faster. (Source: Salon)

Physical activities compliment a diet in living a healthy lifestyle. You might not always have an access to a gym or an aerobics class, but activities like walking and climbing may make or break your health. There are safe neighborhoods with tight security that may promote walking or jogging for its residents. Safety is the first factor you should look into a neighborhood as to it will help you build a habit of walking around or exercising within the area for a long time, or maybe for the rest of your life. The good thing about this is children will also develop the habit, because you do it. A family that is healthy together, lives longer. The home is where your heart is, so take care of your home and your heart (or health for that matter) by planning where to live.

That is one way to be careful with exercise. With this kind of thinking it can help us to be less pressured to exercise so much, which in the end avoids so many injuries, especially for beginners. Here are some tips that can help you prevent injuries and maximize your exercise time in the gym. – warm up before you exercise. Warm ups should not necessarily mean cardio before workouts. – have a regular visit to your physician especially if you workout, exercise or engage in any sport as a compliment to your healthy lifestyle. – if it hurts or starts to burn, please stop. Consult your physician immediately. Your lungs are one of the most used organs when you exercise, and based from the article “Health Tip: Help Prevent Exercise-Induced Asthma”, you have to make sure you exercise in a less polluted or non-polluted environment. Here are some of the tips in the article: – Wear a scarf across your mouth and breathe through your nose when exercising outside in cold, dry air. – Avoid exercising when air pollution is high. – Avoid exercising near lawns that have just been mowed. – Always warm up at the beginning of your workout and cool down at the end. Source: (http://health.yahoo.com/news/healthday/healthtiphelppreventexerciseinducedasthma.html;_ylt=Apt9blUu3Rr0d5V2XvXFZSKmxbAB) Make your exercise time as efficient and as effective as possible. Do not be stressed so much about exercise to avoid injuries and maximize every move you make.