Display Category\|Title\|Newest\|Oldest
Understanding the Risks and Benefits of Weight Loss Pills Weight loss pills are readily available, easy to use means for people to reduce their bulk and improve their physical health. However, these same qualities make them relatively easy to abuse, turning them from a health supplement to a health hazard. There are numerous risks and benefits to using weight loss medication, and it is up to the person to decide if one outweighs the other. Genetic Code for Diseases Slowly Being Cracked For many years, the medical and scientific community have been trying to decode the secret of humanity through the DNA research project. Recently, studies of the human genetic story have been extended towards analysis of diseases or sequences in genetics that make a person predisposed to certain illnesses. Prescription Antidepressant Overdose Killing Canadians A prescription antidepressant is supposed to relieve depression and prevent death by suicide, but some reports from Canadian authorities state that overdosing certain types might cause fatal side effects. The antidepressants in question are serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI), which have been involved in more poison control cases in Canada than any other type of antidepressant. The Possible Doomsday Consequences of Antibiotic Resistance For a few years now, medical experts and scientists have been noting how more and more strains of infectious bacteria are developing antibiotic resistance, rendering old ways of dealing with them useless. One or two bacterial agents is not a major problem,but the medical community is worried that the continued use of antibiotics would only lead to more strains becoming resistant. Things Everyone Ought To Know About Staph Infections The Staphylococcus aureus bacteria is relatively harmless, but once it manages to find its way into the body, staph infections can rapidly develop. The symptoms of an infection can vary depending on where the bacteria is concentrated, but skin infections are among the more common signs.A fatal side effect of the infections is toxic shock syndrome, which is commonly associated with certain tampons and surgical wounds. Natural Alternatives to Pharmaceutical Anxiety Medications Anxiety medications have a rather sizable market in today's urban environment, though that doesn't mean that there aren't any natural alternatives. Valerian and green tea are both common alternatives to pharmaceutical products, though both have to have certain ingredients in high concentration to have any effect. Mood Swings: Dealing With The Unpredictable Mood swings can be one of the most unpredictable, problematic things that a person has to deal with. The causes of these can range from hormone levels being on the fritz to a variety of mood-related psychological disorders. The trick to dealing with these unpredictable shifts is to find out the cause, then figure out the appropriate road to take from there. The Limits of Internet Pharmacy Self-Regulation The Internet, due to its international nature, has made it difficult for the Internet pharmacy industry to be administrated by any single regulatory body. Questions of jurisdiction come into play frequently, and will continue to do so until the industry comes together to form its own regulatory organization. However, at the moment, most of them are relying on their own self-policing systems, which may or may not be adequate. Old Sexual Health Problem Making A Forceful Comeback Syphilis, which had long been thought nearly wiped out because of penicillin,is now starting to make a comeback in a number of European and American cities. The problem, some experts believe, is somewhat connected to people's attitudes about the treatment of HIV, which was the primary sexual health concern of the previous decades. The focus on HIV, combined with the eroding awareness of syphilis, could possibly be the root cause of this resurgence. Dealing With Death Anxiety The state of mind known as “death anxiety” has long been ignored by the medical community, despite it being a major cause of depression among the terminally ill and their families. However, while most people agree that the focus should remain firmly on the physical aspects of treatment, many also point out that it would be good for people to acknowledge that the emotional and psychological aspects of this need to be addressed as well. Watching Out For The Consumer: The Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites (VIPPS) Program Every major industry that has a significant presence on the Internet should have some sort of regulatory organization to protect customers. For the world of gambling, there is the Kahnawake Gaming Commission and eCOGRA,and for online pharmacies, there is the VIPPS program. However, it should be noted that the VIPPS program does not have jurisdiction over pharmacies based outside US territory. Antidepressant Might Help Prevent Perfume Overload Recent research conducted in Tel Aviv has found a link between depression and the sense of smell, suggesting that men and women who use too much perfume or cologne might be in need of an antidepressant.Depression appears to cause damage to the olfactory nerve, possibly resulting in a complete loss of the ability to smell, though this idea is still new and requires further testing. Can Birth Control Patches Kill You? For many years, people have considered the story of a woman dying because of blood clots caused by birth control patches to be a myth.However, recent investigations conducted by doctors,along with anecdotal evidence, suggest that there is more to it than just urban legend.The patches are known to cause non-lethal blood clots,so some consider it possible that it can cause fatal ones as well. First Aid In The Event Of An Anxiety Attack Some statistics say that everyone undergoes an anxiety attack at least once in their lifetimes, but they often don't have any idea how to handle it beyond calling the hospital emergency room. The truth is that there are a few things that people can do to help themselves if they experience an attack. There are also some things that other people can do to help someone facing an attack. Things To Consider When Purchasing Medicines Online Ordering things like antidepressants and pain medications online can be an easy process that takes only a few minutes. However,unless a customer is careful in what sites are being ordered from, the convenience could be outweighed by a number of things.The Internet is a place that is nearly impossible to properly regulate, so not every online pharmacy is a legitimate operation. Possible Concerns When Using Weight Loss Medication Even when a person chooses to buy prescription weight loss medication, they are still facing a number of risks. While the side effects and drawbacks of their use are not as common as other medications, that does not mean that the problems connected with long-term use of weight loss medication is any less serious. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Regulations For Safer Online Medication Buying The Food and Drug Administration may not have the authority or the power to regulate themany Internet pharmacies that have appeared, but it does have the power to issue some advice for consumers. There are various ways for people to determine whether or not a pharmacy is legitimate and a safe place to order medicine online. In addition, there are also a few regulatory authorities that aim to self-police the emerging industry. Cross-Checking And Double-Checking Online Drug Purchases While there are measures that a consumer can take to make sure that an online pharmacy can be trusted, most people don't bother to check the merchandise once delivered. There are a few steps that can be taken to make sure that the correct medication has been delivered, most of which involve little more than a visual inspection of the drug and whatever paraphernalia it came with. Social Phobia and the Office Environment Most people don't realize that something like social phobia is not dramatic or overtly noticeable, and is oftentimes a very subtle condition. There are many people in corporate environments that feel trapped by their social phobia. Most observers would mistake the signs of such a condition as just odd behavior. In some extreme cases, this can only worsen the problem. Nineteen-Eighty-Four: Anxiety, Control and Big Brother The classic novel “Nineteen-Eighty-Four” is among the literary world's most enduring stories done in the dystopian style, stirring up the reader's feelings of anxiety with relative ease. The world presented within the novel,one that noticeablylacks privacy and personal freedoms,is bleak and dark by modern standards. It is therefore no surprise that any aspectof agovernment that observes every little detail that the people do is referred to as “Big Brother,” in homage to the novel's most enigmatic figure. Trouble Recovering After Using Birth Control Birth control pills are among the most commonly used pharmaceutical contraceptives out there, though sometimes, a woman will stop taking them because she's finally decided to have children. There is normally no problem with this, aside from the usual three months it takes for the body to get back to the normal ovulation cycle. However, for some women, this does not occur normally and that might be a sign of a serious fertility problem. Birth Control Pills Create Mutant Trout! It may seem like an idea right out of some science fiction novel, but the reality is that the high levels of estrogen from birth control pills are causing mutations in fish and frogs. The hormones, coming from the sewage runoff of major cities, is mutating aquatic life near major urban areas across the US. While most people are not worried about this at the moment, experts believe that it is only a matter of time until the high levels of hormones in the water affect humans. Why the Absolute Male Birth Control Is Still Far From Becoming Reality There is a certain problem involving getting males to take a more active role in preventing pregnancy, and that is the lack of male birth control options. Aside from the condom and the vasectomy, there are no real and reversible options for men in preventing pregnancy. While recent research has found some leads,the results are still far from consistent enough to warrant advanced testing. The Promise and Peril of Genetic Manipulation Genetic manipulation, while a distant possibility given the current limitations of technology and human understanding, is something that is already being opposed. This is partially the fault of science fiction, which can sometimes feature genetically superior humans in large numbers, often with ideals and ethics that put them at odds with normal humans. The Birth Control Working Process Most women who use birth control pills generally have no idea how the pills work, even if the process might have some effects on their health. While side effects of taking birth control pills are not all that widespread, they are a potential problem. Understanding how birth control pills work may help people better evaluate the risks involved in the use of such methods. Considerations When Browsing Internet Pharmacy Sites An Internet pharmacy, like any other retailer or business that's based on the Internet, is something that should be observed carefully. It isn't very hard to create a fake website that looks surprisingly like the real thing. Even if a person does find a legitimate site, there may be other things that he failed to factor into his considerations, such as geography. Cheap Generic Drugs Or Expensive Branded Ones? In the modern world, there are generally two types of medication that a person has to choose from when sick: the cheap generic drugs, or the expensive branded medications. There are numerous misconceptions and myths about both, usually taking a pro-brand name bias. However, the reality is that one is just as effective as the other. Natural Family Planning: Birth Control Backed By The Vatican The Catholic Church has long had a stance against most forms of birth control, viewing them as sinful alternatives to what it calls “natural family planning.” While there are forms of birth control that the Church supports, most of these methods rely on the body's natural signs rather than altering or blocking physiological functions. However, there is very little data on how effective and how widely used these NFP methods are. Birth Control Methods do not Always Fight Sexually Transmitted Diseases Most people tend to assume that birth control methods can also be used to help prevent an infection by a sexually transmitted disease. However, the reality is that most of these contraceptives cannot fight off STDs and, in one case, may increase the risk of infection. It is important, therefore, that people be better informed about which methods prevent STDs and which are strictly used for birth control. Age, Sexual Health, Virginity, And Deviant Behavior While age has always been associated with the various physical factors of sex,other biological factors may also have an effect on other sexual health traits. For example, men and women who lose their virginity at a later age are statistically more likely to develop psychological conditions related to sex than others who had sex at an age considered to be the “average” time for gaining the first sexual experience. Nature's Contraceptives: Herbal Birth Control Methods Nature, it is said, can provide for all the needs of humankind, even seemingly “artificial” ones, such as birth control methods. Various herbs and plants have been used for centuries to help prevent pregnancy, with some of them being backed up by science and others by historical references. Among these herbs are wild yams, pomegranate seeds, and Queen Anne's Lace seeds. Do Antibiotics and Birth Control Flow? For many years now, some people and doctors have reported that antibiotics and birth control medications don't mix very well. While concrete studies on the effects of antibiotics on the effectiveness of birth control are few, most doctors and women prefer to lean on the side of caution and use more than one method of birth control. This is sound advice because no evidence to prove antibiotics don't have an effect on birth control effectiveness has been found. Birth Control Alternatives Without Outside Interference Some people would rather not have pharmaceutical contraceptives in their body and may have religious reasons for not wanting to use birth control items such as condoms. For these people, more discipline and timing-oriented methods such as abstinence and Natural Family Planning are the preferred choices. Your Medecines and Your Sexual Health Try as one might, any and all forms of medication will always carry the risk of having side effects that affect another aspect of the body. A person's sexual health falls under this area, with two particular forms of medication that can have drastic effects in the sexual arena. These drugs are antidepressants and heart medication. How You Might Be Sabotaging Your Own Birth Control It should be noted that birth control is not always 100% effective, and that there are certain actions a person can take that would be detrimental to the effectiveness of birth control. Seemingly mundane things like timing, use of antibiotics, and even grapefruit juice can all work to increase the chances that birth control will fail. The Final Birth Control Solution for Men For men who really don't want to have children and willing to go through a surgical procedure to see to that, there is the option of having a vasectomy. A vasectomy is a generally irreversible surgical procedure that prevents the sperm from traveling from the testes to the penis, effectively making sure that they never exit the body. While drastic, some men have opted to do this because they are certain that they do not want to sire offspring. The Potential Hazards of Taking Birth Control Pills Birth control pills are among the most relied upon and most used contraceptive options for women available In the market. However, due to the nature of human biochemistry and the unpredictability of how some medications interact with certain physiologies, there are some possible side effects. For the most part, these side effects can be traced to hormonal imbalances caused by the pills. Spiders Could Become An Impotent Man's Best Friend Men with sexual health problems might eventually be turning to the venom of the Brazilian wandering spider for help. The venom of this, and a few other spider species, has been known to cause prolonged erections in bitten humans, so some research groups and companies are looking to them as an alternative to Viagra. Smoking Is Slowly Killing Your Teeth Smoking has been known to cause various sorts of side effects and damage to the body, including debilitating the ability of some cells to regenerate. This is particularly true when the gums and teeth are exposed to tobacco. It not only aggravates damage that is already there, it can also be the cause or what starts the damage to one's teeth and gums. Smoking Damages Gum Repair Procedures For many years, people have known that smoking can often impede the body's ability to recover from a surgical procedure, with more pronounced effects on dental surgery. However, recent findings show that smoking does not only impede the body's self-repairing capabilities, it can also undo any repairs done on the gums. The Latest In Skin Care: A Face Full of Snake Venom Temple Viper Venom is now considered the core ingredient in the latest skin care treatment being advertised by Canadian cosmetics company Euoko. One of the components of the venom is known to prevent muscle contraction, which can be used to make wrinkles disappear and skin appear younger, much like Botox. However, the company firmly believes that their product has a superior method of application than Botox, since it does not need an injection. Smoking Ban Proves More Beneficial For Non-Smokers Over the years, a number of countries have placed bans on smoking in public places. These bans were put into effect to theoretically help smokers to quit, but recent research has revealed that it is having a more appreciable effect on non-smokers. Studies are starting to show that the lack of exposure to second-hand smoke has had an appreciable positive effect on public health. Safety Factors in the Treatment of Sleeping Problems among Children It is not only adults that have trouble sleeping at night, but children as well. Like adults, children have different reasons for lacking sleep, but unlike adults,children have less options for treatment. Apart from some medication designed to fight ADHD and behavioral therapy, children have less sleeping aids to combat their inability to get enough sleep. Using Acupuncture in Place of Modern Sleeping Aids Acupuncture has been a component of Traditional Chinese Medicine for centuries, providing treatments for everything from head colds to insomnia. Some people are starting to look to it as one of the many alternative sleeping aids in the face of side effects of more conventional sleeping pills. After all, even medical science can have trouble arguing with several centuries' worth of concrete results. The Benefits of Using Natural Sleeping Aids For centuries, people have been encountered difficulty with getting enough sleep,with the reasons hardly ever changing through time. It is therefore understandable that the ancients discovered a wide variety of natural sleeping aids that are slowly being rediscovered by modern science. Look Like You're Eternally Young With Japanese Skin Care Japanese skin care has a reputation for making Japanese women look like they just graduated from high school, even though they're already into their mid-forties. There are several factors that play into this beauty phenomenon, such as the Japanese diet and how they manufacture their cosmetics. In most areas, the Japanese naturalistic approach to maintaining beauty might be the core component to the secret art of looking as beautiful as they do for as long as possible. Face-Washing: The Core Of A Good Skincare Regimen Skincare is a very important thing for people who are eager to maintain their appearance, so it is inevitable that people take some time out of their day to wash their face. However, while nobody is likely to dispute the benefits of washing one's face, there are some people who do not fully understand that there is a right way to go about doing it. Possible Connections Between Depression And Smoking For many years, observers and experts have noted that people who are depressed tend to be smokers, while smokers have a disproportionately large number of depressed people among them. Recent research has suggested that cigarettes and tobacco might have some sort of antidepressant effect, though there is currently no concrete evidence of this. Realistic Expectations And Skin Care Product Reviews Skin care product reviews might make it seem like the effects are instantaneous and miraculous, but the reality is quite different. Consumers should exercise caution when checking out skin care products, especially the ones that have idealistic “before and after” pictures. Know Your Types of Antidepressant Most people who have depression are willing to try any medication that gets prescribed to them, without any regard for the type of depressant that is being given. While all of them are designed to have the same effect, they tend to work in different ways from one another and, consequently, have their own list of side effects. A Little Phobia Knowledge Goes A Long Way People that suffer from a phobia are often ignored, because the physical signs are easily dismissed and the mental signs are not noticeable to the casual observer. A phobia can be just as debilitating as depression or insomnia, often forcing people to take drastic action to avoid being caught in a situation where they might have to face their fear. Pain Relief Medication And Addiction It is no secret that the most potent of pain relief medications available on the market are also narcotic and highly addictive. There are many who are at risk of becoming addicted once exposed to the drug, just as there are many side effects that a person would have to endure if they are ever forced to do without the pain killers. Soldier's Disease: Military, Medicine, And Morphine Morphine, a derivative of opium that also serves as the source of heroin, is a potent pain relief drug, and one of the most addictive. It has a colorful history that includes being touted as a “cure” for opium addiction, which is ironic since morphine is a refined form of opium. Even though it is a narcotic substance, it is still being used by doctors as a last resort. Birth Size Could Be Linked to Use of Antidepressant Drugs Children who were born smaller than average may end up experiencing things such as depression and anxiety later in life, a British study showed. The problems, in theory, are caused by the same factors that cause fetuses to grow slower in the womb. However, the study has encountered problems because the researchers ignored several variables that could have impacted the outcome. The Patient and the Unusual Phobia Strangeness aside, there are some truly odd and unusual phobias out there in the psychological world, with a few being stranger than even the pop culture phobias that people often hear about. However, even though they're very unusual, they receive the same treatment as more recognizable fears, such as claustrophobia. Works From the True Masters of Fear and Anxiety Fear and anxiety are among the fundamental things that are part of the collective human psyche, which easily explains the existence of the horror genre. However,horror, dread, and anxiety are not easily captured in the written word, such that most horror stories lose their “bite” after time. There are, however, quite a few that endure and have come to be considered among the finest examples of horror in existence. Deathstalker Venom: From Poison To Cure? The Israeli Desert Scorpion, also known by the name Deathstalker, is known as the most dangerous and most venomous scorpion in the world. However, recent research has revealed that this particular scorpion's venom has some potential use as pain relief medication for cancer patients, as well as use in treating diabetes and brain tumors. Trouble Spotting the Symptoms of Anxiety The symptoms of anxiety are very easy to spot, but unfortunately, there are also very easy to ignore, even for experts and professionals. The core of the problem lies in how hard it is for anyone, even a mental health professional, to discern the symptoms of anxiety from the usual signs that someone is afraid or nervous. Sage Advice For Using An Herbal Muscle Relaxer More and more people are rediscovering the uses and applications of herbal lore, though most people are still unaware of some of the precautions to be taken. Still, things like an herbal muscle relaxer are not as uncommon now as they were a scant few decades ago, even if some people are still less than knowledgeable about the proper way of preparing the tinctures. Mood Disorders Might Be Genetically Linked It has been established that bipolar disorder is something that can be inherited, even if the specific genetic trigger has yet to be positively identified. However, some recent evidence has come to implicate other mood disorders as being genetically caused. Further study is needed due to the nature of mood disorders, but the theory is gaining strength. Stress Management through the Use of Flowers For most people, flowers have an odd, soothing effect that nobody can really explain. Recently, medical science has finally confirmed what people seem to know by instinct, acknowledging that flowers do have positive effects on a person's stress management and mood. Rediscovering the Pain Relief Secrets of the Ancients The herbal secrets of traditional medicine systems are only now being rediscovered by modern medicine, including ancient ways of providing pain relief. There are a number of herbal remedies that can be used as alternatives to modern pain killers, though not everyone is aware of them. In some cases, the dosage and whether the herb is to be taken on its own or with others can vary. Using Magnets To Fight The Pain Magnetism is among the core fundamental forces that holds together the entire planet, and possibly, even the universe. People have also attributed it to a variety of effects, such as bust size improvement and intelligence upgrading, so it is no surprise that recent findings have added yet another effect to the list: magnetic pain relief. Non-Narcotic Pain Relief Alternatives For many years, post-surgery therapy has sometimes been seen as being as big of a problem as the surgery itself, primarily due to the use of narcotic pain relief medication. While non-narcotic pain relief medication is being implemented slowly, there are some limitations. For example, there is currently no-non narcotic equivalent to morphine. Things To Know Before Taking Muscle Relaxants There are some things that a doctor needs to know before prescribing someone any sort of muscle relaxants. These include whatever drugs you are taking or were taking recently, details related to pregnancy, and allergies.These are to avoid any potential side effects that may occur, or to minimize the damage they can do. Drug Addiction Riding Behind Mental Illness? For many years, experts have noted that most drug addicts are also suffering from mental health problems, such as social anxiety disorder, depression, and schizophrenia. Recent studies have shown that if the brain is suffering from a psychological disorder, it makes the body more vulnerable to addiction. The Perils of Surgical Mishaps The chances of a doctor operating or performing surgery on the wrong part of the brain is actually much larger than most people would believe. This sort of surgical mishap happens to hundreds every year and, even with multiple steps taken to prevent it, can still happen to anyone. The Vicious Cycle of Antidepressant Drugs and Acne For a few years now, the use of antidepressants has been scrutinized due to rumors that they cause acne. In more recent times, acne medication has also taken the blame for having the side effect of causing short-term depression. For the time being, the medical community is warning against taking both types of drugs at the same time without doctor's supervision. Night Work Could Be the Death of You Science has recently begun the process of correcting itself by acknowledging that there is a possible link between cancer and graveyard shift work. While there is still no concrete evidence, studies are already being planned to determine more concretely if there is a link. For the time being, however, there is ample statistical data to make the stress produced by night shift work a strong risk factor for cancer. Cholesterol Pill May Do More Damage Than Cholesterol With cholesterol being such a prominent problem, it is understandable that pills designed to help combat high levels of cholesterol are appearing on the market. However, some of these drugs are easily dissolved by the body and may make it to the brain, where they have a noticeable effect on the quality of sleep. Worrying for the Sake of Worrying More and more people are experiencing the problem of worrying too much, even though there is no actual reason to do so. This has been pointed out by some as a motivational tool, but experts say that this can cause permanent mental health damage, as well as have effects on a person's physical well-being. Double-Edged Depression For many years, depression has been associated with being unemployed while stress is the bane of the worker. However, recent studies have shown that people who are working are still quite likely to develop depression. Some industries have also been shown to be more likely to depress their workers than others. The Old Age of Depression Cometh Age does not only bring wisdom, but the depression and the drive to commit suicide, it seems. Recent statistics have confirmed that the elderly are likely to develop depression and take their own lives than any other segment of the population, yet they are also the most ignored among all possible suicide risk. No Longer Safe: Bullying Happens On The Internet Too Once, the Internet was used as a safe haven from bullying by the socially inept or physically targeted. However, as the Internet evolves, so do the communities with it, which has spawned its own form of bullying. Cyber-bullying is harder to spot without knowing the signs to look for, mainly because most parents tend to be unaware of how this new form of bullying is done or how much damage it can do. The Medical Idiot's Guide To Zombies Zombies, at least the ones in the true, Voodoo-inspired sense, are actually quite real and pose a problem in Haiti. The process of turning someone into a zombie usually involves a formula that includes a quantity of muscle relaxant or anesthetic,though opiates are also good substitutions. The goal is to cause the victim to appear dead long enough to be buried, at which point the witch doctor simply has to dig him out. Heart and Mind: More Connected Than Initially Believed? For most people, the heart and mind are only connected in the metaphorical sense,with only the barest, minimalistic links in a medical sense. However, recent studies have discovered the possibility of a link between a common heart ailment and dementia.There are currently no clear indications on what could be the cause of this, or even if the two are truly connected,however. Are People Really Exercising More? Or Is It All Just A Hoax? People are saying that they're exercising more, but the statistics for things like obesity and diabetes are just going up and up and up. Researchers believe that people are either falsely reporting their physical activity, or they have not changed other aspects of their lifestyles, such as their diet, along with increased exercise. Most researchers appear to prefer the former theory. Denial: The Fabric of Civilization Itself? Denial has been a part of the human psyche and social contract for as long as people have figured out they need each other around.However,recent research is starting to show that denial may be significantly more integral to the very nature of society and social relationships that what one might expect. Classic Villainy Villains are often the lynch pin that holds narrative action stories together, having a more important place in the success of the story than even the hero himself. There are several examples of good villainy over the years, in a variety of formats, but there are some villains that truly stand out as the best examples of the worst humans can do to one another. Spinal Tapping The spinal column is considered to be the main support structure of the body, though most people have no idea how to properly care for that area. There are some bits of general advice that most people are aware of, but generally, people tend to be unaware of how certain things they are doing can have long-term effects on their spine. A Child's Web Of Sleep Sleep is something that adults generally believe children get enough of, but recent studies are showing this may not be true. Sleep can become difficult for children exposed to violent TV programs or news broadcast. In a related avenue, a lack of sleep can cause children to eventually become obese. Give Me Some of those Holiday Homecoming Blues The Holidays are supposed to be a happy time, free from the usual stress of life and filled with the joy of seeing family and friends again. However, there are times when these reunions themselves are the cause of stress, particularly if there have been changes since the parties involved last saw one another. Smoking Kills The Sex Drive Smoking is an oft-derided “habit” because it is seen by millions to be a filthy practice that also has a number of life-threatening side effects. Recent studies may bring cause for one more effect to be added to the list: erectile dysfunction. The findings are very alarming, because even otherwise healthy males experience an incredible increase in risk. Positivity Does Not Touch Cancer For many years, cancer patients have been told that thinking positively about their chances is going to help them survive. However, recent studies have dispelled this myth by showing that people who think positively are just as likely to die from cancer as people who are pessimistic or realistic about their chances. More Than One Way To Break A Woman's Heart According to recent statistics, while the number of men experiencing heart ailments was starting to stabilize, the number of women with the problem is increasing. This has caught the medical establishment completely off-guard, but there are plans underway for studies designed to find out just what is causing this to happen. Sympathy for Plastic Surgery Plastic surgery and the people who undergo them are becoming more and more common in large and medium communities. However, most people are neglecting to take a few precautions before and after the surgery happens. Most of the things they forget are either basic things to consider before signing up or things that their doctor reminded them of after the fact. Alcohol and Pregnancy: Not As Bad As Assumed? Medical science has always been keen to warn pregnant women to avoid drinking, because it may cause growth defects on the fetus. However, a recent British study has challenged that claim by reevaluating the previously conducted studies and making investigations of their own. For the time being, the results areinconclusive one way or another, but more research is to follow.