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Teen Suicide: Learning to Recognize the Warning Signs

Many teen suicides can be prevented if warning signs are detected and appropriate intervention is conducted.

The reasons

No two teenagers are alike, but there are some common reasons they consider suicide.

Many teens who attempt suicide do so during an acute crisis in reaction to some conflict with peers or parents.

Such conflicts are common among teens, but those who attempt suicide are particularly reactive to them because they:

Have a long-standing history of problems at home or school

... Read More »

Belly Fat and Your Heart Health

Belly fat is a nuisance. It makes clothes fit tight. It doesn’t go away easily. And it’s bad for your health. For most of us, we tend to focus on how to lose our belly fat for purposes of looking and feeling better. There are countless articles on tips for losing belly fat or the best foods to fight belly fat. Belly fat, though, is not just a problem for vanity. Outside medical journals and published studies, there are fewer articles on what belly fat means for your health. Fewer even which focus on your heart health.

 

“Belly fat, also known a central adiposity or... Read More »

Obese and Healthy? For Some, Yes.

Some obese people have no greater risk of cardiovascular disease or cancer than normal-weight people, a new study suggests.

Moreover, for patients with heart disease, being obese may actually reduce the risk of death, a phenomenon called the "obesity paradox," another study finds.

"It is possible to be fat and fit -- but relatively few people are," said Dr. David Katz, director of the Prevention Research Center at Yale University School of Medicine. He took no part in either study.

"For the most part, the behaviors that promote... Read More »

Men & Cancer: Early Detection and What Not to Ignore

Early detection and treatment are key to surviving cancer. Both men and women can greatly improve their outcomes if they recognize the symptoms of cancer early. Would you know what to look for? We have broken down a list for men specifically. Please share this important life-saving information with your friends and family. If you have any questions about these symptoms specific to your health, contact your primary care physician.

 

Changes in Breast Mass

Breast cancer is not typically the type of cancer on most men’s radar. Only 1 percent of... Read More »

West Nile in Oklahoma, Tips for Avoiding Mosquito Bites

The Oklahoma State Department of Health has issued a public warning for Oklahomans to take precautions when outdoors, as the height of the West Nile season nears.  So far, a total of 55 cases of West Nile virus have been identified in Oklahoma, with 14 of those in Tulsa County, the most of any county.

The greatest risk for infection with West Nile virus typically occurs from June through September, with cases peaking in mid-August. But changes in the weather, the number of infected mosquitoes and human behavior can all influence when and where... Read More »

Shark Week Returns: What We Can Learn from a Shark's Diet

This is the 25th anniversary of Discovery Channel’s “Shark Week.” The popular show has become a viewing frenzy for fans who have an up-close look at one of the most feared animals in their natural habitat. From the comfort of living rooms, 20+ million viewers peer into the daily lives of sharks. There are more than 400 types of sharks of all sizes and colors. However, when we think of sharks, typically our next thought is what they eat.

Would you be surprised to learn that sharks only eat about 2 percent of their total body weight? While they mostly dine on other fish and... Read More »

Back to School Basics: Overall Health Checklist

It is that time of year again. Parents, teachers and children are starting a new year with freshly sharpened pencils, clean sheets of paper and expectations that this school year will be a great one. It is also that time of year when hundreds of children fill the halls at the first bell, leaving sun-filled days of summer but not necessarily the germs behind. As we gather for nine months of academic achievement, here is an overall health checklist to get everyone off to a healthy start.

Adjust Bed Times

The first day of school is unlike any... Read More »

Preschool TV Habits Linked to 4th-Grade Waist Size, Fitness

The amount of TV preschoolers watch seems to contribute to what their waist size and athletic abilities will be when they reach fourth grade, researchers report.

The study, from researchers at the University of Montreal and Sainte-Justine Mother and Child University Hospital in Canada, found that every hour of TV children aged 2½ to 4½ years old watched not only added to their waistline but also affected their ability to perform in sports.

"We already knew that there is an association between preschool television exposure and the body fat... Read More »