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Healthwatch
7 dys
38
Don't worry. It's good advice if you can take it. Of course that's not always easy, especially for health concerns.
The truth is: it's impossible (and ill-advised) to never worry about your health. But are you worrying about the right things? Let's compare a sampling of common worries to the most common conditions that actually shorten lives. Then we can think about preventing the biggest health threats.
Dangerous but rare health threats
The comedian John Mulaney says the cartoons he watched as a child gave him the impression that quicksand, anvils falling from the sky, and lit sticks of dynamite represented major health risks. For him (as is true for most of us), none of these turned out to be worth worrying about.
While harm can befall us in many ways, some of our worries are not very likely to occur:
I'm not suggesting that these pose no danger, especially if you're in situations of increased risk. If you're on a beach where sharks have been sighted and seals are nearby, it's best not to swim there. When in doubt, it's a good idea to apply common sense and err on the side of safety.
What do Google and TikTok tell us about health concerns?
Analyzing online search topics can tell us a lot about our health worries.
The top Google health searches in 2023 were:
Really? Cancer, heart disease and stroke, or COVID didn't reach the top five? High blood pressure didn't make the list, but low blood pressure did?
Meanwhile, on TikTok the most common topics searched were exercise, diet, and sexual health, according to one study. Again, no top-of-the-list searches on the most common and deadly diseases.
How do our worries compare with the top causes of death?
In the US, these five conditions took the greatest number of lives in 2022:
This list varies by age. For example, guns are the leading cause of death among children and teenagers (ages 1 to 19). For older teens (ages 15 to 19), the top three causes of death were accidents, homicide, and suicide.
Perhaps the lack of overlap between leading causes of death and most common online health-related searches isn't surprising. Younger folks drive more searches and may not have heart disease, cancer, or stroke at top of mind. In addition, online searches might reflect day-to-day concerns (how soon can my child return to school after having strep throat?) rather than long-term conditions, such as heart disease or cancer. And death may not be the most immediate health outcome of interest.
But the disconnect suggests to me that we may be worrying about the wrong things — and focusing too little on the biggest health threats.
Transforming worry into action
Most of us can safely worry less about catching something from a toilet seat or shark attacks. Instead, take steps to reduce the risks you face from our biggest health threats. Chipping away at these five goals could help you live longer and better while easing unnecessary worry:
The bottom line
Try not to focus too much on health risks that are unlikely to affect you. Instead, think about common causes of poor health. Then take measures to reduce your risk. Moving more and adding healthy foods to your meals is a great start.
And in case you're curious, the average number of annual deaths due to quicksand is zero in the US. Still a bit worried? Fine, here's a video that shows you how to save yourself from quicksand even though you'll almost certainly never need it.
Source: Harvard Health Publishing
Healthwatch
2 dys
35
The daily bath or shower is a routine for many of us — and for our children, too. But is it really necessary?
The short answer is no.
Obviously, there are days when washing up makes good sense — like if your child is grimy from a day in the dirt; covered in sweat, paint, or other visible dirt; or had an explosive poop. It's also a good idea to wash up if your child has spent the day in a pool (the chlorine may be irritating to the skin), a body of water (there could be things in the water that are irritating or unhealthy), or used bug spray to ward off ticks and mosquitoes. And certainly, it's best for everyone in the vicinity when a stinky teenager takes a soapy shower.
Sometimes a doctor may recommend daily bathing for certain skin conditions. And we all need to wash our hands regularly to prevent infection. But full-body washing just for the sake of washing? Not so much.
Why not bathe a child daily?
Lots of bathing can lead to dry, irritated skin. But also, the skin has natural protective oils, and natural bacteria, that help to keep us healthy and safe — and that can get washed away with daily bathing.
If your baby or preteen looks pretty clean, isn't stinky, isn't covered in bug spray, and hasn't been in a pool or other body of water, it's fine to skip the bath or shower. Really, bathing two or three times a week is fine. In fact, for many kids, even just once or twice a week is fine. You can always do a quick wipe with a wet washcloth to the face, groin area, and any dirty spots.
Stinky teenagers might need more bathing or showering, depending on activity level and deodorant use. But even they may be able to get away with washing their face and using a soapy washcloth on their groin and underarms.
Tips for healthy bathing
When you do bathe children, here are some tips for healthy bathing.
If your child has eczema or any other skin condition, check with your doctor to get tailored advice for bathing your child.
Source: Harvard Health Publishing
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A Complicated Triangle: Ejiro, Ejike, and Louis – A Tale of Love, Betrayal, and Escape
Healthwatch
6 dys
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At a dental appointment last month, I spotted a lead vest hanging unassumingly on the wall of the exam room as soon as I walked in. "Still there, but now obsolete," I thought.
I'd just learned about new guidelines from the American Dental Association (ADA) saying lead vests and thyroid collars that cover the neck are no longer needed during dental x-rays. But they'd been a fixture of my dental experiences — including many cavities, four root canals, a tooth extraction, and two crowns — for my entire life. What changed, and could I feel safe without the vest?
Why were lead vests used in past years?
Lead vests and thyroid collars have been worn by countless Americans during dental x-rays over the years. They've been in use for far longer than my lifetime — about 100 years. The heavy apron-like shields are placed over sensitive areas, including the chest and neck, before the x-rays are taken.
"I haven't worn a lead apron in the last 10 or 15 years — unless a dentist insists I put it on — because I know it isn't needed," says Dr. Bernard Friedland, an associate professor of oral medicine, infection, and immunity at Harvard School of Dental Medicine.
What has changed about dental x-rays?
When lead vests and thyroid collars were first recommended, x-ray technology was much less precise. But the technology has evolved significantly over the last few decades in ways that dramatically improve patient safety:
A less-recognized strike against using lead vests and thyroid collars is their ability to get in the way. They may block the primary x-ray beam, preventing dentists from capturing needed images. This quirk can lead to repeat imaging and unnecessary exposure to additional radiation. This is more likely to occur with panoramic x-rays.
The gear may also spread germs, Dr. Friedland notes. Although disinfected, it's not sterilized between uses. "There's a risk of spreading bacteria and viruses," he says. "To me, that's also an issue and another reason I don't want to use one on myself."
Who no longer needs the shields?
No one does — even children, who presumably have a long life of dental x-rays in front of them. The new recommendations apply to all patients regardless of age, health status, or pregnancy, the ADA says.
The recommendation to discontinue lead vests has been a long time in the making. In fact, the ADA isn't the first professional organization to propose it. The American Association of Physicists in Medicine did so in 2019, followed by the American College of Radiology in 2021 and the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology in 2023.
Are some people confused or concerned about the no-lead-vest policy?
Yes. The new guidelines are bound to draw confusion and fear, Dr. Friedland says. Some people may even insist on continuing to wear a lead vest during x-rays.
"A big problem is that people's perception of risk is very skewed," he says. "Some people, you'll never convince."
People are likely to feel more comfortable if the practice is uniformly adopted by dentists. However, the ability to implement this change may hinge partly on public response. And it could take a while to fully adopt.
"I think the public is going to have more say on this than dentists," Dr. Friedland says. "It might take a generation to make this change, maybe longer."
Still concerned about the new recommendations?
If you have lingering concerns about the new recommendations, talk to your dentist.
And ask if dental x-rays are necessary to proceed with your diagnosis or treatment plan. Sometimes it's possible to take fewer x-rays — such as bitewing x-rays of the upper and lower back teeth only — or to use certain types of imaging less frequently. Even with far safer x-ray conditions, dentists should be able to justify that the information from images is integral to diagnose problems or improve care, Dr. Friedland says.
It's worth noting that the dose of radiation, while far lower than in the past, varies with the type of imaging and which parts of the jaw are being imaged. For example, the digital dental x-rays mentioned above involve less radiation than conventional dental x-rays. Either panoramic dental x-rays, or 3-D dental x-rays taken with a CBCT system that rotates around the head, typically involve more radiation than conventional dental x-rays.
Whenever possible, dentists should use images taken during previous dental exams, according to the ADA. "If I don't need an x-ray, I don't get one," says Dr. Friedland. "I'm not cavalier about it. I also use technical parameters that keep the x-ray dose as low as reasonably possible."
Source: Harvard Health Publishing
Investopedia
6 dys
16
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U.S. equities fell at midday as several weak corporate earnings reports weighed on stocks. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500, and Nasdaq all declined.
Shares of solar power companies slumped when Enphase Energy (ENPH) missed profit and sales estimates and gave weak guidance on soft European demand.
Shares of Coca-Cola (KO) dropped after the soft drink maker reported a surprising dip in unit case volumes.
McDonald's (MCD) shares tumbled as the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said it was investigating a rash of sicknesses caused by E. coli in people who ate the restaurant chain's Quarter Pounder burgers.
AT&T (T) shares were higher after the telecom firm posted better-than-expected postpaid phone net adds.
Shares of Northern Trust (NTRS) gained after the bank reported strong results as it benefited from higher fees.
Packaging Corporation of America (PKG) shares rose as price hikes helped the manufacturer of packaging products beat profit and sales estimates.
Oil futures slid. Gold prices came down from record highs. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note advanced. The U.S. dollar was up on the euro, pound, and yen. Most major cryptocurrencies traded lower.
Do you have a news tip for Investopedia reporters? Please email us at [email protected]Read more on Investopedia
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Instablog9ja
6 dys
16
Reno Omokri has unveiled 20 characteristics of an ideal wife material.
The list included;
1. She is Godly, not necessarily religious.She has morals.
2. You have tried to have interc%urse with her, and she always refuses, even if you offer her money.
3. You know her HIV status and have bl%%d type compatibility.
4. You know the income source behind every expensive item she has.
5. She is lovely, not s£xy.
6. She is physically attractive to you. As in, she is your spec.
7. She shares the same faith as you. Marriage outside your religion proves you do not believe your beliefs.
8. She gives you love, not romance.
9. She had never asked you to support her parents or siblings financially.
10. She does not need you for finance or anything else. She is with you because she want you.
11. You can argue with her without the argument becoming a fight.
12. She has high relevance and is not high-maintenance.
13. She has her own independent, legal and provable source of income.
14. She is submissive without being docile.
15. Her relationship does not break when you are broke.
16. Her human hair weave-on is not her most expensive asset.
17. She encourages you to save instead of taking her out to eat all the time.
18. She is not insecure and does not check your phone. If she has issues, she confronts you directly.
19. She makes an effort to get along with your mother.
20. She knows how to pray, play, slay and stay.
