Weight control and diet

• Highlights
• Introduction
• Biological and Medical Caus...
• Cultural and Emotional Caus...
• Risk Factors
• Complications
• Weight Loss and Maintenance...
• Weight Management
• Medications
• Other Treatments
• Resources
• References

• Cancer prevention guidelines from the American Cancer Society stress the importance of maintaining a healthy weight throughout life. A healthy weight is even more important than eating specific healthy foods, when it comes to cancer prevention.

• The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning consumers not to buy a product known as the "Brazilian diet pill." This product is labeled as a dietary supplement, but contains several chemicals found in powerful prescription drugs. - 1 Comment
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Exercise

• Highlights
• Introduction
• Recommended Exercise Method...
• Exercise's Effects on the H...
• Exercise's Effects on Diabe...
• Exercise's Effects on Bones...
• Exercise's Effects on the L...
• Exercise's Effects on Weigh...
• Exercise's Effects on Other...
• Complications
• Motivation
• Resources
• References

• A new study found that aerobic and resistance training significantly reduced fatigue in men undergoing radiation treatments for prostate cancer. Fatigue is a common side effect of such treatments.
• Doctors at the Mayo Clinic found that exercise improves the physical and emotional well-being of patients with Alzheimer's disease. The patients exercised for as little as 60 minutes each week. - 1 Comment
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Diabetes diet

• Highlights
• Introduction
• General Dietary Guidelines...
• Major Food Components
• Weight Control for Type 2 D...
• Heart-Healthy Diets
• Diabetic Exchange Lists
• Exercise
• Resources
• References

Obesity

• Signs and Symptoms
• What Causes It?
• Risk Factors
• Preventive Care
• What to Expect at Your Provider's Office
• Treatment Options
• Other Considerations
• Supporting Research

Heart-healthy diet

• Highlights
• Introduction
• Dietary Changes
• Lifestyle Changes
• Resources
• References

• In 2006, the American Heart Association (AHA) revised its dietary and lifestyle recommendations. The new guidelines specifically recommend limiting daily saturated fat intake to less than 7% and trans fats to less than 1% of total daily calories.
• The AHA recommends consuming plenty of deep-colored vegetables and fruits, eating oily fish at least twice a week, and including whole grains in your daily diet.

• Women with existing heart disease may consider taking fish oil supplements, suggests 2007 AHA guidelines. Women should include a variety of low-mercury fish in their diet. - 3 Comments
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Eating disorders

• Highlights
• Introduction
• Risk Factors
• Causes
• Complications of Bulimia...
• Complications of Anorexia...
• Symptoms
• Diagnosis
• Treatment
• Treatment for Bulimia
• Treatment for Anorexia
• Therapy
• Resources
• References

• Eating disorders typically occur among young women.
• Bulimia nervosa involves a pattern of bingeing and purging. Many people with bulimia nervosa also suffer from depression.
• Anorexia nervosa involves a pattern of self-starvation. Patients often have an accompanying anxiety disorder (such as obsessive compulsive disorder) or depression. - 1 Comment
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Smoking

• Highlights
• Introduction
• Nicotine Addiction
• Health Risks
• Secondhand Smoke
• Smoking Bans
• Quitting Smoking
• Symptoms of Withdrawal
• Failure to Quit
• Lifestyle Changes
• Resources
• References

• Smoking may worsen knee osteoarthritis in men. A study published in the Annals of Rheumatic Disease found that male smokers have more pain and cartilage loss than men who do not smoke. Previous studies have not found such a link.
• Smoking greatly increases the risk of age-related macular degeneration. - 0 Comments
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Osteoarthritis

• Highlights
• Introduction
• Causes
• Symptoms
• Conditions with Similar Sym...
• Risk Factors
• Diagnosis
• Prognosis
• Lifestyle Changes
• Medications
• Alternative and Complementa...
• Surgery
• Resources
• References

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and COX-2 inhibitors work equally well for pain management, but both types of drugs increase the risk for heart attacks, according to an important report from the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Quality and Research.
• The prescription NSAID diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam) may present a higher risk for heart attack than other NSAIDs, suggests a 2006 Journal of the American Medical Association study.
• Standard osteoarthritis medications provide moderate pain relief for only 2 - 3 weeks, suggests a 2007 review in the European Journal of Pain.

• An Annals of Internal Medicine study of 1,007 people with chronic osteoarthritis knee pain indicated that patients who received acupuncture plus standard care had greater improvement than those who received only physical therapy and anti-inflammatory drugs.
• An Arthritis and Rheumatism study of 3,663 patients with chronic osteoarthritis knee or hip pain suggested that acupuncture plus routine care can provide significant improvements in pain relief and quality of life. In both studies, the benefits of acupuncture were sustained for up to 6 months after treatment completion.

Diabetes - type 2

• Highlights
• Introduction
• Causes
• Risk Factors
• Symptoms
• Screening Tests
• Treatment
• Lifestyle Changes
• Medications
• Long-Term Complications
• Emergency Complications
• Resources
• References

• Sitagliptin (Januvia), the first in a new class of diabetes drugs called DPP-4 inhibitors, was approved in 2006.
• Janumet, a 2-in-1 pill that contains both sitagliptin and metformin, was approved in 2007.
• These drugs are taken by mouth and may be more convenient for patients than exenatide (Byetta), a similar drug. DPP-4 inhibitors do not cause weight gain and may pose a lower risk for hypoglycemia than some other diabetes drugs.