From the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.
Mayo Clinic and Boston University researchers say
people with knee osteoarthritis seem to have less pain and less
cartilage loss if they have stronger quadriceps muscles. Those are
muscles that run along the front part of the thigh.
They found this by imaging knees by MRI and
measuring knee strength in 265 people with knee osteoarthritis, who
also reported their history of pain.
[Shreyasee Amin speaks] "Strong quadriceps muscles
are actually beneficial for knees, because they seem to be associated
with less pain and better function – and also that we have
less cartilage loss behind the kneecap."
The researchers caution, though, that more study
is needed to tell which quad strengthening exercises are best.
The study in the journal Arthritis and Rheumatism
was supported by the National Institutes of Health.
HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services. I’m Ira Dreyfuss.
Staying active and getting a good night’s sleep
doesn’t prevent cancer. But a study indicates they might
reduce the risk.
No
Fall
Practice in how to slip could produce results in avoiding falls.
Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago found this when
they trained people, using a moveable platform that simulates a
surprise slip.
Get
Down for Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is a concern for teens as well as adults.
Teens who are overweight are especially at risk. But parents
and teenagers can take steps to getting the weight down.
Teens
and Talk about Dying
It’s difficult enough to have a family discussion about a
family member dying. Think about how it must be when a teenager is the
person facing the possibility of death.
Not
Better
Multivitamins can do a lot of things, but researchers say there are
limits. The researchers say multivitamins did not reduce postmenopausal
women’s risk of most common cancers, cardiovascular disease
or death from any cause.
What
Diets Work
There are low-protein diets, low-fat diets, and they all claim to work
best.
Going
for Quality
Losing weight can be a good thing, if you’re overweight. And
being more active is one way to burn more calories. But suppose
you’re more active and you don’t lose much weight.
Is the workout work worth it?
Still
Time for Trouble
Just because the flu season got off to a late start doesn’t
mean people are safe. At the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, Tony Fiore says the season picked up its pace in
February. So there’s still time for trouble.
Young
Adults, Healthy Adults
Young adults -- ages 18 to 29 -- often think that their health is
invincible. But they face health risks, too.
Fearless
Alcohol
Can alcohol give people courage? A researcher thinks alcohol instead
can reduce the brain’s ability to detect fear.
Tracking
Kids’ Walking
Obese children can benefit from activities that burn calories. But how
to keep track may be trickier than it looks.
Sedentary Preschoolers
You’d expect small children to be very active in preschool.
But a study of more than 450 kids found 94 percent of
preschool activities were sedentary.
COPD
COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, is a progressive
disease that makes it hard to breathe. “Progressive" means
the disease gets worse over time.
Coronary
Artery Disease (CAD), also called coronary heart disease, is
a condition in which plaque builds up inside the coronary arteries.
These arteries supply your heart muscle with oxygen-rich blood.
Heart
Attacks
Heart attacks are a leading killer of both men and women in the United
States. Fortunately, today there are excellent treatments that can save
lives and prevent disabilities. Acting fast at the first sign of heart
attack symptoms can save your life and limit damage to your heart.
High
Blood Pressure
High blood pressure (HBP) is a serious condition that can lead to
coronary heart disease, heart failure, stroke, kidney failure, and
other health problems.
Insomnia
Insomnia is a common health problem that causes people to have trouble
falling or staying asleep. Better sleep habits and lifestyle changes
often help relieve insomnia. You may need to see a doctor or sleep
specialist if you have long-term or recurring insomnia, or if you
don’t know what’s causing the condition.
Overweight & Obesity
Millions of Americans and people worldwide are overweight or obese.
Being overweight or obese isn’t a cosmetic
problem—it greatly raises the risk in adults for many
diseases and conditions. Reaching and staying at a healthy weight is a
long-term challenge. However, with the right treatment and motivation,
it’s possible to lose weight and lower your long-term disease
risk.
More
Cancer From Smoking
What cancer does smoking cause? Lung cancer is one clear answer. And
some folks add others, such as cancers of the throat and the esophagus.
Watch
Now, Smoke Later
What kids see in the movies may affect how they live – and
maybe die. Researchers say nonsmoking 10- to 14-year-olds who saw more
smoking in movies were more likely to become established smokers as
older teens or young adults
.
Mind Workouts
A study indicates that middle aged and older
people who work out their minds can keep their minds stronger.
Marijuana,
Men and Cancer
Researchers have found a link between marijuana and more aggressive
forms of testicular cancer. Stephen Schwartz of Seattle’s
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center bases that on data on men in
western Washington – some of whom had testicular cancer and
some who did not.
