Sleeping Pills: Are They Worth It?

There’s more evidence about the fallacy of relying on a sleeping pill every night. Even though we Americans take enough of them every year to put more than 250 million of us to sleep for two hundred hours, the people who actually turn to a pill for help are not only sleeping less and taking more, they’re may be endangering their lives. Many of these drugs are so-called hypnotics and can interfere with a person’s natural arousal defense in the dark, the ability to wake up if something goes wrong. And sleeping pills have been implicated in a third of all drug-related deaths, whether intentional (suicide) or accidental. They’re especially lethal in combination with liquor or for older adults, whose bodies ordinarily need more time to break down drugs.

Silly science, silly inventions and other 2011

An end of year tradition — now in its second year — I’d like to share some of the studies I failed to mention during this passing year, and pay tribute to some outstandingly ridiculous achievements in food, health and weight-loss.

Beware of the beard bugs

Fall season is celebrated with many beautiful and tasty traditions, and one fall event I really look forward to is the Ig Nobel ceremony. The Ig Nobel awards are a parody of the Nobel Prizes, and have been awarded for the past 20 years for funny, absurd or unexpected (but all too real and methodically correct) scientific research in a ceremony attended by all too real Nobel laureates at Harvard University.

Sneaky sleep stealers: 8 things keeping you up at night

When sleep disturbances persist for longer than a month, it's important to identify any underlying causes. Consider whether these common triggers could be contributing to your restless nights.

Pain

In one study, 15% of Americans reported suffering from chronic pain, and two-thirds also reported having sleep problems. Back pain, headaches, and temporomandibular joint syndrome (problems with the jaw muscles) are the main causes of pain-related sleep loss.

Mental illness and stress

Insomnia is both a symptom and a cause of depression and anxiety. Since the brain uses the same neurotransmitters for sleep and mood, it's often hard to know which starts first. Stressful situations or events, such as money or marital problems, often kick off insomnia that can become a long-term problem.

Get More From Your Usual Stroll: Tips for Walking With Weights

Want to get more out of your work out? Add weights! Even light weights (2-5 lbs) can increase the rate at which you burn both fat and calories, all in the same amount of time as your usual routine. In addition to losing weight, you will also increase your muscle tone and improve your cardiovascular health.

Here are some tips for getting the most out of your weighted workout!

Using Ankle Weights:

1. Don’t Use Heavy Weights. Your goal is to improve your cardio rate, not add strength.

2. Ankle Weights should be tight. Don’t let them be loose around your foot as this will affect your natural stride.

Foods to make holiday stress disappear right now

Unlike many people, I prefer the weeks leading up to Christmas and New Year’s over the actual holiday days. I love finding the perfect presents, wrapping them by the fire and baking holiday goodies. (Ahem, healthier-for-you ones like these 100-calorie cookies.)

Despite my cheer, I eventually end up stressed and cranky because I spread myself too thin trying to celebrate Christmas with both sides of my husband’s and my family (who live 400+ miles apart!) So for those of you who are likewise overwhelmed with all the holiday preparations and are cranky NOW (or will be soon, like me) here are some tips for what you can eat and what you can do to beat holiday stress. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to promote unhealthy, emotional eating. There are some healthy foods and solutions backed by science that can help.

Best and worst ways to eat (and drink) for energy

Busy much? Coffee isn’t the only way to get through the day. New drinks and bars are popping up everywhere, providing a jolt of energy (from caffeine) in grab-and-go packages. Unfortunately, many of these products also contain added sugars or other health-harming additives that set you up for a crash.

The good news is that lots of foods without energy on their labels boost pep as well. "There’s nothing magic about energy foods," says Nancy Clark, RD, author of Nancy Clark’s Sports Nutrition Guidebook. Here what to pick and skip:

Worst: Energy Drinks

These beverages, like Red Bull, are caffeine-and-sugar cocktails that come in 8-ounce cans. Caffeine boosts cognitive performance, and glucose (the brain’s main source of fuel) gives an added jolt. Many of these drinks also include a rain forest fruit called guarana, which contains still more caffeine.

What Would Make You Stop Tanning?

Despite the fact that baking in the sun—or in a tanning bed—has been shown to significantly raise the risk of skin cancer, people still apparently find a tan sexy. In a recent study, researchers at Emory University posted pictures on hotornot.com to test whether "hotness" ratings would change when the same woman was shown with her natural complexion and then a slightly darker skin tone. The researchers found that the tan version was twice as likely to be rated as more attractive.

Clay Routledge, professor of psychology at North Dakota State University, told the ABC news website that we don't always respond rationally to a health risk. "No one would be surprised that girls say they tan because it makes them look good. What is surprising is that if you remind them that it puts them at higher risk for cancer, we find that it makes them want to tan more," he says. When doctors try to scare people away from something, explains Routledge, they respond by seeking comfort in precisely the behavior that puts them at risk. Smokers, for instance, turn to smoking when they're freaked out about lung cancer.

Sleep deprived? Your looks may suffer

A good night's sleep tends to leave you feeling refreshed, alert, and upbeat. According to a new study, it may also make you look healthier and more attractive to others.

To test whether there's a grain of truth in the notion of "beauty sleep," researchers in Sweden took photographs of 23 men and women ages 18 to 31 after they'd slept for eight hours. They then repeated the process, except this time the researchers kept the volunteers up for 31 hours straight after allowing them to sleep for just five hours the previous night. (For both snapshots, participants were instructed to wear no makeup, keep their hair loose, and perform the same grooming beforehand.)

Xanax

Generic Name: alprazolam (al PRAY zoe lam)

Brand Names: Xanax

What is Xanax?

Dr. Holly takes us inside the brain to show us why depression is more than just a "down mood."

Xanax is in a group of drugs called benzodiazepines (ben-zoe-dye-AZE-eh-peens). It affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause anxiety.

Xanax is used to treat anxiety disorders, panic disorders, and anxiety caused by depression.

Xanax may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information about Xanax

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to Xanax or to other benzodiazepines, such as chlordiazepoxide (Librium), clorazepate (Tranxene), diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), or oxazepam (Serax). This medication can cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Do not use Xanax if you are pregnant.

The 10 Best Weight-Loss Tips of 2011

Dieting sucks and never seems to work long-term anyway. These easy habits will slim you down just in time for all the holiday parties. By Zoe Ruderman

Losing pounds doesn't have to be torture (we're looking at you, cayenne-pepper cleanse). Adopt at least three of these behaviors — they're simple to integrate into your day-to-day routine, and all are enthusiastically backed by nutritionists — and you'll be thinner and healthier in days. (Plus, the weight will stay off.)

1. SNACK, BUT SMARTLY

Grazing between meals used to be on the weight-loss hit list. But nutritionists now know that it's better to satisfy a craving with healthy grub than ignore it and risk a junk-food binge later. The best picks are filling, protein-packed snacks, such as one stick of string cheese, a tablespoon of peanut butter on a piece of fruit, or a medium-size bowl of edamame.

What you must know if you find a lump in your breast

Finding a lump in your breast may leave you in a cold sweat. But here’s a reassuring fact: It usually isn’t cancer. What could it be? We talked with two breast experts at the Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Institute to find out all about breast symptoms and tell you what to do about them. Talk to your doc about any changes in your breasts.

Soft lump

The symptom: A soft, smooth, round lump (like a grape) that moves a little when you press on it and may cause pain when touched; it can be small or large.

Could be: Cysts, or sacs filled with natural fluid.

Caused by: Hormone changes around your period. As many as 30 percent of women between 35 and 50 get them.

Wellbutrin

Generic Name: bupropion (byoo PRO pee on)

Brand Names: Aplenzin, Budeprion, Wellbutrin, Zyban

What is Wellbutrin?

Dr. Holly takes us inside the brain to show us why depression is more than just a "down mood."

Wellbutrin (bupropion) is an antidepressant medication. It works in the brain to treat depression.

Wellbutrin is used to treat major depressive disorder and seasonal affective disorder. At least one brand of bupropion (Zyban) is used to help people stop smoking by reducing cravings and other withdrawal effects.

Wellbutrin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Seroquel

Generic Name: quetiapine (kwe TYE a peen)

Brand Names: Seroquel, Seroquel XR

What is Seroquel?

Dr. Holly takes us inside the brain to show us why depression is more than just a "down mood."

Seroquel (quetiapine) is an antipsychotic medication. It works by changing the actions of chemicals in the brain.

Seroquel is used to treat schizophrenia in adults and children who are at least 13 years old. It is used to treat bipolar disorder (manic depression) in adults and children who are at least 10 years old.

Seroquel is also used together with antidepressant medications to treat major depressive disorder in adults.