Hot 4 Health

Achieving a toned, sexy tummy might seem like a pipe dream this time of year. Baggy sweaters abound, egg nog is served and Frosty the Snowman doesn't offer much in the way of flat-belly inspiration. But getting a sleek, sexy stomach is easier than you think. Spend just five minutes a day on toning your abs and you'll get an amazing middle. We rounded up five of the most effective tummy toners around. Work three or four ...

No one can live a long and healthy life without the will to go on; sometimes mood swings can make us feel that life is too much for us. A bad mood not only gives you a gloomy outlook, it also lowers your immune function, leading the way to illness. Here are some suggestions to lift your mood, your spirit, and your health.1. A Laughing Matter"Laugh Therapy," pioneered by Norman Cousins, has turned out to have real substance. Research has discovered that laughter and joy boost immune functions, especially the production of the natural killer cells that help defend the body from illness and cancer. Laughter also increases the release of endorphins - compounds that give you a sense of well-being ...

During the postpartum period, about 1 in 15 women develops thyroiditis, a transient autoimmune inflammation of the thyroid gland marked by an accumulation of certain white blood cells in that gland. (The immune system usually guards against foreign invaders—for example, by destroying dangerous bacteria—but in an autoimmune disorder, the immune system inappropriately targets and damages some of the body's own healthy cells.) In about one quarter of these women, the disorder begins 1 to 4 months after delivery. Mild symptoms caused by an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) last for 2 to 8 weeks, followed by an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) that lasts for 2 weeks to several months. ...

Like millions of other Americans, I often have trouble with insomnia — either I can't fall asleep, or I awake prematurely and am unable to get back to sleep. The following sleep tips, compiled from various sources, may prove helpful to some of my fellow insomniacs.Only use your bed for sleeping or having sex, not for reading, doing paperwork, watching TV, snacking, or making phone calls.If you've been lying in bed but ...

Influenza Influenza (flu) is a viral infection. People often use the term "flu" to describe any kind of mild illness, such as a cold or a stomach virus, that has symptoms like the flu. But the real flu is different. Flu symptoms are usually worse than a cold and last longer. The flu usually does not cause vomiting or diarrhea. Most flu outbreaks happen in late fall and winter. Causes the flu The flu is caused by influenza viruses A and B. There are different strains, or types, of the flu virus every year. Symptoms The flu causes a fever, body aches, a headache, a dry cough, and a sore or dry throat. You will probably feel tired and less hungry than usual. The symptoms usually ...

When so much is uncertain in the world around us, it is natural for our anxieties to rise and our emotions to fluctuate. But when your emotions run wild, the imbalance can spell trouble for your long-term health. Read on for 6 natural ways to get grounded and balance your emotions.The Chinese healing tradition classifies emotion into five predominant states: joy, rumination (including worry), sadness, fear, and anger. Experiencing these emotions is a normal part of life, and you usually shift naturally from one to the next in reaction to events that pop up in your day. However, when one single emotion dominates, it brings your entire body out of balance and can produce illness. Learning to manage ...

Depression affects millions of Americans each year, with 2 to 3 times as many women as men diagnosed between the ages of 25 to 44. Although depression is common, treatment options vary, and many people may need medication and/or therapy. It is believed that either psychological or physiological factors can cause depression. The physiological factors of depression may be linked to the "monoamine hypothesis," which stems from the belief that imbalances of chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, epinephrine, and nor-epinephrine, may be to blame.Some vitamin and mineral deficiencies may not only worsen depression in certain people, but research shows they may be the ...