http://spotlight.vitals.com Doctor News and Healthy Living from Vitals.com Wed, 19 Jun 2013 18:53:39 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 http://spotlight.vitals.com/2013/06/how-clean-are-public-pools/ http://spotlight.vitals.com/2013/06/how-clean-are-public-pools/#comments Wed, 19 Jun 2013 13:00:19 +0000 Brigid Mara-Sedlak http://spotlight.vitals.com/?p=23672 There are few things more refreshing on a hot summer day than taking a dip in a swimming pool. And for those of us who aren’t lucky enough to have our own, many towns and municipalities run public pools that are open to all residents. With their water slides, sprinklers, and baby pools, some public [...]]]> http://spotlight.vitals.com/2013/06/how-clean-are-public-pools/feed/ 0 http://spotlight.vitals.com/2013/06/summer-workouts-insanity-crossfit-and-zumba/ http://spotlight.vitals.com/2013/06/summer-workouts-insanity-crossfit-and-zumba/#comments Tue, 18 Jun 2013 13:00:33 +0000 Brigid Mara-Sedlak http://spotlight.vitals.com/?p=23660 If you’re in denial about the arrival of summer because your body is not yet beach ready, it’s time to face that swimsuit head on. It’s not too late to shed some weight, tone up, and feel more confident about showing some skin. These three summer workouts are converting couch potatoes to exercise addicts with [...]]]> http://spotlight.vitals.com/2013/06/summer-workouts-insanity-crossfit-and-zumba/feed/ 1 http://spotlight.vitals.com/2013/06/celebrity-cleanse-diets/ http://spotlight.vitals.com/2013/06/celebrity-cleanse-diets/#comments Mon, 17 Jun 2013 13:00:27 +0000 Brigid Mara-Sedlak http://spotlight.vitals.com/?p=23647 If someone recommended forgoing food for a day, would you think they were nuts? What about foregoing food for anywhere from three to 14 days? Many celebrity cleanse diets require just that and they’re all the rage when it comes to slimming down. Of course, there’s more to them than just avoiding solid food. In [...]]]> http://spotlight.vitals.com/2013/06/celebrity-cleanse-diets/feed/ 0 http://spotlight.vitals.com/2013/06/mens-health-month-health-tests-every-man-should-undergo-and-when/ http://spotlight.vitals.com/2013/06/mens-health-month-health-tests-every-man-should-undergo-and-when/#comments Fri, 14 Jun 2013 13:00:50 +0000 Brigid Mara-Sedlak http://spotlight.vitals.com/?p=23623 June is Men’s Health Month – a month set aside to raise awareness of prevention, detection, and treatment of diseases that affect men and boys. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), women are 100 percent more likely to visit the doctor for annual appointments and preventative care than men, and men [...]]]> http://spotlight.vitals.com/2013/06/mens-health-month-health-tests-every-man-should-undergo-and-when/feed/ 4 http://spotlight.vitals.com/2013/06/fitbit-flex-nike-fuelband-and-up-what-these-devices-can-tell-you-about-your-health/ http://spotlight.vitals.com/2013/06/fitbit-flex-nike-fuelband-and-up-what-these-devices-can-tell-you-about-your-health/#comments Thu, 13 Jun 2013 13:00:07 +0000 Brigid Mara-Sedlak http://spotlight.vitals.com/?p=23607 There’s no shortage of devices, programs, and mobile applications meant to help us lose weight, get in shape, and just generally lead healthier lives. One of the most popular of these trends is the self-monitoring bracelet, including the Fitbit Flex, Nike+ FuelBand, and UP. All three provide and track the wearer’s personal health statistics, so [...]]]> http://spotlight.vitals.com/2013/06/fitbit-flex-nike-fuelband-and-up-what-these-devices-can-tell-you-about-your-health/feed/ 0 http://spotlight.vitals.com/2013/06/bracelet-ensures-doctors-follow-hand-washing-procedure/ http://spotlight.vitals.com/2013/06/bracelet-ensures-doctors-follow-hand-washing-procedure/#comments Wed, 12 Jun 2013 13:00:24 +0000 Brigid Mara-Sedlak http://spotlight.vitals.com/?p=23592 Do you trust your doctors to wash their hands thoroughly before treating you or performing any procedures? If anyone should understand the importance of following proper hand washing procedure, it’s doctors. But in this age of superbugs spreading untreatable infections throughout hospitals, we can never be too careful about enforcing sanitary regulations. So, in the [...]]]> http://spotlight.vitals.com/2013/06/bracelet-ensures-doctors-follow-hand-washing-procedure/feed/ 0 http://spotlight.vitals.com/2013/06/ringing-in-the-ears-could-be-tinnitus/ http://spotlight.vitals.com/2013/06/ringing-in-the-ears-could-be-tinnitus/#comments Tue, 11 Jun 2013 13:00:22 +0000 Brigid Mara-Sedlak http://spotlight.vitals.com/?p=23579 You’ve probably experienced it after attending a music concert. That low, persistent, and annoying buzz in your ears that you usually notice upon leaving the concert venue when the volume level around you returns to normal. In most cases, the ringing is gone in a day or so and your hearing comes back in full. [...]]]> http://spotlight.vitals.com/2013/06/ringing-in-the-ears-could-be-tinnitus/feed/ 0 http://spotlight.vitals.com/2013/06/how-nick-cannon-manages-his-lupus/ http://spotlight.vitals.com/2013/06/how-nick-cannon-manages-his-lupus/#comments Fri, 07 Jun 2013 13:00:12 +0000 Brigid Mara-Sedlak http://spotlight.vitals.com/?p=23564 Until last year, Nick Cannon was mainly making headlines for being host of “America’s Got Talent” and for being married to pop superstar Mariah Carey. That is, until he was hospitalized in January of 2012 with kidney failure. The following month, he was hospitalized again for blood clots in his lungs. Then finally, in March [...]]]> http://spotlight.vitals.com/2013/06/how-nick-cannon-manages-his-lupus/feed/ 0 http://spotlight.vitals.com/2013/06/what-are-your-chances-during-an-in-flight-emergency/ http://spotlight.vitals.com/2013/06/what-are-your-chances-during-an-in-flight-emergency/#comments Thu, 06 Jun 2013 13:00:53 +0000 Brigid Mara-Sedlak http://spotlight.vitals.com/?p=23535 Have you ever wondered what would happen if you were to fall ill while 40,000 feet in the air? It’s an unsettling thought, but you shouldn’t let it scare you out of booking your next trip. According to a study published this month in the New England Journal of Medicine, it’s highly likely that there [...]]]> http://spotlight.vitals.com/2013/06/what-are-your-chances-during-an-in-flight-emergency/feed/ 0 http://spotlight.vitals.com/2013/06/what-is-gluten-intolerance/ http://spotlight.vitals.com/2013/06/what-is-gluten-intolerance/#comments Thu, 06 Jun 2013 13:00:30 +0000 Brigid Mara-Sedlak http://spotlight.vitals.com/?p=23552 “Gluten” is the buzzword of the moment. In just the past few years, it’s popped up everywhere. In articles about celebrity diets, in bold print on food packaging, and on health information websites. And the vast majority of references to gluten are about gluten intolerance and why you should avoid it in your diet. But [...]]]> http://spotlight.vitals.com/2013/06/what-is-gluten-intolerance/feed/ 0 http://spotlight.vitals.com/2013/06/doctors-spending-less-time-with-patients-than-ever-before/ http://spotlight.vitals.com/2013/06/doctors-spending-less-time-with-patients-than-ever-before/#comments Wed, 05 Jun 2013 13:00:50 +0000 Brigid Mara-Sedlak http://spotlight.vitals.com/?p=23506 A recent study conducted by researchers at Johns Hopkins University and the University of Maryland looked at what activities medical residents perform during a typical shift at the hospital, and how much time is dedicated to each. During a period of 900 hours, the researchers recorded how much time was spent speaking to and examining [...]]]> http://spotlight.vitals.com/2013/06/doctors-spending-less-time-with-patients-than-ever-before/feed/ 0 http://spotlight.vitals.com/2013/06/clove-for-toothaches/ http://spotlight.vitals.com/2013/06/clove-for-toothaches/#comments Wed, 05 Jun 2013 13:00:18 +0000 Brigid Mara-Sedlak http://spotlight.vitals.com/?p=23523 There are very few things as bothersome as a toothache – particularly when you can’t immediately get to a dentist. There are plenty of over-the-counter toothache medications, but wouldn’t it be more convenient if you could just reach into your spice cabinet and pull out the relief you’re looking for? As it turns out, you [...]]]> http://spotlight.vitals.com/2013/06/clove-for-toothaches/feed/ 0 http://spotlight.vitals.com/2013/06/minor-cut-maybe-you-could-use-skin-glue/ http://spotlight.vitals.com/2013/06/minor-cut-maybe-you-could-use-skin-glue/#comments Tue, 04 Jun 2013 13:00:51 +0000 Brigid Mara-Sedlak http://spotlight.vitals.com/?p=23478 Recently, my husband played in a rugby game in Virgina Beach – about a six hour drive from where we live. When he was accidentally kicked in the mouth during his final Sunday night game, we worried that the cut on his face might need stitches, requiring a trip to the ER that could delay [...]]]> http://spotlight.vitals.com/2013/06/minor-cut-maybe-you-could-use-skin-glue/feed/ 0 http://spotlight.vitals.com/2013/06/why-dont-more-people-use-hearing-aids/ http://spotlight.vitals.com/2013/06/why-dont-more-people-use-hearing-aids/#comments Tue, 04 Jun 2013 13:00:17 +0000 Brigid Mara-Sedlak http://spotlight.vitals.com/?p=23448 Most of us know someone who speaks a bit louder than normal, listens to the TV at a high volume, or just flat out needs you to yell in order to hear you. Usually it’s an older friend or family member, but anyone can be hard of hearing – whether it’s since birth, the result [...]]]> http://spotlight.vitals.com/2013/06/why-dont-more-people-use-hearing-aids/feed/ 1 http://spotlight.vitals.com/2013/06/painkiller-addicts-and-their-quest-for-prescribing-doctors/ http://spotlight.vitals.com/2013/06/painkiller-addicts-and-their-quest-for-prescribing-doctors/#comments Mon, 03 Jun 2013 13:00:46 +0000 Brigid Mara-Sedlak http://spotlight.vitals.com/?p=23424 A disturbing statistic is that more than one-fifth of Americans have taken a prescription drug for non-medical reasons. The trend is even more alarming when it comes to high school students, 25 percent of whom are said to abuse prescription drugs – a rate that has increased by 33 percent since 2009. But what can [...]]]> http://spotlight.vitals.com/2013/06/painkiller-addicts-and-their-quest-for-prescribing-doctors/feed/ 0 http://spotlight.vitals.com/2013/06/june-in-season-produce/ http://spotlight.vitals.com/2013/06/june-in-season-produce/#comments Mon, 03 Jun 2013 13:00:08 +0000 Brigid Mara-Sedlak http://spotlight.vitals.com/?p=23436 New York has been hit with a heat wave! With the temperature topping 90 degrees, many of us are not in the mood to cook. Luckily, there are many in-season fruits and veggies this month that are delicious just as they are. Here’s the in-season produce to add to your grocery list to ensure your [...]]]> http://spotlight.vitals.com/2013/06/june-in-season-produce/feed/ 0 http://spotlight.vitals.com/2013/05/world-no-tobacco-day-2013-send-the-tobacco-industry-a-message/ http://spotlight.vitals.com/2013/05/world-no-tobacco-day-2013-send-the-tobacco-industry-a-message/#comments Fri, 31 May 2013 13:00:42 +0000 Brigid Mara-Sedlak http://spotlight.vitals.com/?p=23395 Each year, the World Health Organization (WHO) sponsors “World No Tobacco Day” to raise awareness of the dangers of smoking tobacco. This year’s theme is about sending a message to the tobacco industry. The WHO is calling for a ban on all tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship, referred to as TAPS for short, with the [...]]]> http://spotlight.vitals.com/2013/05/world-no-tobacco-day-2013-send-the-tobacco-industry-a-message/feed/ 0 http://spotlight.vitals.com/2013/05/is-a-higher-spf-always-better/ http://spotlight.vitals.com/2013/05/is-a-higher-spf-always-better/#comments Fri, 31 May 2013 13:00:23 +0000 Brigid Mara-Sedlak http://spotlight.vitals.com/?p=23405 It’s true that SPF 15 provides more protection than SPF 4, and 30 is better than 15. So, it stands to reason that the higher the SPF number, the better, right? Not necessarily. According to Dr. Steven Wang, a dermatologist at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, choosing the right SPF, or sun protection factor, is not [...]]]> http://spotlight.vitals.com/2013/05/is-a-higher-spf-always-better/feed/ 0 http://spotlight.vitals.com/2013/05/random-drug-and-alcohol-testing-for-doctors/ http://spotlight.vitals.com/2013/05/random-drug-and-alcohol-testing-for-doctors/#comments Thu, 30 May 2013 13:00:55 +0000 Brigid Mara-Sedlak http://spotlight.vitals.com/?p=23366 If passed, one of the things a proposed ballot measure will ask California voters to decide is whether doctors should be subjected to mandatory and random drug and alcohol testing.  The California Medical Association has called the initiative “ridiculous” and an “ill-fated publicity stunt.” But is substance abuse by physicians putting our safety at risk? [...]]]> http://spotlight.vitals.com/2013/05/random-drug-and-alcohol-testing-for-doctors/feed/ 0 http://spotlight.vitals.com/2013/05/hoarding-now-a-recognized-mental-health-disorder/ http://spotlight.vitals.com/2013/05/hoarding-now-a-recognized-mental-health-disorder/#comments Thu, 30 May 2013 13:00:16 +0000 Brigid Mara-Sedlak http://spotlight.vitals.com/?p=23379 Hoarding is defined as the excessive collection of items (often with little to no value) and the inability to discard them. If you’ve ever seen one of the many reality TV shows about hoarders, you may be surprised to hear that the condition wasn’t always recognized as its own distinct mental health disorder. With its [...]]]> http://spotlight.vitals.com/2013/05/hoarding-now-a-recognized-mental-health-disorder/feed/ 0