Sunglasses a Shield for the Eyes

SATURDAY, July 20, 2019 -- Sunglasses need to be more than just fashion accessories, an eye expert advises.

"Think of sunglasses as sunscreen for your eyes," said Dr. Dianna Seldomridge, clinical spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Diabetes Raises Heart Failure Risk More in Women Than Men

FRIDAY, July 19, 2019 -- Diabetes brings with it a variety of long-term complications, but at least one of those -- heart failure -- is a bigger threat to women than men, new research suggests.

The risk difference was even more pronounced for women with type 1 diabetes.

Is Caffeine Fueling Your Anxieties?

FRIDAY, July 19, 2019 -- If you struggle with anxiety, you might want to skip that second cup of coffee, new research suggests.

For some people, caffeine may help with concentration and provide an energy boost, but it can cause problems for those with general anxiety disorder, said Dr. Julie Radico, a clinical psychologist with Penn State Health.

Music Soothes the Stressed Soul Before Surgery

FRIDAY, July 19, 2019 -- Music may be as powerful as drugs in calming patients before they undergo surgery, new research suggests.

It worked just as well as a tranquilizer before patients received a peripheral nerve block prior to their procedure, the researchers said. Peripheral nerve block numbs a specific area of the body where surgery is being done.

Strength-Training Exercises You Can Do Anywhere

FRIDAY, July 19, 2019 -- You don't have to go to the gym to get a great muscle-building workout. You don't even need equipment. There are many bodyweight-only exercises for strength training that you can do anywhere -- at home, when traveling, even at work if you've got a space you can exercise in. Here are two to try.

The Advanced Leg Extension: For this move, stand up straight with feet together and your arms at your sides. Lift your right knee until your right thigh is parallel to the floor. Hold briefly, then lower the leg and, with control, swing it behind you as you reach forward with your upper body. Your arms should be extended in front of you, in line with the leg extended behind you. Your body forms one straight line parallel with the ground. Return to the start position and repeat 10 to 15 times, then repeat the entire sequence with the left leg.

Delicious, Do-It-Yourself Cauliflower Rice

FRIDAY, July 19, 2019 -- In the quest to lighten up on carbs and refined grains, cauliflower rice is the hands-down favorite substitute. But you don't have to buy pricy, pre-riced bags of cauliflower when a simple countertop appliance can do the job for you quickly and easily.

Cauliflower is one of the healthiest vegetables around, high in vitamins C and K, fiber and folate, but not everyone loves it on its own. The beauty of cauliflower is that other ingredients can transform its taste into familiar dishes. For instance, when mashed and seasoned with chives and/or sauteed garlic, cauliflower can step in for potatoes.

Preterm Births to Hispanic Women Climbed After Trump's Election

FRIDAY, July 19, 2019 -- The number of preterm births to Hispanic women in the United States inched up shortly after the 2016 election -- raising the question of whether the political climate played a role, researchers say.

The study, of births between 2009 and 2017, found an uptick in preterm deliveries among Hispanic women that occurred in the nine months after President Trump was elected.

Astronauts: Exercise More in Space, Faint Less on Earth

FRIDAY, July 19, 2019 -- As Americans mark the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission and man's first steps on the surface of the moon, a new study offers a solution for a vexing problem that many astronauts experience on their return to Earth.

All the time that astronauts spend floating weightless can trigger fainting and dizziness when they once again feel Earth's gravity, but the new research finds that a two-hour daily workout while in space might eliminate the problem.

Pot Use During Early Pregnancy on the Rise

FRIDAY, July 19, 2019 -- Pot use and pregnancy hardly go hand-in-hand for health reasons, but more American women are using marijuana just before and right after they become pregnant, new research warns.

"These findings should alert women's health clinicians to be aware of potential increases in daily and weekly cannabis use among their patients," said lead study author Kelly Young-Wolff. She is a research scientist at Kaiser Permanente, in Oakland, Calif.

AHA News: Know the Flax: A Little Seed May Be What Your Diet Needs

FRIDAY, July 19, 2019 (American Heart Association News) -- Adding seeds to your diet can be an easy way to shore up your defenses against heart risks without adding too much work to meal prep.

Many types of seeds can be valuable as part of a healthy diet – commonly added as a snack or add-on to salads or desserts – because they are rich in nutrients. You also can find seeds baked into breads or crackers, or even in some fruits and vegetables.