Exercise, Sleep Might Cut Cancer Risk
Need another reason to get a little exercise and a good night’s sleep? It could cut your risk of cancer! After collecting data for 10 years on the sleep and exercise habits of 6,000 women, that’s the conclusion reached by James McClain of the National Cancer Institute, who presented his study in November at a meeting hosted by the American Association for Cancer Research. Exercise and proper sleep in combination packed the real benefit. Among women who reported getting an hour or more per day of moderate exercise, those who also slept at least seven hours per night has 47% less risk of developing cancer. Learn more …
Allergy Injector Training Essential
If you or someone you love has allergies serious enough to merit the use of an epinephrine auto-injector, make sure you’re trained to use it properly. And get a refresher course at least once a year. Researchers reporting in the April issue of the Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology found that accidents involving these injectors (especially people accidentally injecting themselves while trying to help someone else) are increasing along with the numbers of people who carry them. They recommend yearly training for those who use, or need to help someone else use, the devices. Learn more …
No Lounging During Labor
It turns out that women who stand, sit, kneel, walk, or do just about anything but lie on their backs during early labor can shorten that first stage of childbirth by about an hour and reduce their chances of needing epidural pain relief by about 17%, says a new review from The Cochrane Library, which evaluates medical research. Experts theorize that giving women freedom to change positions gives them a greater sense of control over the process, and letting them stay upright means gravity can help with the workload. While most pregnant women in the U.S. are still encouraged by their doctors to stay in bed for ease of monitoring, this is good evidence that you should “stand up” for yourself when giving birth. Learn more …