Aaron Jencks

(HealthDay News) — Infertility affects about 1 in 10 couples that are trying to have a baby, the U.S. National Institutes of Health says.
Advancing age is a prime cause of infertility, but there are other factors that are more under a person’s control, the agency says, including:

• • Alcohol consumption.
  • Smoking.
  • Environmental toxins, including pesticides and lead.
  • Certain medicines.
  • Radiation treatment and chemotherapy.
  • Stress.
  • Poor diet.
  • Being overweight.
  • Sexually transmitted infections.

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THURSDAY, Feb. 14, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Sure, he may snore. She may steal the covers. But if a relationship is solid, your partner will help you sleep better this Valentine’s Day and far into the future, a new study suggests. Good relationships in early adulthood seemed to lead to less disruptive life events, which in turn appeared to lead to better sleep years later, researchers report. “Your partners can have a huge impact on your stress and health behaviors. They can be a source of stress or a reducer of stress,” explained study author Chloe Huelsnitz. She’s a Ph.D. candidate in the department of psychology at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. So, how does being in a satisfying partnership affect sleep? Are people more content, or is a good relationship just a sign that you have better people skills that help reduce your stress throughout life? “It’s probably...

WEDNESDAY, Feb. 13, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Social media is now a key part of American youngsters’ lives, so parents need to provide guidance and rules to help them enjoy its benefits and protect them from potential dangers, experts say. Social media can help kids connect and find others who share their interests and concerns, SAY specialists at the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Health Network, which comprises more than 160 pediatricians. But those benefits come with potential threats. Among them: cyberbullying and cyberstalking, exposure to inappropriate content, distraction from homework, social isolation, privacy issues, and anxiety caused by unrealistic comparisons with others. While kids can have social media accounts starting at age 13, it’s best to keep them off social media for as long as possible, said Dr. Bhavana Arora, medical director of the network. When children do start using social media, parents should talk with them about rules and...

TUESDAY, Feb. 12, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Many more American men are now saying no to surgery for low-risk prostate cancer, and choosing to monitor the disease instead, a new study finds. Over just five years, researchers found, the number of men who opted for monitoring tripled — from 14 percent of patients in 2010, to 42 percent in 2015. The shift followed new guidelines advocating “active surveillance” as an option for men with low-risk prostate cancer. That refers to small, slow-growing tumors that are unlikely to progress to the point of threatening a man’s life. Active surveillance involves periodic blood tests and exams, and possibly biopsies, to see if the cancer is progressing. Treatment might eventually be recommended, or it might never be necessary. Cancer experts said the turning tide is good news. “In medicine, change generally happens very slowly,” said Dr. Len Lichtenfeld, chief medical officer of the...

TUESDAY, Feb. 12, 2019 (American Heart Association News) — Every year, Americans spend $22 billion on chocolate, and it’s a safe bet that Valentine’s Day accounts for a decent percentage of that total. While a heart-shaped box of chocolates may seem like the opposite of healthy, experts say it’s less about the occasional small indulgence and more about making good everyday food choices. Most chocolate falls into one of three categories: milk chocolate, dark chocolate or white chocolate. Chocolate’s darkness is determined by the proportion of cocoa solids made from cocoa beans, mixed with cocoa butter and sugar. Milk chocolate, the most popular type in America, typically contains about 10 percent cocoa liquor — the paste made from ground, roasted, shelled and fermented cocoa beans that contains both nonfat cocoa solids and cocoa butter — compared with a minimum of 35 percent found in dark chocolate. Shoppers can tell how...

TUESDAY, Feb. 12, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Physical activity is closely linked to development of a child’s mental skills — ones essential to academic success and navigating challenges they’ll face throughout life. Studies show that boosts in thinking ability, or executive function, often follow bouts of activity. But only one-third of children are physically active every day. Less than half the time they spend in school activities — like physical education, team practices and even games — includes movement that qualifies as physical activity. This shortfall means that their physical health, as well as their mental skills, may suffer. Some problems can begin during the preschool years if youngsters don’t get the activity they need for motor skill development. A 4- or 5-year-old needs 30 minutes of exercise every day. In addition to other benefits, this amount of exercise can also help kids who are overweight stem further fat increases....

TUESDAY, Feb. 12, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Are your feet something you think about only when they hurt? Simple steps can protect them from common problems, some of which are hard to get rid of. The first step is to wear shoes, such as water slip-ons, in moist environments like indoor swimming pools and communal showers at the gym. Damp areas allow bacteria and viruses to thrive, and walking barefoot makes you more susceptible to common infections like nail fungus, athlete’s foot and warts. You don’t have to give up style, but skip shoes that don’t feel comfortable from the moment you try them on. Calluses, corns, blisters and irritations can all result from or get worse from shoes that pinch and don’t fit well. It’s a mistake to expect that the shoes will “give” and feel better over time. Choose hosiery with care. That means buying socks and tights...

MONDAY, Feb. 11, 2019 (HealthDay News) — If you’re worried that your child may suffer from a mental health condition, such as anxiety, depression or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), you have plenty of company. About one in every six American kids has at least one mental health disorder, new research shows. But the study delivered even more troubling news — only half of those children are getting treatment. The researchers also found startling differences in the number of kids being diagnosed and treated between states. For example, the statewide prevalence of kids with at least one diagnosed mental health disorder (including depression, anxiety and ADHD) varied from about 8 percent in Hawaii to 27 percent in Maine. The prevalence of children with a mental health disorder who didn’t get treatment varied from 30 percent in Washington, D.C., to 72 percent in North Carolina, the findings showed. “The purpose of the study...

MONDAY, Feb. 11, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Many studies have shown that color affects both mood and behavior. Color can help you go from sad to happy or angry to calm. When it comes to mood, there are four primary colors. Though different shades within each of the four can have different effects, some generalities exist. Red symbolizes power and strength and may even stimulate aggression. Yellow is associated with joy, hope and optimism. As “warm” colors, both red and yellow are thought to increase arousal. Green is emotionally calming and stands for harmony. Blue is the color of intellect, yet is so calming that it can lower blood pressure. As “cool” shades, both blue and green can be relaxing. Much research has found that people living in areas with more green space have better physical and mental health than those with less green space. A European study looked at...

(HealthDay News) — Taking care of a significant wound helps prevent infection and minimize scaring, the Nemours Foundation says.
The foundation suggests how to care for a wound at home:

• Keep the wound covered with a clean dressing until it stops producing fluid.
• Wait an average of four days after surgery before showering. Ask your doctor for a specific time to wait.
• Do not soak in the bathtub or swim until your next doctor visit.
• Don’t let pets get close to a wound.
• Do not pick or scratch a scab.

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(HealthDay News) — Having full knowledge of your family health history is empowering and can be an effective way to stay healthier.
Your doctor may review your family health history in deciding whether you and other family members need certain screening tests, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says.

The CDC suggests how to keep a family health history:

• • Talk to family members to get details about each person’s medical past. Be sure to include information about chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure.
  • Determine if there is a family history of cancer or stroke.
  • Be aware of your family’s ancestry.
  • Share your history with your doctor and other family members.

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TUESDAY, Feb. 5, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Too little sleep. Not enough exercise. Far too much “screen time.” That is the unhealthy lifestyle of nearly all U.S. high school students, new research finds. The study, of almost 60,000 teenagers nationwide, found that only 5 percent were meeting experts’ recommendations on three critical health habits: sleep; exercise; and time spent gazing at digital media and television. It’s no secret that many teenagers are attached to their cellphones, or stay up late, or spend a lot of time being sedentary. But even researchers were struck by how extensive those issues are among high school students. “Five percent is a really low proportion,” said study leader Gregory Knell, a research fellow at University of Texas School of Public Health, in Dallas. “We were a bit surprised by that.” In general, medical experts say teenagers should get eight to 10 hours of sleep at...