About.com Health: Your Summer Shape-Up Guide

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Health From Heather Watkins, your About Health Editor So, now that Memorial Day has passed, we're facing the start of summer. Who's ready for slapping on some sunscreen, throwing on that bikini you have buried deep in your closet, and showing some skin on the beach? How to Get Lean, Fit and Healthy Okay, so maybe not all of us are totally ready for summer exposure. If you're looking to slim down or simply improve your health this summer, we have all the information you need to meet your goals. Have an Active Summer See More About:  summer shape-up  losing weight  weight loss motivation Find the Best Diet for You Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers, NutriSystem... the sheer number of diet plans out there is astounding. It can be overwhelming to try and pick one that actually fits your lifestyle and will be effective. Ask yourself these five questions before you sign up. Can the Gluten-Free Diet Help You Lose Weight? See More About:  summer shape-up  popular diet plans  losing weight How to Get Six-Pack Abs Before my gig writing this newsletter, I worked at a publication that was pretty fanatical about abs. So I should be an expert on this topic with the six-pack to prove it. Emphasis on "should." Complete Summer Exercise Plan See More About:  abdominal exercises  core exercises  summer shape-up Six Steps to Feeling Great About Yourself Anyone who struggles with body image issues can have a tough time of it in summer, when so much emphasis is placed on how one looks in skimpy clothing. But leaning on supportive friends and doing things that make you happy can go a long way toward making this the best summer yet. What is Exercise Addiction? See More About:  self-care  body image  summer planning Health Ads Health and Fitness Mental Health Health and Nutrition Health Fitness Health It Featured Articles Get in Shape with Walking Get in Shape with Pilates Exercise and Breastfeeding How Diet and Exercise Affects Anxiety Boost Your Metabolism with Lean Protein Is Exercising Outdoors Good for Longevity?   More from About.com Bake Sale Bestsellers Make your next bake sale a profitable one with these irresistible recipes. More> Real Recipes app Download our highly-rated app for free recipes and kitchen tools, for iPhone and iPod Touch. More>   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About Health newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 249 West 17th Street New York, NY, 10011 © 2012 About.com   Follow us on: Twitter Facebook Advertisement

About.com Health: How to Have a Safe BBQ

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Health From Heather Watkins, your About Health Editor Memorial Day weekend is coming up, so I'm sure many of you are planning outdoor barbecues and other fun events. When putting your guest list together, make sure that food poisoning doesn't get an invite. Keep Bacteria Off the Menu Bacteria grows best between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit. That means you need to keep cold foods cold, and hot foods hot -- among other precautions. See More About:  food safety  cooking healthy foods  Signs of Food Poisoning Here are some clues that, despite your best efforts, a nasty bug has managed to wreak havoc on your guests. See More About:  food safety  food poisoning  foodborne illnesses Treating a Stomach Bug When we feel sick to our stomachs, many of us refer to it as the "stomach flu." Well, it's not actually related to the flu at all -- but that doesn't make it any less unpleasant! Here's how to feel better if it happens to you. See More About:  vomiting  diarrhea  flu symptoms Should You See a Doctor? Gastrointestinal symptoms are common, but when do you know that things have crossed the line from "treat it at home" to "call the doctor"? See More About:  childhood illnesses  stomach flu  flu symptoms Health Ads Food Health Recipe Means Health Health and Nutrition Health Food Best Health Food Featured Articles What is Moderate Acne? The Hazards of Drawstrings How to Plan Healthy Meals Gluten-Free Kids and Bullying Is It a Brown Recluse Bite? Athletes and Eating Disorders   More from About.com Bake Sale Bestsellers Make your next bake sale a profitable one with these irresistible recipes. More> Real Recipes app Download our highly-rated app for free recipes and kitchen tools, for iPhone and iPod Touch. More>   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About Health newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 249 West 17th Street New York, NY, 10011 © 2012 About.com   Follow us on: Twitter Facebook Advertisement

About.com Health: Your Brain's Got Rhythm

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Health From Heather Watkins, your About Health Editor Just how much do you really know about how your brain works, anyway? If, like me, you're not a brain surgeon, you probably take it for granted. But delving into the mysteries of the mind offers a fascinating look at just what makes us so uniquely human. Your Musical Mind Picture it: You're driving to work, and all of a sudden, your favorite song from high school comes on the radio. You're flooded with memories and feel-good sensations. What is it about music -- essentially just waves of compressed air -- that can make us happy or sad? Why might one person love a song while another considers it an abomination to the music industry? See More About:  music  mind  neuroscience What Causes Seizures? Right now, electricity is flowing throughout your brain in patterns and rhythms that adjust to things in your environment. Picture it as though a stream of people are making their way throughout a busy city plaza -- it probably looks a bit random, but it's a sign of healthy activity. A seizure happens when part of the brain starts firing abnormally, akin to a person suddenly starting to yell in the middle of that crowded plaza. See More About:  seizure  epilepsy  A Knee-Jerk Reaction You've undoubtedly had your patellar reflex checked -- you know, when the doctor taps your knee with a little hammer and your leg jerks out uncontrollably. As a kid, I always thought that was such a cool trick. Your body undergoes so many reflexes throughout the day to keep you alive and well, all without any conscious input from you. See More About:  reflex  knee jerk  Feeling Numb Numbness and tingling are among the most common reasons why people visit a neurologist. Your nerves can be very sensitive to toxins, nutritional deficiencies, and certain infections. People with diabetes should be especially aware of a set of conditions known as diabetic neuropathy. See More About:  numbness  tingling  numb Health Ads Heart Health Brain Health Good Health Health Problems Health News Featured Articles Why Fibromyalgia Isn't Autoimmune Gum Disease = Heart Disease? Creatine for Muscle Strength Changes to Sunscreen Labels Are You Allergic to Sex? Itchy Feet   More from About.com Bake Sale Bestsellers Make your next bake sale a profitable one with these irresistible recipes. More> Macaroni and Cheese Oodles of delicious macaroni and cheese recipes, from old fashioned classics to spiced-up versions. More>   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About Health newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 249 West 17th Street New York, NY, 10011 © 2012 About.com   Follow us on: Twitter Facebook Advertisement

About.com Health: An Obsession You Can't Control

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Health From Heather Watkins, your About Health Editor It's become common to say things like "I'm so OCD" when referring to your overzealous cleaning habit. But obsessive-compulsive disorder isn't just slang; it's a recognized mental disorder that can cause a lot of strife for those who suffer from it. Symptoms of OCD There are two main OCD symptoms -- obsessions, or the unwanted thoughts that you can't get out of your head, and compulsions, the behaviors that you feel you have to carry out over and over. Is Germaphobia an OCD Symptom? See More About:  ocd diagnosis  obsessions  compulsions Getting a Diagnosis A diagnosis of OCD often deals with the severity and duration of your symptoms. For example, if you have OCD, you will usually spend more than an hour a day thinking about your obsession, or carrying out your compulsion or ritual. Living with OCD See More About:  ocd symptoms  ocd treatment  structured clinical interview Treating OCD There are several treatment options for OCD, involving medications, therapy, and self-help strategies that focus on relaxation and/or distraction. Will Medication Work for Me? What To Do if Nothing Works See More About:  ssris  tricyclic antidepressants  psychological therapy Types of OCD There are a variety of subtypes of OCD. If you've ever seen the TV show "Hoarders," then you're probably familiar with that type, but there are a few others as well. Hoarding Trichotillomania (Compulsive Hair Pulling) See More About:  dsm-iv  obsessions  compulsions Health Ads Home Health Nursing Food Health Recipe Mental Health Mental Health Health Health News Featured Articles Gluten-Free Mother's Day Refusing Cancer Treatment Teeth Whitening Home Remedies What is Cognitive Reserve? Protein-Packed Low Calorie Snacks When It's Time for a Nursing Home   More from About.com Bake Sale Bestsellers Make your next bake sale a profitable one with these irresistible recipes. More> Macaroni and Cheese Oodles of delicious macaroni and cheese recipes, from old fashioned classics to spiced-up versions. More>   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About Health newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 249 West 17th Street New York, NY, 10011 © 2012 About.com   Follow us on: Twitter Facebook Advertisement