This exercise that focuses on the trunk, can be done by beginners and veterans alike. THE MOVES: Supine rotation of the torso. WORKS ON: Trunk range of motion and core strength. CORE VALUE - To improve core strength and mobility, firefighter Michael Nelson slowly rotates his legs and hips from side to side. CNS Photo by Nadia Borowski Scott. SETUP: On a firm surface, lie down on your back. The arms should be 90 ... [full story]

Menopause marks the transition into midlife for women.  It is a natural process that all women will face but has remained a taboo topic until recently.  Today, menopause is discussed more openly, in part because of the amount of research available on the health issues facing older women—and it’s about time.  On average, US women reach menopause at age 51 and have a life expectancy of 80.4 years.  Many will live up to 40% of ... [full story]

Oregon pharmacies are changing the way emergency contraception is dispensed as a result of a U.S. Food and Drug and Administration (FDA) decision last August. Oregon public health officials believe it is important for women to know about it.  "If you're over age 18, emergency contraception can now be purchased as an over-the counter (OTC) pharmacy item," said Katherine Bradley, administrator of family health programs in the Oregon Department of Human Services Public Health Division. ... [full story]

MEDTRONICA The Never-Ending Squirrel Tale www.squirreltales.com For parents of children with cancer, life can sometimes seem lonely and despairing. This site offers solace and practical advice, lighthearted and inspiring stories and tips from other parents in the same situation. CUT ONCE, THINK TWICE As if men needed more reasons to balk, a Northwestern University study suggests vasectomies may be linked with an increased risk of contracting a rare form of dementia. Primary Progressive Aplasia, or ... [full story]

Putting your health completely in the hands of others simply is not a good idea, say some doctors. Family medicine specialists Keith Werstler and Christopher Stetler say that patients are wise to participate in their health care by maintaining up-to-date records of their own. That means working in partnership with your primary care provider as well as keeping important health history readily accessible in case of emergency. "I speak with a lot of my patients ... [full story]

Katie Foster is only 32 but feels like she's going on 50. In the past 14 months, her energy level has been cut in half, according to her husband, Jeff. The cause is Behcet's (pronounced BAY-sets) disease, a rare malady that hit Katie hard in late 2005. "There's no way these Christmas decorations would still be up if this was two years ago," Katie said the week after New Year's. LIVING WITH PAIN - ... [full story]

Recently, an extensive scientific review has found that patients who have been prescribed a drug treatment are dissatisfied with the informational leaflets that come with their medicines. By reviewing more than 70 studies from the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia and the U.S., researchers found that patients believe the informational leaflets that come with their prescription medicines are confusing and of little help. Instead, poor layout and complex language often hinder communication. Many patients would like ... [full story]

The proper hamstring stretch means finding some rope and hitting the floor. THE MOVES: A two-position hamstring stretch using a rope or similar tool. WORKS ON: Stretching the hamstring muscle and hamstring tendons. SETUP: Get a piece of rope or strap about 5 to 6 feet long. Lie down on your back with knees bent, head on the floor. Bring one knee to the chest, loop the rope around the foot and hold a tail ... [full story]

This season's popular accessories? Oversized cocktail rings, chunky shoes and ubiquitous bottles of designer water. Turns out, the jewelry and cloddy footwear make more sense than all that H2O.   FLOW CHART - The long-held recommendation to drink at least eight glasses of water a day is all wet, medical experts say. CNS Photo by Earnie Grafton. The long-held recommendation to drink at least eight glasses of water a day (in addition to other fluids we down) ... [full story]

MEDTRONICA RX list www.rxlist.com/script/main/hp.asp A straightforward, if not always easy to follow, listing of the most popular drugs prescribed, their benefits, side effects and more. STORIES FOR THE WAITING ROOM James Garfield served as the nation's 20th president for just six months and 15 days. On July 2, 1881, he was shot by a disgruntled office seeker, but it was arguably his doctors who killed him. There were 16 in all. The first on the ... [full story]

Your head aches and there's a crick in your neck that just won't go away. Is it the result of a stressful day at the office followed by a workout that was more intense than wise? Or is it meningitis?   INTERNET ADVICE - Patients are showing up to medical appointments armed with medical information they've read on the Internet, so physicians are weighing in on the good, the bad and the bunk. CNS Photo Illustration ... [full story]

The dude in the newspaper ad is buff. The dude has guns. The dude has washboard abs, thick shoulders, a massive chest. And the dude is, well, old. He's 67. From the neck up, he looks like your typical Social Security recipient. But thanks to something called Cenegenics, from the neck down he's got the body of a 27-year-old linebacker. When you were a kid, it might have been Charles Atlas in comic books, taunting ... [full story]

Pacifiers not only keep babies quiet or help them sleep, they might also save their lives. According to an article in Nursing for Women's Health, a clinical practice journal, pacifiers could lower the risk of babies developing SIDS, or sudden infant death syndrome. An American Academy of Pediatrics task force looking into the incident rate of SIDS agrees. It reinforces the idea that children younger than 1 year should use a pacifier to lower the ... [full story]