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Women should know the signs of heart disease
Date: 2013-02-06 00:00:00

It's important for everyone to know where they stand in terms of heart health.?According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 600,000 people in the U.S. die each year of heart disease, which equals about one out of every four deaths. This is one reason?why everyone should receive regular lab tests to make sure that they are in?good cardiovascular health.

According to a recent article by Jennifer Ashton, M.D., for ABC News, women, in particular, should be taking special care to make sure their hearts are in tip-top shape, since they may not notice something is wrong until it is too late. The doctor explained that only one out of every three women surveyed believe that they should be concerned about the health of their heart. However, since cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death in women, they should all be focused on keeping their tickers in good shape.?

Many miss the signs?... Full Story

Minority women experiencing heart disease at a higher rate than others
Date: 2013-02-12 00:00:00

It's important for all people to regularly get blood tests to ensure well-being, particularly for demographics with risk factors. While everyone should utilize blood testing services to check for any underlying medical conditions, some populations may want to get screened for diseases more often than others. For example, individuals who have a history of heart disease, cancer or diabetes in their family should get tested often. Furthermore, minority women may also want to consider getting blood tests and medical screenings more often, since cardiovascular issues are common among this population.

According to a recent article published by ABC News, heart disease is the number one killer of minority women. This may have to do with this population not getting enough important blood tests that could look for high cholesterol and other health issues that could affect the heart.

An all too common problem... Full Story

One particular omega-3 may help fight liver disease
Date: 2013-02-06 00:00:00

It's now become very common to hear about the growing obesity problem in the U.S., but many people may still not understand the far-reaching consequences of being overweight. For example, excess pounds may not only harm the heart, but the liver as well. For example, the Mayo Clinic states that being obese can increase a person's risk of developing nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, which is a liver problem that can occur even if a person does not drink alcohol excessively. This is why overweight individuals should make sure to get a liver panel test, which can detect any of the early signs of liver damage.

Over the years, research has suggested that omega-3 fatty acids may help protect against liver disease, so people may want to work to get more of these healthy lipids into their diet. Recently, scientists from Oregon State University discovered that one particular type of omega-s seems to have a more powerful ability to protect the liver than the rest.

Not all omega-3s are the same... Full Story

Researchers shine light on factors that keep people from receiving a liver
Date: 2013-04-11 00:00:00

The sooner a liver condition is detected, the better, since an issue with this organ could progress to the point of needing a transplant. To avoid this issue, people should regularly get liver function profile lab tests to make sure this organ is functioning properly. Recently, researchers from the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago conducted an anonymous survey of U.S. transplant providers to discover what lowers a person's eligibility to receive one.

According to the findings, psychiatric factors, particularly suicide attempts, incarceration and marijuana use, can all harm a person's chances of receiving a liver transplant.

Harming eligibility... Full Story

Exercise may help protect the brain from effects of heavy drinking
Date: 2013-04-17 00:00:00

Alcohol consumption can affect both the mind and body, making regular lab tests important for regular drinkers. Recently, a team of researchers from the University of California, San Francisco discovered another way that people who imbibe can help protect their health: exercise.

The scientists discovered that heavy drinkers who exercised regularly experienced less damage to their brains' white matter than those who did not work out often, or at all.

Alcohol is dangerous, exercise may help... Full Story

Even occasional binge drinking may come with consequences
Date: 2013-05-03 00:00:00

People may think that the only individuals who need lab tests to check their liver function are older people or those who drink heavily, and they would be wrong. According to recent research from the University if Missouri, even those who only consume large quantities of alcohol on the weekends may find themselves at an increased risk of developing serious problems with their liver. These findings should encourage people to get regular lab tests, and consider keeping their drinking in check.

"In our research, we found that binge drinking has a profound effect on the liver in various modes of alcohol exposure," said Shivendra Shukla, Ph.D., Margaret Proctor Mulligan Professor at the University of Missouri School of Medicine and corresponding author of the study. "No longer can we consider chronic alcohol consumption as the only factor in developing alcoholic liver disease."

An increasing problem ... Full Story