Tuesday, March 20

Smoking - is it all in your head

If you're having trouble kicking the habit ( and what smoker doesn't find it tough to do) consider this - a new study finds the higher order functions of your brain wants to stop buy the lower order screams, light up again!
Duke University researchers studied brain scans and found 3 regions deep within the brain that appear to control your dependence on cigarettes. They say, this explains why it takes a couple of attempts to be successful.
So what does this mean. The researchers hope it can lead to more targeted drug therapies to help you stop smoking.
Interesting footnote: the research was funded by Phillip Morrris USA.
http://www.nature.com/npp/index.html

Pain Killers and Hypertension

If you're trying to keep your blood pressure under control with diet and exercise you may be undermining your efforts, inadvertently.

A new study finds common over the counter pain meds including ibuprofen, acetaminophen and aspirin can raise your risk of hypertension.

The risk increases as you increase the amount of medication you take. For example: men taking ibuprofen 6 or 7 days a week saw a 38% increased risk .. 34% for those taking acetaminophen and a 26% increased risk with aspirin taken 6-7 days a week.

Now, this doesn't mean NOT to take these pain releivers .. just have a talk with your doctor if you're on this type of therapy.