Health Expert Dorian Martin shares health management news and commentary at HealthCentral.com. HealthCentral.com is one of the top health destinations on the Web, with more than 35 condition-specific, wellness and general health Web properties. http://www.healthcentral.com/profiles/c/727598/index http://www.healthcentral.com/profiles/c/727598/rss self application/xml en-us 15 120 19 http://www.healthcentral.com/images/hc_logo_sm.gif http://www.healthcentral.com/profiles/c/727598/index http://www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise/c/727598/160996/healthier-choices Wed, 22 May 2013 18:30:10 -0400 Dorian Martin Bugs! Yuck! I found that my pantry had come under attack by some sort of bug so I’ve been in the process of clearing that area out. I’ve tossed several food products that had become infested, although I still need to go through the spice jars to determine if any of those invaders have successfully breached the lids. I have to admit that while cleaning out the cupboard is a royal pain – my kitchen counters and my dining room... http://www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise/c/727598/160996/healthier-choices http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/c/727598/160963/relationship-alzheimer Tue, 21 May 2013 11:48:23 -0400 Dorian Martin Did you get a good night’s sleep last night? Or did you end up snoring the night away? Sleep is believed to have an important role in memory, according to Harvard Medical School’s Division of Sleep Medicine. Researchers continue to explore whether a relationship exists between the various stages of sleep and the binding of different types of memories. However, most people don’t get enough sleep, which can affect judgment, mood... http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/c/727598/160963/relationship-alzheimer http://www.healthcentral.com/menopause/c/727598/160945/senses-decrease-age Mon, 20 May 2013 12:18:34 -0400 Dorian Martin Aging brings many changes to the body and to many of our senses. Recently, I wrote about the changes in vision that most women (and men) experience as they reach middle-age. There are other changes coming down the pike as well to some of your senses. While not part of the menopausal transition, I wanted to go on and address these since they are part of the aging process. A Not-So-Tasty Subject Take, for instance, taste and smell. MedlinePlus,... http://www.healthcentral.com/menopause/c/727598/160945/senses-decrease-age http://www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise/c/727598/160908/exercising-outdoros Fri, 17 May 2013 12:48:34 -0400 Dorian Martin Spring is springing around the nation (although where I live, we’re already seeing hints of summer’s high temperatures). The morning chirps of the birds, the greening of grass, and the emergence of leaves on the trees – all of that makes me want to head outdoors to exercise.   However, I had a not-so-fun surprise when I went for an eye exam. While my vision hadn’t changed much, the optometrist did share with me... http://www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise/c/727598/160908/exercising-outdoros http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/c/727598/160840/elevated-sugar-alzheimer Mon, 13 May 2013 15:40:01 -0400 Dorian Martin So you don’t have diabetes. Should you still be worried about having an elevated risk of Alzheimer’s disease? A new study out of the University of Arizona suggests that you could still have reason for concern. The study looked at whether elevated blood sugar levels in people who do not have diabetes might indicate higher risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease. The link between diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease already... http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/c/727598/160840/elevated-sugar-alzheimer http://www.healthcentral.com/menopause/c/727598/160835/stones-postmenopausal Mon, 13 May 2013 11:11:34 -0400 Dorian Martin A friend of mine who is well past the menopause transition recently let us know that she wasn't feeling good. She complained about a severe pain in her abdomen, eventually contacting her health care provider. Eventually, the pain went away and she now believes that she passed a kidney stone.   After doing a little research, I learned some that postmenopausal women do have issues with kidney stones. Current estimates are the kidney stones... http://www.healthcentral.com/menopause/c/727598/160835/stones-postmenopausal http://www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise/c/727598/160794/studies-image-pills Thu, 09 May 2013 12:18:32 -0400 Dorian Martin Dad’s always pointing out the buy one, get one free offers at the pharmacy where we shop. One of his favorite “buys” is fish oil pills. These pills, which are usually made from mackerel, herring, tuna, halibut, salmon, cod liver whale blubber or seal blubber, are often taken to combat a wide range of conditions. The most prevalent reason many provide for using these supplements is related to the heart and blood system.... http://www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise/c/727598/160794/studies-image-pills http://www.healthcentral.com/menopause/c/727598/160771/aging-eyes-attention Wed, 08 May 2013 11:28:30 -0400 Dorian Martin Recently I went to see the eye doctor. I hadn’t gone in a couple of years and one of the lenses on my glasses had started cracking. Therefore, I thought it would be time well spent to see the doctor and make sure my prescription hadn’t changed before I got new glasses. Well, sure enough it had. I also learned that my eye pressure was “really good for someone your age,” as the technician put it. However, the eye doctor... http://www.healthcentral.com/menopause/c/727598/160771/aging-eyes-attention http://www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise/c/727598/160738/recommended-exercise Mon, 06 May 2013 12:30:41 -0400 Dorian Martin So do you get enough exercise? What about your neighbors? And your community? The results are in and it turns out that many people are not getting enough aerobic exercise weekly. Furthermore, even fewer are doing the recommended amount of strengthening exercises weekly. A new report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that only one in five U.S. adults is succeeding in meeting both the aerobic and strength aspects of the... http://www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise/c/727598/160738/recommended-exercise http://www.healthcentral.com/menopause/c/727598/160705/suicide-climb-middle-age Fri, 03 May 2013 18:35:41 -0400 Dorian Martin Being a middle-age woman brings many changes in life – children moving out on their own, caregiving duties for parents as they age and eventually die, as well as experiencing all of the changes that happen due to menopause and natural aging. Then add in the economic downturn and other challenges that arise and it’s not totally surprising that middle-age women may feel depressed at times. However, it seems that many women may be more... http://www.healthcentral.com/menopause/c/727598/160705/suicide-climb-middle-age