The SoberLady's Health and Fitness pages will be filled with lots of little short tips that she has found along the way that either she didn't know or just thought were really interesting and bore repeating. So she will do just that here.

An Aspirin A Day?

Research has proven that taking one aspirin each day can lower the risk of a having a heart attack. However, it also increases the risk for certain types of strokes and bleeding problems. In a study of 48,500 participants published in the March 2001 issue of the journal Heart, researchers concluded that someone should only take an aspirin a day if their risk of having a heart attack is greater than their risk of having a stroke. Talk to your doctor to determine if aspirin therapy is appropriate for you.

CPR

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) involves a series of steps to maintain life when somebody has stopped breathing or has had a heart attack. The sooner a person receives resuscitation, the greater his or her chance of survival. Learning CPR is fun, good exercise, and can potentially save a life! Call your local hospital or the American Heart Association to find CPR courses in your area. You can also visit the American Heart Association's emergency cardiovascular care Web site at http://www.cpr-ecc.org/ .

Following Advice

Do you find that your physician often gives you advice that you simply cannot or do not want to follow? If so, it is important to let your physician know. It is better to be honest than to have your physician think that you are compliant when you are not. This way, he or she may be able to find alternative treatment plans that are suitable for you and beneficial to your health.

Iron Out Wrinkles With Nutrition

Maintaining a healthy diet may actually ward off wrinkles, according to a recent report in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition. The researchers investigated the diets of more than 400 participants aged 70 and older. They found that participants who ate plenty of healthy foods - including green leafy vegetables, nuts, olive oil, beans, and multigrain breads - were less likely to develop wrinkles than participants who maintained diets high in butter, red meat, and sugar. The researchers speculate that these finding may be due to increased amounts of antioxidants such as vitamins A, C, and E in the healthier diets. Ask your physician or a certified dietician for advice on maintaining a healthier diet.

Losing Weight May Help Nighttime Breathing

Many Americans suffer from sleep-related breathing disorders. A study published in the December 20, 2000 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association concluded that weight loss is directly related to improvement of sleep-related breathing disorders. Conversely, they found that weight gain was related to increased symptoms.

Make A Family Health Tree

Many diseases are inherited. To better understand your chances of developing certain diseases, create a family health tree. Make a list of your relatives, including their ages and all health problems. If somebody is deceased, then include the age at which he or she died and the main cause of death. Bring this list to your doctor to help him or her determine your health risks. Don't forget to make copies of your family health tree for other family members to share with their physicians as well.