Is High Blood Pressure Associated with Atrial Fibrillation?

According to a new study out of Norway, yes.  High blood pressure left untreated can damage the heart, causing palpitations and eventually atrial fibrillation.  The Norwegian study examined people with high blood pressure who also struggled with heart palpitations over a 10-year period and monitored their heart issues.  And there seems to be a correlation between high blood pressure and atrial fibrillation.  Over time, high blood pressure can cause damage to the heart's electrical system, causing an irregular heart beat.  And an irregular heart beat is a serious risk factor for atrial fibrillation, increasing your risk for stroke five-fold, tripling heart attack risk, and doubling your death risk.  The good news is that we can get control of our health and get that blood pressure down!  Here is information on what exactly high blood pressure and atrial fibrillation are, and how to lower your blood pressure.

Third Victim With Connection to Georgia Battles Flesh-Eating Bacteria.

While Georgia college student Aimee Copeland and South Carolina paramedic Lana Kuykendall fight for their lives, a third victim of the life-threatening flesh-eating bacteria is continuing his two-week battle to overcome necrotizing fasciitis.

Eliminate Water Retention.

We've all experienced water retention.  And ladies, I think we can all agree that retaining water is not fun.  Waking up in the morning to puffy eyes, a swollen face and the inability to put our rings on is enough to make us want to cry, go back to bed and chalk it up as a really, really bad dream.  But the fact is, water retention happens for a number of reasons and there are ways to reduce water retention.  To say retaining water is alarming is an understatement.  Suddenly our jeans are tight and our shoes are too small.  We don't recognize that puffy face in the mirror.  And to add insult to injury, our stomachs look bloated as we struggle to bend our fingers.  Ever been there?  Most or all of us have!  Here are some practical ways to rid yourself of water retention.

New Report Finds Average Healthcare Costs are Pretty Sickening.

The results of the Milliman Medical Index, an annual report that measures the total cost of family healthcare, are in and the numbers are more nauseating than ever. For the first time ever, the total cost of healthcare for a typical family of 4 rose above $20,000.

Children May Be At Higher Risk for Radiation. 

Most children will have to have either an x-ray, CAT scan or MRI at least once before they are 18. Tests like x-rays and MRI’s are essential in diagnosing problems and can save lives, the tests also emit troubling radiation that could pose future cancer risks to our kids. The Food and Drug Administration has released new regulations that would enforce all hospitals to have imaging equipment tailored to children’s health.

West Georgia Alumni on Student Fighting Flesh Eating Disease: "Nice and Bubbly."

Aimee Copeland, a student at a college in Georgia is fighting for her life after contracting necrotizing fasciitis from a leg wound. Necrotizing fasciitis is a rare flesh eating disease that is incredibly dangerous. The young woman has already had her leg amputated and doctors feared that her hands and remaining foot might also need to be amputated. It appears now that doctors are hopeful that the student fighting the flesh eating disease could keep her palms and only need her fingers  and foot amputated. Necrotizing fasciitis is a very uncommon flesh eating bacterial infection that occurs mostly in warm climates and is commonly caused by an infection in a wound. 

Look and Feel Younger

Ever wonder how genetics affects the aging process?  Many of us think that there isn't much we can do to stay looking and feeling young because of poor genetics.  But just because we may have been dealt poor genetics doesn't mean we still cant still fight the signs of aging.  In fact, Dr. Oz and Dr. Rozen's use of metaphors explain how the human body ages.  Genetics only accounts for one fourth of our aging potential, whereas treating our bodies and minds right accounts for three fourths of staying young.  Here are ways to understand how to take good care of your body and look younger.

College Student Fighting Flesh Eating Disease. 

Aimee Copeland, a student at a college in Georgia is fighting for her life after contracting necrotizing fasciitis from a leg wound. The young woman has already had her leg amputated and doctors fear that her hands and remaining foot might also be infected with the flesh eating disease. Necrotizing fasciitis is a very uncommon bacterial infection that occurs mostly in warm climates and is commonly caused by an infection in a wound. 

Health Care Expenses High

We all need health care and many of us, sadly either don't have it, or have to pay an astronomical amount for it.  The scary thing is that recently a new report stated that even though we are spending more on health care, we might not be getting the quality treatment we need.  Americans are plunking down more money for health care than 12 other nations, and spending more on health care doesn't mean we are getting better treatment than those countries.   We are struggling.  We are confused.  But it is always good to know the latest on health care research.  Here is some information you may find helpful.

Facebook and Organ Donations

Just when we thought social media couldn't get any more complicated, Facebook announced that they are poised to be a major player in organ donations for people that need transplants to save their lives.  Don't get us wrong, any way we can help with organ donations to save lives is good.  And we suppose this was coming.  Along with the social media hype comes creative ways in which to use it.  And what better way to save lives than with organ donation.  It's just that it seems a bit weird, given what we have used Facebook for in the past.  However, technology is always changing and growing, and Women's Forum is dedicated to let you know what is going on with Facebook and organ donations.