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SUNDAY, Jan. 15, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Moving a heavy object or even coughing can result in a medical condition known as a hernia.While it’s common, many people don’t know what a hernia is, according to an expert at Penn State Health, who offered details on causes, symptoms and treatment.“While we typically associate heavy lifting or strenuous activity with the development of a hernia, other congenital abdominal wall defects can lead to hernia formation with less strenuous activity,” said Dr. Michael Abboud. He is chief of surgery at Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center in Reading, Pa. “Hernias may develop in a number of different locations, and can be present at birth or develop later in life, for a number of reasons,” Abboud explained in a Penn State news...

SATURDAY, Jan. 14, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Winter may feel like a time for hibernation, but it’s important for seniors to safely keep up their hobbies and physical activity in the cold weather. “It’s important to get outside as much as possible, whether it’s temperate or even if it’s colder, as long as it’s safe to do so,” said Dr. Angela Catic, an associate professor in the Center on Aging at Baylor College of Medicine, in Houston. “If it’s cold, bundling up and getting outside is good for your spirit and good for you physically,” she said in a Baylor news release.Continue walking, biking or being in nature, Catic suggested, while being cautious of snow or icy conditions. But don’t pick up a new active sport like skiing or snowboarding, unless that was already a...

FRIDAY, Jan. 13, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Overuse of antibiotics may trigger inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), new research suggests.Among folks who were 40 or older, a new study found that antibiotics may increase the risk for bowel diseases, such as Crohn's and ulcerative colitis, for one to two years after use. And the greatest risk was posed by two classes of antibiotics — nitroimidazoles and fluoroquinolones — often used to treat gut infections. The researchers said these drugs indiscriminately target all bacteria, not just those that cause disease."Antibiotics may impact the development of IBD through alteration of the microbiome," said lead researcher Dr. Adam Faye. He is an assistant professor at New York University's Grossman School of Medicine, in New York City.To reduce...

FRIDAY, Jan. 13, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Water weight. It's the bane of dieters looking to lose pounds, causing bloating, puffiness and disappointment when stepping on a scale.While a full 60% of your body is water, sometimes too much water is retained. That can make losing weight frustrating because it may seem like you aren't actually losing weight. Varying water levels can make a person’s weight fluctuate by 2 to 4 pounds in just one day.The amount of water your body contains is a function of your body's composition, sex and age, but eating can cause you to retain a few extra pounds of water. This extra water is fluid the kidneys would normally purge from the body."Most of our weight is water," said Dr. Gabe Neal, a family medicine physician and clinical assistant professor at...