Health & Fitness News

Stories about exercise, diet and health care from The Star-Ledger

• Take steps to prevent a fall from happening
THE CENTERS For Disease Control, a branch of the federal government, concerns itself predominantly with the prevention and management of infectious disease. But it also has an Injury Prevention Center, which offers a great deal of information about falls. (cdc.gov/ncipc/factsheets/adultfalls.htm).

• Liver tests can be affected by strenuous exercise
Can weight lifting cause liver function tests to be slightly elevated? I weight train three to four times every week, and each time I have my blood tested, the liver function tests are above normal.

• Boy's diet needs enough calories for growth
My 12-year-old son weighs 80 pounds. He has lost almost 5 pounds since the summer and was the skinniest player on his football team. He is average height and grew 2 inches since his physical before school. His doctor did blood work on him, including his thyroid, and it was all normal. The doctor said he has started puberty. My son is a picky eater and complains that his stomach hurts when he eats, but he does not have vomiting or diarrhea. The doctor is going to have his weight checked again in two weeks, but I was wondering if anything else should be done.

• Healthy moves to make for best life in 2009
WITH 2009 just hours away, it's time to plan for the new year. To begin, we should decide on one or more personal goals. In the health arena, our goal should be to maintain the best possible function and quality of life for the longest period of time.

• Prostate cancer screening has pros and cons
Should I have my PSA level tested? I am 55 years old and have no health problems.

• Sickle patient should limit exposure to sick child
I am a single mother, with two daughters ages 7 and 3. I have been admitted to the hospital a number of times because I have sickle cell, but the last few times have been because I have gotten sick from my 3-year-old's colds. Is there something to keep her from getting sick or for me to keep from getting sick from her? She attends family daycare and has been with the same four other children since birth.