What Is Hepatitis C?

Hepatitis C causes about 350,000 deaths each year worldwide — yet many people don't even know they have the infectious disease.

What is Hepatitis?

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver, and hepatitis C is liver inflammation caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV).Other types of viral hepatitis include hepatitis A, B, D, and E.

Hepatitis A and E are generally acquired from contaminated food and drink, while B, C, and D are transmitted via bodily fluids. Vaccines are available to prevent hepatitis A and B, but no vaccines exist for hepatitis C and E.

You can only acquire hepatitis D if you already have hepatitis B, so the hepatitis B vaccine can protect you from both B and D infections.

Causes and Risks of Hepatitis C

HCV causes hepatitis C infections. There are six major strains of HCV, or HCV genotypes, and more than 50 subtypes of hepatitis C, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

These genotypes respond differently to treatments, and it's possible to be infected with more than one HCV genotype at the same time.

Hepatitis C is a contagious disease that is transmitted when the blood of an infected person enters the body of someone who isn't infected.

Today, the most common ways this occurs is through: 

• The sharing of needles and syringes for intravenous drug use 

• Accidental needle injuries in healthcare settings 

• During birth if your mother has hepatitis C 

Though less common, it's also possible to acquire a hepatitis C infection by having unprotected sex with someone who has the virus, or using personal care items — including razors and toothbrushes — that have come in contact with blood infected with HCV.

Some factors that increase your risk of hepatitis C: 

• Working in the healthcare setting or another field in which you have regular contact with blood 

• Having HIV

• Receiving a tattoo or piercing with non-sterile instruments 

• Undergoing kidney dialysis for many years 

Though viruses are the most common causes of hepatitis, there are also numerous types of non-viral hepatitis, including: 

• Alcoholic hepatitis caused by prolonged alcohol abuse 

• Autoimmune hepatitis, in which the immune system attacks healthy liver cells 

• Drug-induced hepatitis from various medications, including acetaminophen, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), anabolic steroids, birth control pills, and tetracycline antibiotics 

• Hepatitis resulting from nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a condition that develops when large amounts of fat accumulates in the liver of someone who drinks little to no alcohol and who typically is obese 

Prevalence of Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C comes in two forms: Acute and Chronic.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 15 to 25 percent of people who become infected with hepatitis C only develop an acute infection, which spontaneously clears from the body within six months. The other 75 to 85 percent of people go on to become hepatitis C carriers and develop a chronic infection, which can last a lifetime and lead to hepatitis C-related liver complications, including chronic liver disease, cirrhosis (irreversible scarring of the liver), and liver cancer.

Men are less likely than women to spontaneously clear an acute infection from their blood, and more likely to develop liver complications from the infection, according to a 2006 article in the journal Gut.

On a global scale, two to three percent of the world's population is living with hepatitis C, and about 350,000 people die each year from complications related to the disease, according to 2012 report in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases.

Any Symptoms of Hepatitis C?

About 70 to 80 percent of people who become infected with acute hepatitis C do not show any symptoms at first, notes the CDC.

Those who do, however, may have: 

• Jaundice 

• Fatigue 

• Fever 

• Dark urine 

• Gastrointestinal issues 

People with chronic hepatitis C, on the other hand, don't normally show any symptoms until the liver becomes damaged.

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How's your gut doing?

Around 40% of people have at least one digestive symptom at any one time, according to Dr Anton Emmanuel, consultant gastroenterologist at University College Hospital in London.

The most common are: 

• Abdominal pain
• Changes in bowel habit (usually constipation or diarrhoea) 
• Indigestion
• Heartburn

"These are the big four and they’re so common that we take them for granted," said Dr Emmanuel.

"Most digestive problems are to do with lifestyle, the foods we’ve eaten, or stress. Which means that taking steps to change your lifestyle can help, and often prevent, many of these problems," he said. "And there’s a wide choice of pharmacy remedies for heartburn, indigestion and similar problems that are very good for the short-term relief of symptoms."

Some Medicines can Upset Your Tummy

Certain medicines that your doctor may have prescribed for you for other health conditions can lead to side effects that may upset your tummy and cause indigestion, diarrhoea or constipation.

Aspirin and medicines used to treat arthritis, known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), should be avoided if you have an ulcer or you get indigestion. Consult your doctor if you rely on these medicines and are also prone to indigestion or ulcers. Paracetamol is a useful alternative.

Heartburn

Certain tranquillisers, painkillers, iron tablets and cough medicines can cause constipation and some people get diarrhoea while taking antibiotics or blood pressure pills. Always inform your doctor if your prescribed medicines are upsetting your tummy.

Red flag Digestive Symptoms

Dr Emmanuel warned that although digestive symptoms are usually harmless and often settle down by themselves, they can sometimes persist and be a signal of serious illness.

Seek doctor's advise on your symptoms

"People tend to underestimate how serious their symptoms are and that’s frustrating for doctors as we often see patients with gastrointestinal conditions later than we’d like, sometimes only when they’ve had their symptoms for years. If we could see them earlier we could, with treatment, improve their quality of life immensely," he said.

You can get an abdominal scan

He advised anyone who has taken a pharmacy remedy for a digestive problem for two weeks with no improvement to consult their GP.

Do a Blood Test to screen if you have some infection

He also highlighted five "hardcore" symptoms, which mean you should see a doctor without delay. These symptoms may be an alarm warning of a serious digestive illness: 

• A sudden, persistent change in the pattern of how your bowels work 
• Bleeding from the back passage
• Increasing heartburn, indigestion or other stomach pain 
• Losing weight unexpectedly
• Difficulty swallowing

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5 Home Remedies for Constipation

When it comes to being "regular," there really isn't a standard. The definition of normal bowel movements differs from person to person. But regardless of whether you visit the bathroom three times a day or three times a week, the symptoms of constipation are usually the same for everyone. If you aren't having as many bowel movements as you normally do, or if your stool is hard, dry, or painful, you're probably experiencing a bout of constipation.

Fortunately, the condition is rarely a sign of serious disease and usually can be cleared up without drastic measures. In fact, there are several home remedies for constipation that can help alleviate the discomfort.

While signs accompanying constipation such as abdominal pain, bloody stool, or unexpected weight loss should be brought to a doctor's attention, for run-of-the-mill constipation bouts, these non-drug constipation remedies just might do the trick.

Fish Oil

Omega-3 fatty acids are thought to play a role in a large number of bodily functions, including digestion. Some studies have shown that omega-3s can be helpful in managing symptoms of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, which include constipation. Fish oil, derived either from diet or in supplement form, is a rich source of these fatty acids. Specifically, cold-water fish such as salmon, mackerel, halibut, sardines, tuna, and herring contain eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Fish oil supplements also contain EPA and DHA.

Caution:

As is the case with all dietary supplements, fish oil supplements should be taken with caution. High doses of any omega-3 fatty acids can increase bleeding risk, so it is especially important that people who bruise easily or have bleeding disorders be careful when using this home remedy for constipation. Blood-thinning medications also put people at risk for this same reason. In addition to blood thinners, diabetes and cholesterol medications, some steroids, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may produce possible adverse reactions when combined with omega-3 fatty acids like those found in fish oil.

Another downside to using this constipation remedy is that fish oil can cause gas and bloating, and in some cases diarrhea. And it is important to know the source of fish oil before using it as a constipation remedy, as some fish may contain heavy metals such as mercury and other contaminants.

Castor Oil

Castor oil is a yellowish liquid that can be used as a home remedy for constipation because of its laxative property. One study in Nigeria found that oral castor oil helped children with chronic constipation to move their bowels. An upside to castor oil for constipation is that it works quickly.

Caution:

For that same reason, however, castor oil should be cautiously administered as a constipation remedy. It should not be taken at bedtime, due to its quick effects. Another downside to this constipation remedy is that it tastes bad, so it is recommended that the castor oil be chilled and mixed with a sweetener such as orange juice. Castor oil is generally considered safe, but it can lead to overdose if taken in large amounts.

Fiber

One of the best known home remedies for constipation is fiber. The recommended dosage - 20 to 35 grams per day - can be found in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Fiber is also a convenient constipation remedy since most people already have these items in their homes. Fiber supplements such as psyllium (Metamucil) or methylcellulose (Citrucel) can be used as well.

Caution:

The one downside to using fiber as a constipation home remedy is that it can actually make constipation worse if you don't drink plenty of water with it. For the fiber to help alleviate constipation, it needs fluids to help move it through the digestive system. Fiber derived from supplements especially must be taken with water in order to avoid worsening constipation.

Natural Herbs

Herbal therapy is one of the oldest forms of constipation treatments - numerous cultures around the world have used herbs to cure constipation for thousands of years. This tried-and-true constipation therapy is generally divided into two categories: bulk-forming and stimulant laxatives.

Commonly used bulk-forming herbal laxatives include flaxseed, fenugreek, and barley. If you opt for flaxseed as a constipation remedy, you should remember that flaxseed oil is different from the actual flaxseeds, which are available as whole or crushed seeds; flaxseed oil is not a constipation remedy. Stimulant herbs for constipation include senna, Cascara segrada, and aloe.

One reason to think twice before using herbs for constipation is that the stimulant laxatives, particularly aloe, can cause cramping. Herbalists typically recommend a less powerful stimulant like senna before suggesting aloe. Along with side effects, herbal therapies for constipation can potentially interact with medications and supplements. Always speak with a qualified health care practitioner before taking any herbs.

The Good Bacteria: Probiotics

Probiotics are the bacteria inside our intestines that promote digestion. Examples of probiotics are Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Sacchromyces boulardi, and they are available in supplement form and some foods, such as yogurt. Some studies have shown that probiotics are an effective non-drug cure for constipation. Like fiber, probiotics are a relatively easy home cure for constipation because they are available in foods that many families already have in the refrigerator.

Caution:

However, the jury is still out on probiotics for constipation. Recently, Polish researchers conducted a systematic review of trials on the effect of probiotics on constipation and concluded that there was not yet strong enough evidence to support their recommendation.

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Why Elderly People Don't Eat

Proper nutrition is vital to your parent for maintaining health, retaining and building bone mass and, importantly, to enable medications to work effectively in the body -- and possibly with fewer side effects.

But, what if Mom or Dad won't eat whether properly, or won't eat enough? This creates an added challenge to you as caregiver. There may be valid reasons that your parent may shy away from dining. As the caregiver, you want to uncover the reasons why your parent is not eating, and try to address the underlying issues. Here are 10 reasons why seniors sometimes don't eat properly, according to the National Institutes of Health and its National Institute on Aging, plus augmented in one-on-one-interviews of professional caregivers.

1. Reduction in Senses of Smell and Taste

Dining involves many senses: aromas, colors and tastes in one's mouth; but many mature adults experience a lessening of the senses of smell and sense of taste in their aging process. There is a reduction in the experience that, in turn, lessens the personal desire for food. There is no magic pill to restore full senses of smell and taste.

As caregiver and chief cook, you can alter your recipes, switching from typical spices used in the past or as used by your parent in his or her own cooking, to herbs and spices with a bit more zing, and that introduce a new, added flavor to the dish.

2. Reduction in Sense of Sight

Cataracts and other conditions in the eyes can reduce your parent's visual perception of the meal servings, thereby reducing the image to "blurr."

You can easily enhance the visual representation by increasing the food colors on the plate, separating them so that the colors are defined and easily perceived. Consider a main course with a colorful topping, a multi-colored salad, red potatoes, or orange carrots. Of course, vary the plate presentation by the day, that is, unless your parent really responds to one or two of your designer presentations. In this way you can reach effectively through to the remaining sense of vision.

3. Medications

Some medications have side effects that can change your parent's sense of taste or make her or him less hungry. Ask your parent's doctor if the prescribed medications or medical treatments are causing loss of appetite, bad taste or no flavor.

Tasteless after Medication

The physician may be able to substitute with a different medication, or prescribe an added medication to correct the problem.

4. Constipation

A side effect of many prescription drugs is constipation, a most uncomfortable conditionwhere the patient claims to have no room left for additional food. The first step to solution is to reduce the incidence of constipation.

Consider increasing the amount of water your parent drinks throughout the day and the percentage of food that will actually help the functioning of your parent's elimination system. With the proper diet and nutrition, the water will help clear the digestion system and, therefore, the volume of food retained in the stomach.

5. Problems with Chewing

If your parent has trouble chewing, he or she may have a teeth or gum problem or, if wearing dentures, the appliances may need to be adjusted. Advise your Mom or Dad's dentist about the chewing problem so that the specialist can check and correct the teeth, gums or dentures.

Chewing problems can often be resolved by eating softer foods. This can be resolved by replacing raw vegetables and fresh fruits with cooked vegetables or juices. Good nutrition can also be found in foods like applesauce and canned peaches or other fruits.

Ground or shredded meats are typically easy to chew or, in lieu of meat, consider soft foods such as cooked, dry beans, eggs, tofu, tuna fish and such.

6. Dining Alone 

A meal is often enjoyed more when the event is shared with another person or a group. Try to share at least one of the meals each day with your parent so you can visit, talk about a new or adjusted recipe, or discuss events and outings.

Recruit other family members, friends and neighbors to join Mom or Dad regularly for lunch or dinner. Recommend that they visit with your parent on any subject other than illness or limitation, and that they ask questions to help Mom or Dad retain and even expand mental agility and ability. Anticipating the visit will surely entice your parent the dining table.

Research local "meal events," such as lunch at the Senior Center. The meal will be healthy, and your parent can visit with other mature adults in a communal setting. Your local Area Agency on Aging can provide the sites and contact information, plus if volunteer drivers or specialized transit services are available for transportation.

7. Lack of Knowledge/Motivation

Draw Mom or Dad into the plan:

• "Mom/Dad, if we can make sure you have proper nutrition, we can reduce the side effects of your medication; 
• We can help your medications work better; 
• You will probably feel better; 
• We can celebrate our mutual life together for far longer. 

If your parent understands the vital role of nutrition in her or his life, and agrees with the approach, you have a partner for all the right reasons.

In this step, offer a positive comment at least once each day to your parent that "with your proper nutrition, we have taken another giant step forward in your health and independence."

8. Unwillingness to Cook 

If you can't prepare all the meals, call for help. There may be a Meals that can be order and deliver to you right at your door step. Your parent then only needs to heat the meal as recommended, and then dine in style.

If you have time, you can treat her or him to lunch or dinner in a restaurant to enhance the dining experience. The meal will probably be prepared and seasoned differently than your own recipe. Continue to focus on the healthy foods in the diet program. Dining out will also give you a break from your kitchen chores.

9. The Last Resort if Your Elderly Mom or Dad Still Won't Eat

Proper nutrition is vital for your parent. If all of the above fail to work, seek the counsel of your parent's physician. Forced feeding may be the only alternative, and the doctor may direct your parent to a hospital for forced feeding combined with examinations to determine if he or she has any physical reason for declining food, and then treating or correcting the cause.

As caregiver, your nutrition mission is important. You can, indeed, ensure that your Mom or Dad is in the best possible and functional health.

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Is It Bad for Your Health to Hold in a Fart?

Even though we all know farting is a fact of life, but it's not exactly something you want to do in polite company—or even in front of someone who knows all your flaws, like your significant other. As an alternative, maybe you hold it in for hours until you're alone and can get the sweet, sweet release of letting it all out. It's a normal urge, but can keeping your gas bottled tight screw with your system? 

Oppsies.. Sorry~

Here’s What You Need to Know. 

When your body tries to get rid of gas buildup, it'll either do so via a belch that leaves your mouth or flatulence that escapes from your rectum. Burping is often a result of "air aphasia," a.k.a. eating air. "Some people tend to swallow more air when they talk or chew gum,” says Lisa Ganjhu, a doctor of osteopathy and a clinical assistant professor of medicine and gastroenterology at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City. “That air collects in their stomachs before eventually coming out, usually as a burp."

Unlike burping, farting causes are a little less straightforward. "Sometimes bacteria or food ferment in the stomach, leading to acidity and gas," says Ganjhu. Food issues like lactose or gluten intolerance can also turn you into a tooting machine. Even if your tummy can handle milk and wheat like a pro, cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and asparagus contain fructans, carbohydrates that are a little tougher to digest and can lead to more gas as your body tries to break them down, says Ganjhu.

Normal Bacteria in stomach

So Can You Just Hold It In?

Breathe a sigh of relief: Chances are highly unlikely it'll seriously affect your health, says Ganjhu. But try as you might, if your body wants to get rid of some extra air, it's going to happen eventually. "You pass gas 10 to 20 times a day, often without even realizing it,” she says. “It's a normal byproduct of your digestion of food." Sure, while you're focused on clenching your buns together like it's the last rep of barre class, you might manage to keep everything inside. But as soon as you get distracted, the floodgates will probably open. "As you're walking and going about your business, your body will pass the air," says Ganjhu.

Having it too heavy

That being said, the only real exception to the "holding in your farts won't seriously injure you" rule is people who have severe obstructions in their colons. "In that case, the colon blows up like a balloon because of the blockage,” says Ganjhu. “If there are any weaknesses in the walls, eventually it can burst." Although that paints a frighteningly vivid picture, there's no real reason to be worried, says Ganjhu; that kind of thing only happens with critically ill patients, and even then, it's rare. 

Bloating

And although holding in your gas won't actually harm you, it can still make you feel like a sausage in too-tight casing. "Your digestive tract is like one of those big balloons clowns use to make animals,” says Ganjhu. “Anything that affects downstream will affect upstream.” What she means is any sort of air buildup lower in your gastrointestinal tract, like in your colon, will eventually push upward and cause bloating and discomfort around your midsection.

Your Farting M.O.

Your best bet is to excuse yourself to the restroom where you can relieve yourself in peace. Better now, when you expect it, than to have one squeak out in the middle of a meeting because you're trying to hold it in, right? If your goal is to cut down on your farting in the first place, try consuming more probiotics, which can help align the bacteria in your gut. "Fermented foods like yogurt, kimchi, and sauerkraut, are all good ways to get more probiotics, or you can try probiotic pills specifically for your digestive tract," says Ganjhu. 

And if you needed another reason to stay away from fake sweeteners, here you have it: "Fat-free and sugar-free sweeteners are full of non-absorbable sugars, which are non-digestible and come out as gas or diarrhea," says Ganjhu.

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4 Simple Ways To Help Keep Alzheimer's Out Of Your Future

Exercise, a good diet, and mental challenges are great for your brain individually. Together? They'll make you unstoppable, at least according to animal studies. Here, ranked from most-research-backed to least, are the things to focus on.

1. Exercise 3 hours a week.

You've experienced it yourself on a mind-clearing walk: Moving your body is freaking great for your brain, both now and years from now. Majid Fotuhi of NeurExpand recommends keeping your heart rate up for at least 20 minutes at a time. In one study, people who increased their three weekly walks from 10 to 40 minutes expanded their hippocampi by 2% after a year—the equivalent of getting 2 to 4 years younger above the neck. Exercise increases levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein that's essentially fertilizer for the brain.

2. Meditate 10 minutes a day.

Too much cortisol is hippocampal poison. Basic mindful meditation is an effective weapon against it (as is exercise). Fotuhi trains his patients to start with a simple 5-5-5 routine: Sit up straight, close your eyes, and inhale slowly for a count of 5, then exhale for a count of 5. Do this for 5 minutes. Stay with the count and the movement of your breath, even if your mind wanders. Practice this twice a day—or, if you're stressed all the time, 3 or 4 daily.

3. Get 1,500 mg of omega-3s daily.

Researchers studied 1,000 postmenopausal women, looking at their levels of two fatty acids found in fish, called eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

They found that women with significantly higher levels of the two fatty acids in their red blood cells also tended to have larger brains, and larger hippocampuses, the part of the brain associated with forming memories.

Fish for healthier brain

4. Memorize something every day.

Growing your brain might not be as simple as signing up for Lumosity—in fact, Fotuhi and a host of other neurologists find such arbitrary games to be ineffective—but making a habit of memorizing things will tone your hippocampi. Med students whose hippocampi were measured before and after they prepped for the boards substantially expanded their hippocampi after studying. 

A sport good for memories

People who learned to juggle (which is essentially memorization of physical movements) showed an increase in gray matter after 3 months. UCLA neurologist Gary Small recommends cross training, too. "Your brain loves variety," he says, so challenge it whenever you can. Increased social interaction helps, as does learning a new skill or language.

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Are Your Bad Habits Actually That Bad For Your Health?

Yeah, yeah, yeah. You know you shouldn't bite your nails or use with your iPhone right before you go to sleep, but chances are, you're going to keep doing these things anyway. So how bad is it? Let's take a look.

Crossing Your Legs

How bad is it? Don't stress over this one.

Forget the old wives tale about crossed legs causing varicose veins—whether you get those is based solely on heredity factors. And while crossing your legs can temporarily elevate blood pressure (which is why physicians often ask patients to keep their feet flat during checks) there are no long-term heart-health effects from sitting with your legs crossed. Instead of worrying about how you're sitting, you should be worried about how much you're sitting, says Deirdre Mattina, MD, member of the American College of Cardiology. Numerous studies have shown that prolonged sitting is associated with an increased risk of developing cancer and diabetes, among other health issues. "Basically, the more hours you sit, the quicker you die," says Mattina.

The fix: 

It's pretty much impossible to avoid sitting altogether, so Mattina suggests taking frequent walking breaks. If you're at the office, stroll over to someone's desk to chat instead of sending an email or simply set yourself a little reminder to get up and move every 30 minutes or so.

Biting Your Fingernails

How bad is it? It's not horrible, but it's also not harmless.

In addition to giving you funky-looking fingernails, nail biting can damage future nail growth. "Chronic nail biting can change the shape of the nail permanently so that they grow shorter and wider, making nails look stubby," says Dana Stern, MD, professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York. That's because frequent nail-biters are constantly damaging their nail matrix, the delicate, soft-tissue structure that produces the hard nail. Biting can also lead to nail discoloration and infections from outside bacteria and yeast from the mouth.

The fix: 

Since nail biting is often linked to anxiety, finding out why you have the urge to nibble is the first step (working with a psychologist or psychiatrist may help). Then, Stern suggests dropping some cash on regular manicures. "If you keep them polished, you're investing in them and it makes you pause before you bite," says Stern. The only downside: chipped or peeling polish, which can trigger the urge to nibble or pick.

Cracking Your Knuckles

How bad is it? Not a big deal—unless you do it 24/7

The satisfying (or, to others, really gross) sound of a knuckle cracking is actually joint fluid moving around in your digits, meaning the popping sound you hear isn't doing any major damage, unless you're doing it incessantly. "If you do it constantly, you'll wear out the ligaments in your joints," says Leon Benson, MD, orthopedic specialist and spokesperson for the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. Stretch out those ligaments too much and you could seriously impair their functioning, which could lead to arthritis.

The Fix: 

Chronic knuckle cracking is often linked to anxiety, so any type of treatment has to first begin with psychiatric help, says Benson. But for less intense or just occasional crackers, simply being more mindful of when you have the urge to crack and trying to stop yourself may be enough.

Texting (Or Facebooking Or Instagram Stalking) In Bed

How bad is it? You need to stop doing this—today

Smartphones are the grown-up equivalent of a security blanket, but taking it to bed with you isn't a good idea for your sleep schedule. "Cell phones emit a blue-green wavelength of light that's stimulating to us," says Diane Augelli, MD, assistant professor at the Weill Cornell Center for Sleep Medicine. That extra stimulation suppresses melatonin (a hormone your body produces to promote sleepiness), making it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep. What's more: chronic melatonin suppression could lead to an increased risk of breast, colorectal, and prostate cancers, according to a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

The Fix: 

"Ideally, you would just set your alarm before bed then not look at your phone again until the morning," says Augelli. Many experts go as far as to suggest turning off all electronics at least an hour before bed. Either way, it all comes down to willpower: "If you're worried about your sleep and your cell phone is impacting your sleep, you just have to make the choice to stay away from your phone," says Augelli.

Skipping Breakfast

How bad is it? It's not great.

On harried mornings, breakfast often feels like a luxury you just can't afford. But failing to break that overnight fast deprives your body of the fuel it needs to rev your metabolism and give you enough energy to start the day, says Alissa Rumsey, RD, spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Denying your body of that morning meal can also make you hungrier and more likely to overeat later in the day, and may even affect your concentration and memory. And if you skip breakfast on the regular, you could permanently slow down your metabolism, putting you at risk for issues like weight gain and diabetes.

The Fix: 

Use your weekends to prepare for the week. "Hard-boil a bunch of eggs, which are easy to grab in the morning, or stock up on containers of Greek yogurt with some nuts and fruit," says Rumsey. Smoothies are another easy solution—tossing dry ingredients into a blender the night before and adding liquid in the morning to blend cuts morning prep time in half . Still short on time? Stash some breakfast essentials at work—you'll still reap the same benefits of an immediate breakfast if you eat within an hour of waking.

Clearing Your Throat

How bad is it? Pretty bad

We usually clear our throats when we feel like something is stuck in it—totally normal during cold and flu season with the extra mucous created by sniffles and sneezes. But the problem with throat clearing is its habitual nature: "Throat clearing can become a vicious cycle; the more you do it, the more you want to do it," says Dale Tylor, MD, an otolaryngologist at the Washington Township Medical Foundation in Fremond, CA. And anytime you clear your throat, you're slamming your vocal cords together more forcefully than usual. "If you do that enough, you could get calluses or nodules on your vocal cords, which can significantly worsen your voice, making you very hoarse," says Tylor. Habitual throat-clearers could even develop a vocal cord hemorrhage, bleeding underneath the lining of the vocal cords, which requires speech therapy or surgery to heal.

 

The Fix: Each time you feel the urge to "ahem," take a sip of carbonated water, suggests Tylor. A a 2007 study that found 63% of throat-clearers noticed a reduction in their urges after sipping some ice-cold seltzer.

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