NOV 03, 2016Fighting childhood cancer in Northern California
Even if you’re leading a healthy lifestyle, you or a loved one could be among the more than 1 in 3 people in the United States diagnosed with cancer in their lifetimes. It’s encouraging to know that Kaiser Permanente specialty care is helping our members with cancer get back to pursuing their dreams. ... Learn more >
SEP 29, 2014Seasonal affective disorder: Using light therapy
Place the light box on a desk or table, and sit in front of it at the specified distance. You can do this while you read, eat breakfast, or work at a computer. The light should reach your eyes, but don’t stare at the light box. Light therapy is usually prescribed for 30 minutes to 2 hours a day, depending on the intensity of the light used and on whether you are starting out or have been using it for a while. Most light therapy is prescribed at 10,000 lux to be used in the early morning. Studies vary as to whether light therapy at other times of the day is less effective. But some people with SAD (perhaps those who wake up normally in the early morning) should do their light therapy for 1 to 2 hours in the evening, ending 1 hour before bedtime. Your doctor can help you decide which light exposure schedule will work best for you. Light therapy is usually started in the fall and continued through spring. When... Learn more >
AUG 13, 2014Sit less, move more — learn why
Move more and sit less, or you could jeopardize your health. That’s the message of a groundbreaking new study by Kaiser Permanente. ... Learn more >
AUG 07, 2014Are e-cigarettes a safe way to kick the habit?
Shocked to see everyone from celebrities to news show pundits lighting up on the air recently? Not too long ago, it seemed that cigarettes had been banished from the tube entirely. But these slender cylinders are now popping up in public all over the... Learn more >
AUG 07, 2014Are trendy foods really healthy?
The word “trending” has officially hit the health-food world. But before you buy, very literally, into the hype, make sure you read up on which health food trends have really earned their stay, and which are soon to expire. Açaí berries What is it? A nativ... Learn more >
AUG 07, 2014Better sleep for better health
When was the last time you got a great night’s sleep? If you routinely have difficulty getting to sleep or staying asleep, your life can start to look pretty dreary. Side effects of insomnia can include problems such as anxi... Learn more >
AUG 07, 2014 / Todd Weitzenberg, MDHow — and why — to improve your exercise program
To help you live a longer, healthier, and happier life, incorporate exercise into your daily routine. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, exercise helps prevent chronic disease, improves mental health, and increases your chances of living longer. ... Learn more >
AUG 07, 2014Service and Health: A Q&A with Christine Carter, Ph.D.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: ‘What are you doing for others?’” Each year, Americans across the country answer that question by coming together on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day to serve their neighbors and communities. Taking time to serve a community or individual in need makes us feel good. But is there any correlation between acts of kindness and our health? ... Learn more >
AUG 07, 2014Which is better: Walking or running?
There is much evidence pointing to regular exercise as the single best thing a person can do to improve health and longevity, and walking and running are popular ways to get the exercise you need. So, which is better? ... Learn more >
AUG 04, 2014A closer look at celiac disease and gluten sensitivity
What you need to know about celiac disease and gluten sensitivity. If you and gluten just don’t “jive,” you can r... Learn more >
