Counting calories: Get back to weight-loss basics
Despite all the diet strategies and fad diet promises out there, weight management still comes down to the number of calories you take in versus the number of calories your body uses. Replacing high-calorie foods with lower-calorie alternatives and reducing your portion sizes can help you cut calories and manage your weight. For a successful and sustainable weight management plan, though, you also need to increase your physical activity. Combining regular activity and healthy eating will help you achieve and maintain a healthy weight. Here's what you need to know.

EXPERT ANSWERS
How does trauma affect memory?
During a sexual assault or other traumatic event, the victim typically focuses on the main terrifying or traumatizing event — the central details, that can remain vivid in memory. Other less important details, called "peripheral details," may not be as well retained in memory. Learn more from Dr. Craig Sawchuk, a Mayo Clinic psychologist.

Is petroleum jelly safe for a dry nose?
Petroleum jelly is generally safe to use. Rarely, however, inhaling fat-based substances, such as petroleum jelly or mineral oil, for prolonged periods can cause lung problems. Learn more from Dr. Lawrence Gibson, a Mayo Clinic dermatologist, about safely soothing a chapped nose.

PLUS ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
Traumatic brain injury
Peripheral artery disease
Bags under eyes
ACL reconstruction

HEALTHY RECIPES
Cranberry orange glaze
Apple corn muffins
Pepper sauce
Low-sodium chicken stock

HEALTH TIP OF THE WEEK
How well do you wash your hands?
Washing your hands is one of the best ways to avoid getting sick. But do you wash properly? Remember to follow these steps:

1. Wet your hands with warm or cold water, and apply soap.
2. Rub your hands vigorously for at least 20 seconds.
3. Scrub all surfaces, including the backs of your hands, wrists, between your fingers and under your fingernails.
4. Rinse well.
5. Dry your hands with a clean towel.

Need practical advice on diet and exercise? Want creative solutions for stress and other lifestyle issues? Discover more healthy lifestyle topics at mayoclinic.org.

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The post Housecall: 7 benefits of regular exercise appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Smart use of opioids and other ways to manage pain
Opioids are a broad group of pain-relieving drugs. They are sometimes the right treatment for pain, but they're never without risk. Find out how to use opioids safely, and discover alternative ways to ease discomfort.

EXPERT ANSWERS
Can chronic stress cause depression?
Depression has many possible causes, including genetics and brain chemistry. Chronic stressful life situations can increase your risk of developing depression if you aren't coping with the stress well. Learn more from Dr. Daniel Hall-Flavin, a Mayo Clinic psychiatrist.

Is petroleum jelly safe for a dry nose?
Need to soothe a dry nose? Petroleum jelly is generally safe to use, but it can cause lung problems in certain cases. Learn more from Dr. Lawrence Gibson, a Mayo Clinic dermatologist.

PLUS ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
Dental implant surgery
Strep throat
Abdominal aortic aneurysm
Complete blood count

HEALTHY RECIPES
Whole-grain banana bread
Quinoa cakes
Quesadillas
Asian pork tenderloin

HEALTH TIP OF THE WEEK
Does zinc work for colds?
The research isn't clear on whether zinc is helpful for the common cold, because many zinc studies — both those that found zinc beneficial and those that didn't — were flawed. In studies with positive results, zinc lozenges or syrup appeared to shorten a cold by one day and seemed most effective when taken within 24 hours of the start of symptoms. Taking zinc lozenges with food may reduce side effects, such as a bad taste and nausea. Steer clear of zinc nasal spray, however, which may permanently damage your sense of smell.

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The post Housecall: Treating your cold symptoms appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

"Dermatologists are always encouraging people to protect their skin," says Mayo Clinic pediatric dermatologist Dr. Dawn Davis, who was not part of the research. "This study emphasizes the importance of [moisturizer] for newborns in reducing the risk for the rashes and itching of eczema."

In this Mayo Clinic Radio Health Minute, Dr. Davis explains why petroleum jelly is a good defense against eczema.

To listen, click the link below.

Protecting babies from eczema risk

The post Protecting babies from eczema risk: Mayo Clinic Radio Health Minute appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

“It’s an oil derived from paraffin wax that has many uses,” says Mayo Clinic dermatologist Dr. Dawn Davis. “I’m constantly recommending petroleum jelly to my patients.”

In this Mayo Clinic Minute, Dr. Davis shows just how far petroleum jelly can go in making you and your family comfortable this winter. Jeff Olsen reports.

Watch: The Mayo Clinic Minute

Journalists: Broadcast-quality video pkg (0:59) is in the downloads. Read the script. 

The post Mayo Clinic Minute: The many benefits of petroleum jelly appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

"Dermatologists are always encouraging people to protect their skin," says Mayo Clinic pediatric dermatologist Dr. Dawn Davis, who was not part of the research. "This study emphasizes the importance of [moisturizer] for newborns in reducing the risk for the rashes and itching of eczema."

In this Mayo Clinic Minute, Dr. Davis explains why petroleum jelly is a good defense against eczema. Jeff Olsen reports.

Watch: The Mayo Clinic Minute

Journalists: Broadcast-quality video pkg (0:59) is in the downloads. Read the script.

The post Mayo Clinic Minute: Protecting babies from eczema risk appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

THIS WEEK'S TOP STORIES

Cold remedies: What works, what doesn't, what can't hurt
For generations, people have turned to chicken soup to relieve cold symptoms. Does it really work? What about other remedies? Get the facts, and feel better soon.

EXPERT ANSWERS
Petroleum jelly: Safe for a dry nose?
Looking to soothe a chapped nose? Petroleum jelly is generally OK to use, but it can cause lung problems in certain cases.

Pain and depression: Is there a link?
There may be a connection between pain and depression. The good news is that some treatments may help both conditions.

PLUS ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
Slideshow: Portion control for weight loss
Pap smear: Why it's done
Living better with psoriatic arthritis
How to be happy: Tips for cultivating contentment

HEALTHY RECIPES
Roasted butternut squash fries
Quinoa cakes
Roasted red snapper
Smoky bean and mushroom cornucopias

HEALTH TIP OF THE WEEK
Avoid rebound nasal congestion
Decongestant nasal sprays can help reduce nasal congestion when you have a cold. But, after a few days, the lining of your nose may become less responsive to the medication. You may need more and more nasal spray to control congestion. If you stop using the medication, your congestion may get worse. This is known as rebound congestion. What's the fix? If you have rebound congestion, stop using the spray and wait. Call your doctor if you need help. To prevent rebound congestion, use decongestant spray for no more than a few days in a row.

Need practical advice on diet and exercise? Want creative solutions for stress and other lifestyle issues? Discover more healthy lifestyle topics at mayoclinic.org.

NOW BLOGGING
Paraprobiotics: Next functional food frontier?
You may have taken probiotics, a type of live "good" bacteria, to help treat digestive issues. Now researchers are eager to see what paraprobiotics (inactive forms of bacteria) can do.

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