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references The American Journal of Gastroenterology: “Chronic Constipation in the United States: Results From a Population-Based Survey Assessing Healthcare Seeking and Use of Pharmacotherapy” National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK): “Symptoms & Causes of Constipation” Digestive Disease Week: “Abstract Sa1711: Abnormal sleep duration is associated with constipation in a national study” Is this an emergency? If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, please see the National Library of Medicine’s list of signs you need emergency medical attention or call 911....

Breathing exercises are important for singers. Image Credit: Caiaimage/Sam Edwards/Caiaimage/GettyImages Wedding toasts, presentations and interviews are only some of the many situations in which you’ll want to put your best voice forward. That’s where voice training exercises come in. Working your voice to vocal perfection takes work and starts with the correct breathing techniques. Get your vocal workout jump-started with vocal training videos, a voice coach, or acting and singing classes....

Young couple jogging together in the park Image Credit: Martinan/iStock/Getty Images Muscle twitches can be the result of various factors, weight loss being one of them. Although weight loss does not directly cause muscle twitches, several by-products of losing weight can cause these muscular contractions to occur, including sweating and the overuse of muscles. Advertisement Muscle Twitches Muscle twitches are involuntary muscular contractions that are visible under the skin. A muscle twitch is usually harmless, with no medical treatment needed usually....

A bowl of fresh parsley and cilantro on pink gingham. Image Credit: MaElena1/iStock/Getty Images Fresh herbs have a place in any health-conscious kitchen because they add bright, fresh flavor to your meals while being low in calories, fat and sodium. Cilantro and parsley are no exceptions – a cup of either herb contains fewer than 25 calories and boasts less than half a gram of fat and fewer than 35 milligrams of sodium....

The consequences of heating cooking oils extend far beyond the immediate risk of burns by splattering hot oil. Image Credit: Lisovskaya/iStock/GettyImages Ever wonder if burned cooking oil is toxic? The consequences of heating cooking oils extend far beyond the immediate risk of burns by splattering hot oil. All oils can withstand varying levels of heat, but overheating can cause cooking oil hazards. Advertisement If that level is exceeded, however, the oil not only begins to lose its nutritional value and flavor, it produces toxic fumes and hazardous substances called free radicals....

An assortment of gourmet candy on display at a store. Image Credit: Gargolas/iStock/Getty Images Carb counting is a type of diet usually used by people who have diabetes to help control blood glucose (sugar). The goal of carb counting is to eat a limited amount of carbohydrates at each meal because carbohydrates are broken down into glucose in the blood. Carbohydrates come from grains, starches and sugar. Sometimes sugar alcohols are used as a sugar substitute to lower the amount of carbohydrates in a food....

Adolescents brought up on a diet of processed foods risk health consequences, including weight gain. Image Credit: kwanchaichaiudom/iStock/Getty Images Students need to eat healthy foods to achieve academic success, to experience proper growth and development and to prevent chronic disease. Adolescent and adult obesity continues to be a serious problem throughout the country, with 34 percent of adult Americans over the age of 20 having obesity and 34 percent having overweight....

A man drinking a glass of water in bed. Image Credit: tab1962/iStock/Getty Images A fever is a defense response of the immune system to fight infectious diseases. Its purpose is to create an inhospitable environment for the disease-causing agent to help the body destroy it. Other conditions might also cause an elevation in body temperature, such as sunburn, some medications and immunizations. The old adage to drink plenty of fluids holds true for a person experiencing a fever....

A boxer is punching. Image Credit: XiXinXing/XiXinXing/Getty Images With all of the force behind each punch, a boxer’s hands and wrists can take a beating. This is especially true if the boxer fails to use proper form when punching or does not wrap his wrists adequately before a fight or working on the heavy bag. This can result in wrist soreness that may keep you out of the ring and even require surgery....

Yoga without a mat can be uncomfortable. Image Credit: Tatomm/iStock/Getty Images When faced with using a mat or towel for yoga, it really isn’t a question of “Which one?” A yoga mat is a necessity for a successful, safe and comfortable practice. Specially made yoga towels, however, which are made of wicking fabric and often with rubber grips to hold them in place, are an add-on that can offer value in certain types of classes....

Yoga was intended to be more of a spiritual practice than a physical one. Image Credit: Thomas Barwick/DigitalVision/GettyImages In This Article Monkey Pose (Hanumanasana) Warrior I and II (Virabhadrasana I and II) Tree Pose (Vrikshasana) Child's Pose (Balasana) Corpse Pose (Savasana) For many people, practicing yoga is much more than a way to get exercise. Rooted in the Indian Vedic tradition (a predecessor of Hinduism), yoga postures are deeply symbolic, and understanding their spiritual meaning offers us a new way to embody them on the mat....

It may take some time for you to fully regain your strength following a bout of the flu. Image Credit: Charday Penn/iStock/GettyImages Once the symptoms of a cold or the flu are gone, it can still take some time to regain strength and fully recover from these energy-sapping ailments. Experts recommend getting plenty of rest, staying hydrated, slowly returning to your old routines and focusing on nourishing, healthy food and drinks....

Lecithin helps soften the texture of whole-grain breads. Image Credit: AllAGRI/iStock/Getty Images An unfamiliar ingredient to most home bakers, lecithin is widely used in commercial baking. It’s an emulsifier, an ingredient that helps other ingredients to mix more easily and remain mixed. Bakeries add lecithin to bread and other baked goods to improve doughs and batters, or to keep them from staling. It’s also used in eggless baking, where it can replace the naturally occurring lecithin in egg yolks....

A stress test shows how efficiently your heart is working. Image Credit: andresr/E+/GettyImages A treadmill test, also known as a cardiac stress test or an exercise stress test, is a fairly common medical test that can show how efficiently your heart is working. Though it can feel rigorous, it’s not painful and can warn of heart problems. Advertisement For example, the Mayo Clinic says that heart stress test results are helpful for identifying coronary artery disease and heart rhythm problems....

A woman in full cycling gear rides her bike down a big road in the countryside. Image Credit: Thinkstock Images/Stockbyte/Getty Images Many avid cyclists have experienced pimples and chafing on their buttocks or inner thighs. Cycling pimples and chafing can be uncomfortable or painful during rides, but proper treatment can relieve symptoms and speed healing. Consult your doctor or a dermatologist if your symptoms do not improve soon or if you suspect that you are developing an infection....

The premise of an alkaline diet is that it changes body pH, which reduces the risk of certain health problems. Image Credit: anandaBGD/iStock/GettyImages You’d be forgiven if pH levels were something you learned about in chemistry class and then promptly forgot. But unlike the inner workings of a frog (anyone else dissect amphibians in anatomy class?), this is one high school factoid that actually applies to your everyday life. Advertisement Your body pH — a measure of acidity or alkalinity — plays a critical role in your health....

It's possible that ginger ale is good for you if you have nausea from morning sickness. Image Credit: Jamie Grill/Tetra Images/Tetra images/GettyImages In This Article Nausea and Vomiting Immune Function Other Alternatives Many of us were taught growing up that drinking ginger ale can help with gastrointestinal issues like nausea. But is ginger ale good for you, or is it one of those health myths people continue to pass down through generations?...

No, sleeping next to your phone isn't frying your brain. But there are other negative effects to know about. Image Credit: LIVESTRONG.com Creative How Bad Is It Really? sets the record straight on all the habits and behaviors you’ve heard might be unhealthy. In This Article Cancer Risk Other Negative Effects Bottom Line If you've ever heard the rumors about cell phone radiation causing brain cancer, you might assume sleeping next to your phone is a bad idea....

Cardio lowers resting heart rate. Image Credit: pixelfit/E+/GettyImages Knowing that you should exercise is sometimes just not enough motivation. Think about the long- and short-term effects of exercise on the respiratory system as well as on your heart and muscle function. A well-thought workout plan will also benefit your waistline, so go ahead and give it a try. Advertisement ​Exercise Lowers Resting Heart Rate​ The cardiovascular system consists of your heart and all of your blood vessels — veins, arteries and capillaries....

Burning or pain in your chest when you breathe after a workout could signal exercise-induced asthma. Image Credit: Paul Sutherland/Photodisc/Getty Images If you have any type of unusual chest pain, especially following a workout, you should see your physician to rule out a heart attack or other conditions related to coronary artery disease, such as angina. If your doctor rules out heart problems as the source of your chest discomfort post-workout, you and he should explore other options....