Blog Posts by Health.com

CorbisBy Nick Burns

Before hopping into bed with a new sex partner, have an open and honest conversation about your sexual histories, risks, and the last time you were tested for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

Health.com: What to do if your sex partner refuses to wear a condom

Knowing someone's test results isn't enough. "Even if your partner tested negative for HIV last week, it doesn't mean he or she isn't HIV positive," says Perry N. Halkitis, PhD, a psychologist specializing in HIV at New York University. "Most HIV tests can only detect the virus starting three to six months after infection-so you should ask about your partner's sexual history for the past six months."

Health.com: Condom broke? What to do after unprotected sex

Here's what you need to find out. Of course, you probably won't get too far down the list if you just roll out the interrogation; but these are the questions you really do need answers to, one way or another. One option: Start by sharing

Read More »from 10 questions to ask a new partner before having sex

Getty ImagesBy Anne Harding

Women with very demanding jobs are nearly twice as likely to have a heart attack as their peers in more easygoing occupations, a new study suggests.

Researchers at Harvard Medical School analyzed 10 years of survey and medical data on more than 17,000 women in the health profession. The women, who were enrolled in a long-running study on heart disease, were all in their 50s or early 60s when the study began.

The women who said their job requires them to work "very hard" or "very fast" but who have little say over their day-to-day tasks-a combination known as "job strain"-were 88 percent more likely than those in less-stressful jobs to have a heart attack.

They were also 43 percent more likely to need heart surgery, according to the study, which was presented Sunday at an annual meeting of the American Heart Association in Chicago.

Health.com: Job killing you? 8 types of work-related stress

In addition, women who were stressed out by work -- or

Read More »from Why you need to relax at work: Job strain ups heart-attack risk in women

This ultimate feel-good food keeps your heart healthy, mood up, and body in great shape. Find out what all this natural ingredient can do for you.

Health.com: 8 chocolate treats under 80 calories

Heart helper
Chocotini, anyone? A study in the Journal of Nutrition found that people who ate dark chocolate had less of a protein that indicates inflammation, which can lead to a heart attack. Plus, alcohol boosts HDL (good) cholesterol.

Chocolate martini recipe from The Peninsula Chicago:

• 1 oz vanilla vodka, such as Stoli
• 1 1/2 ounces dark chocolate liqueur, such as Godiva
• 1 1/2 ounces plain soy or skim milk
• 1/2 ounce chocolate syrup

Combine all ingredients in a shaker and shake vigorously. Pour mixture into a martini glass, and serve.

Health.com: 12 nights of healthy holiday drinks

Mood booster
There's a good reason we crave chocolate when we're down. Its tryptophan ups mood-lifting serotonin in the brain, says Leah Sherman, a naturopathic physician in Portland, Oregon.Read More »from The benefits of being a chocolate lover

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Healthy eating lowers your risk of diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease, but it's not yet clear if that's true for Alzheimer's disease as well.

"I can't write a prescription for broccoli and say this will help-yet," says Sam Gandy MD, PhD, the associate director of the Mount Sinai Medical Center Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, in New York City.

(The National Institutes of Health recently said there is insufficient evidence that food, diet, or lifestyle will prevent Alzheimer's disease.)

It's not a lost cause though. Here are 9 foods that researchers think will keep your whole body-including your brain-healthy.

Oil-based salad dressings
"The data support eating foods that are high in vitamin E and this includes healthy vegetable oil-based salad dressings, seeds and nuts, peanut butter, and whole grains," says Martha Clare Morris, ScD, director of the section on nutrition and nutritional epidemiology in the Department of Internal Medicine at Rush

Read More »from 9 foods that may help save your memory

Health magazineOur new columnist, beauty-and-lifestyle guru Bobbi Brown, solves your "Oh, no!" issues.

All of a sudden, my hands seem rough, red, and just older looking. What's the fix?
-Brooke Brokaw Ruddy, Johnston, Iowa

Bobbi: Regular manicures keep your hands in good shape; pick a sheer cream or beige polish instead of red hues, which can make hands look ruddier. I also suggest protecting your skin every day with a hand cream that has SPF. If your hands still look rough, rub on a little olive oil-it really works to moisturize and soften skin.

Health.com: Get personalized skin care advice from our beauty editor!

I'm so busy this time of year, it's hard to wash and style my hair every morning. What can I do to look polished?
-Ali Peene, Washington, D.C.

Bobbi: There are three elements to your look: hair, clothes, and makeup. So on days you don't have time for your hair, just put it in a low ponytail, make sure you're wearing a nice outfit with the right accessories, and put on your makeup. It's

Read More »from Bobbi Brown’s beauty rehab: Get silky hands and stress-free hair

Health magazineOur new columnist, beauty-and-lifestyle guru Bobbi Brown, solves your "Oh, no!" issues.

"It seems like my roots grew in overnight. How can I hide them?"
-Karen Stinchfield, New Canaan, Connecticut

Bobbi: I can sympathize. I dye my hair, too-and I'm just 5 feet tall, so everyone notices when I have roots. To hide them, I dab a cotton swab in gel eyeliner and blend it over the new growth along my part. Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner in Sepia Ink matches my hair perfectly.

Health.com: How to brighten up blah hair color

"I bite my nails when I'm nervous. How can I stop?"
-Kristen Cappello, New York City

Bobbi: Trim and buff your nails to a short length so you're not tempted. Then apply a bad-tasting top coat. To break the habit, find something else to do when you're nervous. Breathing exercises help me, but if you need something to do with your hands, get a strand of worry beads that you can fiddle with.

Health.com: Get personalized skin care advice from our beauty editor!

Read More »from Bobbi Brown’s beauty rehab: Hide your roots and quit the nail biting

Health magazineOur new columnist, beauty-and-lifestyle guru Bobbi Brown, solves your "Oh, no!" issues.

"My hair is so limp in winter! How do you get yours to have some body?"
-Renee Henry, Little Valley, N.Y.

Bobbi: I turn my head upside down and add a lifting mousse to my roots while it's still damp. The key is to not apply it on top; you have to get it underneath, right at the roots. I also find adding loose curls or waves helps give my hair extra body. There are even little pocket-sized curling irons you can throw in your bag or stash at the office if you need to re-curl or add body at the end of the day.

Health.com: Get personalized skincare advice from our beauty editor!

"My lipstick always comes off when I'm nibbling and drinking at holiday parties. Is there a way to make it last?"
-Kym Taylor, Chazy, N.Y.

Bobbi: To this day, I've never found a super-long-lasting lip color that doesn't feel dry. I suggest applying your favorite lipstick this way: Use your finger to press the color onto your

Read More »from Bobbi Brown’s beauty rehab: Winter hair and lasting lipstick

Getty ImagesBy Amanda Gardner

Regular exercise can improve your mood, help you lose weight, and add years to your life. Still need another reason to hit the gym? A new study suggests that working out regularly helps ward off colds and flu.

Read More »from Daily exercise helps keep the sniffles away