Health Warnings

It's estimated that 10 million Americans suffer with noise-induced hearing loss. In fact, noise is one of the most common occupational hazards today, with as many as 30 million Americans being exposed to harmful noise levels at work.

We register sound through little hairs that vibrate in our inner ears in response to different noises. When these hairs are exposed to a sudden burst of very loud noise or to a steady stream of fairly loud noise, they can get damaged, resulting in hearing loss.

In July 2008, the New York Times published an article that raised public concern over potential health hazards of living around granite countertops and floors.

At issue is whether granite emits dangerous amounts of radon, a colorless and odorless gas that is known to cause lung cancer.

Chet Day is the founder and editor of ChetDay.com , a premier online resource for natural health information. What follows is a must-read article for people who are following strict vegan diets and experiencing health challenges. I appreciate this article because it serves as a reminder to be honest with ourselves about how we're doing rather than stay rigidly attached to a particular philosophy or program. Many thanks to Chet for his gracious support in sharing this article with our readers. - Ben Kim

Updated on March 16, 2010

In the wake of the tragic passing of actress Natasha Richardson, I'd like to share a few details on head injuries that everyone should know about.

Based on what I've read in several newspaper reports, Natasha Richardson died from an epidural hematoma, which medical professionals will tell you is one of the most frightening conditions around because it can be caused by a low force blow to the head, and also because initially, there may be no signs to indicate that a serious injury has occurred.

In late 2008, the Vitamin D Council issued a warning on ingesting cod liver oil due to concerns about high levels of vitamin A in many brands of cod liver oil.

What follows are my answers to the most common queries that I received on the Vitamin D Council's paper.

I WAS vain.

That’s the only way I can explain why I willingly let a doctor cut my corneas with a laser: vanity.

Little did I know when I chose Lasik surgery that I would not end up satisfied like the friends and acquaintances who raved about their post-glasses existence. Instead, my days are complicated, since I am dealing with side effects that are far more bothersome than being unfashionably four-eyed.

When Tim Gullickson, former professional tennis player and coach to Pete Sampras, died in 1996 from complications related to brain tumors, I distinctly remember reading about Tim's fondness for diet Coke; according to one close friend, Tim was addicted to the stuff - he always seemed to have a can in hand.

If you're a fan of sushi, it's worth noting that some types of fish tend to contain more mercury than others; by choosing wisely, you can minimize your risk of experiencing mercury toxicity.

In a relatively unpolluted setting, raw fish is an excellent food choice for most people - few other foods provide the same abundance of healthy protein, healthy fatty acids, and micronutrients.

More than 2 million baby cribs made by Vancouver-based company, Stork Craft, have been recalled after their drop-side cribs were linked to the suffocation of at least four children in the U.S.

Some of the recalled cribs were sold with a Fisher Price logo. More than one million of the recalled cribs were sold in Canada; the remainder were presumably sold mainly in the States.

In the May 30, 2009 issue of The Lancet, Italian physicians warn that children are at risk of experiencing caffeine intoxication from chewing gum that contains caffeine.

The case study that prompted this warning involved a 13-year-old boy who was taken to the hospital after exhibiting strong aggression and agitation with no obvious cause.