All of us, men and women alike, need sleep. But one of us needs it more. Any guesses?

Women.

Doctors are discovering that poor sleep habits make women more vulnerable than men to heart disease and diabetes. Controlling for age, race, and smoking and menstrual status, researchers found there's no changing the the fact that women -- all women -- are at risk for these illnesses when their sleep patterns are disrupted.

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Need help sleeping? Mother Nature may be all you need, say the Ladies Home Journal folks. Try these recommended remedies.

• Soak up the sunshine, preferably between 6:00 and 8:00 AM. Sunlight has a potent effect on your body's internal clock and this can help reset your sleep cycles. The goal: Stay awake all day; sleep all night. Letting the sun in will help you land success.

• Dim the lights, preferably between 7:00 and 8:00 PM. This will help prime your body for sleep. Do dine by candlelight. Don't use your computer at night -- the glare will stimulate your brain instead of calming it.

• Exercise in the evening. Some studies say exercising close to bedtime will leave you wired. But a new one says three workouts a week between 5:00 and 7:00 PM can help improve sleep. Perhaps exercise during these hours creates a pleasant tiredness. Maybe it helps us unwind after hectic days. Regardless, it seems to work.

• Cover your clock. Or at least move it away from your bed. The more you look at your clock during sleepless nights, the more anxiety you'll feel about not sleeping.

• Perfume your pillow. Call it aroma-sleep-therapy. Some fragrances can lead you into slumber. Try lavender or myrrh -- just put a few drops of the oils on a handkerchief and tuck in your pillowcase.

• Relax in the tub. Warm water can ease your body into sound sleep. It relaxes tired muscles and triggers a shift in body temperature -- a cue it's time to doze off.

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Bulimia nervosa, like anorexia nervosa, is an eating disorder that centers around control. One of the most common eating disorders, bulimia is characterized by consuming large amounts of food and then ridding the stomach of its contents by way of vomiting, over-exercising, or use of laxatives.

Eating to excess (called the "binge") is comforting to bulimics. But eating too much causes them to feel out of control. They also feel guilt, shame, and a fear of weight gain which causes them to "purge." This "binge and purge" cycle is extremely dangerous and can lead to serious and long-term health problems, like tooth decay, gum disease, loss of tooth enamel, osteoporosis, kidney damage, heart problems, and even death.

Because bulimia is harder to recognize than anorexia -- the symptoms are more subtle and bulimics are not always thin -- awareness is critical. Please consider these symptoms and physical effects of bulimia.

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Are you a consumer of high glycemic index (GI) foods? Probably you are -- most of us are at regular intervals. New research reports, however, that not only will you gain more weight from eating a diet rich in high glycemic foods, but there are risks to liver health as well.

The study involved mice of course, and the liver problems caused by overconsumption of high glycemic foods has already been termed non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

White bread, potatoes and refined starches cause a rapid spike in blood sugar, which causes the problems. In fact, I'd go as far as saying everyone should cut out as many refined, white products as possible: bread, rice, potatoes, flour and anything else that contains refined (read: nutritionally worthless) grains and bleached flour products.

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The U.S. government said this past Thursday that almost 33 percent of all U.S. adults with arthritis say that it's caused them to have limited success with their work.

In terms of the loss of productivity to businesses, that figure is astounding if you think about it. Although the study looked at 2003 numbers (the last year the data was available), the ranges per state spread from 25 percent (Nevada) to 50 percent (Kentucky).

Arthritis hits all ages, so this is not a study looking at positions held by older Americans -- but by any and all working Americans. The most recent figure: 46 million Americans suffer from some kind of arthritis.

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Do you pound your fists on the desk or wall at work and take frequent breaks to 'get away' from bosses and co-workers while at work? These signs of chronic stress (among many others) can cause a doubling of heart attack risk in those that have a history of heart/coronary events.

A new study released this week found that recurrent heart attacks can be the result of frequent, unrelenting stress and the risk doubles in those with a previous heart event.

It adds to previous studies and bodies of evidence that suggest high stress levels cause heart attacks, but this study goes one further and concludes that repeating heart problems can be a result as well, especially in those with a history of heart issues. It's time to find stress reduction techniques if you fall into this category.

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Back pain strikes us all at a certain point. Whether you're a high school athlete that takes crunching tackles every week to a worker bee in that cubicle econo-chair day after day, that back is unforgiving when it starts to hurt.

Yes, there are ways to minimize back pain, from chair designs to protective padding. But, if you already have it, or are interested in preventive maintenance, there are many easy (and free!) exercises you can perform to ensure that back does not give out any time soon.

Now, as with all exercises, consistency and patience are two virtues you'll need here. These exercises do not give instant results, but with patience, that pain you have (not chronic, hopefully) may go on a semi-permanent vacation.

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A new study has poked the ongoing debate on whether the mercury-containing preservative thimerosal causes neurological disorders in some children. The biggest condition that comes up regularly is autism, although many experts have now stated that vaccinations containing thimerosal have no effect on potential autism.

The latest study comes from the federal government in an attempt to reassure parents about the safety of vaccination shots given to their kids.

But, this study was different -- it concentrated on neurological disorders, but did not include autism at all. However, a federal study that will look at autism causes is due soon, according to federal health authorities. In this most recent study, there was no clear link between between early exposure to the preservative thimerosal and any brain functions in kids aged 7 to 10.

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One thing I have noticed in this day and age is the reactiveness of most people when it comes to their own health. Unless you feel bad or shows signs of something, health is a little-thought-of piece of daily life for many of us. Why is that?

I'm not sure this is the best analogy, but it's like vehicles. Do every one of us check our oil levels, transmission fluid and tire pressure every week or month? I'd suspect not. we apply the same principle to our own health.

But, two new studies concluded with this one simple message: people need to take care of their heart both before and after heart trouble starts. In other words, have regular checkups and follow through with doctor's orders when something of concern shows up. Just because there is no pain doesn't mean there isn't something brewing, right?

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Are you familiar with peripheral arterial disease (PAD)? I must admit, I was unaware of what it was, and 75 percent of the adult population in the U.S. is apparently in the same boat.

PAD is a very common blockage of blood vessels in the legs that boosts heart risk. It's estimated that 8 million Americans are affected with PAD, but most of the country has no idea it exists. Sounds like a matter of education to me. Artery blockages anywhere in the body is something patients need to know about. Well, let's just say citizens and include everyone.

PAD happens when the arteries in the legs are blocked with fatty deposits, much like what happens quite often in heart disease. The problem here is that the heart doesn't have an issue - the leg does, and amputation can even result in some cases.

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I came across this article about a study that concludes teen girls (and adult women as well) who spend too much time talking with friends about their problems may face a higher instance of depression. If it's true, I find this news is some of the most disappointing I've heard in ages. In fact, I find it kind of depressing all on its own.

Apparently both girls and boys (and men and women) vent about their problems with friends, which helps form stronger bonds and also should make them feel better. But study results showed that, often when teen girls share their negative feelings, it only leads to additional discussion and more negative feelings. For some, the pattern continues and ends in depression.

The piece does say that many of the girls who became depressed were prone to sadness and anxiety anyway. It also makes sure to point out that talking about their feelings doesn't automatically lead to depression for girls, but that it is a possible outcome. Personally, I don't know what I would do if I didn't have my girlfriends to talk to about problems with relationships, friendships, work and even just a bad day. It definitely has never made me feel worse. How about you? Have you ever found that venting has made you more unhappy about a certain situation?

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I was having a hard time sleeping and turned on the TV at 4:00a.m. to watch some morning news. The news anchor announced a new diet pill for dogs with a picture of an extremely over weight beagle behind him and said that the pill should be approved by the FDA, Food and Drug Administration, by next year.

HELLO.......Get your lazy butt up off the couch and take the dog for a long walk every day. You know you might shed some pounds yourself. It is time we build some healthy relationships with our pets and give them the care and nutrition and exercise that they require to live a healthy life. With obesity rates rising in the U.S. in children, teens, adults and in pets, we should get a clue on our daily diet and exercise programs. For heaven sakes your dog can't open the fridge to feed itself unless it is the dog in the beer commercial who fetches his owner a beer. Fat-filled dog foods and treats can create exceptionally unhealthy pets that are subject to the same health complications as people with obesity and related complications. Supermarket shelves are filled with dog foods that claim to be natural dog food or healthy dog food. Read the ingredients in the fine print. So feed the dog a good quality food low in saturated fats and low in corn meals and other fillers and by products. Reduce the quantity of food every day if your dog is over weight. And a must is to give the dog some exercise. All dogs like to take walks. I think it is the owners that don't like to walk. Go out in the back yard and throw a ball or Frisbee. Give it healthy snacks and treats like a piece of carrot or a slice of apple or a piece of banana. Yes my dogs love these healthy treats.

In an extreme case if the dog has a major physical ailment that keeps it from walking and exercising, the pill might do some good. But you know the diet pills for humans can eventually create problems for our liver and heart so if that is the case for dogs also, we need to take a look at the quality of life here for that pet.

Many health problems can get in the way of having a good sex life. Side effects from prescription medication, depression and sexually transmitted diseases cuts down on the amount of pleasure and activity. Consult with your physician if you are not satisfied with your sex life or if you do not have any sex drive at all. The University of Michigan released a report on 9 health issues that can effect your sexual satisfaction.

Many common drugs can have side effects that impact sexual health, including medications that treat blood pressure, heart conditions and depression. Heart attacks or cardio problems don't have to end your sex life. A physician can give you the go ahead to return to a sexual relationship not long after surgery or pacemaker implants. People with sexually transmitted diseases were encouraged not to sustain from sex but to increase protection from spreading the disease. Lowering alcohol consumption can increase sexual pleasure. Poor body image and self esteem especially in women decreased the desire to have sex. Menopause and pregnancy were two other issues for women and can easily be treated with lubricants and topical estrogen creams. And stress, oh yes that hidden killer that is believed to contribute to heart attacks and other poor health issues, is a killer of sexual desire also.

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Sometimes when life throws you a bunch of difficult situations to handle and you think you will never get through it all, your inner strength may just need to take a vacation to let you know your body and mind need a complete rest before you totally shut down. Stress. The silent killer. Oh boy was I there the last few weeks and this past weekend my inner strength said it had had quite enough to deal with and was time for a vacation. I had hit that brick wall and it knocked me flat on my big girl pantie butt. Health issues, financial issues, sick family members, computer problems, relationship problems, and the loss of a dalmatian that has been a child in the family for 13 years. No willpower in the world was going to drag me out of bed. I am not a violent person but finally when I did make it out of bed, I just wanted to hit something and cry.

Then it dawned on me all of the articles I had read on boxing and how it relieved stress and not to mention was a good cardio work out. Well I didn't want to go to a gym all puffy eyed from crying for two days and start beating the crap out of punching bags in public. People might think I was waging a war inside toward someone. And actually I was waging a war inside with life's situations that somehow creep up on you when you reach that soon to be 50 mark and responsibilities seem to triple. So I stuffed an over sized pillow case full of towels and blankets and hung it over the door of my closet and whala a punching bag and a huge stress reliever. When I was completely out of breath, I sank to the floor and let the weight of the world fall to the ground. Nothing had been resolved any more than it was 15 minutes before that, but it felt like it had.

Just getting rid of some of the stress let my inner strength back in to start dealing with everything that I faced. I miss my dog "Cally" just like losing a family member but now I am able to focus on the memories we had with her and not just the pain of losing her. I got a letter saying I was accepted into a health program that will give me financial assistance for medical care, and after three weeks of trying to figure out a computer problem, my best friend finally figured out my computer problems with me over the phone and that allowed me to get back into the server to blog. I should have made that make shift punching bag years ago and now I am a firm believer of lightweight boxing and doing something to get rid of stress.