Weight loss. At this time of year, those two words are a gold-medal-like goal for many people. But sometimes, weight loss isn't necessarily a good thing.

Steve Jobs, Apple CEO, has lost massive amounts of weight recently ... and not because he wanted to. In recent months, he's been so thin, many people were afraid for his health. Jobs recently sent out an open letter to the Apple community that explains his dramatic weight loss. Jobs is suffering from a hormone imbalance. Jobs said, "The remedy for this nutritional problem is relatively simple and straightforward, and I've already begun treatment."

Unexplained weight loss can be a sign of many medical issues, such as Jobs' hormone imbalance. If you're experiencing unexplained weight loss, be sure to make an appointment with your doctor ASAP. If, on the other hand, you're on the flip side of the coin and struggling to lose unwanted pounds, check out the America Takes It Off: Shrink a Size program.

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Recent research shows -- believe it or not -- that sweat and airway secretion are linked. For people who have exercise-induced asthma, dryness in their airways can trigger asthma symptoms. Increased airway secretions can minimize or prevent symptoms during exercise.

Study participants were given medications to induce asthma symptoms and/or sweating. Obviously, the average Joe can't pop a pill to increase sweat production. And honestly, who would want to? So while researchers still work out the practical applications of this knowledge, follow these tips from the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology:

• Try swimming -- the warm, humid atmosphere reduces the risk of symptoms.
• If you want to play team sports, opt for those -- like baseball -- that have short bursts of intense activity rather than continuous movement.
• In cold weather, wear a scarf or mask over your mouth and nose to warm the inhaled air.

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It isn't brand-new news that obesity can worsen asthma symptoms. Previous research has indicated that obesity can cause more severe symptoms for people with asthma. New research expands on that fact and shows that people who are obese and have asthma are more than five times as likely to be hospitalized for their symptoms.

Sometimes I wonder why we need a funded study to tell us these things. I'm not a scientist, I'm not a doctor, and I'm not a researcher, but it seems relatively obvious to me that obesity could potentially exacerbate asthma symptoms.

If you have asthma, maintaining a healthy weight is an important step you can take to protect your health. For tips on weight loss, check out AOL Health.

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Got a sensitive digestive system? I sometimes do. Mostly, my trouble comes in the form bloating and I never really know exactly why it happens. I've stumbled upon a few possible reasons, though. Here they are.

Maybe I'm not eating enough fiber. The recommended intake for adults is 25 to 35 grams a day but the average American gets only half of that. Slowly adding fiber to my diet and keeping my intake consistently high should minimize bloating, and cramping too.

Perhaps I'm lactose intolerant, which tends to happen at midlife. I'm 37. Antibiotics could be the culprit -- except that I'm not taking any at this time and haven't for a while now. Maybe I need a probiotic to replenish bacteria in my tummy. It could also be water -- I know I need more of this staple in my diet.

In order to pinpoint my exact problem, I'd be wise to keep a diet and symptom diary -- I'm already toying with a food journal for calorie counting purposes so I suppose I could blend the two -- to help me detect exactly when my problems arise. I might see some connections between bloating and eating this way.

Is bloating a bother for you? If so, what ever do you do?

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Although great strides have been taken in recent years in spreading awareness and information about breast cancer, it seems there is a lot of confusion about what the symptoms are. Besides the well-known "lump," do you know what else to look for? And do you know what symptoms don't usually mean breast cancer? Apparently 25% of women wrongly believe a persistent cough is a sign of breast cancer.

For an easy to read run-down of the most common breast cancer symptoms click here, and if you ever have any questions or concerns make sure to ask/see your doctor!

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