Health Rewind: Flu Epidemic the Worst in 10 Years

NFL and brain damage, healthy soul food and more.

Polar Vortex Brings in “Pollen Vortex” This Allergy Season - Health experts are predicting that the extreme winter we experienced this year is going to make allergy season one of the worst ever. Why? Because the winter pushed back pollen season and now all of the plants are dumping pollen right now instead of in phases, Mother Jones writes. Are you ready for the Pollen Vortex?(Photo: Fuse/Getty Images)

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Flu Epidemic the Worst in 10 Years - Health officials suspected that this year’s flu season was going to be off the hook. The Atlantic writes that while “Boston's mayor has declared a public health emergency, and Chicago hospitals are having to turn away sick people,” we shouldn’t be in panic mode just yet. But it’s never too late to get a flu shot.  (Photo: Getty Images/STOCK)

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Study: Brain Changes Found in NFL Players - A new study found that due to blows to the head, retired NFL players were more likely to be depressed and suffer from cognitive issues, says CBS.com. Junior Seau had a degenerative brain disease, according to the National Institute of Health.  (Photo: AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)

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Teens Still at Risk for Suicide, Despite Treatment - Researchers from Harvard University found that in teens being treated for mental illness and depression, 56 percent of them started having suicidal thoughts after starting treatment, reported HealthDay News.  (Photo: Getty Images/STOCK)

Get Your Vitamin On - Popping vitamin C and B6 can definitely make a big difference. B6, which is found in turkey, fish, chicken, nuts or supplements, can help boost energy, reduce cravings and water retention and relieve PMS symptoms. Vitamin C, whether it’s in pills or citrus fruits, can also help reduce muscle cramping. (Photo: PA Photos /Landov)

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The 18 Best Supplements for Women - Taking vitamins is an essential part in adopting a healthier lifestyle, but which ones are the best for us? A new Women’s Health slide show breaks it all down and reminds us that when it comes to supplements, we should think of the three Bs: Babies, bellies and bones. Iron, folate, biotin and magnesium are a few important supplements.   (Photo: PA Photos /Landov)

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Americans Die Younger Than Others in Developed Nations - Americans rank near last in "Best Health" compared to other developed countries such as Denmark, France, Japan and the United Kingdom. American men live shorter lives than men from 16 other countries and American women live 5.5 years shorter than women from Japan, who tend to live the longest.  (Photo: Chris Hondros/Getty Images)

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Easy (and Healthy) Soul Food Recipes - In honor of Byron Hurt’s new documentary, Soul Food Junkies, debuting on PBS on Jan. 14, PBS.org has come up with some healthy recipes to adopt in the new year. Try their Smoked Paprika Chicken or their Citrus Collard Greens With Raisins. You can even send your own recipe in.  (Photo: Grand Rapids Press /Landov)

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Easy (and Healthy) Soul Food Recipes - In honor of Byron Hurt’s new documentary, Soul Food Junkies, debuting on PBS on Jan. 14, PBS.org has come up with some healthy recipes to adopt in the new year. Try their Smoked Paprika Chicken or their Citrus Collard Greens With Raisins. You can even send your own recipe in.  (Photo: Grand Rapids Press /Landov)

Health Rewind: Is DNA to Blame for High Obesity Rates Among Blacks? - A recent study suggests that DNA may be behind Black obesity rates in the U.S. Researchers from Dartmouth found that African-Americans have three variant genes that predispose us to obesity and a higher Body Mass Index (BMI), reported the Huffington Post. Unhealthy eating and lack of exercise also play a huge role too.  (Photo: REUTERS/Brendan McDermid)

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Nation Split on the Obesity Crisis - It’s a given that we have an obesity problem in the U.S., but many Americans are not sure what the government can or should do about it, says a new poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. One-third of the respondents want the government to enforce more policies limiting our access to junk food, reported TIME.com.  (Photo: REUTERS/Brendan McDermid)

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January Is Glaucoma Awareness Month - Glaucoma, a group of eye diseases that gradually steal one’s sight, is the leading cause of preventable blindness. African-Americans are six to eight times more likely to suffer from it than white counterparts. And while we may associate glaucoma with our grandparents, this disease can affect any of us at any age. (Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

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8 Most Common HPV Myths Debunked - Genital human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most diagnosed STDs and yet too many of us don’t know enough about it. Black women are 40 percent more likely than white women to develop cervical cancer from an HPV infection. In a new slideshow for Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, The Huffington Post debunks some of the biggest HPV myths.  (Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

March 14, 2014 - Program for high risk pool slated to end is extended an additional month for the third time.  (Photo: The Plain Dealer /Landov)

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Fewer Americans Are Dying From Cancer - Fewer Americans are dying from cancer, according to new research from the American Cancer Society, CDC, and other groups. But skin cancer, melanoma, in men; uterine cancer in women, and liver and pancreatic cancer have seen a rise, writes WebMd.(Photo: JOHN KUNTZ/The Plain Dealer /Landov)