Easy on the Aspirin

Taking aspirin may lower the risk of a stroke, but too much might actually double the risk of stroke, according to a study that followed 79,000 women for 14 yrs. While small doses of aspirin can help prevent ischemic strokes caused by blood clot in the arteries, women who took more than 15 aspirins per week were twice as likely to suffer a hemorrhagic stroke, or bleeding in the brain. - Dominique Andrews

Heartburn? Try sleeping on your left side

The stomach acid that causes heartburn takes longer to clear in people who sleep on their right sides than those who sleep in other position. Researchers say the lower part of the esophagus turns a bit as it connects to the stomach. When you sleep on your right side, they speculate, this curve straightens and allow stomach acid to easily enter the esophagus—causing that burning pain that keeps you awake. - Dominique Andrews

Pill Precautions

Women who take the Pill and exercise need more calcium

Because studies have shown that oral contraceptives could increase bone mass, some doctors have told women at risk of osteoporosis to take the Pill. Now, a Purdue University study has found that young women on the Pill who exercise are more, not less, prone to bone loss in their hips and spines.

Although researchers don’t know why this is, they are concerned because a loss of bone density can make women susceptible to fractures and lead to osteoporosis, the brittle bone disease that affects 10 million Americans. Still, “Women shouldn’t stop exercising or taking the Pill.” Says Felicia Cosman, M.D., clinical director of the National Osteoporosis foundation.

Instead, they should increase their calcium intake to up to 1,200 milligrams a day. Three of the women in the study did just that—and those were the only three whose bones didn’t suffer. – Dorie Edelstein