(ARA) - It keeps you in touch with friends, family and business contacts. It's a source of entertainment, whether you play games on it or surf the Web. But did you know your cell phone can help save your life or the lives of others in an emergency situation, even if you're in no condition to use it to call for help?

(ARA) - As one year ends and another begins, all eyes remain on Congress and the two health bills that will shape the U.S. health system in 2010 and beyond. The American Medical Association has been a regular presence in the health reform debate and has outlined a set of guiding principles for health system reform that will benefit patients and physicians.

(ARA) - Getting older is not easy, especially when it comes to making sure your body is healthy. Doctors probably have you watching your weight, your cholesterol and other health vitals in every effort to make sure you have a happy and full life.

(ARA) - The holidays have come and gone, and the long haul to the first day of spring can certainly take a toll on mood and energy levels. Don't let the winter doldrums get you down. Lifting your spirits may be as easy as eating the right mood foods.

(ARA) - Your house should be your safe haven. It's where you go to relax, unwind and enjoy the free time you have.

(ARA) - Some of the most popular resolutions with each new year are to get fit, get in shape and lose weight. Though plenty of people jump into new programs in pursuit of those goals, many aren't able stay fit, in shape and keep the weight off.

(ARA) - Americans feel toothpaste could do more to remove bacteria, according to a recent survey. Similarly, only 52 percent feel that their current oral health care routine is very effective at removing bacteria.

(ARA) - Failed New Year's resolutions are a dime a dozen. That promise to go to the gym every day dwindles to three days a week, then two days a week, before falling into "whenever I can make it" territory. Diet and weight loss resolutions are among the most common, year after year, which says a lot about what kind of results people are getting from the promises they make to themselves.

(ARA) - Healing is only part of the plan for anyone who's been diagnosed with an illness or injury. You want to recover, but you also want to feel better while healing - as quickly as possible. That's why many specialists are now turning to massage therapy to help patients feel better faster.

(ARA) - Americans know what they need to do to keep their hearts healthy. But is their heart really in the effort? A new survey seems to indicate many of us aren't as diligent about making heart healthy choices as we know we should be.

(ARA) - Farming has plenty of challenges, but probably one of the hazards that farmers worry about the least is the danger from working in the sun year-round. Even as they start preparing for the 2010 crop season, farmers should pay attention to the condition of their skin.

(ARA) - An estimated 8 million American adults may be affected by bipolar disorder, a complex mental illness in which people experience extreme mood swings from highs (bipolar mania) to lows (bipolar depression). Episodes of bipolar depression can include symptoms of prolonged periods of sadness, loss of interest in activities once enjoyed, and feelings of worthlessness. These symptoms can interfere with a person's ability to handle everyday tasks, such as those related to work or family life. Most people with bipolar disorder when ill or when symptomatic experience more depressive moods (lows) than elevated moods (highs).

(ARA) - If you're determined to eat right to lose weight or improve your health, the foods you choose could also make you happier. We've all heard the old adage "You are what you eat," and the importance of eating for physical health. But did you know that at the same time you could also be eating to improve your mental sharpness, energy and inner peace?

(ARA) - Now that the flu season is well underway you want to protect your family and yourself as much as possible, especially when your children's classmates continue to miss school and your co-workers are still calling in sick.

(ARA) - Allie Schellhammer admits that she is changed for the better.

(ARA) - As the winter snow melts, the long-awaited sun seems to shine a little longer and that's when the buds-to-blossom routine begins. For many allergy sufferers, however, the beauty of spring means running immediately to the nearest drugstore to pick up a few extra boxes of tissues and maybe a box of antihistamines.

(ARA) - When it comes to school safety and student health, our kids deserve the best protection possible. These days, schools have programs related to everything from gun violence to obesity prevention; but how safe are our nation's schools when it comes to protecting kids from dangerous chemicals?

(ARA) - The NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament tips off March 18. And while the 64 qualifying teams hope to make the Final Four, the rest of the country will follow the tournament through brackets illegally completed on college campuses, in office buildings and in sports bars.

(ARA) - We all know the feeling that comes with the first great day of spring. When the sun is shining, the air smells sweet and fresh and the temperatures are warm, we all feel the urge to get outside and throw off the confinement of the winter months. Whether you're an avid athlete, a dedicated gardener or someone who's been meaning to get started on an exercise program, the arrival of spring is one sure way to get you moving.

(ARA) - It's that time of year again. When most people make a New Year's resolution to lose weight, they're thinking about looking more attractive and having their clothes fit better. Both are admirable goals, but right-sizing yourself provides a number of other equally important benefits. To keep yourself on track in 2010, consider these 10 powerful motivators:

(ARA) - The winter months offer the perfect excuse to plan a fabulous getaway, and you don't have to travel far to find something that fits your vacation expectations.

(ARA) - Karen Woolery has struggled with arthritis in her hands for the past 12 years, making her job as director of a day care physically difficult. The arthritis made even the simplest movements painful. To relieve the pain, she often took medications like ibuprofen, never realizing they could potentially cause her harm. Her doctors soon discovered Karen had a big problem - she had ulcers.

(ARA) - No force exerts more power on how girls perceive their bodies and their relationship with food than the examples set by their own mothers, research and countless examples show.

(ARA) - Piercing pain between your shoulder blades? Constant dull ache in your lower back? If you haven't experienced these symptoms yet, you probably will.

(ARA) - Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women older than 25 in the United States, according to the American Heart Association (AHA), but many people aren't aware of how serious the problem is.

(ARA) - Colon cancer is the second-deadliest form of cancer in the U.S., yet it doesn't have to be. More than 90 percent of colon cancer cases are curable if caught in their early stages.

(ARA) - It's not too late to resolve to live a healthier lifestyle in 2010. The road to sustainable weight loss can begin when you get rid of weight loss myths that might be standing in your way.

(ARA) - Having a family meal isn't easily accomplished these days. Busy schedules, long work hours and even technology make it feel easier to simply grab a meal and go, rather than take the time to sit everyone down together around the table.

(ARA) - From award shows to a simple coffee run, movie and television stars are known for looking photo-ready at any moment. While their appearances may seem difficult to maintain, experts behind the scenes say achieving head-to-toe beauty simply starts with the foods we eat.

(ARA) - Congratulations, you're pregnant! If you've been hoping for this wonderful event for a while, you may feel eager to begin being a parent. Or, if your pregnancy is a surprise, you may feel you need to make the most of the next nine months to prepare for the demands of parenthood. Fortunately, you don't have to wait to get started on the important work of being a parent.