Noteworthy.

• Position: Newsview - Health notes - Brief Article

Counseling has proved its value following the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. In the aftermath, survivors, rescue workers, grieving families, and even people not directly affected by the tragedies have sought out counselors to help them deal with their traumas. indicates Portia Hunt, a counseling psychologist at Temple University, Philadelphia, Pa.

Job stress is a fact of life, whether you work in the corporate world or on a fast-moving assembly line. "Moderate stress in many cases increases productivity and can be pleasant for some people," notes John Herman, associate professor of psychiatry, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. "But higher levels of stress can interfere with your ability to perform your job, is rarely pleasurable, and can lead to emotional and physical problems." These may include decreased job satisfaction, abrasiveness, making constant excuses, erratic and/or unpredictable behavior, moodiness, decreased communication, being late to work, and an increase in sick time.

Caffeine before exercising can be dangerous. According to a study by Mitch Whaley, professor of physical education, Ball State University, Muncie, Ind., a pre-workout cup of coffee or cola can boost systolic blood pressure an average of seven points and sometimes more. Add on a reasonable walking pace, and it will jump another 12-18 points. For those with hypertension, this can exacerbate the problem.

Teens from minority populations who are overweight and have a family history of heart disease are among those most at risk for developing hypertension, reports the National Dairy Council. In a study of Hispanic and African-American youth aged 14-16, those with diets lacking in calcium, potassium, magnesium, and other nutrients (including beta carotene, vitamin E, and the B vitamins) had higher blood pressure than those whose diets are adequate in these...