2006年VOA标准英语-Two Health Studies Show How Simple Lifestyle Ch

By Melinda Smith
Washington, DC
31 August 2006
 
watch report New Health Study

Workaholics probably already know too many hours spent at the office do not contribute to good health.  A survey of thousands of Americans confirmed the link between too much work and high blood pressure.  VOA's Melinda Smith has more on that study, as well as new findings that daily aspirin¹ may be good for older men worried about prostate problems.

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A sample of America's workforce  
  
Twenty-four thousand workers in the western state of California, between the ages of 18 and 64, were asked questions about their time in the office and outside.  The survey found that many of those who spent long hours behind their desk tended to experience high blood pressure.  Seventeen percent of people spending more than 40 hours a week at work reported higher blood pressure, compared to 14 percent of those who worked a normal number of hours or less.

Not surprisingly, researchers concluded that long days at work also left little time for outside recreation and rest.  Medical experts say a sedentary lifestyle and little sleep put you at risk for high blood pressure, as do poor eating habits and diabetes².

Researchers say it is a good idea for older men to take an aspirin daily   
  
Older men concerned about an enlarged prostate may also find it is a good idea to take a daily dose of aspirin.  A new study indicates that aspirin or ibuprofen can reduce the risk of a medical condition called benign³ prostatic hyperplasia. 

The condition, also known as an enlarged prostate, causes frequent urination, difficulty in urinating or a weak urine stream. One in four men over the age of 40 are said to be affected⁴. 

Twenty-five hundred white males were in the study.  There was a 50 percent lower risk of developing an enlarged prostate among those who took daily aspirin or ibuprofen.  The study said the strength of the aspirin or ibuprofen tablet did not matter.  Researchers did not suggest older men take a daily aspirin unless it was already prescribed for other reasons.

1 aspirin   

n.阿司匹林

参考例句：

• The aspirin seems to quiet the headache.阿司匹林似乎使头痛减轻了。
• She went into a chemist's and bought some aspirin.她进了一家药店，买了些阿司匹林。

2 diabetes   

n.糖尿病

参考例句：

• In case of diabetes, physicians advise against the use of sugar.对于糖尿病患者，医生告诫他们不要吃糖。
• Diabetes is caused by a fault in the insulin production of the body.糖尿病是由体內胰岛素分泌失调引起的。

3 benign   

adj.善良的，慈祥的；良性的，无危险的

参考例句：

• The benign weather brought North America a bumper crop.温和的气候给北美带来大丰收。
• Martha is a benign old lady.玛莎是个仁慈的老妇人。

4 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。