Why not instead simply allow the driver to have his accident somewhere else? Try to have compassion for the person and remember how painful it is to be in such an enormous hurry. This way, we can maintain our own sense of well-being and avoid taking other people’s problems personally.

There are many similar, “small stuff” examples that occur every day in our lives. Whether we had to wait in line, listen to unfair critism, or do the lion’s share of the work, it pays enormous dividens if we learn not to worry about little things. So many people spend so much of their life energy “sweating the small stuff” that they completely lose touch with the magic and beauty of life. When you commit to working toward this goal you will find that you will have far more energy to be kinder and gentler.

By Richard Carlson. PH.D

The study review found only a small association between birth weight and the future risk of heart disease. “We found a 1kg difference – going from 2.5kg to 3.5kg in birth weight – was associated with just a 10-15 per cent reduction in the risk of heart disease in later life,” says Dr Rachel Huxley, the study’s lead author. “Some reports have suggested a kilogram difference carriers a 25-40 per cent greater risk.”

Huxley says efforts to increase early foetal growth can change birth weight only by as much as 100g, which translates to just a 1-2 per cent lower risk of heart disease. Risk factors operating in later adult life, such as smoking and obesity, are more important, she says.

As osteoporosis often causes no symptoms at all until a fall snaps a bone, the only way to tell if you have it is via a bone-mineral density test. This procedure is advised for anyone over 50 who has suffered a fracture and all women over 65. Right now, the test involves lying on your back while the arm of a special X-ray device moves over your body to measure the thickness of various bones.

Cyberlogic, a New York research firm, has developed a simpler device that’s around 23 cm long, runs on four AA batteries and scans bones with ultrasound.

If the portable scanner proves as reliable as X-rays, it could be a breakthrough, says osteoporosis expert Dr Ethel siris. “A small device like this could make bone checkups part of routine medical visit, because it’s both affordable and user-friendly.”

If testing shows you have osteoporosis, some major advances in treatment can help. While there are several effective medications on the market, including Fosamax, Etidrate and Forteo the latest wonder drug is Boniva, the first once-a-month pill for osteoporosis. The FDA recently approved this drug, which works by reducing the activity in cells responsible for bone breakdown.

Should osteoporosis get severe enough to collapse a vertebra, doctors in the US have a new way to make repairs: two tiny baloons inserted into the bone through surgical tubes and inflated to push the bone back into its normal position. Bone cement is used to prevent it collapsing again.

By Lisa Collier Cool