-
We lead busy lives—we work, spend time with our children or grandchildren, exercise, and even squeeze in date nights with our partners. There are only 24 hours in a day, and sometimes it’s hard to fit in regular health screenings. However, those appointments could catch gynecologic cancers early on—when it’s most treatable. There are five types of gynecological cancers: cervical, uterine, ovarian, vaginal and vulvar. Risk factors for these cancers include contracting HPV, being 60 or older, family histo...
Read More
-
Black and orange may not be the only colors you associate with October. Chances are you’ll also see friends, family and co-workers donning pink ribbons for breast cancer awareness this month. Though we usually associate pink with women, it’s important to know that breast cancer affects people of all genders. In America, 264,000 women and 2,400 men are diagnosed with breast cancer annually. To make sure you “think pink,” here are three ways to take care of yourself. Know the Risks Those at higher risk in...
Read More
-
When we think of electrolytes, it’s often in the form of a bottle of a sports’ energy drink after a hard workout or drinking a rehydration beverage when we’re sick. Those are great methods for hydration, but keeping your electrolytes balanced is also a way to support your heart’s health and well-being. Here are five electrolytes that have been shown to boost heart health—no blue liquid required: Calcium regulates and maintains heart rhythm and blood pressure. Foods high in calcium include dairy, dark le...
Read More
-
The CDC reports that over 34 million American adults have diabetes. High blood sugar, or hyperglycemia, can cause long-term health complications like cardiovascular disease, nerve damage, gum infections and even eye problems. Hyperglycemia can also damage blood vessels, thereby increasing the likelihood of heart disease, stroke and kidney disease. Because 1 in 3 adults have pre-diabetes (most of which don’t know it), we all can benefit from lower glucose levels to help lose weight, reduce blood pressure...
Read More
-
Don’t let misinformation make waves. Knowing the facts about breast health can help keep you afloat in a sea of information. Myth: Only women have to worry about breast cancer. Fact: Though breast cancer is less common in men, it is more likely to be fatal. The CDC reported 2,300 new cases of male breast cancer in 2017. Myth: You can find all lumps with a self-exam. Fact: Breast cancer doesn’t always cause lumps, and if bumps do develop, it could mean cancer has spread to your lymph nodes. While y...
Read More
-
The decision to have bariatric weight loss surgery doesn’t happen overnight. The process leading up to surgery may begin more than a year before your surgery date, and there are essential steps you must take to prepare for the procedure. This includes trying to lose weight through an established diet and exercise program and undergoing both physical and mental health evaluations to ensure you’re a candidate for bariatric surgery. You should also talk to your primary care doctor about having weight loss ...
Read More
-
The first thing that comes to mind for many when they hear diabetes is sugar. While sugar plays a big part in this disease, there’s much more to this chronic condition. Diabetes is a metabolic disorder, meaning it affects how the body breaks down food to create energy through insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas. Food is converted into glucose when you eat. As the amount of glucose in the blood rises, beta cells in the pancreas trigger insulin release. This hormone acts like a key, unlocking and ...
Read More
-
As a new mother, it can be hard to find your footing. According to the Pew Research Center, 45 percent of moms with kids younger than 6 years say parenting is tiring all or most of the time. How can you make the adjustment easier? You took breastfeeding and prenatal classes, read every book you could get your hands on, and soaked up all the advice you could get from friends and family. However, all of that pales in comparison to the reality of caring for a newborn. How can you handle this new world of m...
Read More
-
More than 50 million Americans battle allergies each year—and pollen produced by trees, grasses and weeds is frequently the cause. While pollen is harmless to some, the immune system of someone allergic releases antibodies to eliminate what it perceives as a danger. The histamines released during that process cause your eyes, nose and throat to swell, itch and produce mucus. Even if you know all about pollen, you may not know the best ways to combat it. Avoid these common spring allergy mistakes that ca...
Read More
-
There’s both good and bad news in the United Health Foundation’s annual report. Unfortunately, millions of Americans live with chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes and cancer. We’ve also reached a new national high. Obesity increased 15% between 2011 and 2019 and now affects more than 70.4 million adults. But the good news is that many of our health problems are preventable or treatable. The percentage of adults with three or more chronic conditions declined between 2018 and 2019. More people...
Read More
|