Sepsis is a life-threatening condition caused by the body's response to infection. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that without early treatment, sepsis can lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and death. To protect yourself from … [Read more...]
Wellness/Prevention
Older Adults in Pain Are More Likely to Be Lonely
Questionnaires completed by 9,299 seniors revealed that those with musculoskeletal (MSK) pain were more likely to be socially isolated than their peers without MSK pain. British Journal of Pain, May 2019 … [Read more...]
Treating Bleeding Gums
Bleeding gums can be a sign of many conditions, from plaque buildup to gum disease. To treat bleeding gums, MedlinePlus recommends the following: visit your dentist every six months; follow your dentist’s home care instructions; brush and floss your … [Read more...]
Smoking Linked to Pancreatic Cancer
An analysis of data concerning over 350,000 adults over a 13-year time period revealed that current smokers are up to 81% more likely to develop pancreatic cancer than never smokers. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, May 2019 … [Read more...]
Keeping Pets Safe During Severe Weather
Keeping your pets safe during severe weather events should be part of your family safety plan. The National Weather Service recommends bringing pets indoors during storms, never leaving pets alone in the car during hot or cold weather, confining pets … [Read more...]
Controlling Endometriosis Symptoms
Endometriosis is a potentially painful condition that occurs when the uterine lining grows outside the uterus. According to the Office on Women’s Health, while there is no cure for endometriosis, there are several treatments that can minimize … [Read more...]
Smoking Linked to Stroke Recurrence
Following a stroke, individuals who continue to smoke cigarettes are nearly twice as likely to experience a recurrent stroke as those who have never smoked. However, those who quit smoking can slash that risk by nearly 60%. Journal of the American … [Read more...]
Why Do I Have Dry Eye?
Dry eye occurs when your tear production fails to keep the eye surface adequately lubricated, leading to scratchy or stinging feelings, dryness, discharge, and pain and redness of the eyes. The National Eye Institute lists these common causes of dry … [Read more...]
Why Am I Bloated?
Many people suffer from abdominal bloating, which feels like an inflated balloon in the abdomen. The International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders notes these common triggers for bloating: too much gas in the intestine; abnormally high … [Read more...]
Identifying Vision Problems in Infants
Although rare, vision problems do occur among newborns and infants. The American Optometric Association lists the following signs of vision problems in this age group: excessive tearing, which may indicate blocked tear ducts; red or encrusted … [Read more...]
Preventing Chapped Lips
Chapped lips are more common during the winter months. To prevent dry chapped lips, the Mayo Clinic recommends the following: before going outside in cold weather, apply a lubricating lip cream or balm; avoid licking your lips; drink plenty of … [Read more...]
Protect Your Eye Health
Protect Your Eye Health. Vision problems tend to increase as one ages, but there are things you can do to help protect your eyesight: have a medical eye exam by age 40, when early signs of disease may begin without any symptoms; find out what your … [Read more...]
Protecting Children After Pet Exposure
Classroom pets, such as Guinea pigs, hamsters, fish, or frogs can be a great learning experience for kids, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that exposure to animals does come with some risk. Because they are still … [Read more...]
Sleep Apnea May Raise Risk for Dyslipidemia
While the underlying mechanisms are not yet understood, the current evidence suggests a link between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and elevated triglyceride and cholesterol levels. Internal Medicine (Czech), November 2018 … [Read more...]