That time of the year is upon us: influenza season. And that means that people everywhere are going to be taking precautions against getting sick. Although there is no guarantee that you will catch the flu, it becomes harder to avoid throughout winter and spring. In fact, temperature fluctuations can make the flu easier to catch! Detecting the flu early can help prevent spreading the virus to others and can also help you get better before getting worse. Although most people think of flu symptoms as vomiting and an upset stomach along with a runny nose, there are other signs…
Author: Valerie
Kidney stones are not as uncommon as some people believe—and hope. Stones, a hard collection of minerals and salts compacted with uric acid or calcium, that form inside the kidney and can move into other parts of the urinary tract. Many people find out they have kidney stones in the middle of the night when they wake up in excruciating pain. About 1 in every 11 Americans will experience the pain of kidney stones. While small kidney stones will not cause many symptoms and you might not notice until it is in the ureter, larger stones can be extremely painful.…
There are many diseases and disorders out there that can affect a woman’s hormone levels. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of those conditions. When a woman develops PCOS, it is because she has higher than average amounts of androgens in her body. This causes an imbalance that affects her menstrual cycle, among other things. PCOS comes with a number of symptoms that affect every women differently, but it always causes discomfort. Women with PCOS oftentimes become frustrated, because their fertility is impacted and they cannot lose weight easily. Whether you think you have polycystic ovary syndrome or have already…
Millions of people struggle with diseases every single day. Because of societal factors, environment, and other reasons, many of these individuals are forced to bear with the pain alone. Most of these people are women. Currently, there are female patients who are dealing with dismissal from medical professionals. They are being misdiagnosed and disregarded. You hear tales of women who finally, after excruciatingly long years of second opinions and doctor visits, get a real and honest diagnosis. But this usually is when the issue worsens beyond the tipping point. It is time to take control of your health, now and…
Being unable to stay asleep or get to sleep should not being something you are plagued with, but it does happen. Insomnia is a common sleep disorder that most people will experience at last some time in their life. In fact, nearly 33 percent, or 1 in every 3 people, is currently struggling with sleepless nights. There are different kinds of insomnia, depending on the cause and the frequency. Regardless of the type of insomnia that you suffer from, you need to realize that compromised sleep is dangerous to your health and wellness. Since proper sleep is necessary, you need…
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is one of many mental health disorders that will impact how you perceive yourself and those around you. Although both men and women can develop borderline personality disorder, young adults are more likely to get BPD. Oftentimes, this disorder will cause problems in everyday life. If you are worried that you or someone you know may have BPD, informing yourself about the symptoms and risk factors is important. Here are some symptoms of BPD to help you figure out whether you or a loved one may require an evaluation from a healthcare professional:
Pulmonary arterial hypertension affects thousands of people yearly and is considered a life-threatening medical condition. Unlike usual hypertension, this increase in blood pressure targets the heart and lungs. A hardening, thickening, or blockage of the pulmonary artery puts an increased amount of pressure on the heart. If pulmonary hypertension goes untreated, the condition can lead to heart failure. Early diagnosis is key to preventing pulmonary hypertension from worsening.
Life gives us plenty of chances to make memories, but it can also be hectic and fast-paced. Everyone is bound to have a moment of forgetfulness at least once in their lifetime, particularly when dealing with stress or chaos. While periods of forgetfulness are natural, it can cause a lot of frustration too. Whether you want to ace your next exam or just want to remember which parking lot your car is in, here are 11 simple ways to improve your memory:
Most people know what an inner ear infection feels like and would happily never experience that again. Yet, there is a condition known as Meniere’s disease that happens within the inner ear, which is responsible for balance and hearing. Although the exact cause of Meniere’s disease is unknown, researchers have linked the onset of the disease with changes in the fluid found in the inner ear tubes. Other evidence suggests that Meniere’s disease is a kind of autoimmune disease or caused by allergies, genetics, or a viral infection. Meniere’s disease is not curable, but there are plenty of treatments available…
Vinegar has been a staple in daily human life since 5,000 BC, when someone left a glass of wine unattended. Initially, vinegar was used to preserve food, but it gradually diffused into other parts of human life, including medical practices during the 1700s. Recently, raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar (also known as fermented apple juice or ACV) has appeared on the radar as a cure-all for dozens of ailments and problems. Some might say that apple cider vinegar is a miracle in a bottle. Apple cider vinegar has over hundreds of uses in beauty, medicine, household cleaning, and cooking. Just…
The holidays are a wonderful time of the year for most people, but others may begin to feel depressed, stressed or apathetic. It’s no surprise. The holidays are a whirlwind of shopping, entertaining, traveling, cleaning, cooking and baking, and so much more. All these activities can easily become overwhelming. For some, financial burdens, health complications, and loneliness can combat the joy of the season and trigger depression. If you know that you are susceptible to depression during the holidays, it’s important to learn what may be triggering the symptoms. Doing so will help you avoid the hazards so you can…
Anyone who struggles with anxiety understands that there is no miracle cure. Sure, you can try the medications and the mindfulness practices and every other “fix” that people inevitably suggest, but at the end of the day, you still go to bed with anxiety. Of course, that is not to say that some suggestions for dealing with anxiety are not going to help. You might find that small changes can have a positive impact. Every step towards less anxiety is a step in the right direction. The important part is to not beat yourself up over the rises and peaks…
The tasty, indulgent foods of the holiday season are just one of the many things people get excited about. Many people happily eat things that they cannot enjoy during other times of the year, including fatty and sugary desserts. Moreover, typical holiday treats are laden with carbohydrates, so your blood sugar will be high, particularly for those with diabetes. The good news is that just because you have diabetes, you don’t have to miss out on the excitement. Everyone can partake in the joy of the holidays with a little bit of planning and understanding. If you want to join…
Bone cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer, but it is rare in adults. Cancer of the bone begins as you would expect—within the cells that make bones. The cells begin to go out of control, oftentimes becoming a malignant tumor that starts destroying the tissues from the inside out. However, not all tumors within the bones are malignant, and not all tumors are going to spread to other parts of the body. Understanding the symptoms of bone cancer can help you identify the disease earlier, increasing the chances of catching it before it metastasizes (spreads). Tap…
Liver damage can happen for a number reasons, such as heredity, long term disease, or toxicity. Over time the damage can become liver disease, also referred to as hepatic disease. Though the term is broad, it does mean that the liver is failing. In order for someone to be diagnosed with liver disease, about seventy-five percent of the liver’s tissue to be damaged or disrupted. Since the liver is responsible for a number of functions, including bile production and secretion. Because of this, you do not want your liver to fail. Here are signs of liver damage to look out…
Dementia is a word that no one likes to hear. The term refers to a group of conditions with symptoms that affect ones memory, problem-solving abilities, language processing, and cognition. Disorders that are grouped under the cloud term of “dementia” often deal with abnormal changes in the brain that impair function. Alzheimer’s disease is an example of dementia and accounts for 60-80 percent of all dementia cases. The second most common kind of dementia, vascular dementia, occurs because of microscopic bleeding and blocked vessels in the brain. However, it should be known that there numerous conditions that can cause dementia…
Everyone wants to triumph in this life. However, not everyone is doing the right things that guarantee achievements and success. Are you? Honestly, being successful means that you need to have the focus, diligence, and consistency to get the job done—because that’s what achievement is. If you want to become a high achiever, consider the following daily habits that many athletes, executives, and normal people just like you do to make sure they can tackle even the biggest problems and come out on top. Tap read more!
Happiness is not just an end result. Happy is something you can be as you move through life, no matter what challenges you come across. There are benefits to being happy, too. Joyous people have a brighter outlook and are much more productive than their melancholy counterparts. Of course, nothing is easier to say for people than, “Just be happy!” Especially in times like these. But if you are willing to make some changes, you too can be a happier person. Here are some scientifically backed ways to brighten your mood: Tap Read More to continue.
Happiness is a habit. You might think it sounds silly at first, but there’s a reason why one of the most popular free Yale courses is such a hit with people. Professor Laurie Santos stumbled onto something great, presented it with scientific knowledge, and made people see that happiness isn’t something intrinsic. Happiness has to be constructed, just like perfection. Without getting too technical, our brains have neuroplasticity, which is the ability of the brain to change physical form, readjust neuron connections, and even create new pathways while learning how to do something. Therefore, just like a few minutes of…
Opioids are a kind of medication that are prescribed to help patients with severe pain deal with their illness. However, because opioid receptors are located within the brain, spinal cord, and throughout the digestive tract, this can cause some unfortunate and discomforting side effects, including opioid-induced constipation (OIC). Constipation is when an individual has fewer than three bowel movements per week. It is estimated that anywhere from 41-81 percent of people who take opioid medication for chronic pain have trouble with constipation. Fortunately, once you understand why you get OIC and what to do for relief, you can start bringing…