The dreaded flu season is kicking into full gear and despite precautions like flu shots and washing hands, many people will come down with influenza in the coming months. So when your head is pounding, you have a fever, your nose is stuffed, and you can’t stop coughing, how do you tell if you have the common cold, the flu or pneumonia when all present common symptoms?
Mental health is just as important as physical health — the focus on depression and its side effects is finally making the headlines it needs to break the stigma of perceived weakness. Depression affects people of all races, age and background, and around 300 million people around the world suffer from it. Suicide can be a consequence of severe depression, and its effect is the most devastating to those left behind. Those who don’t suffer from depression may benefit in being able to recognize the symptoms to be a source of support in the recovery process.
Over the last decade, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Aspergers have steadily gained more mainstream attention. In fact, about one percent of the world population has ASD, with a prevalence of one in every 59 births in the United States making it the largest-growing developmental disorder. There is often confusion between Autism and Aspergers and below we break down the difference and symptoms of both.
In recent years, concussions have been getting a lot of attention — especially surrounding sports and the safety of its players. If you have a child or children that participates in a sport, or even if you do not, it’s important to know the signs of a concussion and how to appropriately treat it.
You’ve most likely heard of shingles – maybe your coworker has mentioned having a bout of it, or you’ve seen a commercial regarding treatment for a shingles outbreak. However, if you were born before 1995 (when the chickenpox vaccine was released) it’s worthy to become more knowledgeable about the shingles virus. The reason: these two conditions come from the same virus.
One in every three adults in the United States has high blood pressure, and barely more than half of them manage to keep it in check. Elevated blood pressure numbers put you at a higher risk for a long list of medical complications, so it’s very important to be aware of your blood pressure readings.
Blood pressure is given as a reading of two numbers, such as 115/75. The higher number, known as systolic, is the pressure when the heart beats. The lower number is the diastolic, which is the pressure between the heartbeats while the heart is refilling with blood. Normal blood pressure readings are lower than 120/80.
Building up an impressive, chiseled set of abs is top fitness goal for many men. However, if you experience a feeling of tightness in a your stomach, it may not be the result of healthy intentions. A “rock hard” stomach may be the result of digestive or hormonal issues, and there are several symptoms to be aware of if you’re questioning the tightness in your abdominals. So what causes a hard stomach, and how can you fix it?
Every woman is at risk for breast cancer, which is why it should become a part of her routine to regularly perform monthly breast self-examinations. However, since breasts contain fatty tissue, how do you distinguish between an “okay” and “abnormal” lump? The answer: the best way to determine what is normal for you is to become familiar with your breasts — every woman is uniquely different.
According to studies, the average American spends about 9.3 hours a day sitting. Many of us have desk jobs, and those hours of sitting can lead to sore backs and joints. Maybe that’s why there is something about cracking your back that is so gratifying — it’s almost as if the stretch that invokes the […]
Spring is here and you may still have fair skin from the winter. Many people believe that getting UV exposure in advance will help you avoid a future sun burn. This mentality leads many to tanning bed visits and unprotected sun exposure. The truth is that a base tan isn’t a good substitute for proper […]
An extremely heavy tick season is headed our way, and you may already be feeling the effects. In 2010, oak trees yielded a particularly large acorn crop, which contributed to a boom in the white-footed mouse population last year. Ticks have been feeding on the abundance of mice and that, coupled with a mild winter, […]
It’s sandal season, and people everywhere are flocking to nail salons to make sure their feet are soft and ready for the pool and beach. Many people wonder if pedicures are healthy for your toes and feet. The answer: they can be if the pedicure is sanitary and performed correctly. Here are a few guidelines […]