Having trouble hearing can be physically and emotionally debilitating. After all, this vital sense enables us to communicate, socialize, work and stay connected to the outside world.
Having trouble hearing can be physically and emotionally debilitating. After all, this vital sense enables us to communicate, socialize, work and stay connected to the outside world.
Studies suggest that as many as 1 in 2 women and up to 1 in 4 men age 50 and older will break a bone due to osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis is a disease where your bones become weak, brittle and more likely to break. People who have it typically break bones in their hip, spine and wrist and become more at risk of bone fracture from something as minor as slipping, bumping into furniture, or even from coughing or sneezing.
Some risk factors for osteoporosis are unavoidable and out of one’s control, such as:
According to the latest Blue Cross Blue Shield Health Index, of the top 10 health conditions among millennials, six are behavioral-health related. One of those leading health problems is major depression (up 31 percent in 2017 from prevalence in 2014).
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in every 3 American adults has high blood pressure. Without treatment, uncontrolled hypertension (high blood pressure) can lead to other serious health concerns, including stroke, heart and vision problems, and kid-ney failure.
But what do doctors consider high anyway? The American Heart Association, American College of Cardiology and other leading health organizations recently lowered the definitions of normal, elevated and high blood pressure.
Every year, stroke impacts the lives of about 795,000 Americans, and yet, most of us wouldn’t recognize the warning signs of this life-threatening, leading cause of long-term disability. So what’s the best way to fight stroke?
Prevention—and knowledge is the key.
A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted by a blocked (ischemic stroke) or burst (hemorrhagic stroke) blood vessel.
Oh baby, you’re going to have one! First and foremost, congratulations! While pregnancy is an exciting time, it also comes with a lot to think about, from who you’d like to deliver your baby to which over-the-counter medications are safe to take to what you’d like to name your son or daughter.
Another important decision every mom-to-be will have to make is where to have her baby. It’s never too early to envision and plan your labor and delivery experience. To help you get started, Dr. Michael Werkema, OB/Gyn Associates of Holland, offers some key questions to consider:
After years of decline, measles is on the rise in the U.S., Europe and Latin America. Why? Because alarmingly, fewer children are being vaccinated. To stop this virus from spreading, people must receive two doses of the measles containing vaccine (MMR or measles/mumps/rubella).
The American Cancer Society estimates that about 17,650 Americans (13,750 men and 3,900 women) will be diagnosed with esophageal cancer this year.
Are you at risk, and if so, can you lower that risk? Is esophageal cancer linked with frequent heartburn? What are the treatment options? Dr. David Zink, Spectrum Health Medical Group-Gastroenterology, offers answers to these questions and more:
What’s the harm in letting a young person try alcohol? Plenty. While drinking in moderation as an adult might be fine, kids’ brains aren’t mature enough to handle any amount of alcohol. That’s why it’s critical for parents to talk to their kids about the pitfalls of alcohol and underage drinking. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests beginning this discussion as early as age 9.
Thyroid disease affects millions of Americans, especially women—yet it’s often misunderstood and overlooked. To clear up the confusion, and underscore the importance of this small but powerful gland, Dr. Peter Hoekman, an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist, offers answers to some common questions:
A butterfly-shaped gland located in the front of your neck, the thyroid makes hormones that regulate critical functions, such as metabolism, heart rate and body temperature.