Having surgery of any kind can be an unnerving experience. After all, you are putting your life in the hands of physicians and nurses. While nothing is free of risk, taking steps to prep your mind and body can help you cope with pre-surgery anxiety. To make it the best experience possible, treat it like…
Get a little bit older or put on some extra pounds and you’ll realize that knee problems can become a daily struggle. Simple everyday movements like walking or bending can become difficult and even painful for those with weak knees. Strong knees, on the other hand, while often overlooked, make a big difference in what…
When you think about your life right now, how would you rate your level of stress? 0–3: You’re relaxed, content, and feeling carefree. You’ve learned to effective ways to manage stress. 4–6: You have good days and bad. Some days you feel in control of the stress, other days you feel overwhelmed. 7–10: It’s time…
Should marijuana be legalized as a medical treatment for certain illnesses? A hot topic in the news these days, proponents claim the potential benefits of this drug outweigh the risks. But where does the truth lie? Keep reading for a closer look at this controversial drug. What Is It? Worldwide, more people use marijuana than…
The struggle to lose weight is often a battle you can’t win alone. It can make a world of difference to have the support and encouragement of those around you. If you have a loved one or close friend that’s trying to lose weight, it may be time to come alongside to cheer him or…
Sure, the weather outside is frightful and the fire looks mighty delightful, but that’s no excuse to skip exercise this winter. While it may be tempting stay indoors where it’s warm, think of all the holiday calories that need to be burned! Why not burn even more of them by working out in the great…
It won’t be long until the warm weather is back. Spring is the perfect time of year to not only spring clean the inside of your home, but to spruce up the outside as well. Adding curb appeal to your home involves small repairs to save you expensive fixes in the future and simple updates…
A disease involving how your body uses insulin and glucose, diabetes is on the rise—and you don’t want to be next! Insulin is a hormone produced by your pancreas to help break down and use the glucose (sugars) found in the food you eat. Glucose is what gives your body energy to function. The body…
It’s so easy to find an excuse not to exercise. You’re tired, don’t have enough time, don’t need to lose weight, or don’t look good in your workout clothes…the list could go on and on. Chances are, you’ve got your own list of excuses you’ve used a time or two. But what if you could…
With the rising costs of energy, more people are turning to alternative ways of heating their homes. No longer depending on high amounts of electricity, natural gas, or fuel oil, green options use eco-friendly energy that’s readily available in nature and can easily be converted into heat. If you are building a home or needing…
Remember when you were a child and got the chicken pox? An itchy rash took over your body, which was accompanied by a fever, headache, and sore throat. Highly contagious, 99 percent of adults have had the virus at some point in their lives. Today, a vaccine is available to protect kids from developing chicken…
Calorie-restricting diets have been around for centuries. To lose weight it makes sense: the fewer calories you eat, the more weight you’ll lose. But eating too few calories can be dangerous for your health and makes it hard to keep weight off long-term. So what should you think about an eating pattern known as intermittent…
Growl… Once again your stomach is screaming, begging for food. You’re trying to lose weight but feel it’s a losing battle because you’re hungry all the time. Since beginning your diet, your appetite seems bigger than ever. Saying no to food is so hard when your stomach and mind are saying yes. For most, not…
Following a head injury, there are many things of which to be concerned. Top on the list is often a concussion. An injury to your brain that affects the way your brain works, a concussion can be scary business and should be treated seriously. So if a concussion is suspected, seek medical attention as soon…
It can happen to anyone at almost any time. You’re fine one moment, and the next thing you know, you’re waking up from a fainting spell. Also called syncope (SIN-ko-pee), fainting is a brief loss of consciousness that happens when blood flow to the brain is restricted. Fainting spells account for three percent of all…
You use it to talk, eat, and kiss. Obviously, your mouth is an important part of your body. If only your breath smelled sweet all the time, you never got a cavity, and your gums were always pink and healthy! Mouth problems are many and are therefore a common complaint. From bad breath to canker…
An afternoon gardening, a morning spent playing ball, or even the simple movement of bending over to tie your shoes can trigger back pain. A very common problem, back pain is usually caused by overuse or muscle injury or strain. Pain that isn’t acute can often be treated with gentle exercises. Strengthening the abdominal, leg,…
One of the most common killers of the elderly, pneumonia is most likely to be picked up when you’re just getting over another illness like the cold or flu. Just when you think you’ve turned a corner and are feeling better, you develop an infection in your lungs. Its arrival makes sense. When you’re sick,…
Sometimes, even with today’s medical advances, there’s just nothing more that can be done to treat a sick person. Doctors have done all they can to make your loved one well, but the disease or aging has won. Facing death is no easy task. Another treatment, a last option—those are much preferred over hearing there…
Did you know your brain needs exercise, too? While it can’t run a mile or lift weights, you brain needs to exercise, and a great way to do just that is by reading. Just as physical exercise provides numerous health and wellness benefits for your body, reading provides amazing benefits for your mind. Even though…
The sight of blood is frightening for many people. This is why nosebleeds often cause panic. A fairly common condition, most nosebleeds aren’t reason for concern and can be remedied quickly and painlessly. Other nosebleeds may warrant a visit to the doctor. Anyone at any age can experience a nosebleed, but they occur most frequently…
Frosting on a birthday cake, breakfast cereals, a bag of candy, your favorite cookies, a cup of yogurt, soft drinks, popsicles, those crunchy crackers, condiments, and even macaroni and cheese. Food dyes have found their way into almost every processed food you will find on grocery store shelves. For years, food-coloring additives have been accepted…
Wonder why you’re not losing weight when you’re trying so hard? What could you be doing wrong? Sometimes you think you’re doing all you can to lose weight, but there’s something holding you back. Maybe you were told to do the wrong thing, you’re going about it the wrong way, or you’re holding onto a…
Maybe in days gone by you had the energy and motivation to exercise. You may have even been a body builder or marathon runner. But for whatever reason, exercise fell by the wayside over the years and you slowly became more and more inactive. And your health has suffered from it. The good news is…
You had to coax your teenager out of bed. Your son couldn’t find his shoes. Your husband needed his shirt ironed. You ran out of milk right when your daughter is ready to eat breakfast. Sound like a morning you’ve experienced? Getting everyone ready and out of the house on time can be a stressful…
Chances are you know someone who’s had bariatric surgery to lose weight. Hopefully he or she had a positive experience and is living a new life. Seen as a last-resort option for those who’ve tried and failed multiple times to lose weight through diet and exercise, weight loss surgery can have great results not only…
Running. It’s one of the most popular exercises out there. A great way to burn calories, get in shape, and manage stress, running isn’t without its drawbacks. Each year, half of all runners can expect to face some sort of injury, usually in their feet, knees, hips, or legs. The repetitive movement of running and…
Sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it? But there are dozens of prescription and over-the-counter weight loss drugs are available today for those who can’t seem to lose weight through diet and exercise or for those who need long-term assistance to lose weight. However, the question remains: Do diet pills really work or are…
It’s the stuff of movies. The middle-aged dad loses it. He becomes dissatisfied with his job, his wife, and life in general, so he goes out and buys a new red convertible and has an affair. Not a pretty picture. It’s no wonder the phrase “midlife crisis” has taken on a negative connotation. But psychologists…
Until you suffer from a shoulder injury, it’s easy to take these joints for granted. Compared to other joints in your body, the shoulders are the most moveable thanks to the ligaments, tendons, and muscles that hold the shoulder in place. The large range of motion of the shoulders is beneficial for upper body movement,…
Due to popular demand, grocery stores are offering more and more organic options. As you shop for food and make daily decisions about what to feed your family, you’ve probably asked yourself if you should buy organic. From produce, milk, and eggs, to packaged foods and meats, organic foods are obviously more expensive, but are…
Two became one and now they are two again. The break-up—no matter the reason—hurts. Whether you wanted to sign the papers or not, your heart is broken and you bear emotional scars. Is there hope for recovery and healing? It may take time, but there is hope. You’ll get through this and can come out…
Going out to eat for lunch may be the popular thing to do at work. It’s convenient, so heading down the street to your favorite restaurant becomes part of your daily routine. But do you know how much money you could save if you brought your lunch from home? You could easily cut your lunch…
They may be small, but lice leave a big impression. If you or a family member has ever had lice, you know how horrible the experience is. Without warning, they make a home in your hair, feeding on your blood and making life absolutely miserable. The itching, the thought of having bugs in your hair,…
Exercising with some sort of resistance, whether free weights, your own body weight, or weight machines, is important to increase your muscle mass, strengthen your bones, stay fit, and burn calories. One of the best places to do all three is your local gym bench. Several basic free weight and body weight exercises require the…
In this digital day and age, you’re no longer alone in your journey to lose weight. You may be the only one in the house, but with access to the Internet you can find a wide range of resources to help reach your goal. Research has shown that certain Internet programs can be an effective…
Trying to get the kids in bed, making them stay in bed, and finally getting them to sleep can be the most stressful part of a parent’s day. When it’s time for bed, the kids are hungry and thirsty, need a Band-aid for boo boos that miraculously appear on every limb, need a backrub, remember…
On the quest to lose weight, many people suffer through days of hunger and low energy—but they don’t have to. Feeling full doesn’t depend on how many calories you eat, but on the amount of food you eat. By choosing the right kinds of foods in the right combination, you can still eat a healthy…
Fact: More than 80 percent of car seats are installed incorrectly. Here’s what you should know to ensure you’re in the safe and sound 20 percent. Did you buy your child’s car seat from a yard sale? Is your rear-facing seat angled to the correct degree? Does the car seat rock a little when…
How to cope with this taste-stealing aspect of diabetes and make it a natural part of your life. When you first heard the news, it was devastating. You’d worked hard to maintain your good health throughout life and thought you were doing pretty well. Then your physician informs you that you have diabetes. As if…
Many people turn to cereal as a quick and easy breakfast option. But finding an all-around healthy cereal is no easy task. As you walk down the grocery store isle, countless cereal choices stare you in the face. Which do you choose—a kid-friendly package or the one high in fiber? Each cereal claims its own…
It may be gross, uncomfortable, smelly, and even embarrassing, but sweating is a completely normal and even healthy part of a healthy life. Damp underarms and drips of sweat from your forehead are expected and even needed during exercise or hot temperatures. Despite this, many of today’s cultures go to great lengths to avoid sweat…
What to do to improve your body’s automatic calorie-burning ability. Did you know you can burn calories by sitting still? While you’re on the computer? Watching television? Taking a rest? Taking a nap? In order to get your body to work for you when you’re not working, you have to get your metabolism as high…
Or are kids the only ones who get to smile while getting fit? Everybody wants to have fun. It’s relaxing, stimulating, and downright well…fun! So what is it about exercise that seems to make adults stand up straight and pull out their serious faces? Shouldn’t exercise be fun for you just like it is for…
