Sensible Eating in a Tempting World, Part 1
One of Americans’ greatest pleasures is eating out. If you are on a diet to lose weight, or watch your cholesterol, or simply strive for the healthiest choices wherever you eat, here is a guide for dining out and still enjoying the experience. Read more…
Osteoporosis in Black Women
Q.I’m a 42-year-old black woman who entered menopause at a very early age. I just stopped hormone replacement therapy after eight years. Do I really need HRT? I hated the side effects and risks of taking it. I know of no black women who have osteoporosis. What is the incidence of osteoporosis in black women? Read more…
Preventing Stroke
While physicians and scientists continue to make strides in treating stroke, your best defense is prevention. The best way to treat a stroke is to prevent it! Stroke is the most preventable of all medical catastrophes.
While physicians and scientists continue to make strides in treating stroke, your best defense is prevention. Talk to your doctor about the following risk factors:
Age — Your risk for stroke doubles each decade after age 35, and most strokes occur after age 65.
High blood pressure — Nearly 70 percent of stroke victims have high blood pressure.
Irregular heartbeat –About 15 percent of patients have atrial fibrillation, a condition that can cause an irregular heartbeat. When treated, the risk of stroke for this group declines by as much as 70 percent.
Atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) and heart disease — The buildup of cholesterol inside arteries is a leading cause of stroke and heart attack.
Smoking — Smoking, among other harmful effects, accelerates the buildup of cholesterol in arteries.
Diabetes –Diabetes prevents patients from processing fat as efficiently as possible, which can lead to heart problems and increased risk for stroke.
Race — For reasons that are unclear, African-Americans have one of the highest stroke rates in the world.
There are many important steps that people can take to help prevent a first stroke or to prevent a recurrence. Healthy lifestyle choices are an especially important way to help prevent a stroke. People should keep their weight down by adhering to low-fat diets. Individuals should not smoke or stop smoking if they do. It is helpful to undergo regular screenings for blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar according to a doctor’s recommendations. If one is on medication, especially for high blood pressure, he/she should be sure to take it exactly as directed.
Snoring can sometimes be associated with a sleep disturbance that predisposes to stroke and heart attack. This is particularly true in overweight men. If one’s bed-partner snores excessively, seems to gasp for air or appears to stop breathing, he/she should ask a doctor to consider obtaining a sleep study.
Eye Donation
You can help find a cure for glaucoma. There is no substitute for human tissue. Donated eye tissue is used for education and research at laboratory and clinical research institutes throughout North America and Europe. This research provides a better understanding of glaucoma, helps develop more effective treatments and makes earlier diagnosis possible. Read more…
Mastoiditis
The condition known as mastoiditis occurs when the bone behind the ear becomes inflamed.
Mastoiditis Signs and Symptoms Read more…
Club’s Solution, Part 2
Boot Camp. This class had a military theme, from the camouflage decorations and outfits, to music from the Village People (“In The Navy”). Nets, Army duffel bags and Army rations decorated the room, and promotional signage throughout the club read, “We Want YOU to come to the Tag Team class,” and depicted a large finger pointing. “We held this class around Memorial Day, tying in the patriotic feel and USA spirit,” says Corbett. Read more…
Club’s Solution, Part 1
Participation in group fitness classes at Westmoreland Athletic Club in Greensburg, Pa, was on the decline, according to executive director Laurie Corbett, and the club wanted to find a way to increase participation and introduce new people to its classes. Says Corbett, “We needed to add some variety, and introduce club members to the various formats of the classes we offer.” Read more…
Is It A Cold or Allergies? Part 2
Blood tests. Not everyone is a good candidate for skin testing. For example, people widespread skin conditions such as eczema or those who must take medications, such as antihistamines, that interfere with skin testing may be unable to take skin tests. Read more…
Is It A Cold or Allergies? Part 1
Sniffles. They come with a cold. They’re also symptoms of allergic reactions. For this reason, it’s easy to confuse an allergy with a cold. Sometimes you need help to figure out what’s going on.
Immunologic Therapies
Since asthma involves an immune response that causes inflammation in the bronchial tubes, it makes sense that asthma might be improved by treating the body’s immune system. Treatment aimed at the immune system is known as immunotherapy. Read more…
