Different foods can cause blood sugar dips or spikes, but tools such as glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL) can fill you in on how your body will respond to what you’re eating. Originally, the concepts of GI and GL were developed to determine which foods were best for people with diabetes, but whether you’re diabetic or not, these tools are useful for blood sugar management and better diet planning....
Ear infections can be painful and disruptive. They are especially frustrating for people who get reoccurring ear infections, or for parents whose children are prone to them. Approximately 80% of children will experience at least one episode of the middle ear infection acute otitis media (AOM) by their third birthday. About 40% will have six or more recurrences of AOM by the time they reach 7 years old. Although AOM occurs most often in children, a 2005 global study showed adults ages 25 to 85 accounted for 1....
Intuitive eating is an evidence-based, non-diet approach to eating that encourages a positive relationship with food and physical activity. It focuses on nurturing your body and allowing it to settle at a weight you can manage without food restriction or excessive exercise. Although more research is needed, studies suggest intuitive eating can reduce disordered eating habits, promote a positive body image, and improve emotional well-being and weight maintenance. This article discusses intuitive eating and how it can help you develop a positive relationship with food....
Gatorade is a sports drink that helps replenish an athlete’s energy after intense physical activity. It is formulated to help replace water, electrolytes, and carbohydrates (specifically sugar) that are lost when we sweat during intense activity. Gatorade is a popular product, but just how healthy is it? Here’s a look at the best-selling sports drink in America, its nutritional value, benefits, and risks. What Is Gatorade? Gatorade is known as the original sports drink....
Blood pressure is the pressure exerted on the walls of the arteries during the heart’s cycle. Blood pressure normally changes throughout the day depending on time of day, food intake, physical activity, alertness, hydration, and stress. When blood pressure on the arteries is consistently high, is it diagnosed as hypertension. Labile hypertension is a condition in which sudden, significant rises in blood pressure occur. At times the blood pressure can be normal, and at other times it is significantly elevated....
When it comes to health benefits, new research suggests tea could be more than just a pleasant drink we reach for when we get a tickle in our throat. Key Takeaways The latest tea-related research was presented in April at the Sixth International Scientific Symposium on Tea and Human Health.The research highlighted true tea’s positive impact on heart health, cognitive health, and immune function.If you’re not already a regular tea drinker, adding just a cup or two of true tea a day to your routine could support your wellness....
If you have trouble sleeping while you are breastfeeding, you may consider taking over-the-counter (OTC) sleep aids like melatonin to help you sleep. While these products can be safe and effective in general, you should talk to your healthcare provider about the safest option for you and your baby. Sleep deprivation is common when you’re caring for a baby. You may also have trouble falling or staying asleep (insomnia). If you’re breastfeeding, the stress of adjusting to a new routine, swollen breasts, nighttime nursing, and the lingering pain from giving birth can make it harder to get a good night’s sleep....
Phobia of germs, also called mysophobia or germaphobia, is an intense fear of dirt and/or contamination. People with mysophobia feel extreme distress and anxiety if they encounter or even think about dirt, germs, and bacteria. They may go to extremes to avoid being “contaminated,” often in ways that disrupt their everyday life. Learn more about mysophobia in this article, including symptoms, diagnosis, causes, treatment options, and coping methods. Definition Mysophobia refers to an intense, persistent fear of dirt and contamination....
Hemorrhoids occur when vascular tissue in the anus or rectum becomes swollen and irritated. Hemorrhoids can be internal (inside the anus or lower rectum) or external (under the skin around the anus). They are not usually serious, but they can cause itching, pain, and bleeding. Hemorrhoids affect up to 40% of pregnant people. Typically, symptoms are managed during pregnancy, and the hemorrhoids clear up after delivery. Read on to learn why hemorrhoids are common in pregnancy and how to treat them....
Coagulation studies are used to determine how well your blood clots. This evaluation may involve prothrombin time (PT) and partial thromboplastin time (PTT) tests, as well as a calculation called the international normalized ratio (INR). You may need one or more of these to monitor an illness, track the effects of blood thinners, or assess the risk of bleeding prior to surgery. This article explains what coagulation is as well as the purpose of each of these tests, including what they can reveal about your health....
Schizophrenia is a chronic brain disorder. It affects the brain in particular and less observable ways than other brain conditions like tumors, strokes, or bleeds. While everyone’s brains are different, scientists are able to use imaging to get a general idea of what a normally functioning brain looks like vs. one that is not. There are a number of tests that can be administered to diagnose schizophrenia. This article will discuss the early symptoms of schizophrenia and the tests and scans that are used to assist its diagnosis....
Skin inflammation is a sign of an immune response. Symptoms include redness, heat, swelling, pain, and itching. Rash, hives, plaques, or blisters may also occur. The cause or trigger of skin inflammation may be acute, such as an allergy or a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection, or chronic, such as an autoimmune disease like psoriasis. Most cases of skin inflammation are curable, although the treatment depends on what is causing the inflammation....
Smoker’s flu is a set of symptoms that people may experience when they stop smoking tobacco or using nicotine. The symptoms of withdrawal from nicotine and tobacco can include symptoms like coughing, fatigue, headache, and sore throat that are associated with the common cold or influenza. About 90% of people who smoke are addicted to nicotine, and most of them will experience some symptoms of withdrawal when they stop using nicotine....
Cerebral palsy is a lifelong condition characterized by impaired motor control due to congenital (from birth) brain defects, often with other associated symptoms. Spastic cerebral palsy, also called hypertonic cerebral palsy, accounts for 80% of cerebral palsy diagnoses. What Is Spastic Cerebral Palsy? Spastic cerebral palsy is characterized by diminished motor control and spasticity of the muscles. Spasticity is tightness and rigidity of the muscle, sometimes with a jerky component. Contractures can develop in the affected muscles, resulting in a tight, fixed position of a limb that is difficult to move, even passively....
Spinal stenosis surgery will be a scheduled procedure determined between you and your healthcare provider if your spinal stenosis symptoms continue to significantly impact everyday life even after trying conservative measures. Depending on the availability of the surgeon and the availability of the operating room schedule, you may have to wait several weeks or months to schedule your spinal stenosis surgery. Location Spinal stenosis surgery is performed in a hospital operating room....
Syphilis, caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum (T. pallidum), is a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Syphilis is typically transmitted via direct contact with a syphilitic sore, also called a chancre. Chancres are usually located on the genitals, vagina, anus, rectum, lips, and mouth. Syphilis cases have steadily climbed since the lowest reported number of new cases in 2000, with 134,000 new cases reported in 2020. Without treatment, syphilis can progress through different stages and cause significant health problems....
During a time of isolation, social media has provided a much-needed outlet for many teens staying inside and attending school remotely. But increased social media use doesn’t come without its risks. Key Takeaways A 10-year study found that a high level of early social media and/or television use in early adolescence, followed by increased use as children get older, is the most predictive of suicide risk in girls.Parents can limit daily use and engage in conversations to prevent their kids from developing negative mental health effects related to screen time....
The two main types of carbohydrates are simple carbs and complex carbs. Simple carbs are found in everything from table sugar to fruit, while complex carbs, or starches, come from whole grains and vegetables like sweet potatoes. Both types of carbs give your body energy. Simple carbohydrates provide short bursts of energy. Complex carbohydrates take longer for your body to break down, so they are a longer-lasting energy source. This article explains how simple and complex carbs work....
In order to determine the cause of a tremor, and hence, the best treatment options, it’s essential to know the type of tremor you have. Let’s take a look at how tremors are classified into different categories, as well as some of the terminology which is used to describe the characteristics of different tremors. Evaluation of Tremors When evaluating someone who has a tremor such as finger tremors or hand tremors, a neurologist will ask questions about what makes the tremor better or worse, whether anyone in the family has had tremors and any other symptoms which might provide clues as to the cause....
While experiencing feelings of anxiety from time to time is normal, these emotions, when they become extreme and start interfering with everyday activities can be symptoms of an anxiety disorder. The Anxiety and Depression Association of America defines anxiety disorders as specific psychiatric disorders that involve extreme fear or worry, including generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), agoraphobia, social anxiety disorder, selective mutism, separation anxiety disorder, and phobias. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental disorders in the United States....
