Posts

High blood sugar, or hyperglycemia, is common. An estimated 45% of adults in the United States have either prediabetes or diabetes. High blood sugar over time puts you at risk for complications, including heart disease and stroke, as well as kidney, eye, and nerve damage. While many people will require medications to control blood sugar, several lifestyle changes can help lower blood sugar naturally. This article will discuss 12 ways to lower blood sugar naturally, many of which also have benefits on overall health....

An abdominal ultrasound (or sonography) is a non-invasive way to see the organs in the abdominal cavity. Unlike other types of medical imaging tests, ultrasounds don’t use ionizing radiation. Instead, they use sound waves to create digital images of the abdominal organs, which can then be stored and shared with other healthcare providers. Ultrasounds can detect changes (such as size or shape) in organs, tissues, or blood vessels, and may also show if there is an abnormal mass present, such as a tumor....

Blepharoplasty, also known as eyelid surgery, is a surgical procedure that corrects sagging or drooping eyelids (ptosis). The skin of the eyelid is thinner than other areas of the face, and it tends to show the first signs of aging. Eyelids that sag or droop can affect peripheral vision and make daily activities more difficult. Blepharoplasty removes excess skin and fat and tightens the muscles and tissues of the eyelid. It reduces the skin that droops into the visual field to improve peripheral vision....

Physicians can now purchase the first blood test to help detect Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The test could make it easier for people to find out if their memory loss is a sign of cognitive impairment or simply the effects of getting older. Key Takeaways A new blood test could help doctors detect Alzheimer’s disease (AD) by measuring amyloid buildup, a hallmark of the neurodegenerative disease. While it is an exciting development, the test has not yet received approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and key data on the test’s accuracy has not been released....

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is an autoimmune arthritis that primarily affects the spine. However, it can also spread to other joints of the body and affect internal organs. Because AS causes damage to the spine, it can have a serious impact on your posture. This article discusses how ankylosing spondylitis affects the spine and causes poor posture. It also provides exercises and tips to help improve it. How Does Ankylosing Spondylitis Affect Posture?...

While temporary anxiousness, stress, and worry are natural reactions to life events, anxiety disorders arise when these feelings don’t go away or worsen. This class of mental health conditions, which affects up to 30% of adults, includes: Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) Panic disorder Phobia Social anxiety disorder Separation anxiety disorder Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Anxiety disorders provoke a range of emotional and physical symptoms. Acute and chronic headache disorders often accompany them, and these conditions are closely linked....

Armpit rashes can be caused by allergic reactions, infections, and chronic conditions. Armpits are a common place to get rashes because the skin there is thin, folds up on itself, and can be hairy. These factors create the right conditions for moisture buildup and irritation, which can lead to rashes. This article will go over what can cause an armpit rash, as well as how to treat a rash in your armpit....

Condoms are one of the most effective ways to prevent and lower the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). But they’re only effective if you use them consistently and correctly. Even if you use a condom without fail, there may be times it slips off during sex or spontaneously bursts or ruptures. This can happen if the condom: Wasn’t made properlyWasn’t stored at the right temperatureWas used after its expiration dateWas torn when taken out of the packetWas too small or too largeWas used with the wrong lubricantWasn’t put on or used properly This article reviews the possible ways a condom can fail and how you can use a condom the right way to prevent condom failure....

Alexia Zakariya, a Pennsylvania stay-at-home mom of two kids, received a note on her door on October 28: “Notice To Terminate Tenancy.” UPDATE The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a new eviction moratorium on August 3 that will last until October 3. This comes after a previous halt on evictions was allowed to lapse on August 1. Key Takeaways By the end of 2020, an estimated 30 to 40 million people in the U....

It is not uncommon for a baby to have a misshapen head when a baby’s skull is still pliable and soft during infancy. However, a baby could need additional assistance from a healthcare provider if their head shape continues to change and doesn’t round out properly in the early months of their life. This article discusses common misshapen head types, and diagnosis and treatment options. Changes to a Baby’s Head Shape In adults and adolescents, the skull appears as one bone....

Vaccines are without question among the greatest public health achievements of the 20th and 21st centuries. They have greatly reduced the incidence of infectious diseases that once caused widespread illness, disability, and death around the world. As a result of vaccines, a few diseases have even been eliminated (meaning reduced to zero in a specific geographic area). Meanwhile, one disease (smallpox) has been eradicated (meaning reduced to zero worldwide). Even so, vigilance is needed to ensure that enough children are vaccinated to avoid the resurgence of eliminated diseases (such as outbreaks of measles in the United States)....

The fasting plasma glucose (FPG) test, also known as the fasting blood glucose test (FBG) or fasting blood sugar test, measures the levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood. It is a relatively simple, accurate, and inexpensive test that can screen for diabetes and problems with insulin functioning. Purpose of Test The FPG test is recommended as a screening test for people 35 or older to be repeated every three years....

As the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease continues to rise, so too does the push for medical science to discover the cause of the disease. Is it genetic? If so, what are the hereditary risk factors of Alzheimer’s disease? This article looks at the genetic and hereditary risk factors of Alzheimer’s disease and how genes influence late- and early-onset Alzheimer’s. Genetic and Hereditary Risk Factors As new discoveries develop in Alzheimer’s research, scientists are beginning to ascertain pieces to the puzzle concerning the cause....

Breast reduction surgery isn’t just for women. Men who feel self-conscious about their chest can have a procedure called gynecomastia surgery to reduce enlarged breast tissue. Here’s what you need to know if you’re considering this plastic surgery procedure. What is Gynecomastia Surgery? Gynecomastia is the overdevelopment of breast tissue in men. It differs from excess fat in the breast because gynecomastia describes swollen glandular tissue. There are several possible causes of gynecomastia, including hormonal imbalances, underlying health conditions, or medication side-effects....

Hemorrhoid treatment helps relieve symptoms and resolve the underlying cause. Treatment may include a high-fiber diet, stool softeners, topical medications, and, in severe cases, specialist procedures to reduce or remove the hemorrhoid. The treatment for hemorrhoids varies by type—either external hemorrhoids (occurring outside of the rectum) and internal hemorrhoids (occurring inside the rectum). External hemorrhoids tend to cause pain and itching, while internal hemorrhoids are typically painless but can cause rectal bleeding....

The diagnosis of cerebral palsy requires a careful and methodical process that relies largely on observation and clinical examination. If you suspect a diagnosis, an understanding of the process can help alleviate concerns. Parent Observations Children who have cerebral palsy may display a variety of symptoms that are central to the diagnosis of the condition. Symptoms include motor weakness of the face, arms, hands, legs or trunk, stiff and jerky movements or floppy muscles, speech that is spastic and difficult to understand, problems chewing and swallowing, and cognitive deficits....

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is more than just arthritis. It is a chronic, inflammatory disease of the spinal joints and other joints, like the shoulders, hips, and knees. Ankylosing spondylitis may create further havoc in the body by causing fatigue, eye pain, and even heart or lung problems. Despite the complexity and whole-body involvement of AS, you can live well with this disease—it may require some preparation and resiliency, but it can be done by taking it one step and one day at a time....

When you have lactose intolerance, it means your body is unable to digest significant amounts of lactose. Lactose is the major sugar found in milk and milk products. Lactose intolerance is caused in part by a shortage of lactase, an enzyme produced by the cells that line the small intestine. Lactase breaks lactose down into simpler forms of sugar, like glucose, so they can be absorbed and used by the body....

As school starts up again, kids and teens are gearing up for a return to in-person learning. Over the past year and a half, everyone has been forced to navigate challenges due to the pandemic. Key Takeaways With kids and teens navigating in-person learning after over a year of isolation, parents and teachers should take steps to support their mental health.Parents should keep their children up-to-date with check-ups, help them settle into a routine, and keep watch for any unusual behavior....

Although more research is needed, scientists believe genetics and environmental factors play a role in your risk of developing ankylosing spondylitis (AS). A variation in several genes may increase your risk of AS. AS can occur in more than one family member. However, it doesn’t necessarily mean you will develop the condition, even if you have a genetic variant tied to AS. Read on to learn more about the genetic factors of AS and how it is diagnosed and treated....