5 Nutrition Myths and the Facts Myth 1: Late-night snacking causes weight gain. Fact: Many people believe late-night snacking packs on extra pounds. The truth is, it’s not when we eat that matters, it’s what and how much. Our bodies need fuel throughout the day. If we skip meals during the day, that state of starvation triggers cravings at night, and we make up for it by overeating. To break the starving-binging cycle, go no more than four to five hours between meals, and watch your portion…

The Facts Behind These 9 Arthritis Myths 1. All joint pain is arthritis. Fact: Other conditions, such as tendonitis, bursitis or other soft-tissue injuries, also cause joint pain. Evaluation by a rheumatologist will lead to the right diagnosis and treatment. 2. Rain and damp weather worsen arthritis. Fact: Although many believe that a twinge in the knee or knuckle can predict rain, there is no scientific evidence that dampness or humidity intensifies arthritis symptoms. 3. Take it easy if…

7 Tips for Keeping your digestive tract functioning its best 1. Focus on fiber As a complex carbohydrate that is not absorbed by the digestive tract, fiber can speed the removal of waste produced during digestion. Fiber can be found in fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Most Americans only consume half the recommended 20 to 35 grams of fiber per day. 2. Stay hydrated This is especially important when increasing fiber. Water is attracted to fiber in the digestive tract and allows it…

Hands-only CPR suggested When someone suddenly collapses and goes into cardiac arrest, performing CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) can double or triple their chances of survival. A new survey by the American Heart Association (AHA) reveals that most Americans are willing to help in such an emergency – but do not feel confident about performing CPR effectively. For that reason, the AHA now recommends chest compressions only for bystanders. Hands-only CPR has been found to be more effective…

Q: I am diabetic and my family doctor says I’ve got protein in my urine. I’m worried that I’ll need dialysis. What can I do to keep my kidneys healthy? A: You’re wise to want to protect your kidneys. Our kidneys have an important role, filtering fluid and waste from the blood, and making hormones that keep our bones and blood healthy. Kidney failure happens when the intricate filtering mechanisms called glomeruli stop functioning in both kidneys. But the kidneys may not completely shut down…

Preparing Healthy Meals at Home Preparing food at home is not only less expensive than eating out, it can be a source of fun family time without an admission price! All ages can assist in preparing meals, finding new recipes and scanning the grocery ads for the best bargains. 10 Tips for Eating Well 1. Buy perishable foods in quantities you’ll use. Spoiled food that’s tossed into the garbage is no bargain! Look to frozen fruits and vegetables, which are less perishable and allow for…

Restoring Your Skin The goal of restoring a more youthful appearance motivates many patients to consult specialists in a variety of medical disciplines. New innovations in skin rejuvenation continue to develop, ranging from: Topically applied (directly to the skin) prescription medicationsOver-the-counter "cosmeceuticals"Innovative facelift, browlift, and blepharoplasty (reconstruction of the eyelid) surgery techniquesSoft tissue augmentation (implants)Botulinum toxinNew laser technology A…

Heart failure in Women Heart failure affects about 2.7 million women in the United States. Despite the fact that women account for more than 50 percent of all hospital admissions for heart failure, they represent only 25 percent of participants in heart failure trials. Consequently, advances in heart failure therapies apply to most men and prospective sex-specific studies need to be performed to improve the health care in women. Heart Failure: Men Vs Women Differences of women with heart…

More than ever before, women are interested in being pro-active about reducing the risk of breast cancer. At the center of this change is our growing concern and understanding of breast cancer, the second most common form of cancer among women in the United States. What is Breast Cancer? Cells in the body normally divide (reproduce) only when new cells are needed. Sometimes cells will divide for no reason, creating a mass of tissue called a tumor. Tumors can be benign (not cancerous) or…

Managing Chronic Pain Patients who actively participate in their health and focus on healthy lifestyles can manage their pain sucessfully. 9 tips for managing chronic pain Discuss your pain concerns with your doctor. Learn as much as you can about your diagnosis and condition. Build in rest breaks, exercise and relaxation times into your daily schedule. Learn how to relax through deep breathing and other stress management techniques. Set achievable goals and don’t overdo it on…

You have worked hard to lose your excess body fat and developed some new eating and exercise methods that now need to become habit. Once you have achieved a desired weight, a positive attitude is very important in your efforts to successfully manage it. To lose weight permanently, you must make a commitment to gradually adopt a healthier way of life. Maintaining your new weight is not an easy task, but it will become easier over time once your choices become new habits. This will take time and…

What is diabetes? Diabetes is a disease of the pancreas, an organ located behind your stomach. Normally, the pancreas releases a substance called insulin into the blood. Insulin helps the body to use sugars and fats that are broken down from the foods we eat. When a person has diabetes, the pancreas: Does not make insulin Makes only a little insulin or, Makes insulin, but the insulin does not work as it should. Diabetes is a lifelong disease. People with diabetes must manage their…

Protecting yourself from Sun Damage The immediate danger of too much sun is sunburn. If you looked at sunburned skin under a strong microscope, you would see that the cells and blood vessels have been damaged. With repeated sun damage, the skin starts to look dry, wrinkled, discolored, and leathery. Although the skin appears to be thicker, it actually has been weakened and, as a result, it will bruise more easily. However, the sun’s most serious threat is that it is the major cause of skin…

May is Osteoporosis Awareness Month: Protect Your Bones for Future Mobility Osteoporosis is an elusive disease. Most people won’t have any symptoms until they break a bone. But falling and breaking a bone is not a normal part of the aging process. Osteoporosis is a disease, and like many diseases it is both preventable and treatable. It’s important to be proactive about protecting bone health before you run into trouble. May is Osteoporosis Awareness Month, so why not start today! To…

Who is at risk? Osteoporosis is mistakenly thought of as a disease of older white women. In fact, according to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, osteoporosis and low bone mass affect 44 million women and men age 50 and older in the United States. That’s a staggering 55 percent in that age group. There are many risk factors that increase your chance of developing osteoporosis including gender, age, race, bone structure and body weight, nutrition, lifestyle, medication and family history.…

Like pregnancy and delivery, menopause is a normal life event. Yet every day, I see smart women who are not being given the right information about the changes they are facing during midlife. Many of my patients nearing 50 regard the years leading up to menopause, called perimenopause, as living hell. But that does not have to be the case. The most important thing you can do when you are facing any life change is to arm yourself with the facts. In the case of menopause, you first have to…

Healthy Aging Life expectancy is increasing for Americans. The fastest-growing segment of the population is the 85-and-older age group. Despite advances in health care, however, many elderly people have chronic, incurable progressive diseases and need assistance with the activities of daily living. The greatest challenge facing us as we age is the prevention of physical disability and the extension of "active life expectancy." Fortunately, recent studies suggest that healthy ("successful")…

What are vital signs? Vital signs are used to measure the body’s basic functions. These measurements are taken to help assess the general physical health of a person, give clues to possible diseases, and show progress toward recovery. The normal ranges for a person’s vital signs vary with age, weight, gender, and overall health. There are four main vital signs: body temperatureblood pressurepulsebreathing rate Body Temperature The average body temperature is 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit, but…

A simple test for the HPV virus can significantly reduce the number of cervical cancers and deaths that occur.