People with blood sugar levels higher than normal but lower than values for diabetes are considered to have pre-diabetes. Research shows that most people with pre-diabetes will develop type 2 diabetes within 10 years. It is recommended that you be tested for pre-diabetes if any of the following apply: You are overweight and older than 45 years of age. You are overweight and under the age of 45, but have a family history of diabetes, high blood pressure or high blood lipids (fat). You…

What is diabetes? Diabetes mellitus is a disease that prevents your body from properly using the energy from the food you eat. Diabetes occurs when either: The pancreas (an organ behind your stomach) produces little insulin or no insulin at all, or, The pancreas makes insulin, but the insulin made does not work as it should. This condition is called insulin resistance. What is insulin? Insulin is a naturally-occurring hormone, produced by the beta cells of the pancreas, that helps…

Diabetes mellitus is a disease that prevents your body from properly using the energy from the food you eat. Diabetes occurs when either: The pancreas (an organ behind your stomach) produces little insulin or no insulin at all. (Insulin is a naturally occurring hormone produced by the beta cells of the pancreas that helps the body use sugar for energy.) The pancreas makes insulin, but the insulin made does not work as it should. This condition is called insulin resistance. Different…

Women and Cardiovascular Disease Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among American women. This includes the build-up of plaque in the arteries supplying the heart (coronary artery disease), the pelvis, legs and feet (peripheral artery disease) and/or the brain (carotid artery disease). Do you have questions about your risk, as a woman, for a heart attack? Visit the listing below for more information. First Steps You can start living a healthier lifestyle today. Start by…

Instilling Hope, Holistically Forward-thinking hospitals are using innovative healing services to put patients first, including Cleveland Clinic. "At Cleveland Clinic, we use a unique team approach to provide healing services in collaboration with medical care," says Michelle Cameron, R.N., B.S.N., R.M., and Director of the Healing Solutions Program. Some of the treatments offered are: Art and music therapy Greeting and turn-down services Holistic nursing Massage therapy Pet…

Health concerns vary by age. Women who have just given birth have different concerns than those on the other side of menopause. Here are the major health concerns women may face as they age, along with tips for disease prevention: Breast cancer. Lower your risks by not smoking, exercising regularly, limiting alcohol use and controlling your weight. In your 20s and 30s, have clinical breast exams every three years, and at age 40, start getting yearly mammograms. You may need earlier, more…

Menopause is the beginning of a woman's second adulthood. Freed from childbearing and child rearing responsibilities, this should be a great time in a woman's life. It is a normal part of the female life cycle, but just like other normal events like menstruation, pregnancy, and lactation there may be issues that need medical assessment and intervention. For many women, menopause is a time to reinvent themselves and seek new opportunities and creative outlets. Many women, like Margaret Mead,…

Proper Nutrition During the School Year Each fall brings a whirlwind of activity as families buy backpacks, purchase school supplies and outfit their kids. Planning for proper nutrition during the school year – a vital component of academic and athletic success – somehow gets lost in the shuffle. Parents who are creative and plan ahead can ensure that brown bag lunches are healthy, offer variety and meet the needs of young bodies and minds. 8 Tips For Packing Healthy School Lunches Here are…

A book Review from February 2009, by Pam Peeke, M.D., M.P.H. Raise your hand if you're confused about how to navigate your perimenopausal years. You've got endless questions, you're frustrated and you're not alone. This month, my good friend and colleague Dr. Holly Thacker is publishing her book "The Cleveland Clinic Guide to Menopause." Holly L. Thacker, MD, is the Director and founder of Center for Specialized Women’s Health at Cleveland Clinic. She's also Associate Professor of Surgery at…

The holiday seasons mean parties, and parties mean drinking — as in "drinking in the New Year." We asked Gregory Collins, MD, Director of the Cleveland Clinic Alcohol and Drug Recovery Center, to set the record straight on myths about drinking. Myth No. 1: Drinking Perks You Up at Parties. Only partially true. Alcohol is a brain depressant that first acts by shutting off "executive functions" like judgment, mood control and natural inhibitions. Some people experience this as elation and…

Q: My 14-year-old daughter seems to lean to one side, and her shoulders are uneven. What might be causing this? A: Your daughter should see a physician to be evaluated for possible scoliosis, or curvature of the spine. You mention two of the signs of scoliosis; others include one shoulder blade protruding farther than the other, an uneven waist and a raised hip. Girls at greater risk About 2 percent of children develop some degree of scoliosis between ages 10 and 16. Girls are four times…

ADHD is often misunderstood. From who is affected by ADHD, to the best treatment options, parents usually have many questions. Learn more about the disorder by viewing the information below. ADHD Versus ADD Q: My daughter can't seem to focus in school, but is well-behaved and not 'hyper' at all. She couldn't have ADHD, could she? A: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common developmental disorders, yet few people realize there are three types: Predominantly…

Are you trying to manage your arthritis symptoms better? Or, do you want more information about the disorder? Visit the listing below to learn more about arthritis. By M. Elaine Husni, M.D., M.P.H., Vice Chair, Cleveland Clinic Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Treatment Center, Orthopaedic & Rheumatologic Institute. Myth: 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…

Q: My grandson went through two operations as a baby for a congenital heart problem. He is now 15 and having palpitations. Should we be concerned? A: Your grandson has reached the age when heart rhythm abnormalities begin to appear in young people who had congenital heart surgery as infants. He should be seen by a congenital heart specialist because "arrhythmias" can be dangerous. Congenital heart disease – abnormal formation of the heart or major blood vessels – interferes with the…

Plan Ahead and You'll Rest Easy The type of mattress you sleep on plays a key role in the health of your spine. But one style does not fit all when it comes to mattresses. Your body weight, shape and personal preference determine whether an innerspring or a foam mattress will be most comfortable for you. Whatever your choice, your mattress should be in optimal condition. If not, you won't regret investing in a new one. Clues that you may need a new mattress include: morning pain or…

Countdown to Quitting If you feel emotionally and mentally prepared to quit smoking — and you're quitting for yourself, and not to please someone else — you'll be taking a giant step toward healthy living. Experts from Cleveland Clinic's Tobacco Treatment Center say there is no one "right way" to stop smoking or chewing tobacco; the right way is whatever works for you. But before you crumple up your last cigarette pack, plan ahead. How to Quit There are many proven methods for…

When you picture a weight room, men pumping iron may be the first image that comes to mind. However, strength training should also be a key component of women's workout routines, especially as they age and work to stay fit. Women need a combination of cardiovascular exercise and weight training. Cardio exercise is best for the heart and for weight control, and strength training is best for the bones and for muscle mass. No Fears Over Bulking Up Women will not gain excess bulk like men's…

Tips on Sleep Posture, Pillow Placement and More We don't often think about our spines when we're lying in bed. But our sleep posture can determine our spine wellness – and whether or not we experience back pain. So when we turn in for the night, it's wise to remember these tips from the Cleveland Clinic Center for Spine Health: Keep your spine in a neutral position. You can accomplish this by changing from an innerspring mattress (shown below) to a foam mattress, altering your sleep…

All the Sleep Terms you Need to Know Cataplexy: A symptom of cataplexy includes a loss of muscle tone that leads to feelings of weakness and a loss of voluntary muscle control. Central sleep apnea: This is a sleep disorder in which the airway is not blocked but the brain fails to signal the muscles to breathe. Chronotherapy: This is a behavioral technique in which bedtime is systematically adjusted. It is used in cases when the patient’s sleep-wake pattern is out-of-synch with the external…

Sleep problems can be caused by various factors. Although causes might differ, the end result of all sleep disorders is that the body's natural cycle of slumber and daytime wakefulness is disrupted or exaggerated. Factors That Can Cause Sleep Problems Are: Physical (such as ulcers) Medical (such as asthma) Psychiatric (such as depression and anxiety disorders) Environmental (such as alcohol) Short-term or acute insomnia can be caused by life stresses (job loss or change, death of…