The spine (or backbone) runs from the base of the skull to the pelvis. It serves as a pillar to support the body's weight and to protect the spinal cord. There are three natural curves in the spine that give it an "S" shape when viewed from the side. These curves help the spine withstand great amounts of stress by providing a more even distribution of body weight.

The spine is made up of a series of bones that are stacked like blocks on top of each other with cushions called discs in

What Causes Wrinkles?

From environmental factors to lifestyle choices, the onset of wrinkles has many causes. The following are the most significant:

Aging

With age, skin cells divide slower and the inner layer of the skin begins to thin. The network of elastin and collagen fibers which support the outer layer loosens and unravels. With aging, skin also loses its elasticity and is less able to retain moisture. In addition, oil-secreting glands are less

Can Alcoholism Be Cured?

No, alcoholism cannot be cured at this time. Even if an alcoholic hasn't been drinking for a long time, he or she can still suffer a relapse. Not drinking is the safest course for most people with alcoholism.

Can Alcoholism Be Treated?

Yes, alcoholism can be treated. Alcoholism treatment programs use both counseling and medications to help a person stop drinking. Treatment has helped many people stop drinking and rebuild their lives.

Follow these steps to help you cut down and manage your drinking:

Write your reasons for cutting down or stopping.

There are many reasons why you may want to cut down or stop drinking. You may want to improve your health, sleep better, or get along better with your family or friends.

Set a drinking limit.

Choose a limit for how much you will drink. You may choose to cut down or not to drink at all. If you are cutting down, keep below these limits:

Alcoholism is a disease in which a person drinks alcohol even though drinking hurts his or her life. Alcoholics often find that they have problems with people close to them, with school or work, and with other parts of their lives.

Alcoholism can happen after a month or years of drinking. It is a disease that gets worse the more the person keeps drinking. Without treatment, it can destroy both emotional and physical health and can lead to death.

Alcoholism is often called a

When you regularly get a test known as a PAP smear, you greatly reduce your risk of developing cervical cancer.

What Is Cervical Cancer?

Cervical cancer is a tumor or growth in the tissue of a woman's cervix. The cervix is the lowest part of the womb, or uterus, through which babies pass when they are born. It is located high inside the vagina. If not treated, cancer of the cervix can be deadly and/or can affect pregnancy and delivery by increasing the need for cervical

Acesulfame-k — an artificial sweetener used in place of sugar because it has very few calories.

Acetone — a chemical formed in the blood when the body uses fat instead of glucose (sugar) for energy. If acetone forms, it usually means the cells do not have enough insulin, or cannot use the insulin that is in the blood, to use glucose for energy. Acetone passes through the body into the urine.

Acidosis — too

Health Organizations

Note: This is not a complete listing and inclusion does not imply endorsement by Cleveland Clinic. Remember to always follow the advice of your doctor and healthcare team.

American Association of Diabetes Educators

200 West Madison Street, Suite 800
Chicago, IL 60606
800.338.3633
Diabetes Educator Access Line: 1.800.TEAMUP (338.3633)

American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists

245 Riverside Avenue,

The Causes of Diabetes

Healthcare clinicians do not yet know what causes diabetes. However, they do know that certain factors can increase your risk of getting diabetes. If you participate in the following behaviors or have genetic links to these factors, you may develop diabetes:

Family history of diabetes or inherited tendency African-American, Hispanic or Native American race or ethnic background Obesity (being 20 percent or more over your desired body weight)

With your doctor's permission, you may enjoy alcohol in moderation. Moderation is defined as no more than one drink per day for women; no more than two drinks per day for men. One drink is equal to 5 oz. of wine, 12 oz. of beer, or 1½ oz. of distilled spirits.

Here are some guidelines for drinking alcohol if you have diabetes:

Check with your doctor before drinking any alcoholic beverages. Discuss the safety and possible side effects of mixing alcohol and your medicines.

Your healthcare team includes your doctor, dietitian, diabetes educator, exercise trainer and pharmacist. But remember, you are the most important member of the team. Your healthcare team is available to help you manage your diabetes and maintain your good health.

How Often Should I See My Doctor?

People with diabetes who are treated with insulin shots generally should see their doctor at least every three to four months. People with diabetes who are treated with pills or

Diabetes can be controlled by your diet and exercise level. By keeping your blood glucose in control, you can lessen the effects of diabetes. To keep your blood glucose levels within goal range, you need to balance the following:

Food Diabetes medications (if taken) Physical activity

By familiarizing yourself with each of these factors, you will be able to achieve optimal blood glucose goals.

What Is the Role of Carbohydrates?

Carbohydrates are the body’s

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a disease in which levels of blood glucose, also called blood sugar, are above normal. People with diabetes have problems converting food to energy. Normally, after a meal, the body breaks food down into glucose, which the blood carries to cells throughout the body. Cells use insulin, a hormone made in the pancreas, to help them convert blood glucose into energy.

People develop diabetes because the pancreas does not make enough insulin or

To better understand diabetes, it helps to know more about how the body uses food for energy (a process called metabolism). Your body is made up of millions of cells. To make energy, the cells need food in a very simple form. When you eat or drink, much of your food is broken down into a simple sugar called glucose. Glucose provides the energy your body needs for daily activities.

The blood vessels and blood are the highways that transport sugar from where it is either taken in (the

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

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

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.

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

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

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