Health Literacy
Health literacy enables individuals to access, understand, and use health information, empowering them to make informed decisions about their well-being.
5 Things You Think Are Healthy … But Aren’t
Health fads are nothing new. The Atkins diet was conceived in the late 1950s and swept the country with popular fervor in the early 2000s, and right now CrossFit workouts are all the rage across American suburbia. Some might even say that flossing is a health fad that we’ve all been doing since time immemorial — or at least since we were children. But what if these health fads, trends, and practices aren’t actually all as healthy as you think? Here are five things you think are totally healthy … but actually aren’t. 1. Cleaning Your Ears Swabbing your ear with a little cotton ball stick? Some people have experienced…
Orthotics: The Best Treatment for Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar Fasciitis means the inflammation of the plantar fascia which is actually a thick and fibrous ligament that is situated under the foot and spreads over the heel bone to the toes. It gives rise to the arc of the foot and performs as our natural shock-absorbing process. Unlike the muscle tissue in the body, the plantar fascia is less elastic and hence, it does not possess much capability in stretching or elongating. When too much traction is forced on the plantar fascia, it leads to irritation and pain. Plantar fasciitis may be caused by wearing a poor choice of footwear, shoes that do not support the arches, or the…
4 Ways to Take Care of Your Eyes This Winter
Winter time presents different healthcare challenges from the rest of the year. Between peak flu and cold season and seasonal affective disorder, winter is not often kind to the body. Eyes are especially susceptible to winter-specific damage. With some forethought and a little bit of healthy lifestyle habits, you can keep your vision safe and strong.
The Opioid Crisis: a National Public Health Emergency
In mid-October, Ex-DEA Agent Joe Ranazzisi appeared on 60 Minutes to expose details of how pharmaceutical lobbyist and the US Congress have worked in conjunction to knowingly derail DEA efforts at curtailing the opioid epidemic. “Rannazzisi accuses the distributors of fueling the opioid epidemic by turning a blind eye to pain pills being diverted to illicit use,” says 60 Minutes correspondent Bill Whitaker to the viewing audience. Then, to Rannazzisi, he asks: “You know the implication of what you’re saying, that these big companies knew that they were pumping drugs into American communities that were killing people?” “That’s not an implication,” responds Rannazzisi, “that’s a fact. That’s exactly what they…
Understanding The Challenges of Cross-Addiction And How To Combat It
When those struggling with substance abuse indulge in that addiction, their brain releases a ‘feel good’ chemical called dopamine into the synapses. Dopamine signals body that something pleasurable has happened or is about to happen. When the addicts undergo addiction treatment, they often feel a frequent sense of something missing from in their life. That missing thing is usually dopamine. To fill this emptiness, recovering addicts sometimes turn to something else, such as coffee, food, shopping, cigarettes, pills, or anything that mimics their original addiction. It is called cross-addiction In simple terms, cross-addiction means you’ve traded one addiction for another. For example, if you’re working through an alcoholism treatment program,…
Social Determinants, Sitting, and How We Sacrifice Our Health for Society
New research is showing that sitting for prolonged amounts at a time can be extremely harmful to your health. Keith Diaz, Ph.D., and her colleagues at Columbia University Medical Center in NYC, NY, found that adults in the US generally spend 12 or more hours per day sitting down, and that the more time spent sitting, the greater the risk of premature death. The research did also find, however, that moving around approximately every 30 minutes may help you live longer by reducing the harms of prolonged sitting. This echoes other studies in the vein, that are beginning to show that prolonged sitting is much more detrimental to our health…
Healthcare – Seeking Diagnosis and Treatment for IBS
Irritable bowel syndrome, commonly referred to as IBS, is a debilitating and chronic gastrointestinal disorder that a considerable section of the population is afflicted by. Many patients seek IBS related healthcare in medical facilities and they account for the largest group that visits gastroenterology clinics. It is well known that these patients face the challenge of an impaired quality of life and often require health care services. Symptoms of IBS Several theories have been presented regarding the exact cause of the condition but it is not yet clear. Symptoms vary among different patients and may change over time. Some of the distressing symptoms that are reported by patients include abdominal…
4 Things To Ask Yourself Before Choosing a Family Doctor
Choosing a family doctor is something that every parent should do for the safety and well-being of their family. Having someone on hand who you can call when one of you is ill is crucial in order to keep everyone in top health. Some people make the mistake of quickly settling for the first choice for their family physician only to find that it wasn’t a good fit in the end. When you take the time to carefully weigh out all of the options and ask yourself the right questions, you will be more than pleased with the outcome. Here are the important questions to ask yourself and your family…
4 Odd But Dangerous Health Situations
It’s often not all that difficult to tell the difference between a dangerous and a non-dangerous situation, especially when it comes to your health. However, there are times when it’s not under a person’s control how healthy a situation is, or perhaps that there is some hidden danger that they don’t know about. For instance, think about the categories of surgical malpractice, strange workplace injuries, undefined diseases that people run into, and then adult-onset mental health issues that can really strike a troubled chord into many lives in almost a sneaky way. Surgical Malpractice One of the more unusual but dangerous situations you can run into with respect to health…
Drug Formulation & Delivery Systems
Did you know that seven in ten Americans is on at least one prescription? We live in a time where health consciousness is on the rise, and there seems to be a pill for everything. How do scientists get from disease to cure, and how are drugs formulated? If you’ve ever wondered how drugs and pharmaceuticals are developed, here’s a detailed look at drug formulation and delivery systems from end to end! Drug Formulation From Start to Finish How are drugs made? It’s a complex question that usually begins with identifying a clinical problem. That health issue might be cancer, an allergic reaction, bone density issues, epilepsy: anything of clinical…
How Will You Lead a Stress Free Life and Stay Healthy?
Stress is a part and parcel of daily life. If someone says that you should avoid stress by all means, it is easier said than done. However, a certain amount of stress is definitely needed for better outcome or performance. For instance, unless you are stressed or serious about an examination, you will not be able to perform to the optimum. Whenever the body and mind is stressed, hormones like adrenalin and cortisol are released. As the hormones are released, a series of physiological changes occur in the body, namely, rising blood pressure and faster heart beat. Once in a while this stress level is alright but when it becomes…
Five Parts Of Your Body You May Be Taking For Granted
Are you taking care of your health? Most people at least try to, but sometimes they miss a few important parts of their body when it comes to being healthy. There is more to health than just exercising and eating right.