With the New Year here, many of us are still thinking about resolutions and how to overcome certain obstacles in our lives.  Others will most likely try to focus on bettering their health.  In any event, most of us are unaware that January is Thyroid Awareness month.  During this time, we want to remind individuals with thyroid issues to ensure that it’s functioning properly.  Remember, your thyroid plays a significant role in the functions of other vital organs.  Consequently, if your thyroid isn’t functioning properly, there’s a good chance you aren’t either. If you notice some of the signs such as...

Physicians employ a number of tests for the diagnosis of brain tumors and to learn what type it is.  Furthermore, they will use different tests to determine if it has spread to other areas of the body.  Plus, they will do tests that help them determine the best course of treatment.  In most cases, the only definitive way doctors can determine the existence of a tumor is to take a tissue sample.  This may be accomplished by performing what is called a “biopsy” or the surgical removal of all or a part of the tumor. How Diagnostic Imaging Can Help?...

It’s National Influenza Vaccination Week! Influenza infections result in increases in healthcare costs and productivity loss every year. On a global scale, estimates show that there are between 3 and 5 million severe cases of the flu and up to half a million deaths annually.  Furthermore, studies have also shown that anywhere from 5% to 20% of the U.S. population gets sick with the flu in a typical influenza season.  Sadly, nearly a quarter of a million will be hospitalized while approximately 36,000 will die. Impact on Demographics The annual influenza epidemics that we’ve seen in the Northern Hemisphere in...

According to the CDC, Diabetes is “a chronic (long-lasting) health condition that affects how your body turns food into energy.”  It also refers to a variety of conditions/diseases involving high blood sugar (glucose).  The most common types of diabetes include: Type 2 diabetes – a chronic condition affecting the way in which your body processes blood glucose; formerly referred to as “adult-onset diabetes” Type 1 diabetes – a chronic condition that exists when little or no insulin is produced by the pancreas: also known as “insulin-dependent” or “juvenile” diabetes Pre-diabetes – a condition wherein a person has a high blood...

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease or GERD, as it is more commonly referred to, is a chronic digestive disease that occurs when bile or stomach acids flow up into the esophagus (food pipe) and irritate its lining.  Individuals who suffer with heartburn and acid reflux more than a couple of times per week may be diagnosed with GERD.  The consequences of acid reflux can range from mild to severe. Most individuals are able to manage the discomfort caused by GERD with lifestyle changes and OTC medications.  In the more severe cases stronger medications or surgery may be the only alternative.  Additionally, anyone can develop...

Alzheimer’s is an irreversible brain disorder that progressively worsens over time.  In the course of the disease, the brain’s neurons stop functioning, lose their connections to other neurons, and eventually degenerate and die.  Over time, this eventually destroys the patient’s memory and other critical mental functions.  The main symptoms include confusion and memory loss.  Although there is no cure, proper management strategies and medication can temporarily improve the patient’s symptoms. Can Alzheimer’s Disease be Prevented? Although the disease is not preventable as yet, there is strong evidence regarding key factors that are associated with living a healthier lifestyle that may...

Held from October 25th to 31st annually, the National Respiratory Care Week recognizes the service of respiratory care professionals and creates awareness about lung diseases and respiratory issues. With a host of ailments affecting the respiratory system such as asthma, lung cancer, pneumonia, COPD, occupational lung disorders among others. Other lesser known include sarcoidosis, rhinitis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and chronic sinusitis. Currently, COVID-19 pandemic has put respiratory distress and related lung issues in the spotlight. Creating awareness about the respiratory ailments and ways to prevent it is an important step to safeguard the health of the people. As per National...

Mental illnesses are brain disorders or impairments. They affect the cognitive functioning and logical thinking capacities of the brain. Mental illnesses span the range of depression to schizophrenia. This includes addiction, bi-polar disorder, mania, bulimia, anorexia and various addictions apart from so many more. As per the 2019 statistics, nearly 46% of the adults in the US will be afflicted by a mental ailment in their life. 5% of adults experience a mental illness in a year and that translates to over 43 million people in any given year. The unfortunate part is only 41% of people receive professional services...

Sepsis is the human body’s overactive response to an infection, which can overwhelm the system and lead to life-threatening consequences such as organ failure, tissue damage and even death. In sepsis, chemicals are released into the bloodstream which then go on to trigger an inflammatory response in the rest of the body. These responses can then go on to damage organs and can even result in death. Populations that Sepsis Most Commonly Affects Although sepsis can happen to anyone, it most commonly affects: Older adult populations Pregnant women Infants and children under one year of age People who suffer chronic...

September is National Cholesterol Education Awareness Month. And while most of us have heard of cholesterol and have some vague notion that it is bad, some of us have little understanding of what it is, how it works and that cholesterol isn’t necessarily all bad. What is Cholesterol? Cholesterol is a fat-like substance that is found in every cell of the body. In fact, your body NEEDS some amount of cholesterol in order to make important hormones, to digest foods and to make Vitamin D. But having too much cholesterol — and the wrong type — can put us at...