Influenza, or flu, is a respiratory illness that results from a viral infection. Flu is highly contagious and spreads through respiratory droplets. A person can pass it on while talking or through physical contact, such as shaking hands. Influenza A and influenza B cause seasonal epidemics in the United States and elsewhere every winter. Type […]
Endometriosis is an incurable but manageable gynecological condition. It occurs when endometrial implants, comprised of tissue normally found within the uterus, are present in other areas of the body. As the tissue continues to thicken, break down, respond to menstrual cycle hormones, and bleed during the menstrual cycle, endometriosis forms deep inside the body. Scar […]
Today, an estimated 5.8 million people aged 65 years or older in the United States have dementia. Due to the fact that the average lifespan of people in the U.S. has increased over recent decades, some experts project that by 2050, the number of older adults with dementia could reach 13.8 million. 1. Dementia is […]
We often hear that we should drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day. However, there is some controversy about this figure and what it really means. Water is an essential nutrient. It is necessary to sustain all forms of life, and humans can only live a few days without it. It is also a […]
With age, the human immune system becomes less effective at tackling infections and less responsive to vaccinations. At the same time, the aging immune system is associated with chronic inflammation, which increases the risk of almost all conditions linked to old age. The good news is that exercising and adopting the right diet may help […]
A blackout is a loss of consciousness or complete or partial memory loss. Possible causes of blackouts include epilepsy and drinking a large volume of alcohol. If a person notices someone falling unconscious, they should put them in a seated position or help them lie down so that they do not hurt themselves. What is […]
In the short-term, eating too much sugar may contribute to acne, weight gain, and tiredness. In the long-term, too much sugar increases the risk of chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people in the United States consume too much added sugar. […]
A person with bipolar disorder will experience changes in mood, energy, and activity levels that can make day-to-day living difficult. Bipolar disorder can cause severe disruption to a person’s life, but the impact varies between individuals. With appropriate treatment and support, many people with this condition live a full and productive life. According to the […]
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. It happens when blood sugar levels rise due to problems with the use or production of insulin. It can appear at any age, but it is more likely to occur after the age of 45 years. It affects over 30 million Americans, according to the […]
Shingles is a viral infection that results from the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), the same virus that causes chickenpox. It typically affects a single sensory nerve ganglion and the skin surface that the nerve supplies. Anyone who has had chickenpox can later develop shingles. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), […]