According to the CDC, “nearly half of adults in the United States… have hypertension, defined as a systolic blood pressure of greater than 130 mmHg or a diastolic blood pressure greater than 80 mmHg…” (Facts about Hypertension, 2021). Despite it being so common, hypertension, or high blood pressure, can be very dangerous. Hypertension puts you…
Diabetes is one of the most common diseases in the United States. According to the American Diabetes Association, 1.5 million Americans are diagnosed with diabetes each year (Statistics About Diabetes, n.d.). Information regarding diabetes and diabetes management is always changing as we learn more. This continuous influx of information can be overwhelming, especially to people…
The American Heart Association recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise per week (American Heart Association, n.d.) As we approach the new year, many Americans will set out to achieve their New Year’s resolution of getting healthier. Many will buy gym memberships or exercise equipment for their…
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) cause millions of new infections yearly. There are more than 20 different types of STDs including chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HPV and many more. Sexually transmitted diseases are caused by bacteria, viruses and parasites. The most common methods of transmission are through sexual contact such as vaginal, oral, and anal sex. Sexual…
Attending college is a stressful time for many students because of the need to cope with the increased academic pressure, living alone or with roommates, separation from family for the first time and for some some having to work. This unique environment leads to mental health problems being very common among college students. Traditional students…
Hair loss also known as alopecia can affect not only your scalp but also the entire body. It can be either temporary or permanent. Hair loss can occur for many reasons such as it being hereditary, hormonal changes, normal part of aging and certain medical conditions (alopecia areata, trichotillomania, ringworm, etc..). Hair loss can happen…
The holidays are a time for close family, good friends, yummy food, and a whole lot of stress. Between shopping for gifts, preparing extravagant meals, and putting up decorations, the holiday season puts a strain on the sleep schedules, wallets, and emotions of many Americans. In a survey conducted by Joy Organics, 88% of Americans…
“About 1 in 8 U.S. women… will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime,” according to breastcancer.org (2021). That is a staggering statistic to hear for women. Most of us know someone, if not us personally, who has battled breast cancer at some point. Though scary, the good news is that research…
Gout is very common, 9 million Americans have gout. Gout is a form of arthritis that can affect anyone. It presents with sudden, severe attacks of pain, swelling, redness and tenderness in one or more joints without warning. Gout attacks primarily occur at night. The pain is so severe that even the weight of the…
A stroke can occur when the blood supply to part of your brain is interrupted or reduced. This prevents brain tissue from getting the necessary oxygen and nutrients. If the brain is unable to get these things, brain cells will die. There are many risk factors to a stroke. Some examples are hypertension, obesity, cholesterol,…
Conjunctivitis, or “pink eye” as many of us know it, refers to the inflammation of the membrane that covers the eye. Though usually viral, pink eye can also be caused by bacteria, allergies, and general irritation to the membrane. Each one of these causes can present a little differently and they are also managed differently. …
Urinary tract infections are very common in the United States and the rest of the world. They can have many predisposing factors including old age, poor hygiene, and sexual activity. Women are at the highest risk of UTIs, as it is common for the vaginal bacteria to make it into the urinary tract. There are…
Heart disease is the most common cause of death in the United States for men, women andacross most racial and ethnic groups. About 659,000 people die from heart disease every year. Food plays one of the most important roles in heart disease. Before I dive into the different types of foods everyone should eat and…
Before I start talking about the different types of coughs, we first have to understand what acough truly is. A cough is a reflex action to clear your airways of mucus and irritants such asdust or smoke. Most of the time a cough is benign and is rarely anything serious. Most coughs will go away…
