Tag: Wellness
Is Dense Breast Tissue a Problem?
It’s easy to get alarmed when our mammogram report contains information we don’t understand. One term that appears on a lot of mammograms is the phrase “dense breasts”. What does this mean? Is it a good thing or a bad thing? In order to understand what a “dense breast” is, it helps to know what breasts are made […]
Vitamin D Fights Winter Illness
Vitamin D is called the sunshine vitamin” because our bodies produce it when our skin is exposed to sunlight. Vitamin D helps fight infections. In winter we need it to help protect us from colds and flu. Our needs are high just when most of our skin is covered up with coats, etc. So how […]
5 Tips for Drinking More Water
We may not look like we’re floating through life, but to a certain extent we are. 50 to 70% of the human body is made of water. When half or more of your body is made of water, it’s important to make sure you’re drinking enough. If counting comes naturally to you, drink 8 to […]
Do Weighted Blankets Work?
Weighted blankets are the latest thing in DIY insomnia cures. These blankets are heavier than normal, commonly ranging from 7 to 20 pounds in weight. They cost between $100 and $300 and come in standard king, queen and twin sizes. But do they work? Given how recently they have become available, there has been little […]
How to Avoid Vacation Weight Gain
Vacations and diets never seem to mix well, with good reason. Who would want to miss out on cinnamon rolls in Shipshewana? Or funnel cakes at the state fair? Would Chicago be the same without Chicago deep dish pizza? Even when travel food isn’t part of the destination, it can still be a big part of the budget. […]
CT Scan vs MRI – What’s the Difference?
If you’ve ever had a CT scan or MRI done, it’s easy to realize that these two tests are very different, even from the patient’s point of view. An MRI is done with a machine that makes a lot of noise (Patients are typically offered ear protection and music) and a CT scan does not. […]
Menopause and Osteoporosis
Entering menopause can have its pluses and minuses. One of the minuses is an increase in the risk of osteoporosis. Over the course of our lives, bone tissue is continually breaking down and being replaced. As long as it is replaced as fast as it breaks down, our bones remain thick and strong. The female […]
Static vs Dynamic Stretching
If your idea of stretching is to stretch out a muscle and then hold it in position for 30- to 40 seconds, you are not alone. ‘Static stretching”, as this is known, is the most common form of stretching exercise. In recent years, however, “dynamic stretching”, or stretching combined with movement, has begun to replace static stretching in many pre-workout routines. […]
6 Tips for Medication Safety
When taking a medication, if you miss one dose, don’t double up on the next one. In some cases, more can be worse than not enough. If you don’t take all of a prescription, don’t save the rest for “later”. This can cause all sorts of negative consequences that only your healthcare provider or pharmacist can foresee. […]
“Water Pills” Can Have Serious Side Effects
“Water pills”, or diuretics, are often used to treat high blood pressure. While they are very effective in lowering blood pressure, however, they can also have serious side effects. These side effects are directly linked to how diuretics work. As anyone who has taken them knows, diuretics increase the amount of water that the […]