General Health Articles

In the News: All About Glaucoma – Part I

During the month of March, National Glaucoma Week is celebrated to raise awareness for this condition that affects nearly 3 million people every year. Here we will discuss all things glaucoma.

What is glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, which is crucial for transmitting visual information from the eye to the brain. 

What are the symptoms of glaucoma?

While glaucoma starts out typically asymptomatic, the gradual progression of the symptoms can include:

• Loss of peripheral or side vision
• Seeing halos around lights and glare in bright light
• Redness in the eye
• Eye pain
• Eye that looks hazy (particularly in infants)
• Narrow or tunnel vision
• Vision Loss 

What causes glaucoma?

 The fluid inside the eye nourishes the lens and the cells of the cornea and maintains a pressure, which allows the cornea to maintain its convex shape that is necessary for good vision. The pressure inside the eye or the intraocular pressure is maintained at a constant due to drainage of excess fluid out of the eye.

Increased pressure inside the eye due to the obstructed flow of the fluid may lead to glaucoma. 

Other causes may include family history, association with other diseases like hypertension and diabetes, burn or chemical injury to the eye, or trauma to the eye. 

(continued in Part II…)

Healthy Skin 101: Food to Give Up for Clear Skin

Everyone wants to find the Fountain of Youth and keep their skin looking fresh, healthy, and clear of blemishes. 

Since there is no magical fountain, the best way to keep your skin looking clearer health experts suggest  is by   watching what you eat. What we eat effects our skin more than we realize, so here are a few foods to avoid and/or give up entirely for that youthful glow. 

• French Fries
• Fried Chicken
• Processed pastries
• White Bread
• Packaged sweets
• Pasta

Healthy Living: Heart Health Month - Innocent Ways You Harm Your

With February being Heart Health Month, we bring you this feature that highlights the innocent things that you may be doing daily that can be hurting your heart (among other parts of your body) and how to fix it! 

How you cross your legs…  Sitting with your legs crossed at the knees increases your blood pressure.  According to studies, leg crossing increased systolic blood pressure nearly 7% and diastolic by 2%.  Studies say that you should avoid crossing your legs for long periods of time, like 10 to 15 minutes, and get up every half hour or so to walk around and get the circulation moving. 

How you stand… If you are a person who frequently locks their knees when standing, you are no longer efficiently using the muscles that surround the joint.  Therefore, forces to the joint are increased.  Causing this additional stress to you knee joints isn’t helping your heart at all.

How you sleep… If you are a stomach sleeper, this puts your neck in a titled-back position, leading to pain or numbness in your upper extremities.  Nerves are also affected when people sleep on their stomach.  To avoid the pain, numbness and affect to the nervous system, people should avoid sleeping on their stomach. 

How you wear your belt… It sounds strange, we know, but the tighter your belt the more pressure you put on your intra-abdominal area, which can result in acid reflux.  Acid reflux could include a bitter taste in your mouth, burning or pain the upper chest and stomach, a chronic cough or even difficulty swallowing.  Doctors say that your belt shouldn’t be any tighter than your waistband.  You should be able to inhale and exhale comfortably.

Cold and Flu 101: Ways to Feel Better Soon

We are well into the cold and flu season and unfortunately everyone knows someone that has been down and out with cold and flu symptoms this year.  Or even worse, COVID, RSV or pneumonia.

Fortunately, there are some simple ways to help you stay healthy throughout the winter.

Here are five simple ways to stay cold and flu-free:

1. Load up on garlic.  It contains allicin, which has antiviral properties.
2. Sweat it out in the sauna.  Sweating helps to release toxins in the body.
3. Get the proper amount of sleep.  Sleeping helps you to be more energized and helps your immune system fight off germs.
4. Eat your chicken noodle soup.  It contains anti-inflammatory deliciousness that strengthens disease-fighting cells.
5. Have your yogurt.  The probiotics help strengthen your immune system by increasing the number of white blood cells in your body.

In the News A Better YOU in 2024 – Part II

(Continued from Part I…)

Be open to change: Change can be difficult, but it can also be an opportunity for growth and development. Embrace change and be open to new experiences.

Set better boundaries: Setting limits is one of the most courageous things that we can do. It is a challenge to let people know what you will and won’t tolerate.

Get more sleep: We need 8 to 10 hours of sleep every night. Teenagers and babies need 10 to 12 hours. Make sure to get those ZZZ’s.

Meditate for 5 minutes every day: Meditation is an effective way for people to relax, harness life’s energy forces and come to realizations.

Do something scary: It can be warm and cozy in our safe space, but as the saying goes, you miss 100% of the shots that you don’t take. Do something scary and bold that takes you out of that comfort zone- wear the red lipstick, ask for that raise, try out for that play, and take that little idea that has been whispering in your head and give it a voice.

Plan a trip: Life is for enjoying all the beautiful places that this Earth has to offer. So, get out there and see it!

Eat fruits and vegetables at every meal: No matter how many you are currently eating, there is always room for more! They say an apple a day keeps the doctor away, so imagine what an apple, orange, broccoli, and carrots will do!

Happy New Year to All and Here’s Hoping for the Best 2024 to you and yours!