Posted on: November 28, 2024 Posted by: Michele Lee Comments: 0

The risk factors most strongly linked to severe stroke

You may think of a stroke as something that comes “out of the blue,” suddenly and without warning. While it may seem that way, there are plenty of known factors that can lead to stroke. The good news is that many of those conditions usually present themselves well in advance and can be modified often by lifestyle changes or medication. Where should you start? Research from the University of Galway…

Posted on: November 26, 2024 Posted by: Michele Lee Comments: 0

When vitamin D helps lower blood pressure the most

Vitamin D deficiency increases your risk of a long list of autoimmune diseases including type 1 diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis and psoriatic arthritis. It can also be a setup for a higher risk of dementia. But for one stubborn health problem, the vitamin D connection has been tricky to nail down… Previous studies have linked it to positive changes in blood pressure, but overall, the results have been…

Posted on: November 26, 2024 Posted by: Michele Lee Comments: 0

Obesity’s fight-or-flight response driving diabetes

It’s no secret that obesity is at the root of many diseases, from heart disease to cancer. But the condition it’s most closely linked to is diabetes. In fact, the two are so likely to go hand-in-hand that doctors have coined a term for it – ‘diabesity.’ According to Cleveland Clinic endocrinologist, Jay Waddadar, MD,” “Diabesity is a disease with enormous potential to cause ill effects on the body in…

Posted on: November 26, 2024 Posted by: Michele Lee Comments: 0

The commonly prescribed pain medication linked to hip fracture

With opioid addiction running rampant across the United States, doctors have been switching to different medicines to treat pain. One non-narcotic, non-opioid drug class they have hit upon as an alternative is gabapentinoids. Commonly prescribed for neuropathic pain and seizures, gabapentinoids are also prescribed for many different kinds of pain, such as back pain. These uses are part of the reason gabapentinoids are now one of the top 10 prescribed…

Posted on: November 23, 2024 Posted by: Michele Lee Comments: 0

The high-risk factor for a 2nd cancer diagnosis

According to the National Institutes of Health, obesity is directly connected to the risk of sixteen other serious health conditions, including heart disease, hypertension, stroke, Type 2 diabetes and kidney disease. But for those who have already faced a cancer diagnosis, the risk becomes even more concerning. If you fall into this category, here’s what you need to know to save your life. How obesity causes cancer Experts believe that…

Posted on: November 21, 2024 Posted by: Michele Lee Comments: 0

The scientific reason it really is better to give than receive

Don’t get me wrong, I love receiving gifts, especially when it’s clear the giver has gone to a lot of trouble to give me something that they know I would like. But honestly, nothing beats that warm glow I get when I give a gift I’ve put so much thought and effort into to a friend or family member. I love watching them open the gift and seeing their faces…

Posted on: November 21, 2024 Posted by: Michele Lee Comments: 0

5 serious health threats tied to menopause

When we think of menopause and the health worries that come with it, breast cancer is often the first thing that pops into our heads. However, the truth is that heart disease kills more women each year than breast cancer by far. In fact, according to the American Heart Association, one in 39 women in the U.S. will die from breast cancer each year, while 1 in 3 dies from…

Posted on: November 20, 2024 Posted by: Michele Lee Comments: 0

The macronutrient that improves cognitive function fast

If you’re in your 50s, 60s, or beyond, you’ve probably experienced your fair share of memory glitches. And even if your doctor says it’s nothing to worry about, if you’re like me, you can’t help but wonder if it’s a sign of worse things to come. It’s hard to know what the future holds. But when it comes to knowing how to support a healthy brain — that’s easy… For…

Posted on: November 20, 2024 Posted by: Michele Lee Comments: 0

Even a little licorice can raise your blood pressure

When I was a kid, I developed a taste for licorice. Good and Plenty was my favorite candy. I still love the taste of licorice, but as an adult I’ve switched to pure licorice. But as someone with mild hypertension, I’m a LOT more careful about how much of the stuff I eat. Licorice root has both good and bad effects on the body. The World Health Organization has set…

Posted on: November 20, 2024 Posted by: Michele Lee Comments: 0

How to slash your risk of AFib by 60 percent

Atrial fibrillation is the most common type of arrhythmia — or irregular heartbeat. Chances are, if you don’t have it, you know someone who does. If that person is a close family member, your risk for AFib could be 30 percent higher. But even if it doesn’t run in the family, the risk of developing AFIB increases with age, particularly after 65. After age 80, 1 in 10 have the…