Health – Page 6

Recovering from Surgery

Each individual’s experience and reactions to surgery is different and related to a number of variables, such as the reaction and aftereffects of anesthesia, the type and location of the surgery, and the patient’s general overall physical and mental health. With that said, I offer that all surgery is trauma to the whole body and… Continue reading Recovering from Surgery

Striving for Equity in Health Care

Where you live shouldn’t determine how well or how long you live, but it does. The American Heart Association recognizes that medical care alone is insufficient to ensure better health and well-being: about 80% of a person’s health is determined by factors other than access and quality of clinical care. When people don’t have stable… Continue reading Striving for Equity in Health Care

The Difficulties of Diagnosis

You hear that we should get a second opinion a lot, particularly if a test result or medical diagnosis is challenging or unclear. But how independent are second opinions when information is shared between physicians? Researchers at UCLA examined how pathologists tasked with offering a second opinion for a patient might be influenced by being… Continue reading The Difficulties of Diagnosis

Creative Ways to Enjoy Pansies This Fall

Pansies have long been a fall and winter garden favorite. These cheery flowers are sure to brighten landscapes and containers and add a smile to any occasion. Look for fun and new ways to add them to your garden and fall celebrations. You will find these cool weather favorites at your local garden center. Pansies… Continue reading Creative Ways to Enjoy Pansies This Fall

What is Lewy Body Dementia?

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD), sometimes called frontotemporal disorders, is a rare form of dementia that tends to occur at a younger age than other dementias. About 60% of people with FTD are 45 to 64 years old. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), it is caused by a group of disorders that gradually damage… Continue reading What is Lewy Body Dementia?

Contact Dermatitis: A Primer

Almost all of us develop a red, itchy rash at some point. But this seemingly out-of-the-blue phenomenon, known medically as contact dermatitis, can be triggered by a variety of causes and usually responds to several home measures. Contact dermatitis is an umbrella term for rashes caused by skin exposure to anything from soaps to cosmetics… Continue reading Contact Dermatitis: A Primer

Monkeypox: Your questions answered

As of July 25, there have been 162 confirmed cases of monkeypox in Los Angeles County and at least 3,400 cases in the United States, prompting fears of another coronavirus-style outbreak. The number of cases continues to grow. Monkeypox, however, is an entirely different virus. It is not a respiratory illness like COVID-19, notes Omai… Continue reading Monkeypox: Your questions answered

Eye Health Tips to Protect Our Vision as We Get Older

September is Healthy Aging Month, and as we think about what we can do to maintain our general health as we get older, it’s also a good time to talk about what we can do to protect our eye health. Low vision, vision loss that can’t be corrected with eyeglasses or surgery, is a result… Continue reading Eye Health Tips to Protect Our Vision as We Get Older

Easier Ways to Get Mental Health Help

Taking good care of your mental health is an important health priority, especially during stressful times such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The National Institutes of Health has resources on their website that may help, including fact sheets on stress, depression, and anxiety. You can also find helpful brochures and fact sheets on the National Institute… Continue reading Easier Ways to Get Mental Health Help

Winning Perennials for Your Garden

After a busy summer of vacations, BBQ’s, and garden care, it is fun to turn our attention to planting. Fall is a great time to plant perennials and many garden centers are busy refreshing their supply of perennial plants. Consider including one or more of these winners when making your perennial plant selections this fall.… Continue reading Winning Perennials for Your Garden

Regular Napping Can Be Risky

Napping on a regular basis is associated with higher risks for high blood pressure and stroke, according to new research published today in Hypertension, an American Heart Association (AHA)journal. Researchers in China examined whether frequent naps could be a potential causal risk factor for high blood pressure and/or stroke. This is the first study to… Continue reading Regular Napping Can Be Risky

The Differing Symptoms of Heart Disease

A review of the latest research highlights the most reported symptoms of various cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), noting that men and women often experience different symptoms, according to a new American Heary (AHA) scientific statement published today in the Association’s flagship peer-reviewed journal, Circulation. The statement also highlights how symptoms are experienced over time, which may… Continue reading The Differing Symptoms of Heart Disease

Create Works of Art with Flowers

Preserve a few memories of this summer’s garden or create gifts to share with family and friends. Pounding flowers onto fabric or paper is a fun and easy way to preserve the beauty of garden flowers. Use watercolor or other rough surface paper when pounding on paper. Purchase ready to dye (RTD) or prepared for… Continue reading Create Works of Art with Flowers

Study: Smartphones Can Detect Stroke Risk

Motion analysis of video recorded on a smartphone accurately detected narrowed arteries in the neck, which are a risk factor for stroke, according to new research published in July 2022 in the Journal of the American Heart Association. Fatty deposits (plaque) can accumulate in arteries causing them to narrow (stenosis). Narrowed arteries in the carotid… Continue reading Study: Smartphones Can Detect Stroke Risk

Even Small Amount of Breastfeeding Can Provide Heart-Healthy Benefits

Breast milk has long been recognized as an ideal nutrient to strengthen the immune systems of newborns and infants. The American Heart Association (AHA) now says breastfeeding can also provide many heart-healthy benefits for babies and for their birthing parent. In a study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association in January 2022,… Continue reading Even Small Amount of Breastfeeding Can Provide Heart-Healthy Benefits

Harvest, Store and Preserve Herbs from the Garden

Keep enjoying your homegrown herbs all year round. Harvest throughout the growing season and include them in garden-fresh meals. Then preserve a few for the winter ahead. Snip a few leaves or leaf-covered stems as needed. For the same intensity of flavor, you generally need two to three times more fresh herbs than dried except for… Continue reading Harvest, Store and Preserve Herbs from the Garden

What You Need to Know about Monkeypox

The experts at UCLA Health answer your most basic and urgent queries about the virus that’s been making daily headlines. What is monkeypox? Monkeypox is a zoonotic disease originally transmitted from animals to humans. The virus is endemic in West and Central African countries and cases are often found near tropical rainforests where animals may… Continue reading What You Need to Know about Monkeypox