health
Keeping your mind and body in check - popular topics in health and medicine to maintain a long and healthy life.
It started with a sore throat..
My voice had always been very strong. As a singer, it was one of my most powerful tools. I had been singing since I was about three years old and nothing gave me more joy than to open my mouth and belt out those high notes long and pure. I sang in church, I sang on YouTube, I sang on apps on my phone, I sang randomly in person; it's just who I was. Everyone who knew me likely knew me because of my voice. It was the one thing I had that was unique about me because it was so versatile and dynamic. There is no one who sounds like me and whenever anyone heard my voice, they knew it was Megan.
By Meg Thee Tiger5 years ago in Longevity
Tonya's Sickle Cell Diaries
I am 3 days away from my delivery date. At that time I will be able to see and hold my own daughter, something that I thought was impossible for my life just a few years ago. It has me thinking back to when I was a child. I was born with Sickle Cell Anemia. Most people today call it Sickle Cell Disease. I have always looked at the difference as the difference between the two types of Sickle Cell. Type Sc(recessive) and type SS(dominate). So if Sickle Cell Disease means that you had the recessive type, and Sickle Cell Anemia meant you had the dominant type. At least that’s how my child mind perceived it. Now I know that the 'Anemia' part means that on top of having Sickle Cell I am anemic too.
By Tonya McLean5 years ago in Longevity
My Gym Tribe
My Gym Tribe – Francesca Flood It’s one of the great mysteries I have yet to unravel. I go to the pool or gym about five times a week (er…plus or minus). Okay, before you start thinking I’m some saint, insane fitness nut, or someone you can’t relate to – hold on! At my age – I work out for a variety of reasons and a skimpy little black dress isn’t one of them. For someone who exercises fairly regularly, I ask myself, “Why won’t these pounds melt off?” Those unflattering 10 pounds that after midlife become embedded in your DNA and other unmentionable parts of the body. Ask anyone over 50 and they’ll tell you to write an obituary for your metabolism. Seriously. I can eat like a bird, do the fasting thing, or follow a diet that promises the last 10 pounds will disappear! Right. At 64, your body knows all your tricks. While I’m busy starving myself, my fats cells are conspiring with each other. “Don’t worry fellas, this too shall pass. Hang in there.” And they do. Like carrion birds with long talons, those fat cells stay put. So, why do I continue to work out? Well, it’s like an airplane’s weight and balance system. The performance of an airplane is influenced by its weight, and overloading it will cause serious problems. Get the picture? Aside from holding additional weight at bay, elevating my mood and overall health, there’s another reason I work out. Those total strangers at the gym are my tribe.
By Francesca Flood, Ed.D.5 years ago in Longevity
IBS-C and Constipation (Differences, similarities, causes, treatment and diagnosis)
Common is what I was told. Yet the pain keeps growing day after day. Many others suffer from IBS-C, but the positive side is it can be overcome with a long process of elimination. It might be a common digestive disorder but not many are aware of it. First, I’ll break it down for you. IBS-C is defined as belly pain (abdominal pain) that is associated with constipation. As stated, it is a common digestive disorder which is affecting 7-21% of the general population. There are no lab test or imaging studies that can confirm a diagnosis but is based on a thorough medical history and physical exam. However, in certain situations, a limited amount of testing such as blood work or imaging studies may be needed to make sure other conditions are not present. Doctors use a tool called Rome criteria, a list of specific symptoms and factors that can help determine if someone has IBS-C. The most important of these criteria include the presence of abdominal pain or discomfort and change in bowel habits. Overall, IBS-C is pain within the abdomen and consist of constipation.
By MICHELLE SMITH5 years ago in Longevity
Feeling Tired? Why Allergies Could be The Culprit
If you suffer from allergies, you have probably dealt with the itchiness, nasal congestion and watery eyes that often go along with them. Symptoms like these can be hard to avoid since allergens are seemingly everywhere. To make matters worse, you might have found that you’re less productive and more tired than usual when your allergies are triggered.
By Michaela Wong5 years ago in Longevity
Medical Practice Through History
“Medical Practice” has improved and changed through the centuries. Today, an unborn baby can survive outside of the womb and go on to live a healthy life. We are fighting cancer and winning! All through history, we have been interested in health and how we can live longer, curing ailments and surviving pandemics --- why, we’re even ‘fighting’ coronavirus today. So, what was “Medical Practices” like in the years gone by? What did the doctor do? (If you could afford one). What were the hospitals like? Where do we start?
By Ruth Elizabeth Stiff5 years ago in Longevity
Plan B
There are many concerns today regarding the very real possibility that another pandemic of some sort could endanger every American. The very thought of such a catastrophe happening again when the government agencies that are currently in place to protect the public and guard against the likelihood of such an event isn't very reassuring considering what the governmental response has been with this current Covid-19 Pandemic and in the wake of Katrina and the Gulf Oil spill.
By Dr. Williams5 years ago in Longevity
Maintain a healthy brain
How to Prevent memory loss? Experts used to think brain development peaked in late adolescence and it was all downhill from there. They believed if a person lost brain cells due to problems like a head injury, stroke or substance abuse, nothing could be done to restore memory and brain function. Now, thanks to discoveries in neuroscience, we know that the brain can grow new cells and form new neural connections. Like our muscles and other body parts, the brain can rebuild itself through repeated use and exercise.
By Nambaru Anand5 years ago in Longevity
Critical Condition
It seems that who ever inscribed the Georgia Guide Stones when they scripted reducing the worlds population to be in balance with nature may become a real reality today. That maybe has just become a reality. Here in the United States we are doing a real fine job of doing just that considering how we failed to fully protect our citizens from the onslaught of this deadly Pandemic. Over 450,000 deaths so far this past year alone from Covid-19 infections. We haven't really focused on the thousands of others who have died from other causes that can be attributed to so many other factors that have plagued our society for decades.
By Dr. Williams5 years ago in Longevity
