Spring is a wonderful time of year in Georgia. It signals longer days, the end of cold weather, and an array of colorful flowering trees and shrubs. Unfortunately, spring also means allergy season for many people. Warm weather and growing plants indicate the beginning of itchy eyes, runny noses, sneezing, coughing, and other symptoms commonly associated with hay fever and allergies.
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Many women experience weight gain after menopause. While there may seem to be a direct correlation, weight gain at this time of life is usually due to a combination of factors related to aging. Hormonal changes, including lower estrogen levels, may make women more susceptible to weight gain around the abdomen. However, our metabolism naturally slows down as we age. Genetic factors may also play a part in weight gain later in life.
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Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or IBS, is a common disorder of the large intestine. Between 25 million and 45 million people in the U.S. suffer from IBS. All age groups are affected including children. More women than men are diagnosed with this disorder. IBS is different from Inflammatory Bowel Disease. It doesn’t cause changes in the bowel tissue or increase one’s risk of developing colon cancer.
The flu, or influenza, is a contagious respiratory illness caused by a virus. Symptoms can be mild or severe, and complications can be significant. You can minimize your risk of contracting the flu by getting a flu shot. It is not too late to get protected this winter, although it takes about two weeks for the vaccine to be most effective. Often flu season does not reach its peak until February.
Many people make annual resolutions to live a healthier life. We may do well for a few weeks or maybe a month or two. Then typically, most of us will slip back into old habits that don’t help us reach our goals for better health. If we start with small steps and build over time, it will be easier to incorporate these changes into our daily routines. Here are a few areas on which to focus.
The term COPD stands for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. There are two types of COPD: emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Patients with COPD have difficulty breathing, and their symptoms may include wheezing or coughing. Excess mucus is produced and blocks the airways.
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Many women experience weight gain after menopause. While there may seem to be a direct correlation, weight gain at this time of life is usually due to a combination of factors related to aging. Hormonal changes, including lower estrogen levels, may make women more susceptible to weight gain around the abdomen. However, our metabolism naturally slows down as we age. Genetic factors may also play a part in weight gain later in life.
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Stroke is a disease of the blood vessels of the brain. An ischemic stroke occurs when a blood vessel becomes blocked by a clot. If a blood vessel ruptures and bleeds, that is a hemorrhagic stroke. When the brain can no longer get the blood and oxygen it needs, brain cells die. Subsequently, the parts of the body that are controlled by the affected brain cells do not function properly. Stroke is a leading cause of disability and death.
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At its most basic, you suffer a heatstroke when your body overheats. This may be a result of too much physical activity in the sun (or other hot environments) or simply being exposed to the heat for a long period of time. When exposed to hot outdoors weather, humid weather can exacerbate your risk of heatstroke, especially if you are exposed to this weather for multiple, consecutive days. While heatstroke caused by strenuous physical activity can occur to anyone, those who are not accustomed to hot weather are at greater risk. Regardless of the direct cause, other exacerbating factors include wearing too much clothing, drinking alcohol, or not properly hydrating your body.
As the summer draws to a close, a new school year waits on the horizon. Parents of school-age children who face the task of helping their young learners readjust to the regularity of a school schedule and the challenges of academics. Gone will be the days of sleeping in and lounging around the house all morning. Gone will be the days of watching late movies on weeknights or staying up to play video games. For some, this shift in schedules may come as a shock that disrupts their academic performance and causes a difficult start to the school year. But this can be avoided with a few weeks of careful planning and discipline. Follow these tips two weeks before the start of the school year and you can help your children gracefully slide back into a regular school schedule once again.
