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ADHD in Girls

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has been recognized more frequently in boys than girls, and is diagnosed 2 to 9 times more frequently in boys than girls. The CDC reports that boys between the ages of 4 and 17 were more than two times as likely to have been diagnosed with ADHD as girls (13.3% compared with 5.6%). However, in adulthood, the number of men and women with ADHD is much more similar (5.4% for males compared with 3.2% for females). Studies suggest that females may be...

The Do’s of Good Sleep Hygiene

Did you know that getting a good night’s sleep is linked to achieving better overall health? Maybe you’ve only experienced the occasional restless night of endless tossing and turning, but some people sleep poorly on a regular basis and it may be due to insomnia. Unfortunately, insomnia can get in the way of a healthy amount of sleep and can affect you mentally and physically. Keep in mind that insomnia may be a symptom of another health problem. Some health conditions that can cause insomnia...

5 Simple Tips for Talking With Your Doctor

Most people know that seeing their doctor regularly is an important part of staying healthy. During your visits, it’s important to talk openly and honestly with your doctor. Doing so can help him or her work with you to best manage your overall health. Below are some tips to help you get started. 1. Choose a doctor you’re comfortable talking with. If you don’t already have a primary care doctor or are thinking of getting a new one, take the time to find one you are at ease with. Keep in mind...

Prostate Cancer: Replacing Myths With Facts

Prostate cancer is a major healthcare challenge in the US. It's also the most common cancer in adult men besides skin cancer.But for many men, the words “prostate cancer” stop them in their tracks. This disease is often cloaked in myths, which may lead them to:Avoid screenings.Experience anxiety and depression at diagnosis.Fear and avoid treatment because of side effects.By addressing these myths, we can give men the facts they need to take action.5 common myths about prostate cancerMyth #1: If...

How Much Alcohol Is Too Much?

What counts as a drink? Contrary to popular belief, drinking beer or wine is not safer than a shot of liquor. Rather, think about how much alcohol is in your drink, and not the type of alcohol you drink. In the US, one standard drink usually has about 14 grams (or 0.6 ounces) of pure alcohol. This amount of pure alcohol is generally found in 12 ounces of beer (usually 5% alcohol), 8 ounces of malt liquor (7% alcohol), 5 ounces of wine (12% alcohol), and 1.5 ounces or a “shot” of distilled...

Does Being a Person of Color Increase Your Health Risks?

The US has become more ethnically diverse in the last century, and in general our health and the quality of care we receive has improved. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case for some people of color. In fact, certain medical conditions and health behaviors—and the factors that can lead to them—are more common or severe among some people of color. Below are facts about 5 such conditions and behaviors, followed by steps you can take to help prevent them. Diabetes. Among adults in the US...

Protect Yourself From Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is one of the most commonly reported tick-borne illnesses in the U.S. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that about 300,000 people are diagnosed with Lyme disease in the U.S. every year. Lyme disease is caused by the bite of tiny Lyme-infected black-legged ticks (sometimes called deer ticks), yet 30% to 50% of people with the disease do not recall being bitten by a tick. Although people may think of Lyme as an East Coast disease, it is found throughout the U.S...

My Story: Lupus and Pregnancy, What If?

Having lupus and wanting to have a child I always knew I wanted to be a mother—and to be one at a relatively young age too. It was something I started thinking seriously about after I graduated from college. The issue for me was that I was diagnosed with lupus when I was 17. For many women with lupus, it is possible to have a successful pregnancy. However, all lupus pregnancies are considered high risk, for both mother and baby. That made the decision to get pregnant the biggest health-related...

Latest Guidelines on Blood Pressure for Optimal Health

High blood pressure is sometimes called a “silent killer.” It often has no symptoms, which means many people don’t even know they have it. That’s why a healthcare provider often checks your blood pressure at medical appointments. Having high blood pressure can be dangerous as it increases your risk for heart attack, stroke, and other serious conditions.If you have high blood pressure (called hypertension), you may be familiar with the numbers 140/90. The top number—140—is called systolic and the...

Mammogram Myths and Facts

In the fight against breast cancer, screening mammograms can help healthcare providers check for breast cancer in women who don’t have any signs or symptoms of the disease. For example, among women 40 to 74 years of age, mammograms—X-ray pictures of the breast—have been shown to help reduce the number of breast cancer deaths. At age 50, regular screening mammograms are recommended for all women. However, mammograms are recommended as early as age 40 for women who have a family history of breast...

Real People

Esther’s Breast Cancer Journey: From How I Told My Kids to How I Give Back

Life is really good right now. I just had a birthday, and I’m happy to have had it, too! Getting here was challenging, but I was raised to persevere. Here’s my breast cancer story. My hope is that it will help other women who are going through a similar experience and inspire them to lend a helping hand to others.My breast cancer journeyTwelve years ago, I found a lump in my breast. My doctor checked it out and didn’t think it was anything to worry about. The plan was to keep an eye on it. Three...

Answers To Your Questions About Prescription Medicine

Have you ever wanted to ask a question about your medicine? But maybe you thought it was a silly question that was not worth bothering your healthcare provider about. Below are answers to some common questions you may have about your medicine. Always talk with your healthcare provider about taking, storing, and disposing of your specific medicines.Q: I’m experiencing a symptom that I think may be caused by my medicine. Can I take less of it?A: You should never change the amount of medicine you...