Article

Lung Cancer: The Facts

If someone were to ask you what the leading cause of cancer-related death is in the US, you might guess colon cancer, breast cancer, or prostate cancer. The correct answer is actually lung cancer. It’s also the second most diagnosed cancer in the US in both men and women. Most people diagnosed with lung cancer are 65 or older. However, it can occur in younger people, too. It may also surprise you to know that up to 20% of people who die from lung cancer in the US have never smoked or used...

Vaccines During Pregnancy

Women who get the vaccines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) during pregnancy can help protect themselves from some diseases—and they can give their babies some early protection as well. This happens because pregnant women who are vaccinated can pass along some of the antibodies (proteins that fight disease) they get from the vaccines to their babies. These antibodies can give the baby some protection against certain diseases during the first months of life—when...

What You Need To Know About Menopause

Menopause is a natural part of the aging process for most women. It is defined as the time in a woman’s life when her period has stopped for 12 consecutive months. This means that she has reached the end of her reproductive years.In the US, the age at which menopause begins can range from 40 years to 58 years, with an average start at 51 years. Read on to learn about menopause and ways you can help manage your symptoms.About premature menopauseSome women enter menopause early, before age 40...

Painful Sex and Menopause

You may know all too well about hot flashes, night sweats, trouble sleeping, and other menopause-related changes. But if you experience pain during and after sexual intercourse, you may have a lot of questions. Many women don't realize that painful sex can result from vaginal changes that happen as they get closer to or pass menopause. In fact, a study in women with certain vaginal changes after menopause showed that around 40% of them reported painful sex. The condition is more common than you...

Why You Should Speak Up About Menopause

Menopause may be a fact of life, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. For some women, changes may include symptoms such as hot flashes, mood changes, problems sleeping, weight gain and more. It’s no wonder some menopausal women often don’t feel like themselves! While it can be hard for some women to talk about menopause, speaking up about this natural part of a woman’s life can be helpful—and even empowering. Read on to learn more.Changing the conversationSome women believe that menopause is simply...

How to Monitor Your Blood Pressure

High blood pressure—sometimes called a “silent killer”—often has no warning signs or symptoms, which means many people may not even know they have it. And this can be dangerous because having untreated high blood pressure may increase a person’s risk for stroke and heart disease—two of the leading causes of death in the US. That’s why regular blood pressure screenings are so important. Checking blood pressure If your blood pressure is normal, you should get it checked every 2 years starting...

Eczema: More Than Just a Skin Condition

When some people hear the word eczema, they may think of it as being nothing more than itchy skin. But the truth is, people living with eczema may suffer serious emotional and psychological effects.Eczema is a condition characterized by dry, red patches of skin that are intensely itchy. The most common type of eczema is called atopic dermatitis. Eczema usually begins in childhood but can begin in adolescence and adulthood. It is a common condition that affects 10% to 20% of children and 5% to 10...

Why — and How — Music Moves Us

“Life seems to go on without effort when I am filled with music.” – George EliotInstinctually, intuitively, we know that music makes life better.For millennia, humans have used music to soothe to our souls and comfort pain. Parents worldwide sing lullabies to the young and mark special occasions such as birthdays, graduations, and weddings with song. We rely on music to help us power through workouts and tackle tasks we’d rather ignore, and we manipulate our moods with melodies.Music is so...

Eczema and Stress: What's the Link?

Eczema is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that can be challenging to live with. Affecting over 31 million Americans, it is a prevalent condition presenting in seven different forms; contact dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, dyshidrotic eczema, nummular eczema, and stasis dermatitis. The main characteristics of the disease include:An impaired epidermal barrier function - leading to dry skinInflammatory infiltration - causing symptoms such as itching, dry skin, inflamed...

Living & Wellbeing

Why Your Family Health History Matters

Your family health history is important to your health. Besides similar looks and lifestyle habits, genes play an important role in your risk of developing certain health conditions, such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, or cancer. Having a picture of your family’s medical history is a good thing when it comes to proactively managing your health. According to the United States Surgeon General, however, very few people are likely to have detailed and precise information about their family...

Living & Wellbeing

Why You Need Your Workout Now More Than Ever

If you engage in regular exercise, chances are the COVID-19 pandemic has altered some aspect of your workout routine. Maybe your gym is closed, your favorite spin or yoga classes no longer an option. Perhaps you no longer meet up with friends to power walk because it’s too hard to stay socially distanced. Maybe the demands of overseeing your children’s virtual learning while doing your own job have left you with no time for your usual lunchtime run. Or you’re simply in a funk about the state of...

Living & Wellbeing

Chronic Stress and How to Manage It

Everyone seems stressed these days. From the current pandemic to economic pressures, racial unrest, political tensions and natural disasters, the start of the new decade has seemed to throw one stressor after another.At some point, that stress may become something you can’t simply shake off: Experiencing stress over an extended period may indicate that stress is chronic.Chronic stress can take a toll on your mind and body. Fortunately, there are things you can do to back on the path to mental...