While often incorrectly considered a disease, dementia actually refers to a group of symptoms which negatively affect memory and social abilities, resulting in an interference with daily functioning. Primarily, problems with memory and impaired judgment or language are the two major areas affected by dementia. However, numerous other causes and symptoms of dementia exist, which...Continue reading
Month: April 2013
Quit Smoking and You Can Be as Healthy As a Non-Smoker
If you smoke, quit. Right now. Some of the results, in terms of health, will be almost immediate. But it could take years for you to get back to being as healthy as someone your age who never smoked. Still, it’s definitely worth it.
More Reasons to Get a (Vitamin) D in Nutrition
A few months ago we talked about how Vitamin D affects our health in so many ways—and how the many problems a D deficiency can cause or exacerbate. And the list goes on…
Protect Medicare Part D
It’s budget season in Washington, D.C., and it seems like nearly everything is on the table as lawmakers discuss how to tackle the federal deficit. In particular, some legislators are considering proposals that would make big changes to the Medicare prescription drug program, Part D, that could raise out-of-pocket costs and potentially reduce the choices...Continue reading
The Eroding (Ok, Eroded) Masculinity of the American Male
When you reflect on what it means to be a Man, you probably think in much the same way as generations of men have before you. The tough Western cowboy, the dutiful soldier, or the heroic fireman. Chances are you don’t consider Adam Sandler’s Billy Madison, Seth McFarlane’s Peter Griffin, or any of the current...Continue reading
PTSD: Affects Vets’ Spouses Too
According to the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), about 25 percent of vets returning from the recent conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq are suffering from PTSD. That’s about 500,000 veterans. If we include family members, that number more than doubles. Not surprisingly, returning veterans—particularly those with PTSD—have a higher divorce rate than non-veterans. And...Continue reading
Link Between Glaucoma And Sleep Apnea
Recent studies have shown a connection between obstructive sleep apnea and glaucoma. Glaucoma is not a single eye disease but is a term for several eye conditions that can damage your optic nerve. Glaucoma is the second leading cause of adult blindness in the United States. Risk factors for glaucoma include increased or high pressure...Continue reading
Health Screenings Run Amok?
In 2012, Kaiser Permanente did a survey and found that less than 20 percent of employers asked their employees to undergo a health risk assessment or participate in wellness programs. Some of them have made it mandatory or fined workers for not complying.
The Psychology of Addictions
Years ago, in a bold attempt to release some of my own inner turmoil, I set out to gain a better grasp on the issue of addictions. John Bradshaw’s now legendary work with addiction, family systems and the shamed “inner child” had moved me deeply and sent me scurrying to the first series of codependency...Continue reading
When Men Suffer from “Women’s Diseases”
Many people know that although breast cancer is generally considered something that affects women, men can—and sometimes do—develop breast cancer too. But breast cancer isn’t the only “women’s disease” that affects men. Here are two more that most people don’t know about.