Category: Health

By Lisa Plymate, MD, as told to Keri Wiginton  At 75, I’ve learned life is full of experiences and opportunities. This illness is just another one. I wouldn’t have chosen to get a diagnosis of myasthenia gravis (MG) just before turning 70. But knowing and helping other people with this condition has enriched me. I turn to my MG community as much as I do my health care team. And as a retired internal medicine doctor and geriatrician, I’m impressed by their insight. What I learn from them goes much deeper than the straight medical info I get at my ... Read more

July 13, 2023 — About 20 out of every 100 adults with epilepsy may also have attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, and new research shows the more un-controlled seizures a patient has, the higher risk that patient has of having ADHD as well. Both conditions often begin early in life – it’s estimated that 30% to 40% of children with epilepsy have ADHD. Since epilepsy is so common — it affects  about 50 million people worldwide — researchers are striving to fgure out more about this connection.  A new study from Taiwan found that ADHD and epilepsy share a common genetic background and many ... Read more

This year, about 26,500 people in the U.S. will find out that they have stomach cancer, also called gastric cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. That’s lower than in other countries like Japan, China, Chile, and Iceland, which screen for stomach cancer. But the U.S. statistics hold an alarming disparity: Americans of East Asian descent face unusually high risks for stomach cancer.  Why is that, and what can people of East Asian heritage do to help manage that risk? Here’s what Haejin In, MD, MPH, says. She’s a surgical oncologist at Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey. She specializes in ... Read more

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Article Hero Grid Test WebMD Feature Archive If you have diabetes, you’ll want to know about tools that help you track what you eat, what your blood sugar levels are, how much you exercise, and how you feel each day. Some of these include: Smartphone, tablet, or computer apps to log your blood sugar or foods you eat Devices that test your blood sugar every few minutes Smart pumps that give you insulin as your body needs it Texts, calls, or emails that remind you to test or take your medicine   Recommended Related to Health A-Z Dealing With Side ... Read more

If you are plagued by sinus problems, take a moment to consider these valuable parts of your head. What can turn good sinuses into problem sinuses? Your sinuses are hollow air spaces within the bones between your eyes, behind your cheekbone, and in the forehead. They produce mucus, which helps keep the inside of your nose moist. That, in turn, helps protect against dust, allergens, and pollutants. No one is completely sure why we have sinuses, but some researchers think they keep the head from being too heavy. Sinuses are also are responsible for the depth and tone of your ... Read more

If you are plagued by sinus problems, take a moment to consider these valuable parts of your head. What can turn good sinuses into problem sinuses? Your sinuses are hollow air spaces within the bones between your eyes, behind your cheekbone, and in the forehead. They produce mucus, which helps keep the inside of your nose moist. That, in turn, helps protect against dust, allergens, and pollutants. No one is completely sure why we have sinuses, but some researchers think they keep the head from being too heavy. Sinuses are also are responsible for the depth and tone of your ... Read more

Try these tips to enjoy outdoor living, gardening, and hiking despite yourallergies. Thick of It: Is the grass getting high? Wear a mask if you’re mowing.Nothing fancy — an inexpensive painter’s mask works fine. High and Dry: Pollen counts are highest on hot, dry, windy days.Check the forecast before making plans. Good Scents, Bad Sense: Allergic to insect stings? Don’t wearscented deodorants, perfumes, shampoos, or hair products. Carry an epi pen whenhiking. Orange or Red Alert? Skip outdoor exercise. High pollution levelsmake allergens even more potent. Born to Run? Move the morning jog (or walk) to evening. Peak pollenand mold ... Read more

July 17, 2023 – Alex McKeown, 33, works in a demanding and stressful job in the investment industry in Chicago, negotiating and closing deals for large retail companies.  “On the whole, I would characterize my health as pretty good,” he said. “I’ve never had major surgeries, I’m not overweight, I eat pretty decently, and I work out at the gym.” But it was during a workout at his fitness center that everything changed.  “I woke up tired and probably wouldn’t have gone to the gym, except that I didn’t want to pay the $25 fee for a missed class,” he ... Read more

July 17, 2023 — Illnesses spread by ticks and mosquitos are on the rise, prompting warnings from doctors and scientists to take precautions and watch out for any telltale symptoms. At least seven cases of malaria from mosquitoes in the United States were reported in Florida and Texas last month – the first reports of local spread in 20 years. Cases of tick-borne illness, like Lyme disease, in the U.S. have increased 25%, from 40,795 reported cases in 2011 to 50,856 in 2019, according to the CDC. Cases of a tick-borne disease called babesiosis more than doubled during the same time frame in some Northeastern states. ... Read more