January, 2018

Love Your Heart

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States, but it can be prevented and controlled. Even in a short month's time, you can do a lot to take better care of your heart. Week 1: Scrutinize labels. Saturated and trans fats can lead to clogged arteries. Salt can raise blood pressure. Sugar can pack on pounds. To avoid these risks for heart disease, read nutrition labels when you're grocery shopping. Look for foods with unsaturated fats, omega-3 fatty acids,...

Healthy Aging is Possible

Does the text in a book look smaller than it once did? Do you find it harder to get down on your knees to look under the bed—and to get up again? There's no question that age brings changes to our lives and yes, some of them we'd prefer to avoid. Physically, for example, stiffening joints can make it harder to get around. And many people find that their short-term memory just isn't what it used to be. Often, difficult personal situations, such as the death of a spouse, can add to the negat...

Some must-do screenings and self-exams

There's no denying how popular DIY projects are today. We love to roll up our sleeves and get it done, but what about health screenings that can alert us to possible health problems? Can we tackle some of those ourselves too? You'll need a doctor for most screening tests and exams, of course. Although you can do some checks yourself, often with a doctor's input or recommendation. Examples of both are below. Keep in mind, these are generalized guidelines. You may need screenings earlier, more oft...