January, 2021

Donating blood: Learn the facts

The American Red Cross says there is an urgent need for blood and platelet donors. Donated blood is used to help people who have: • Cancer. • Sickle cell disease. • Chronic diseases. • Injuries from accidents or fires. It's also used in lifesaving procedures, such as heart surgeries and organ transplants. In addition, blood donors who have fully recovered from COVID-19 may have antibodies in their blood plasma. Their blood could help seriously ill COVID-19 patients. There...

Is It Simply Aging or Is It Alzheimer's?

You've misplaced your car keys—again. Or you can't remember a word you've used many times, yet it's right there on the tip of your tongue. The older you get, the more likely you're apt to wonder: Are memory slips like this early signs of Alzheimer's disease? The first thing to know is that mild forgetfulness can be a normal part of aging. The concern is when memory problems become serious—you can't retrace your steps and find those car keys, for instance. Or you don't eventually come...

Tips for a Healthy Immune System

Think of your body like a castle, complete with its own army—your immune system—to defend it. When germs try to invade your body, your immune system recognizes them as foreign and launches a defense. First, your skin tries to prevent germs from getting inside your body. Your mucous membranes try to trap and fight off the germs. And your body makes white blood cells to repel the invaders. After the skirmish, your immune system remembers the foreign substance. If it ever attacks again,...

How to help your child with virtual schooling

For a lot of kids, showing up at school now means putting in their earbuds and logging on. Many schools have moved to virtual learning to help slow the spread of COVID-19. But it's posing challenges for kids and parents alike. As a parent, you may find yourself playing a significant role in your child's home learning. For helpful hints on making this new type of schooling work for your family, check out this advice from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Centers for Disease Control and Prev...

Why You Should Keep Up with Cancer Screenings

Many people may be putting off cancer screenings because of COVID-19, and that has health experts worried. It could mean that thousands of cancers will go undetected, causing unnecessary deaths. If you've postponed a cancer screening due to COVID-19, the Watson Clinic Foundation offers these three things you should know: Delays can be dangerous. Screenings are meant to find cancer in its earliest stages before it causes symptoms. That's when it's usually easier to treat. Waiting could mean that ...

What You Should Know about Thyroid Disorders

Sitting at the base of your neck is a small gland that can cause big trouble if it's not working right. The thyroid makes hormones that control how fast your body burns calories and how fast your heart beats. If the gland produces too much—or too little—of these hormones, it can set off a long list of health problems. When the thyroid is overactive—makes too many hormones—it's called hyperthyroidism. Someone with an overactive thyroid may have signs or symptoms such as: &...