Exercise is a cornerstone of a healthy lifestyle, offering multiple benefits, from weight management to improved mental health. One of its most significant benefits, particularly for those at risk of cardiovascular issues, is its impact on blood pressure. Regular physical activity strengthens the heart, allowing it to pump more efficiently, which in turn reduces the...

Poop happens. It’s part of life for everyone, but it isn’t something that needs to happen every day. This common misconception can cause unnecessary concern amongst differing parties. According to gastroenterologist Dr. Folasade May from UCLA, there’s bowel movements can fluctuate a bit, and that is totally normal.¹ Frequency varies greatly among individuals, and understanding...

Alicia Renee Phillips, a mother in Clinton, Tennessee, had her little sister, age 10, over for a sleepover. It was a normal get-together, and the two planned to go to church the next day. Before church, Phillips suggested that they style her little sister’s hair. The hairstyling, oddly enough, led to her little sister having...

Three years ago, I suddenly developed a strange rash on my face, on one side of my chin. It looked suspiciously like eczema. I couldn’t imagine what it could be. I was meticulous about my diet and had already cut out gluten, dairy, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), commercial meat, and even most refined sugar. I Figured...

As a former lover of cheese who associated with other lovers of cheese (my band and I once wrote a song called “Cheese Girl”), it might come as a shock that I’ve renounced conventional cheese altogether. Cheese has typically been considered bad because of its high saturated fat content. However, new research is suggesting that...

Anyone who’s ever had to go to the dentist to fix a cavity knows that it can be a fairly unpleasant experience. Most people don’t enjoy having freezing needles and drills in their mouths. Imagine, then, if you could stop tooth decay associated with a cavity without drills, freezing, or an hours-long trip to the...

As if people needed another insect to worry about. For those who love the outdoors, summertime means protection from mosquitoes, black flies, ticks, and more. But now there is a new species to look out for, the assassin bug, and its numbers are on the rise in the southern United States. They can deliver painful...

Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a rare and life-threatening complication of certain types of bacterial infections. Most of us associate TSS with super-absorbent tampons. It is true that toxic shock syndrome is a possible side effect (albeit, an extremely rare one) of leaving a tampon in too long. As one woman learned, however, tampons are not...

Nicole O’Hara, a TV reporter from North Carolina, woke up one morning thinking she had COVID or the Flu. She woke up feeling weak and without energy. Her head was pounding, her vision a blur, and she experienced nausea and shortness of breath. This experience lasted about 4 days and she continued on with life....

We’ve all been there. You’re in a crowded, enclosed space- maybe an elevator, the back of a taxi, or standing in line at the coffee shop. You suddenly feel a small amount of pressure building up in your lower abdomen. You’re about to fart. You desperately try to hold it in, waiting until you’re alone...

Strokes are a leading cause of death and disability in the United States, according to the American Stroke Association. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 80% of strokes are preventable through lifestyle changes. With such a high potential for prevention, it’s crucial to be aware of behaviors and habits that can...

High blood pressure, or hypertension, affects nearly half of all adults in the United States and is a significant risk factor for heart disease, stroke, and other health issues.1 Management through diet is crucial, and knowing which foods to avoid and which to incorporate more of can make a substantial difference. Here are ten foods...