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Each April, the American Heart Association has a Move More Month to encourage all Americans to regularly engage in more physical activity or incorporate exercise into their daily routines. Initially, the American Heart Association only had National Walking Day but expanded the campaign to highlight the importance of physical activity over a longer period of time. By the year 2035, the economic cost of cardiovascular disease is projected to reach $1 trillion. This includes direct and indirect costs such as doctor visits and missed work. With 69 percent and growing, of Americans classified as overweight, exercise is the best course of

Since March is considered National Multiple Sclerosis Month, it is important to be informed on how this disease affects so many people every day. MS affects the nervous system, which comprises the brain and spinal cord and controls everything we do. Scientists have yet to find a cause of multiple sclerosis, but we know that it results in the immune system attacking the brain and spinal cord and causing damage to myelin. Myelin is a protective layer around nerve fibers, and the damage disrupts signals to and from the brain. Since the nerve fibers are now unable to communicate with

The month of February is the month of love. Grocery stores have red, heart-shaped balloons at every register, the candy aisle is filled with sugary hearts with sweet messages, and classrooms are suddenly pink and red and ready for Valentine’s Day. But the month of February is also American Heart Month, where we spread awareness of the dangers of heart disease and how to avoid it. 18.6 million people died of cardiovascular disease in 2019, which is a whopping 17.1% increase over the past decade. Statistics like that should come as no surprise that heart disease is the number one

The Holiday Season is a joyous time that many spend with their families and loved ones. However, spending so much time with others in a close proximity can put you at an added risk of catching a stomach bug or virus. So here are some ways to stay healthy this Season. Wash Your Hands Often We were all taught how to properly wash our hands in middle school. And we got a ton of reminders when the pandemic hit. But just to cover our bases, remember you need to use soap and clean water for at least 20 seconds to efficiently

If you have high blood pressure and a cold, stop before you reach for the cold medicine.  Many over-the-counter cold remedies can be dangerous for people with high blood pressure because most of them contain decongestants and NSAIDs. NSAIDs are used to reduce pain and decongestants help clear your stuffy nose, but these two substances can pose the most significant risk to those of us with high blood pressure.  Decongestants are designed to narrow the blood vessels in your nose and reduce swelling, which is excellent for your stuffy nose, but not so great for the rest of your body.  By

Pumpkin spice lattes and Halloween candy aren’t the only things October is known for. October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The month of October is dedicated to educating women about early detection of breast cancer. Studies show that the earlier breast cancer is diagnosed, the easier it can be to treat. While your OBGYN may do a breast exam during your annual visit, the only real expert on your body is you, especially if you are performing regular self-breast exams. Performing regular self-breast exams will help you get familiar with your breasts and to know what is normal and what isn’t. If

Sarcoma is still considered to be the “forgotten cancer.”  Efforts to encourage research and drug development are made more challenging due to a lack of awareness and understanding.  How as a community do we raise funds for vital research if people don’t know that this cancer exists? Though the Sarcoma Foundation of America works tirelessly every day to raise awareness, during Sarcoma Awareness Month we aim to further highlight the extraordinary challenges that sarcoma patients face and the need for more sarcoma research and better sarcoma therapies. What is Sarcoma Sarcoma is a rare cancer in adults (1% of all adult cancers), but

The school year is drawing to a close, and many families are planning their summer vacations.  Wherever your vacation plans take you, the beach, a theme park or enjoying time outside close to home, the sun is everywhere, and proper precautions need to be taken by every member of your family. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun is the main cause of skin cancer. UV damage can also cause wrinkles and blotches or spots on your skin. The good news is that skin cancer can be prevented, and

  An estimated 44 million Americans suffer from some form of mental disorder in a given year. From depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and PTSD just to name a few, mental health covers a wide range of symptoms. Mental health challenges are still wrought with a stigma that prevents people from seeking the help they need. Since COVID-19, According to Mental Health America, an organization whose goal is to promote mental health as a part of overall wellness. the number of people looking for help with anxiety and depression has skyrocketed. From January to September 2020, 315,220 people took their anxiety screen,

The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates that about 1 in 23 men and 1 in 25 women will develop colorectal cancer during their lifetime. That's a staggering statistic. Like most cancers, the key to treating it successfully is early detection. Knowing the early warning signs, especially if you have a family history of colon cancer is vital. What are the symptoms of colon cancer? The trouble with colon cancer is that sometimes there are no symptoms at all in the beginning. However, if you experience any of the symptoms listed below, it is important not to ignore them. Colon cancer symptoms include: constipation diarrhea changes