HealthyLife Articles

Category: Uncategorized

Blood Cancer: Key Facts

MEDICAL NEWS

Your blood is made up of many different types of cells. These include red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. White blood cells protect the body from harmful substances and prevent infections.

Blood cancer is caused by the uncontrolled growth of abnormal white blood cells. The abnormal cells do not work properly, preventing them from carrying out their essential functions. As the dysfunctional cells accumulate in the blood, they crowd out healthy cells.

It’s important to know what signs and symptoms to look for. Be sure to check with your doctor if you have any questions or concerns about blood cancer.

Three main types of blood cancer

Leukemia

Leukemia is cancer that affects the bone marrow where blood cells are made. From the bone marrow, it spreads to the blood and can affect other organs.

Lymphoma

This type of blood cancer impacts the white blood cells in the lymphatic system. There are two types of lymphoma: Hodgkin, which spreads directly from one lymph node to another, and Non-Hodgkin, which spreads erratically through the lymph nodes.

Multiple myeloma

Myeloma affects plasma cells. These are white blood cells that produce antibodies to fight infections. When the plasma cells don’t function correctly, the body’s immune system doesn’t work properly.

Symptoms of blood cancer

Talk to your doctor if you experience the following:

* Fatigue

* Fever

* Unexplained weight loss

* Bone pain

* Swollen lymph nodes

* Frequent infections

Survival rates have steadily increased

Fifty years ago, there were few successful treatments for blood cancer. Now, there is a range of treatment options available, and more people achieve remission than ever before. Early detection and improved treatments have increased five-year survival rates and provide hope for the future.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Keeping An Eye On Mental Health

MEDICAL NEWS

We all have good days and bad days. We all have moments where we feel down or cannot tap into the joy or happiness we once had. But what happens when these days grow into weeks or months? Do you suspect that you or a loved one might be suffering from a mental health issue?

Signs to Look For

* Excessive worry or fear

* Feeling excessively sad

* Confused thinking or concentration

* Extreme mood changes

* Prolonged feelings of irritability or anger

* Avoiding social activities

* Changes in sleeping habits

* Overuse of substances, such as alcohol or drugs

* Thoughts or mentions of suicide

* Intense fear of weight gain or changes in appearance

Where to Get Help

Although there is no medical test that can diagnose mental illness, a professional can assess any symptoms and provide the help you or a loved one needs. Using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), a professional can identify whether a mental health condition exists. They follow a set list of criteria, including feelings and behaviors and time limits, to make the determination.

Treatment Options

Every person is different and may not respond to the same treatments as someone else. But a professional may use one or a combination of things to help the person recover. This may include:

* Medication

* Therapy (counseling)

* Lifestyle changes

If you believe someone may need help, call the National Alliance on Mental Illness Helpline at 800-950-NAMI (800-950-6264). Or in a crisis, text “NAMI” to 741741.

Source: National Alliance on Mental Illness

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Telehealth: What To Know

MEDICAL NEWS

Telehealth or telemedicine uses video calls or other technology to help you see your doctor. This allows you to have medical appointments from home instead of going to the doctor’s office.

Getting ready

If you want to use telehealth, but don’t know how, contact your doctor’s office. Different doctors and hospitals use different apps and technology for their telemedicine appointments. Ask them for instructions on how to get set up.

Before your appointment, check with your insurance company about coverage for telehealth appointments. Prepare a list of questions to ask your doctor so you’ll be sure to cover everything.

If you need help

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, ask a tech-savvy friend or family member to help. Usually, you only need:

1. A strong internet connection. Your connection needs to be fast enough for video chats.

2. A smartphone, tablet or computer that connects to your wi-fi and has a working microphone, speaker and camera. Most newer devices have all of these built in.

Telehealth can be a safe and convenient way to have your medical appointments. Don’t be intimidated by technology. With a little help, you can be up and running – and it may become your favorite way to have your doctor visits!

Source: National Institutes on Aging

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Medical News 3

MEDICAL NEWS

Understanding perimenopause

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Misinformation & Social Media

WELL-BEING

While social media can be an easy way to catch up on the latest, it is not always a reliable source of factual information.

Social media sites tend to amplify sensationalized messages. Information that contains an emotional appeal, quotes a supposed expert, or points to a deeper conspiracy is more likely to catch our attention. The result is that plain facts are often ignored or disbelieved.

Six ways to prevent misinformation

Avoid the sensational

The headline or title of a social media post can be the first clue to its reliability. Avoid catchy, overly sensationalized headlines. Don’t fall for clickbait.

Check the source

Watch out for anecdotal stories or information heard from a friend of a friend of a distant family member. Look for real experts from reputable organizations.

Verify the facts

Double-check when you hear new information to see if other reputable sources support the facts. Misinformation goes viral all the time, so verify before you share.

Ask questions

Before you believe something you read on social media, ask yourself if you truly think the information is accurate. A moment to reflect may save you from falling prey to fake news.

Notice your feelings

A lot of misinformation is designed to tap into frustration and outrage. Look for information that encourages you to think objectively and acknowledge nuance.

Limit time on social media

The more time you spend on social media, the more likely you will run into misinformation. Keep your time on social media brief and focus on meaningful connection, not information surfing.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Warning Signs Of Mental Illness

WELL-BEING

Mental illness affects many people. It can include conditions like depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder. Many times, a person will show early signs of mental illness. This means they can get medical help before the condition becomes serious.

Changes in behavior

Sometimes a person’s actions or personality seems to change when they have a mental illness. Some signs include:

* Mood swings. Mood and attitude may shift back and forth from happy to sad or angry.

* Fear or feeling uneasy. A person may feel afraid, anxious or panicked about everyday things.

* Lack of interest. They may not want to do activities or be around people.

* Trouble with work performance or schoolwork.

Changes in thoughts

* Feeling out of control. They may be unable to manage daily tasks or stress.

* Clouded thinking. It may feel like they can’t concentrate on tasks or remember things.

* Feeling numb. They may have trouble feeling emotions about anything.

* Not being connected with reality. A person’s thoughts or actions may not be logical or make sense.

Physical changes

Mental illness can affect the body, too. Some changes to watch for include:

* Feeling very tired or sleeping much more than usual.

* Getting very little sleep or an inability to sleep.

* Eating much more than usual.

* Eating less than usual or not at all.

* Changes in senses like smell, touch or sight.

* Unexplained injuries, like repeated cuts or scratches. These can be signs of self-harm.

Get medical care

If you notice these signs in yourself, talk with your doctor. Mental illness is a real illness, and there are treatments available to help. Don’t be afraid or embarrassed to tell someone.

If these changes happen to a loved one, talk with them about getting medical care. Tell them you are here for them and want to help.

If you or a loved one has thoughts of suicide, seek emergency care or go to an emergency room.

Source: American Academy of Family Physicians

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Be On The Outside

Stress Management

Add more “outdoors” to your life to reduce stress, improve mood and restore attention levels by giving your brain a break.

Exercise outdoors:Instead of only exercising at the gym or other indoor space, include activities you can do on a nature or fitness trail. Examples include brisk walking, jogging, cycling or roller-blading.

Spend quality time:Visit a park or go for a social walk with friends and family.

Get quiet in nature:Find a place to sit quietly to relax or meditate to help connect with your mind, body and spirit.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Keep Cool In A Crisis

Stress Management

If you’re going through a crisis, your view of the world probably isn’t too rosy. Sudden, sometimes unexplainable events, like loss of a job, death of a loved one, or illness or injury, throw people into an emotional abyss. It’s a crowded abyss, too: The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that in any six-month period, nearly 30 million Americans face some kind of crisis. Much of the stress triggered by a crisis arises from our perception of the event-whether we view a crisis as a challenge or a threat, an opportunity or a ticket to doom. Here are some skills that are useful for putting crises into perspective and surviving with minimal damage to emotional health.

* Visualize the future in positive, healing ways. Imagine yourself feeling good again and being happy. When people imagine themselves behaving in a particular way, the likelihood that things will turn out as expected increases.

* Learn to physically relax. It’s hard to feel tense when your body is completely relaxed.

* Be realistic when you describe your situation to yourself and others. Avoid exaggerating or using emotionally charged words like “never,” “always,” or “hate.”

* Take one day at a time. Set goals you can measure and achieve, and don’t demand too much of yourself.

* Don’t allow yourself to get bogged down in self-pity, but be willing to accept help from others. Love, friendship, and social support are powerful coping tools for managing stress.

* Remember, you’re not alone. Whatever you’re going through, others have experienced and survived. You will, too.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Stress & Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Stress Management

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a severe stress reaction from living through or seeing an event that threatens life. With PTSD, symptoms usually begin within 6 weeks to 3 months of the event. Symptoms of PTSD can begin years later, though. When symptoms do occur, they must last for at least one month for a diagnosis of PTSD to be made. PTSD is a medical diagnosis made by a mental health professional.

Signs & Symptoms

Physical symptoms of stress are: Increased heart rate and blood pressure; rapid breathing; and tense muscles.

Emotional reactions include being angry and having a lack of concentration.

Other symptoms of PTSD are intense fear or horror and feeling helpless, in a “daze,” detached, etc.

Causes

Marriage or divorce, job loss or the threat of being fired, all create stress. So do countless other things.

Living through or seeing an event that threatens life can cause PTSD. Events include combat exposure, sexual or physical assault, and a serious accident. A past unhealed trauma increases the risk for PTSD. People with depression or other mental health conditions are also at greater risk.

Treatment

Self-care measures deal with most cases of stress. When these are not enough, counseling and/or medical care may be needed.

Professional treatment is needed for PTSD. Left untreated, PTSD will not go away and can greatly affect a person’s life.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

* Maintain good health habits. Eat healthy foods. Get enough sleep.

* Limit caffeine. It causes anxiety and increases the stress response.

* If you drink alcohol, do so wisely.

* Get regular exercise.

* Check with your doctor about taking vitamins and minerals. This is especially true for ones labeled “stress tablets” or “stress formulas.”

* Don’t let your emotions get “bottled up inside.” Share your feelings with others.

* Do a “stress rehearsal.” Imagine yourself feeling calm and handling the stressful situation.

* Balance work and personal life. Do things you enjoy and look forward to. Escape for a little while. See a movie, visit a friend, etc.

* Be with cheerful people. Help others.

* Reduce or manage exposure to things that cause stress.

* Rank order daily tasks. Don’t commit to doing too much.

* Studies show that having a pet, such as a dog or cat, appears to buffer the effects of stress on health.

* View changes as positive challenges.

* Laugh a lot. Keep a sense of humor.

* Take a bath or shower with warm water. Listen to music that is calming.

* Reward yourself with little things that make you feel good. Give yourself some “me” time.

* Count to 10 when you’re so upset you want to scream. This helps to calm you down. Avoid unnecessary arguments.

* Have a warm cup of herbal tea.

* Do relaxation exercises daily. Imagine a soothing, restful scene. Do deep muscle relaxation. (Tense and relax muscle fibers.) Meditate. Do deep breathing.

* Remember that it is not an event that causes stress, but how you react to it. Change your thoughts about an event to help manage stress.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Be Mindful Of…Health Screenings

Medical Exams

Caring for your body shows respect and kindness to yourself. This includes getting recommended health screenings to help find any potential problems or find them early when treatments can be more successful. Plus, getting answers about your health can help relieve added stress and worry. Get empowered to live a healthier, stronger, and longer life.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026