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All About Red Blood Cells

MEDICAL NEWS

Blood nourishes every part of the body. Red blood cells are a major component of blood and a key player in how the body receives the oxygen it needs.

What they do

Red blood cells contain a special protein called hemoglobin that carries oxygen from the lungs and delivers it to the organs and tissues. Once a red blood cell drops off oxygen, it picks up carbon dioxide and returns it to the lungs to be exhaled when you breathe out.

Every cell in the body relies on oxygen delivery from red blood cells. To keep a constant supply of healthy red blood cells, the bone marrow produces an impressive 2 million cells every second.

Measuring red blood cells

When you go to the doctor, they often order a complete blood count (CBC) to assess the health of your blood. Several of those values provide information about your red blood cells:

* Red blood cells (RBC) – the number of red blood cells in a specific volume of blood

* Hemoglobin – the amount of hemoglobin (by weight in grams) per the volume in blood (in deciliters)

* Hematocrit – how much of the blood is made up of red blood cells

* MCV – the average size of red blood cells

* MCH – the amount of hemoglobin in each red blood cell

* MCHC – the average amount of hemoglobin in a group of red blood cells

When red blood cells are high

Common causes include:

* Dehydration

* Kidney disease

* Heart disease

* Lung disease

* Smoking (causes scarring of lung tissue)

* Conditions of the bone marrow

What to do:

If your doctor finds your red blood cell values are higher than normal, they may do further testing to identify a cause. Staying well-hydrated keeps your blood cells healthy and in the right concentration.

When red blood cells are low

You may experience fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, and irregular heart rates. Common causes include:

* Anemia

* Malnutrition

* Certain types of cancer

* Kidney disease

* Liver disease

* Certain medications

What to do:

A healthy diet high in iron and other vitamins and minerals is essential for red blood cells. Leafy greens, beans, nuts, seeds, fish, meat, and iron-fortified foods keep blood cells healthy. Your doctor may also recommend supplements or medications.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Brighter, Whiter Smile

WELL-BEING

Whitening procedures and products can help restore a whiter smile. But there’s a dark side to whitening your teeth, according to the Pennsylvania Dental Association. Certain tooth whitening procedures being done by nondentists at salons, spas, and even shopping malls may not be what’s right for you.

The association says to have a thorough exam performed by a licensed dentist before having any tooth whitening procedure. You may have problems with some of the solutions especially if you have many fillings, crowns, and extremely dark stains.

After a thorough exam, your dentist can determine if bleaching is right for you. The following are common treatment options your dentist may recommend:

*Prescription bleaching kits.These are dispensed by a licensed dentist and contain peroxides that will bleach the tooth enamel. Gel whiteners are placed in a tray similar to a mouth guard. By obtaining the bleaching solution from your dentist, he or she can make a custom-fitted tray specifically designed to fit your teeth. Poorly fitting trays can irritate your gums and cause tissue burning.

*Zoom whitening.Also known as power whitening, this is a high concentration of hydrogen peroxide gel coupled with a high-intensity light used to whiten the teeth. This in-office procedure takes about one hour. The teeth whitening lasts about three years.

*Whitening toothpaste.This will not change the natural color of teeth, but some contain a special chemical or polishing agent to help remove stains from the tooth surface.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Gas Leak

WELL-BEING

Be aware of all the possible signs of a gas leak, including a distinct unpleasant smell. The odor is added to natural gas to help identify leaks.

If a leak is suspected:

* Stay calm.

* Don’t light a match, candle, or cigarette, and don’t turn any electrical devices on or off, including light switches, or use any device or equipment that could cause a spark.

* Immediately evacuate the area where the leak is suspected and from a safe location call your gas company or 911.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
If You Help Others, You’Ll Be Healthier

WELL-BEING

The benefits of volunteering or helping other people seem to pay off for the giver and not necessarily the receiver.

Providing tangible help to others protects your health and may lengthen your life, according to a 5-year study by researchers at 3 universities.

The lead researcher Dr. Michael J. Poulin, assistant professor of psychology at the University of Buffalo, says, “Giving assistance to others may offer health benefits to the giver by buffering the negative effects of stress.” The study was published in the American Journal of Public Health.

Here’s why giving works. The study subjects were people from Detroit. They told researchers they had experienced stressful events during the past year such as serious illness, burglary, job loss, financial troubles, or death of a family member. They also reported the amount of time they had spent in the past year helping friends, neighbors or relatives who did not live with them. They did errands, shopping and housework. They also provided transportation, child care and other tasks.

The researchers concluded that helping others reduced the risk of illness and death by protecting the givers, even though they themselves had significant life stress. The social interaction was an important factor.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
National Preparedness

WELL-BEING

Floods, tornadoes and hurricanes are common stories in the news. Would you and your family be ready for these weather disasters and other unexpected events, such as a house fire or a terrorist attack?

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in the US Department of Homeland Security wants you to learn what you need to do to be prepared for a variety of disasters. Its website,www.ready.gov, takes you through the following steps to make preparation easier:

* Be informed

* Make a plan

* Build a kit

* Get involved

Each of these areas covers what to do when you are at home, as well as other locations. These include workplaces, schools, and college campuses. You will also find out ways to address caring for pets, aiding family members with access and functional needs and safely shutting off utilities.

Pre-financial disaster planning is also important. Disasters leave many people without access to finances or with expensive damages. Learn what documents, such as your house deed and insurance policies to keep in a safety deposit box or other safe place away from your home. Make copies of important documents and keep them in your emergency kit or an emergency financial first aid kit (EFFAK). Get a complete list of what to put in the EFFAK fromwww.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/29791.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has many resources and tools to help you be prepared for disasters. Access these fromwww.cdc.gov/features/beready.

Some disasters strike without warning, so get started today to be prepared.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Safer Winter Driving For Under $30

WELL-BEING

Rain, fog, snow, ice, and sleet-all the challenges of winter driving. You can’t control the weather, but you can take care to be prepared (and spend less than $30 to be safer), say auto claims experts from MetLife.

* Cold weather can cut the life of a car battery in half. Buy a battery tester for less than $1, and check the health of your battery to make sure you won’t be left stranded out in the cold.

* Check to see if your antifreeze is at the recommended 50/50 ratio of antifreeze to water to protect your car’s cooling system from freezing. Buy an antifreeze tester for less than $2.

* Properly inflated tires guarantee the best possible contact with the road, giving you more control. Check your air pressure to make sure it matches your tire guidelines. Air pressure drops as the temperature drops.

* If your windshield wipers leave a streak across the windshield, it’s time to invest in winterized wiper-blade refills (around $7).

* Top off the windshield wiper fluid and always carry an extra gallon ($2).

* Buy an ice scraper and de-icer for about $2 to break up any ice that might be blocking your vision or clogging your locks.

* If your car is stuck in snow or ice, have a folding snow shovel (about $7) and a bag of cat litter (around $2) handy to dig yourself out and provide traction for your tires on the slippery surface.

* Keep free stuff from your home in your car: old blankets, hats, gloves.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Suicide: Signs And Getting Help

WELL-BEING

Suicide can happen to people of any age, ethnicity or gender. Everyone can help prevent suicide by knowing the warning signs and how to help. Many people who commit suicide have a mental health condition such as depression, bipolar disorder or addiction. But, some people who commit suicide were never diagnosed with a mental health issue.

A person thinking about suicide may have a sudden change in behavior or start saying things they don’t normally say. Sometimes, these things happen after a painful event, a loss or a major life change. It also can be due to a brain chemical imbalance, even if the person’s life seems normal. Watch for these possible signs:

* Talk about wanting to die or looking for ways to kill themselves

* Search online about suicide

* Say they feel empty, trapped or hopeless

* Think they are a burden to others

* Avoid family and friends

* Start sleeping too much or not enough

* Eat more or less than usual, have appetite changes

* Talk about death often

* Have major mood swings such as anger, rage, anxiety, shame or sudden relief

* Give away some of their things

A person may seem happy, but even one of these symptoms could be a sign of mental health issues. Suicide and severe depression can affect anyone. If you see even one of these signs, try to help the person or get them help.

What to do

If you think someone might be thinking about suicide:

* Ask them if they are thinking of suicide or harming themselves. Studies show that asking this question does not “put thoughts in their head.”

* Try to get them away from things that could harm them. If possible, get them away from weapons, substances or other things that could be used to commit suicide.

* Listen. Let them talk about how they are feeling.

* Get expert help. Have the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s number in your phone: 1-800-273-TALK (8255). It’s available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The TTY line for deaf/hard of hearing is 1-800-799-4889.

* Connect them with helpful people. Maybe a family member, friend, spiritual advisor or mental health professional can help.

* Keep in touch with them. If the person receives treatment, follow up with them afterward.

If the person is actively trying to commit suicide or has already tried, call 9-1-1 immediately.

Source: American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute of Mental Health

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Warning Signs About Mental Health

WELL-BEING

The National Alliance on Mental Illness has launched “Say It Out Loud,” a program for faith communities and civic organizations to use in reaching out to youth, ages 14 to 18, to start conversations about mental health.

But the warnings signs may be observed by anyone: friends, parents, and self. Take the warning signs seriously. Seek help from your family doctor, counselor, or mental health professional:

* Feeling very sad, withdrawn, or unmotivated for more than 2 weeks

* Making plans or trying to harm or kill oneself

* Out-of-control, risk-taking behaviors

* Sudden overwhelming fear for no reason, sometimes with a racing heart or fast breathing

* Not eating, throwing up, or using laxatives to lose weight; significant weight loss or weight gain

* Severe mood swings causing problems in relationships

* Excess use of drugs or alcohol

* Drastic changes in behavior, personality, or sleeping habits

* Extreme difficulty in concentrating or staying still

* Intense worries or fears getting in the way of daily activities like hanging out with friends or going to classes

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Are Your Ears Ringing?

WELL-BEING

Ringing in the ears, known as tinnitus, is not a disease. It’s a symptom of something wrong with your body’s hearing system. And, it may not be “ringing” at all. Some people hear sounds like roaring, hissing, clicking or buzzing.

Experts think that tinnitus happens when certain nerve cells are out of balance. This makes a person hear a sound that isn’t really there.

Why does it happen?

Tinnitus can be caused by many different things. Some possible causes include:

* Certain medicines – see a doctor right away if this happens. Tinnitus can be a serious side effect.

* High blood pressure

* Being around loud noises

* Sinus infections

* Brain injuries

* Injuries to the neck or head

* . Anemia

* Thyroid problems

* Autoimmune diseases

* Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders

Sometimes a person has tinnitus without being able to identify an obvious cause.

Can I make it stop?

There is no cure for all types of tinnitus. But, if your doctor can find out what’s causing it, there may be a treatment to resolve the issue. For instance, you might need treatment for high blood pressure or a sinus or ear infection.

Some people have tinnitus because they also have some hearing loss. That’s why using a hearing aid may be helpful in these cases.

If there’s no obvious cause, other things may help. They include:

* Wearable sound generators. These small devices fit inside the ear. They create a soft, pleasant noise that helps you ignore the sound of tinnitus.

* White noise machines or sound machines. Some people notice tinnitus more at night. This is probably because when you’re lying down in a quiet room, the tinnitus is easier to hear. For these times, you may benefit from a machine that plays noise while you sleep to override the tinnitus sound.

* Antidepressants or anti-anxiety medicines. Some people have severe tinnitus that interferes with their life. Tinnitus can cause anxiety or depression. In these cases, medicine to treat these health conditions can help.

If you notice sounds or ringing in your ears, see your doctor. They may be able to help you find a solution that improves your quality of life.

Sources: American Tinnitus Association, National Institutes of Health

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Healthy Aging

Mature Health: Over Age 50

Physical activity is a cornerstone of healthy aging. Studies show people who exercise regularly live longer and may live better, without pain or disability.

If you exercise on a regular basis, good for you! Keep it up! If not, now is the time to start. Check with a doctor before you begin an exercise program. Choose activities you can do and enjoy. Start out slowly and progress slowly. Some exercise is better than no exercise.

Research shows that eating a Mediterranean-style diet has both physical and mental health benefits that support healthy aging. This eating style includes plenty of vegetables and fruit, whole grains, healthy fats, more fish and less processed foods.

Staying mentally active is linked to physical and mental health and may reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Find ways to lower stress and increase emotional well-being.

Exercise your memory and your mind. Continue to learn new things. Read. Join a club.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026