HealthyLife Articles

Tag: General Health

Hair Loss: More Than Skin Deep

WELL-BEING

Hair loss is a common issue among men and women alike. The U.S. National Library of Medicine says about 50 million men and 30 million women have some degree of hair loss or baldness. Most of the time, this is due to hereditary hair loss.

Sometimes, however, hair loss is a sign of a health problem. Hair loss can sometimes be caused by:

* Thyroid problems

* Diabetes

* Low iron in the blood (anemia)

* Prostate cancer in men

* High blood pressure (hypertension)

* Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in women

Hair loss doesn’t always mean you have a serious illness. Sometimes hair falls out for a little while and then starts to grow back. Some of the reasons this happens include:

* Hair breakage from chemicals like perms and hair color

* Hairstyles that pull on the hair, such as tight ponytails and braids

* A stressful event, such as a death in the family

* Stress on the body from major surgery, childbirth or some illnesses

* Brushing hair too hard or too often

* Some prescription medicines, including those for arthritis, cancer, depression, gout, heart disease and high blood pressure

* Hormone changes, such as during pregnancy or menopause

If you notice sudden hair loss, it’s important to find out the cause. If you notice large amounts of hair falling out when combing or washing your hair, or thinning or bald spots, make an appointment with your doctor.

Common hair loss treatments

Knowing the cause of your hair loss is the first step to treatment. For instance, if iron levels are low, your doctor may recommend an iron supplement. Treatments for common hereditary hair loss include:

* Topical minoxidil (brand name Rogaine, which can be purchased in stores)

* Finasteride (prescription medicine for men only)

* Topical or oral estrogen or other hormones (prescription for women only)

* Hair transplant surgery

Source: American Academy of Dermatology

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Insomnia 2

General Health Conditions

Do You Have Insomnia?

Answer these questions:

1. Do you have trouble falling asleep?

2. Do you have problems staying asleep?

3. Do you wake up too early and can’t get back to sleep?

4. Do any of these problems last at least 3 weeks?

If you answered yes to number 4, answer these questions about problems that occur when you are awake:

5. Do you feel like you do not get enough refreshing sleep?

6. Do you yawn and feel tired?

7. Do you lack energy or have fatigue?

8. Do you have a hard time concentrating?

9. Do you feel depressed and/or cranky?

If you answered yes to question number 4 and yes to any question from number 5 through 9, you could have insomnia.

Why You Need Sleep

Getting enough sleep and good quality sleep helps you maintain good health and function your best during the day. You need sleep to:

* Have energy.

* Think clearly.

* React quickly.

* Be productive.

* Learn and remember things.

* Help your immune system fight infections.

According to the National Sleep Foundation, about 50% of adults in the U.S. have problems with sleep at least a few nights a week. And recent studies find that the average person gets less than 6 hours of sleep per night. (On average, adults need at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night.)

A lack of sleep or getting poor quality sleep can lead to a wide range of health problems.

Health Problems from a Lack of Sleep

* Anxiety, depression, and alcohol abuse.

* Obesity.

* Heart disease.

* High blood pressure.

* Diabetes.

* Stroke.

* Gum disease.

* Accidents and an increased risk for injury and death. About 20% of all serious car crashes are linked to driver sleepiness. Also, workers with severe insomnia make 2½ times more serious work errors than persons who get proper sleep.

Getting enough, quality sleep is as vital to good heath and long life as are healthy eating and regular exercise.

Do’s & Don’ts for Insomnia

Do’s

* Do regular exercise daily. Physical activity releases muscle tension, relieves anger, and improves mood.

* Do mild exercises four or more hours before bedtime.

* Do relaxation exercises as needed throughout the day and before you go to bed.

* Follow a regular daily schedule for meals and snacks.

* Choose larger meals at breakfast and lunch than at dinner. At each meal, have complex carbohydrate foods, such as whole-grain breads and cereals, fruits and vegetables.

* Limit caffeine to 300 milligrams (mgs.) a day. More than 500 to 600 mgs. a day may cause you to be anxious, nervous, and makes it harder to sleep well.

* Cut down on caffeine gradually. Daily usage of caffeine can result in physical dependence. If caffeine is stopped abruptly, withdrawal symptoms can occur. These include headache, feeling down, having a hard time concentrating, and fatigue.

Don’ts

* Don’t do vigorous exercise within six hours of going to bed.

* Don’t have large meals near bedtime. These may keep you awake, especially if you have heartburn or a similar problem.

* Don’t have caffeine for 6 hours before bedtime.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Non-Drug Options For Chronic Pain

SELF-CARE CORNER

Pain that lasts a long time or is ongoing is called chronic pain. A variety of conditions may lead to chronic pain, including arthritis, fibromyalgia, past injuries, or migraine headaches.

Always speak to your doctor about any natural remedies you wish to try and any herbs or supplements you take. Not all natural treatments are safe for everyone, including if you are pregnant. Some can interact with medicines. Your doctor can help you find options that will be best for you. The following options are alternative, non-drug treatments that may be helpful.

Acupuncture

This Chinese medicine practice involves the placement of thin, small needles into the surface of the skin at various points on the body called meridians. Acupuncturists should be certified or licensed and should use sterile needles. Some studies suggest acupuncture may help with osteoarthritis pain, lower back pain and headaches.

Mindfulness

Mindfulness is a type of meditation in which you focus on the present moment only. You calmly acknowledge feelings and thoughts that arise and go back to thinking about the present moment. This treatment may be helpful for people with chronic pain.

Herbs and dietary supplements

Various natural supplements may be helpful for chronic pain.

* Omega-3 fatty acids, gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) and the herb thunder god vine may help with rheumatoid arthritis pain.

* Butterbur, feverfew, magnesium, riboflavin and coenzyme Q10 may help prevent migraines.

* Vitamin D supplements may reduce pain in people with fibromyalgia who have low vitamin D levels.

* Devil’s claw and white willow bark taken by mouth may be helpful for back pain.

* Cayenne, comfrey, Brazilian arnica and lavender essential oil may help back pain when used on the skin (do not take these by mouth).

Massage

Massage therapists use their hands to rub or knead the muscles and joints of the body. Some studies show that massage therapy can help with neck pain. Massage may also help reduce pain from osteoarthritis.

Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Know Your Health Numbers

General Health Conditions

Track and control your blood pressure and blood levels for cholesterol, triglycerides, and glucose. Discuss with your doctor what your target numbers should be based on your personal health and risk factors.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Sepsis: Be Aware Of This Deadly Condition

MEDICAL NEWS

Sepsis is among the top causes of disease-related death in our country, killing about 200,000 people each year. Actress Patty Duke’s recent death from sepsis brought more attention to this dangerous disease. It’s important to know the signs of sepsis so you can seek emergency medical care for this serious condition. Early treatment can save lives.

Sepsis is a strong and harmful reaction of the body’s immune system. It can be triggered by common infections, such as pneumonia, a urinary tract infection, or even a minor infection like a cut or scrape, if it becomes infected and the infection spreads.

Most of the time, these infections don’t cause sepsis. But when sepsis does occur, it can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure, resulting in organ failure and death. It tends to affect the very young, the elderly or those with weakened immune systems.

Influenza vaccines and pneumococcal vaccines may help prevent sepsis. Consider getting these vaccines to reduce your risk.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Memory Loss

Brain & Nervous System

With short-term memory loss, you can’t recall things learned in the past seconds to minutes. With long-term memory loss, you forget things learned in the distant past, such as in childhood. It is normal to have some memory loss as you age. It is common to forget where you put your eyeglasses or keys. You may have a hard time recalling the name of a person or place, and say, “It is on the tip of my tongue.” This memory loss is temporary and not severe. When it persists or interferes with your daily life, it can be a sign of a problem.

Signs & Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of serious memory loss, such as amnesia, depend on the cause. The memory loss can be partial or complete. It can occur for a short time or persist. It can also come on suddenly or slowly.

Causes

Other than the normal memory loss that comes with aging, causes include:

* Depression.

* Excess alcohol. Drug use.

* Side effects of some medicines.

* Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Dementias result in a decline of all areas of mental ability. This includes learning, problem solving, language, behaviors, and memory loss.

* Mild cognitive impairment. This is a medical illness. With this, people have abnormal memory for their age and education. They have a harder time learning new information or recalling things.

* Posttraumatic stress disorder.

* Seizures. Head trauma.

* Stroke.

* Brain infections or tumors.

Treatment

Memory loss that persists, is severe, or that interferes with daily life needs a medical diagnosis. When another problem is the cause and is treated with success, memory loss improves. For other causes, such as Alzheimer’s disease, there is no cure. The goal is to treat symptoms and provide safety and comfort.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

To Help Prevent Memory Loss

* Keep the brain active. Read, do puzzles, etc.

* Eat a balanced diet. Take vitamins and minerals, as advised by your doctor.

* Get regular exercise.

* Protect the head from injury.

* Follow tips under Prevention for Stroke (Brain Attack).

* Don’t smoke or use illegal drugs. Limit alcohol.

* Manage stress.

* Get regular eye exams. Get your hearing checked. If needed, wear eyeglasses and/or a hearing aid.

To Help Remember Things

* Follow a routine for daily and weekly activities.

* Listen carefully. Link newly learned things to past memories.

* Repeat what you want to remember out loud. Write it down if you need to.

* Keep track of important things to do, phone numbers, etc. Use a calendar, planner, PDA, etc.

* Set up a system to remind you of daily medications to take, bills to pay, appointments to keep, etc.

* Put your keys, eyeglasses, etc. in the same place.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Wash Away The 5 Most Common Handwashing Myths

WELL-BEING

Think you know how to wash your hands? Think again. A 2013 study in the Journal of Environmental Health showed that only 5% of people properly wash their hands on a daily basis. Cintas Corporation and Henry the Hand Foundation have teamed up to dispel the 5 most common handwashing myths.

Keeping hands clean is one of the most important ways to avoid getting sick and spreading germs. Researchers at the NIH found that people touch their faces on average 3.6 times per hour. So handwashing is the answer. Test your knowledge about the best way to clean your hands.

1. It doesn’t matter how long I wash my hands as long as I use soap – FALSE

The next time you’re in the restroom and washing your hands, think of the chorus of your favorite song. Studies show that you should scrub your hands with soap for a minimum of 15-30 seconds in order to effectively remove germs.

2. Hand sanitizers can replace washing your hands with soap and water – FALSE

Washing hands with soap and water is the best and most effective way to reduce the number of microbes and germs on hands. Although alcohol-based (at least 60%) hand sanitizers can quickly reduce the number of germs on hands in some situations, they are not as effective as soap and water when it comes to removing and inactivating dangerous gastrointestinal illness-causing germs.

3. The hotter the water you use for handwashing, the better – FALSE

Studies show that water temperature does not affect germ removal. In fact, there is no research to prove that higher temperatures improve handwashing at all. Hotter water can also dry out skin, which leaves your skin more susceptible to germs and can make handwashing painful. It is best to wash your hands with the temperature that you find comfortable.

4. You don’t have to dry your hands after washing them – FALSE

Studies show that germs can be more easily transferred to and from wet hands, which is why drying hands is essential to staving off bacteria after handwashing.

5. Hand dryers are more hygienic than paper towels – FALSE

Researchers found that paper towels are superior to air dryers and can help remove bacteria, unlike air dryers, which can increase bacteria counts. Because air dryers have been shown to spread bacteria between 3 and 6 feet from the device, paper towels are also far less likely to contaminate other restroom users.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Multiple Sclerosis

Brain & Nervous System

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease of the brain and spinal cord. With MS, a covering that protects nerves (myelin) and the nerves are damaged or destroyed. Over time, scar tissue forms along the damaged myelin. Nerves can’t send signals like they should. As a result, movement, sensation, etc. are impaired or lost.

Signs & Symptoms

* Fatigue.

* Feelings of pins and needles. Numbness. Leg stiffness.

* Poor coordination. Unsteady gait. Impaired movement.

* Bladder problems.

* Blurred vision. Double vision. Loss of vision in one eye.

* Depression. Mild problems with memory, learning, etc.

* Swallowing problems.

Early signs and symptoms may be mild and present for years before MS is diagnosed.

Symptoms vary from person to person. They may last for hours or weeks. They can vary from day to day and can come and go with no set pattern.

Some persons have only a few symptoms over the course of the disease. For others, symptoms continue and/or worsen with time. Most persons with MS get symptom flare-ups (relapses) that are followed by partial or complete recoveries (remissions).

Causes

The exact cause of MS is not known. It may be due to a number of factors. These include: A virus, genetics, and an immune system problem. Toxins, trauma, poor nutrition, and other factors may also play a role. Things known to come before the onset of MS include: Overwork; fatigue, the postpartum period for women; acute infections; and fevers. Multiple sclerosis is more common in:

* Women than in men.

* Caucasians than in Hispanics or African Americans. It is rare among Asians and certain other ethnic groups.

* Adults between the ages of 20 and 50. Young children, teens, and older adults can also have MS.

* People who are born and live up to at least age 15 years old in places farther from the equator. These include North America, Europe, and Southern Australia.

Treatment

There is no cure yet for MS, but most people with it live a normal life span. Treatment for MS includes:

* Prescribed medication to lessen the number and severity of flare-ups and to slow the progression of the disease. Research favors early treatment with this type of medicine.

* Short-term courses of IV or oral corticosteroids. These reduce inflammation during MS flare-ups.

* Medications to control and treat MS symptoms. Treating infections, when present.

* Physical and occupational therapy.

* Counseling. Support groups.

* Clinical trails. Accesswww.clinicaltrials.gov.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

* Follow your doctor’s guidelines for home care.

* Maintain a normal routine at work and at home. Avoid activities that lead to fatigue or put too much physical stress on the body. Get plenty of rest.

* Manage emotional stress.

* Avoid the heat and sun. Don’t take hot showers or baths. Increased body temperature can cause symptoms. Cool baths or swimming in a pool may improve symptoms by lowering body temperature.

* Have body massages to help maintain muscle tone.

* Treat a fever as soon as it occurs.

* Get regular exercise. Physical therapy may be helpful.

* Get counseling, if needed.

* Get a seasonal flu shot every year and other vaccines as advised.

* If you smoke, quit!

Resources

Multiple Sclerosis Foundation

888.MS.FOCUS (673.6287)

www.msfocus.org

National Multiple Sclerosis Society

800.FIGHT.MS (344.4867)www.nationalmssociety.org

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
What Makes Your Head Hurt?

MEDICAL NEWS

Headaches are one of the most common health complaints.

About 95% of headaches are primary headaches, meaning they are not caused by some other medical condition. Most people can relieve headache pain by making lifestyle changes, learning how to relax, and taking pain relievers. Your doctor may have more suggestions.

Here are the 3 main types of headaches, according to the National Institutes of Health:

*Tension headachescan be treated with over-the-counter pain relievers. Stress management, relaxation exercises, or a hot shower may also help.

*Migraine headachescan be treated with over-the-counter or prescription drugs. Migraines often happen again and again but may be prevented with prescription drugs. Avoid food and drinks that can trigger migraines, such as caffeine, alcohol, and processed meats. Relaxation practices may reduce the number and severity.

*Cluster headachescan be treated or prevented with prescription drugs. Nasal sprays that numb the nose and nostrils may help. Doctors also recommend avoiding alcohol.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Sickle Cell Anemia

Bone & Muscle Problems

Red blood cells are normally round. In sickle cell anemia, the red blood cells take on a sickle shape. This makes the blood thicker and doesn’t let oxygen get to the body’s tissues like it should. When sickled cells get stuck in the blood vessels, they cut off the blood supply. With no oxygen, pain occurs. The result is a “Sickle Cell Crisis.”

Signs & Symptoms

* Bone and joint pain. This is the most common complaint. The pain can also be in the chest, back, or abdomen.

* Shortness of breath and a hard time breathing.

* Swollen hands and feet.

* Jaundice. The whites of the eyes and/or the skin looks yellow.

* Paleness.

* Repeated infections, especially pneumonia or meningitis.

* Kidney problems. Leg ulcers. Gallstones (at an early age). Gout.

* Seizures.

* Strokes (at an early age).

Causes

Sickle cell anemia is inherited. In the U.S., it mostly affects African Americans, but can occur in other ethnic groups. Examples are persons whose ancestors are from Cuba, Central and South America, Greece, Italy, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia. About 1 in 12 African Americans carries the gene for the sickle cell trait. If both parents carry the trait, the chance of having a child with sickle cell anemia is 1 out of 4. About 1 in 375 African Americans and about 1 in every 1,000 Latin Americans are born with sickle cell anemia. Signs of the disease aren’t noticed until the end of the infant’s first year. All hospitals in the U.S. screen newborns for sickle cell disease.

To prevent sickle cell anemia in offspring, couples, especially African American couples, should have a blood test to see if they are carriers for the sickle cell trait. Genetic counseling can help them decide what to do.

Treatment

Medical treatment is needed. Painful episodes are treated with painkillers, fluids, and oxygen. Other treatments:

* Hydroxyurea medicine.

* Blood transfusions.

* Stem cell transplant. This may be an option for children who have a brother or sister without sickle cell disease that is a matched donor.

In the U.S., the life span for a person with sickle cell disease is 40-60 years.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

* Follow your doctor’s treatment plan. Wear a medical alert tag.

* Avoid physical stress and high altitudes.

* Discuss airplane travel with your doctor.

* Ask your doctor what over-the- counter medicines you can use before you try any.

* Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day. Get the rest you need.

* Follow a balanced diet. Have at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day. Take folic acid (a B vitamin) supplements and other vitamins and minerals, as advised by your doctor.

* Don’t wear tight clothing.

* If at home and in a “sickle cell crisis:”

– Stay warm. Apply warm compresses to painful parts of your body.

– Rest in bed.

– Take pain medication, as prescribed.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026