HealthyLife Articles

Tag: Health Conditions

Look Cool & Protect Your Eyes

SELF-CARE CORNER

Sunglasses are a great fashion item, but their most important job is to protect your eyes from the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Prolonged exposure to the sun can damage the surface tissues, cornea, and lens of the eye. It has also been linked to cataract, macular degeneration, and temporary vision loss.

Through its EyeSmart® UV Safety campaign, the American Academy of Ophthalmology offers tips to keep your eyes safe:

Wear sunglasses that protect your eyes from both UVA and UVB rays.

* When you purchase sunglasses, look for either UV400 or 100% UV protection on the label. Frames with a close-fitting wraparound style give the best protection.

* Wear sunglasses even if you wear UV-blocking contact lenses. Contacts do not cover enough eye area.

* Wear sunglasses on cloudy days, too. The sun’s rays can pass through haze and clouds.

Wear a hatalong with your sunglasses. Hats with a wide brim are best.

Protect your children’s eyes.

* Keep children out of direct sunlight during the middle of the day.

* Have them wear sunglasses and hats whenever they are in the sun.

Be extra careful in UV-intense conditions:

* Mid-day to early afternoon, when sunlight is strongest

* At higher altitudes

* Places where the sun is reflected off of water, ice or snow

Learn more about UV eye safety and tips to protect the eyes from the sun atwww.geteyesmart.org/eyesmart/living/sun.cfm

© 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
Understanding Your Gallbladder

MEDICAL NEWS

The hardest working digestive helper might well be your gallbladder, a pear-sized organ that sits just under the liver and next to the pancreas.

The gallbladder stores bile, a thick liquid that’s produced by the liver to help digest fat. When you eat, the gallbladder’s thin, muscular lining squeezes bile into the small intestine through the main bile duct. The more fat you eat, the more bile the gallbladder injects into the digestive tract.

Bile has a delicate chemical balance. It’s full of soluble cholesterol produced by the liver. This is a different type of cholesterol than the kind related to cardiovascular disease. If the chemical balance of bile gets slightly off, the cholesterol can crystalize and stick to the wall of the gallbladder. Over time, these crystals can combine and form gallstones.

Gallstones can range from the size of a grain of sand to that of a golf ball. When the gallbladder injects bile into the small intestine, the main bile duct can become blocked by these stones. That may cause pressure, pain, and nausea, especially after eating meals.

Gallstones can cause sudden pain in the upper-right abdomen, called a gallbladder attack. In most cases, though, people with gallstones don’t realize they have them.

The causes of gallstones are unclear, but you’re more likely to have gallstone problems if you have too much body fat, especially around your waist, or if you’re losing weight very quickly.

If left untreated, a blocked main bile duct and gallbladder can become infected and lead to a life-threatening situation. A surgeon can remove the gallbladder. You can live normally without it.

Symptoms of a gallstone attack

Talk with your doctor if you have:

* Severe pain in the upper-right side of the abdomen that starts suddenly and lasts from 30 minutes to many hours

* Pain under the right shoulder or in the right shoulder blade

* Indigestion after eating foods high in fat or protein, including desserts and fried foods

Seek help right away if you have these signs of a serious attack:

* Abdominal pain that lasts more than 5 hours

* Nausea and vomiting

* Fever or chills

* Yellowish color of the skin or the whites of the eyes

* Dark urine or light-colored stools

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Are You Getting Enough Vitamin D?

SELF-CARE CORNER

Everyone needs vitamin D for good health. Vitamin D is important because:

* It helps keep your bones strong.

* Muscles need it for strength and movement.

* Nerves use it when they send messages throughout the body.

* The immune system needs it to fight off illnesses.

Which foods have vitamin D?

Vitamin D is found in only a few foods, including:

* Fortified milk or milk alternatives like soy or almond milk

* Fortified cereals or juices

* Fatty fish such as salmon, tuna and mackerel

* Beef liver, cheese, egg yolks

* Mushrooms

Sun exposure

The body can make vitamin D when your skin is exposed to the sun. But being out in the sun can raise your risk of getting skin cancer.

Because of the cancer risk, most experts don’t recommend that you spend a lot of time in the sun without sunscreen. Instead, you should make sure you get enough vitamin D through diet or supplements.

Taking vitamin D supplements

Some people may need to take vitamin D, but others don’t. It depends on your health and how much you get from your diet or the sun.

If you are in one of these groups, you may have lower levels of vitamin D:

* People who have darker skin

* Older adults

* People who have Crohn’s disease or celiac disease

* People who are obese

Recommended Daily- Amounts of Vitamin D

Birth to 12 months: 400 IU

Children 1-13 years: 600 IU

Teens 14-18 years: 600 IU

Adults 19-70 years: 600 IU

Adults 71 years+: 800 IU

Pregnant and breastfeeding women: 600 IU

With vitamin D, more is not always better. Vitamin D can be toxic at high levels. Don’t take more than these amounts in supplements unless your doctor tells you to.

Be careful with supplements

Before taking vitamin D or any supplement, ask your doctor about it. Some supplements can interfere with medications or cause side effects.

Whenever you can, get your vitamin D and other nutrients from healthy foods. Don’t use supplements to replace a healthy diet.

Sources: Dietary Guidelines for Americans, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
7 Daily Health Habits

General Health Conditions

1. Drink at least 6 to 8 glasses of water or other unsweetened fluids.

2. Spend 2 hours or less of non-work screen time (laptops, video games, cell phones, etc.).

3. Be physically active for 30 or more minutes.

4. Wash your hands often to lower your risk of picking up and spreading germs.

5. Eat 5 or more servings of vegetables and fruits. Fill half of your plate with these foods.

6. Limit sodium from salt and foods to 2,300 mg per day. Omit salt at the table. Eat less processed foods. Read food labels.

7. Sleep 7 to 9 hours a night.

Take Action: Fight Decay the 2-1-2 Way

* 2 times a day, brush your teeth

* 1 time a day, floss your teeth

* 2 times a year, get a dental cleaning and checkup

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Blisters

Skin Conditions

Signs & Symptoms

* Sore bump on the skin that may be filled with fluid. Swelling.

* Pain and tenderness to the touch.

Causes

* Friction on the skin. This is the main cause.

* Skin rashes, frostbite, and second-degree burns.

* Herpes simplex viruses.

* Allergic reaction to medicine.

* Epidermolysis bullosa (EB). This is a group of blistering skin conditions. With these, the skin is so fragile, even minor rubbing can cause blisters. Blisters can occur inside the body, too.

Treatment

Self-care treats most blisters. Medical care may be needed for blisters that get infected and for ones caused by a skin disorder.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

To Prevent Blisters

* Wear shoes and socks that fit well. Wear moleskin pads on areas where socks or shoes rub the skin.

* Apply an antiperspirant to the bottom of your feet before an athletic activity.

* Wear gloves for activities that put friction on the hands, such as raking leaves.

To Treat Blisters

* Protect a blister from more friction. Cover it with a loose bandage or a moleskin pad. The skin over the blister protects it from infection.

* If the blister is very painful, drain it. Clean the area with alcohol. Sterilize a needle. Gently, pierce an edge of the blister. Let it drain. If no dirt or pus is under the skin flap, pat it down to protect the skin below it. Wash the area well with soap and water. Apply an antibiotic ointment and cover it with a bandage or gauze and tape. Change this daily. Change it more often if it gets dirty or wet.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Corns & Calluses

Skin Conditions

Corns and calluses are extra cells made in a skin area that gets repeated rubbing or squeezing.

Signs & Symptoms

* Corns are areas of dead skin on the tops or sides of the joints or on the skin between the toes.

* Calluses are patches of dead skin usually found on the balls or heels of the feet, on the hands, and on the knees. Calluses are thick and feel hard to the touch.

Common sites on the bottom of the foot for corns and calluses.

Causes

Footwear that fits poorly causes corns and calluses. So can activities that cause friction on the hands, knees, and feet.

Treatment

Self-care treats most cases. If not, a family doctor or foot doctor (podiatrist) can scrape the hardened tissue and peel away the corn with stronger solutions. Sometimes warts lie beneath corns and need to be treated, too.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

{Note: Persons with diabetes should see a doctor for treatment for foot problems.}

For Corns

* Don’t pick at corns. Don’t use toenail scissors, clippers, or any sharp tool to cut off corns.

* Don’t wear shoes that fit poorly or that squeeze your toes together.

* Soak your feet in warm water to soften the corn.

* Cover the corn with a protective, nonmedicated pad or bandage which you can buy at drug stores.

* If the outer layers of a corn have peeled away, apply a nonprescription liquid of 5 to 10% salicylic acid. Gently rub the corn off with cotton gauze.

* Ask a shoe repair person to sew a metatarsal bar onto your shoe to use when a corn is healing.

For Calluses

* Don’t try to cut a callus off.

* Soak your feet in warm water to soften the callus. Pat it dry.

* Rub the callus gently with a pumice stone.

* Cover calluses with protective pads. You can get these at drug stores.

* Don’t wear poorly fitting shoes or other sources of friction that may lead to calluses.

* Wear gloves for a hobby or work that puts pressure on your hands.

* Wear knee pads for activities that put pressure on your knees.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Eczema

Skin Conditions

Eczema (atopic dermatitis) is a chronic skin condition. It usually appears on the scalp, face, neck, or creases of the elbows, wrists, and knees. It usually improves as you get older, but can be a lifetime problem.

Signs & Symptoms

Patches of skin that are:

* Dry, red, and scaly

* Blistered and swollen

* Sometimes thick, discolored, or oozing and crusting

Causes, Risk Factors & Care

Eczema tends to run in families. It is also more common in persons who have allergies or asthma. Contact with cosmetics, dyes, deodorants, skin lotions, permanent press fabrics, and other allergens can aggravate eczema; so can wool fabrics, stress, exposure to extreme weather conditions, and eating foods, such as eggs, milk, seafood, or wheat products.

Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics for skin infections and/or other medicines if self-care does not relieve symptoms.

Self-Care

* Don’t scratch! This makes eczema worse. Your skin can get infected. Keep your fingernails cut short.

* Don’t take baths too often. Add bath oil to the water. Sponge bathe in between tub baths. Take quick showers.

* Use warm (not hot) water when you take a bath or shower.

* Use a mild soap or no soap at all on the areas of eczema.

* Don’t use wool clothes and blankets.

* Use a light, nongreasy and unscented lotion on your skin after you wash. Don’t use lotions that have alcohol. They can dry the skin.

* Try to keep from sweating. For example, don’t wear too many clothes for the weather.

* Wear rubber gloves when you do housework. Put talcum powder or cornstarch inside the gloves, or use latex gloves lined with cotton.

* Avoid foods, chemicals, cosmetics, and other things that make your eczema worse.

When to Seek Medical Care

Contact Doctor When:

* You have signs of an infection: Fever; and/or large amount of weeping or crusting skin areas.

* Your skin is red, you can’t stop scratching, and this keeps you from sleeping.

* You get no relief from self-care.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Floaters & Flashes

Eye Conditions

Signs & Symptoms

* Floaters are specks, dots, cobwebs, or wavy lines that seem to fall within the line of sight. They rarely affect eyesight. They are more visible against a plain or dark background.

* Flashes are streaks of light that “flash” across the field of vision. They can occur when the eyes are closed or in extreme darkness.

Causes

With aging, the middle portion of the eye, called the vitreous, becomes less solid and more liquid. This allows particles (floaters), which have always been in the eye, to begin to move around. Flashes can occur when the vitreous shrinks and pulls on the retina of the eye. This is common. On rare occasions, when the vitreous detaches from the retina, it can rip or tear the retina. This may lead to a detached retina. The retina peels away from the eye wall causing sight loss.

Risk Factors for Floaters and Flashes

* Eye diseases or injuries.

* A tear in the retina. Aging and cataract surgery increase the risk for this.

* High blood pressure.

* Migraine headaches.

* Nearsightedness.

Treatment

Self-care is enough to treat floaters and flashes unless they are due to another medical condition.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

* Move your eyes up and down (not side to side) several times.

* Don’t focus on or stare at plain, light backgrounds, such as a blank pastel wall or the light blue sky.

* You may notice flashes less if you avoid moving suddenly, don’t bend over, and don’t get up quickly from sitting or lying down.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Heart Palpitations

Heart & Circulation Problems

Signs & Symptoms

Palpitations can be felt in the chest, throat, or neck. With them, it feels like the heart is pounding, racing, and/or fluttering. It can feel like the heart has skipped a beat.

Causes

Most of the time, palpitations are not a serious problem. Common causes include:

* Anxiety. Fear. Stress. Hyperventilation.

* Caffeine. Diet pills. Nicotine. Drugs.

* Exercise.

* Medicines. Examples are beta-blockers, some asthma and cold medicines, and thyroid pills.

Other causes are:

* An arrhythmia (heart rate or rhythm disorder).

* Mitral valve prolapse (MVP). This is a heart valve problem. It may be treated with medicine. It is not usually a serious condition.

* Anemia.

* Hyperthyroidism.

* Low blood sugar.

Treatment

Treatment depends on the cause.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

* If palpitations occur with exercise, stop the activity. Rest. When you exercise again, gradually increase how long and how intense you do the activity.

* To relieve stress and anxiety, do relaxation exercises.

* Limit or avoid caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol.

* Don’t take cold/allergy medicines. Don’t take appetite suppressants.

* Call your doctor if rest doesn’t help or if palpitations occur again and again.

Resources

The American Heart Association

800.AHA.USA1 (242.8721)

www.heart.org/HEARTORG

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)

www.nhlbi.nih.gov

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026