HealthyLife Articles

Tag: Health Conditions

Busting Myths About Alzheimer’s

MEDICAL NEWS

More than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s and many myths still exist about it.

MYTH: Alzheimer’s and dementia mean the same thing.

FACT:Dementia is a group of symptoms that can be caused by Alzheimer’s and other diseases. Up to 80 percent of dementia cases are caused by Alzheimer’s disease. But, dementia can be caused by other conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease.

MYTH: Everyone gets forgetful with age, so Alzheimer’s is no big deal.

FACT:Alzheimer’s is not a normal part of aging. Alzheimer’s gets worse over time. Eventually, someone with Alzheimer’s will be unable to have a conversation or do normal everyday tasks. The earlier Alzheimer’s is diagnosed, the sooner treatment can start. This may help delay the disease’s progression.

MYTH: Alzheimer’s won’t hurt you physically. You can live with the memory loss and other symptoms.

FACT:Alzheimer’s is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. Some people may live up to 20 years after diagnosis, but there are no survivors.

MYTH: Medicine can cure Alzheimer’s.

FACT:Treatments can help slow down the disease, but there is no cure. Alzheimer’s will eventually progress, even with treatment. The treatments may help improve quality of life for those with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers. Research is underway to find ways to prevent the disease and hopefully cure it.

Source: Alzheimer’s Association

Look for early signs of Alzheimer’s

Detecting Alzheimer’s early is important. Since everyone forgets things from time to time, it can be hard to know what’s normal forgetfulness and what’s something more serious. People in the early stages may still work, drive and do daily tasks. They may think they are fine, and deny they have any memory issues.

Look for these signs as possible flags that could mean early Alzheimer’s and talk to a doctor if you notice them:

* Problems coming up with the right word for something

* Can’t remember names when introduced to new people

* Trouble performing tasks at work or home

* Forgetting something that was just read or told

* Losing a valuable or important item

* Having trouble planning or organizing

Though these signs don’t mean a person has Alzheimer’s for sure, it’s best to see a doctor.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
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
Ouch! Arm And Shoulder Pain

MEDICAL NEWS

Any of these symptoms sound familiar?

* Sudden, sharp pain in the upper arm

* Popping or snapping you can hear in the shoulder or elbow

* Cramping of the biceps muscle with strenuous use of the arm

* Bruising from the middle of the upper arm down toward the elbow

* Pain or tenderness at the shoulder and the elbow

* Weakness in the shoulder and the elbow

* Difficulty turning the palm of the hand up or down

Could be a torn or painful biceps muscle. And if you have that, you may also have a shoulder problem or a rotator cuff tear. Because a torn tendon can no longer keep the biceps muscles tight, a bulge in the upper arm above the elbow (“Popeye Muscle”) may appear, with a dent (signifying absence of muscle) closer to the shoulder.

The first line of treatment for these types of injuries, according to orthopedic specialists, is a variety of nonsurgical options, such as rest, anti-inflammatory drugs, changing your activity, and physical therapy. Surgery can also be considered. But the best advice is to see your doctor, say experts at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Sure-Fire Ways To Prevent Hair Loss

SELF-CARE CORNER

You can head off hair loss by changing the way you care for your hair, say the experts from the American Academy of Dermatology.

* Do you vigorously towel dry your hair? Instead of rubbing wet hair, which is more elastic and vulnerable to breaking, wrap your hair in a towel to absorb the water or let it air dry.

* Do you brush or comb your hair when it is wet? If you have straight hair and are of Caucasian or Asian descent, try to comb and brush your hair only when it is dry. Otherwise, you can stretch the strands and cause them to break. People who have tightly curled or textured hair or are of African descent should comb or brush their hair when it is wet. Doing so decreases the chance of hair breakage.

* Do you use a blow dryer or curling iron? The high heat from a blow dryer can actually boil the water in the hair shaft leaving the hair brittle. Let your hair partially air dry before you style or comb it.

* Do you use styling products that promise a long-lasting hold? While these products may give your hair unbeatable hold, using a comb to style your hair after you apply the product often causes the hair to break. Over time, this can lead to major hair loss. Reduce the use of these products to lessen hair loss.

* Do you try to fit in 100 brush strokes per day? It is a myth that 100 strokes a day promotes healthy hair. Vigorous brushing can strip the ends of the hair, causing split ends.

* Do you color, perm, or relax your hair? All processes damage the hair and can cause dry, brittle strands.

* Do you wear braids, a ponytail, or hair extensions? All of these styles pull on your hair and lead to breakage.

* Do you skip the conditioner? Use a conditioner after every shampoo. A conditioner cannot repair hair, but it can increase shine, decrease static electricity, improve strength, and offer some protection from harmful sun rays.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
When To Brush Your Teeth

SELF-CARE CORNER

Consuming acidic foods and beverages, such as sports and energy drinks, citrus fruits, wine, and tomatoes, can erode tooth enamel-the glossy outer layer of the tooth. Brushing your teeth too soon after eating and drinking these items can cause more damage because you are essentially brushing the acid into the teeth, not getting rid of it, say experts at the Academy of General Dentistry. Instead, you should rinse your mouth with water after consuming acidic foods and beverages and wait at least 30 minutes before brushing your pearly whites!

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
How Aging Affects The Eyes

Eye Conditions

Growing older does not always mean you see poorly. But you may not see as well as you did before. Common changes that affect your eyes are:

* “Aging Eyes.” The medical term for this is presbyopia (prez-bee-OH-pea-ah). This comes on slowly after age 40. Close objects or small print are harder to see. You may have to hold reading materials at arm’s length. You may get headaches or “tired eyes” while you read or do other close work. Presbyopia can be corrected with glasses or contact lenses.

* The need for more light in order to see clearly. With aging, the pupil in the eye is unable to open as wide or to adapt to light as fast as it did before. This can make it harder to see in the dark. It can make it harder to tell one color from another. Blues can look like different shades of gray. To help with this, add more and brighter lights in places around the house, such as at work counters, stairways, and favorite reading places. This may help you see better and can sometimes prevent accidents. Also, don’t wear tinted glasses or sunglasses at night, especially when you drive.

Signs & Symptoms and What It Could Be

Signs & Symptoms: Sudden loss of all or part of vision, especially in one eye with sudden weakness or numbness on one side.

What It Could Be: Stroke

What to Do: Get immediate care. Call 9-1-1.

Signs & Symptoms: Vision loss after head or eye injury. Sudden vision loss or blurred vision, and seeing dark spots, or flashes of light all of a sudden.

What It Could Be: Detached or torn retina.

What to Do: Get immediate care.

Signs & Symptoms: Severe pain in and above the eye. Eye redness, swollen upper eyelid. Dilated and fixed pupil. Very blurred vision, halos around lights.

What It Could Be: Angle-closure glaucoma.

What to Do: Get immediate care.

Signs & Symptoms: Object or chemical in the eye.

What It Could Be: Eye irritation or injury.

See “Eye Irritations & Injuries” for more information.

Signs & Symptoms: Gradual loss of side vision. Blurred vision. Halos around lights. Poor night vision.

What It Could Be: Open-angle or chronic glaucoma.

See “Glaucoma” for more information.

Signs & Symptoms: Dark or blind spot in center of vision. Blurred or cloudy vision. Straight lines look wavy.

What It Could Be: Macular degeneration.

See “Macular Degeneration” for more information.

Signs & Symptoms: Cloudy, fuzzy, foggy, or filmy vision. Halos around lights. Problems with glare from lamps or the sun.

What It Could Be: Cataract.

See “Cataracts” for more information.

Signs & Symptoms: Pus discharge from the eye; the white of the eye and eyelid are red; crusting of the eyelid in the morning; feeling of sand in the eye

What It Could Be: Conjunctivitis (“Pink Eye”).

See “Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)” for more information.

Signs & Symptoms: Firm lump on eyelid or tender pimple on the edge of the eyelid.

What It Could Be: Stye.

See “Stye” for more information.

Signs & Symptoms: Seeing spots, specks, wavy lines, or streaks of light.

What It Could Be: Floaters and/or flashes.

See “Floaters and/or flashes” for more information.

Signs & Symptoms: Blurred vision when you look at close objects; headaches; eyestrain.

What It Could Be: “Aging Eyes” or presbyopia.

What to Do: Call eye doctor for an appointment and advice.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Canker Sores

Dental & Mouth Concerns

Canker sores are small, round mouth sores in the lining of the mouth or on the tongue, gums, or lips. You can have one canker sore or a group of them.

Signs & Symptoms

* A burning or tingling feeling before the sore appears

* Red-rimmed, shallow sores in the mouth

* Discomfort when you eat and talk

Causes, Risk Factors & Care

Canker sores may be caused by any tear in the mouth’s lining, from an uneven tooth, rough tooth brushing, a burn from a hot drink, etc. Vitamin/mineral deficiencies, emotional stress, and family traits may also trigger canker sores.

Canker sores heal within 1 to 2 weeks. Self-care can help with symptoms and speed up healing. If needed, a mouthwash with tetracycline and/or an oral paste (amelxanox) can be prescribed.

Self-Care / Prevention

To Relieve Pain:

* Mix 1/2 cup salt in 1 cup of warm water. Rinse the mouth with an ounce of this mixture 4 times a day. Don’t swallow the water.

* Put ice on the canker sore or suck on a frozen popsicle.

* Avoid spicy foods and acidic drinks, like citrus juices.

* Use over-the-counter products, like Anbesol, Blistex, and aloe vera gel.

* Swish Mylanta or milk of magnesia around the mouth to coat the sore. Then spit the medicine out.

* Put the gel from a vitamin E capsule on the sore several times a day.

* Take an over-the-counter pain medicine.

Prevention

* Avoid things that irritate the mouth, such as hot drinks and sharp objects.

* Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and a toothpaste without sodium lauryl sulfate. Don’t brush too hard.

* Take a daily vitamin/mineral supplement as advised by your doctor.

Medical Care

Contact Doctor When:

* You have any of these problems with the canker sore:

– Fever and/or swollen glands

– Severe pain

– A sore on the roof of the mouth or white spots in the mouth that do not heal in 1 to 2 weeks

* A canker sore disturbs your sleep or does not allow you to eat.

* A canker sore appears only after you start a new medicine.

* A canker sore has not healed after 3 weeks.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Dental Hygiene

Dental & Mouth Concerns

Taking care of your teeth and gums helps your teeth last a lifetime.

Brush and floss your teeth twice a day. Get a dental exam once or twice a year. If you have not seen a dentist in over a year, schedule a dental exam today.

Dental problems affect more than your teeth and gums. Gum (periodontal) disease and other mouth infections may increase the risk for pneumonia, heart disease, and diabetes.

Let your dentist know if you have tooth pain, red or swollen gums, bad breath that doesn’t go away or any other dental problem.

Change toothbrushes at least every 3 to 4 months; sooner if the bristles are frayed.

Rinse your toothbrush after each use to remove debris and leftover toothpaste. Store toothbrushes upright in a holder far enough apart that bristles don’t touch.

Find out more from the American Dental Association atada.org.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Fatigue & Autoimmune Diseases

Women’s Health

Fatigue is being very tired, weary, and lacking energy. Often, it is a symptom of other health problems.

Signs & Symptoms

* Feeling drained of energy.

* Feeling exhausted.

* Having a very hard time doing normal activities.

* Having low motivation.

* Feeling inadequate.

* Having little desire for sex.

Causes

Causes that need medical care include anemia, depression, heart disease, and chronic fatigue syndrome (the fatigue lasts at least 6 months). Fatigue is also a common symptom of autoimmune diseases. These include diabetes, low thyroid, multiple sclerosis, and lupus (the systemic type).

Other physical causes include lack of leisure activities or lack of sleep; poor diet; side effects from allergies, chemical sensitivities or drug or alcohol addiction; being in hot, humid conditions; and prolonged effects of the flu or a bad cold.

Possible emotional causes are burnout, boredom, and a major life change (e.g., divorce, retirement, etc.).

Treatment

Treatment for fatigue depends on the cause(s). Keep track of any other symptoms that occur with the fatigue. This helps find out both physical and emotional causes.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

If fatigue is due to a medical condition, follow your doctor’s or health care provider’s guidelines for rest, diet, medication, etc.

* Get regular physical activity. Exercise can give you more energy, especially if you sit all day at work. Exercise can calm you, too.

* Cool off. Working or playing in hot weather can drag you down. Rest in a cool, dry place as often as you can. Drink plenty of water.

* Rest and relax. Get a good night’s sleep. Relax during the day if you can, too. Practice deep breathing or meditation.

* Eat well. Eating too much and “crash dieting” are both hard on your body. Don’t skip breakfast. Limit high-fat and/or rich, sugary foods. Eat whole-grain breads and cereals and fruits and vegetables every day. Have 5 to 6 light meals a day, instead of 3 large ones. Take vitamin and mineral supplements, as advised by your doctor.

* Change your routine. Do something interesting each day. If you do too much, plan for some quiet time.

* Lighten your work load. Assign tasks to others when you can. Ask for help when you need it.

* Do something for yourself. Plan time to do things that meet only your needs.

* Avoid too much caffeine and alcohol. Don’t use illegal drugs. These trigger fatigue.

Resources

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome & Fibromyalgia Information Exchange Forum (Co-Cure)

www.co-cure.org

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Gallstones

Abdominal & Urinary Conditions

The gallbladder stores bile. This substance helps digest fats. Gallstones form when bile hardens into pieces of stone-like material. These deposit in the gallbladder or bile ducts (which carry bile to the small intestine). The stones can range in size from less than a pinhead to 3 inches across.

Signs & Symptoms

* Feeling bloated and gassy, especially after eating fried or fatty foods.

* Steady pain in the upper right abdomen lasting 20 minutes to 5 hours.

* Pain between the shoulder blades or in the right shoulder.

* Indigestion. Nausea. Vomiting. Severe abdominal pain with fever. Sometimes a yellow color to the skin and/or the whites of the eyes.

{Note: Gallstone symptoms can be hard to tell apart from heart-related or other serious problems. A doctor should evaluate any new symptoms.}

Gallstones

Causes

* Ethnic background (i.e., Native Americans) and family history of gallstones. Being middle age.

* Obesity. Very rapid weight loss.

* Being female. Having had many pregnancies. Taking estrogen.

* Having diabetes. Having diseases of the small intestine.

Treatment

* A low-fat diet.

* Surgery to remove the gallbladder. This is the most common treatment. You can still digest foods without a gallbladder.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

* Avoid high-fat foods. Don’t eat large meals.

* Get to and stay at a healthy body weight. If you are overweight, lose weight slowly (1 to 1-1/2 pounds per week). Do not follow a rapid weight loss diet unless under strict medical guidance.

* Eat a high fiber, low-fat diet.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026