HealthyLife Articles

Tag: Health Conditions

Hernias

Abdominal & Urinary Conditions

A hernia occurs when body tissue “bulges” through a weak area or hole in a muscle. Often, this happens in the wall of the abdomen.

Signs & Symptoms

* A bulge in the skin. The bulge may be more easy to see when you cough, lift, or strain, or when you lie flat on your back. The bulge may feel soft.

* Mild pain or discomfort at the hernia site. The pain may only be felt when you strain, lift, or cough. The pain can be extreme when the hernia bulges out and can’t be pushed back in.

* For an inguinal hernia, weakness, pressure, burning, or pain in the groin area. A lump in the groin near the thigh may be seen when standing.

* Swelling of the scrotum.

Causes

A weakness in the wall of the abdomen is often the cause. Some persons are born with this problem. Hernias can run in families. Other causes include:

* Lifting heavy objects. Heavy coughing.

* Obesity.

* Straining to pass stool.

* Abdominal surgery.

* Being male or elderly.

Treatment

Treatment depends on the type and symptoms. Some hernias can be put back into the body. Others may need treatment with surgery.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

* Don’t smoke. If you smoke, quit. Avoid secondhand smoke.

* Maintain a healthy diet. Lose weight if you are overweight.

* Avoid constipation. Don’t strain to pass stool.

* Exercise to keep abdominal muscles strong. Follow your doctor’s advice.

* When you do sit ups, keep your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor.

* Follow proper lifting techniques.

* Wear a weight lifting belt to support the back when lifting.

* Wear a truss. This is a device that holds a hernia in place.

* For mild pain, take an over-the-counter medicine for pain. If even mild pain lasts longer than a week, see your doctor.

Common Hernias Include

* Hiatal hernia.

* Inguinal hernia. A part of the intestine bulges through a muscle near the groin or scrotum.

* Incisional hernia. This is a bulge through a muscle at the site of a past surgical scar.

* Femoral hernia. This is a bulge in the top front of a thigh. It is most common in obese women.

* Ventral hernia. This is a bulge in the middle of the abdomen, usually near the navel.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Leg Pain & Ankle Pain

Bone & Muscle Problems

Pain in the legs or ankles can range from mild to severe. The type and amount of pain depends on the cause.

For Pain, in General

* Take an over-the-counter medicine for pain as directed on the label. If the pain is not better after a few doses, call your doctor.

* Use a heating pad (set on low), a hot pack, or a moist, warm towel on the area of pain. If the pain is due to an injury, don’t use heat for 48 hours. Use R.I.C.E.

To Help Prevent Leg Pain & Ankle Pain

* Get to and stay at a healthy weight.

* Get regular exercise. This helps to keep ankle and leg muscles strong.

* Before you exercise, stretch and warm up your muscles. When you are done, cool them down.

* Protect your knees. Use knee pads when you garden or kneel. Always land on bent knees when jumping. Avoid deep knee bend exercises.

* Don’t wear high-heeled shoes. Keep your shoes in proper shape.

* Take good care of your feet.

R.I.C.E.

* Rest the injured area for 24 to 48 hours.

* Ice the area as soon as possible. Keep doing this for 10 minutes every 2 hours for the first 48 hours. Use an ice pack, ice in a heavy plastic bag with a little water, a bag of frozen vegetables, etc. Put a thin towel between the ice pack and the skin.

* Compress the area. Wrap with an elastic bandage. Do not cut off circulation. Remove the bandage every 3 to 4 hours, for 15 to 20 minutes each time.

* Elevate the area above heart level, if possible. Place it on a pillow, folded blanket, stack of newspapers, etc.

Baker’s Cyst

Signs & Symptoms

Painless or painful swelling behind the knee. May feel like a water-filled balloon.

What to Do

Call doctor.

Broken Bone or Dislocation

Signs & Symptoms

Any of the signs that follow occur after a leg or ankle injury. A bone sticks out or bones in the injured limb make a grating sound. The injured limb looks deformed, crooked, or the wrong shape. You lose feeling in the injured limb. The skin under the affected injured area is cold and blue. The limb is very painful and/or swollen or you can’t bear weight on the limb or move it.

Bursitis

Signs & Symptoms

Pain and swelling around a knee or hip joint. The pain gets worse with movement. Fever (maybe).

What to Do

See doctor.

Deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) with or without a blood clot to the lung

Signs & Symptoms

Pain, redness (may have shades of red, purple, and blue), or swelling in one ankle or leg. May be followed by severe shortness of breath that came on all of a sudden. May include coughing up blood or pink-frothy sputum. Chest pain.

What to Do

Get medical care fast!

Flu

Signs & Symptoms

Aches in leg muscles and joints with fever and/or chills. Headache. Dry cough. Sore throat. Fatigue.

Gout

Signs & Symptoms

Sudden, severe pain in a toe, knee, or ankle joint. The pain can be felt even when clothing is rubbed against the joint. The joint area is swollen, red, or purplish in color. It also feels warm, and is very tender to the touch.

What to Do

See doctor.

Heart Failure

Signs & Symptoms

Swelling of both ankles at the same time. Shortness of breath. May have a dry cough or a cough with pink, frothy mucus.

What to Do

Get medical care fast!

Infection. Could also be Cellulitis.

Signs & Symptoms

Pain with fever, redness, tenderness, warmth and pus at a wound site. A red streak up the leg (rarely).

What to Do

See doctor.

Leg Cramp

Signs & Symptoms

Sudden, sharp, tightening pain in the leg, often the calf. The muscle feels hard to the touch. The pain subsides after a minute or so and the muscle relaxes.

Self-Care

* Walk on the leg.

* Shake the leg and then elevate it.

* Sit with your leg flat on the floor. Flex your foot upward, then toward your knee. Reach for your toes and pull them toward your knee. This stretches the calf muscles.

* Have someone massage the cramped muscle gently, but firmly.

* Apply a heating pad (set on low), a hot pack, or moist, warm towel to the muscle cramp.

* Rub the muscle that is cramping. Rub upward from the ankle toward the heart.

(Note: Do not rub a leg if you suspect phlebitis or thrombosis.)

To Prevent Leg Cramps

* Get good sources of calcium, potassium, and magnesium. See lists at left. Take calcium, potassium, and magnesium as advised by your doctor.

* Drink plenty of water and other fluids. Limit drinks with caffeine. Avoid drinks with alcohol. Doing these things can help prevent dehydration which could cause leg cramps.

* Warm up your muscles before you exercise. Cool down your muscles when you are done.

* With your doctor’s okay, wear elastic stockings while you are awake.

* Another way to stretch your calf muscles is to ride a stationary bicycle for a few minutes.

* Take a warm bath before bedtime.

* Sleep with loose-fitting blankets and night clothes. Keep your legs warm.

* If you have severe leg cramps or get them often, tell your doctor. Ask if any medication you take could cause your leg cramps. Ask for ways to treat your leg cramps.

* Before you go to bed, stretch your calf muscles. Here’s one way to do this:

– Stand an arm’s length away from a wall. Lean against it with the palms of your hands.

– Bend your left knee. Keep your right leg straight behind you. Keep both feet flat on the floor and your back straight.

– Lean forward. Feel your right calf muscle stretch. Hold the stretch as you count to 10 slowly.

– Repeat, switching leg positions.

Lyme Disease

Signs & Symptoms

Muscle or joint pain and chronic swelling of the knee joints. These problems develop months or years after a deer-tick bite and a bulls-eye red rash with pale centers.

What to Do

See doctor.

Osteoarthritis

Signs & Symptoms

Pain, stiffness, and sometimes swelling of the knee or ankle joints. Often, the joint has gotten tender over months or years and may look enlarged or deformed.

Osteoporosis

Signs & Symptoms

Leg or ankle pain with gradual loss of height; stooped posture; backache; and/or past bone fractures, especially in the wrists and hips.

Paget’s Disease

This is a bone disorder that progresses slowly. Most persons with this disease do not develop symptoms.

Signs & Symptoms

Leg pain that radiates from the lower back. Pain or stiffness in the knees. Bowing of the legs or other bone deformity. Unexplained bone fractures. May have headache, dizziness, hearing loss, and/or ringing in the ears.

What to Do

See doctor.

Self-Care / Prevention

* If needed, take an over-the-counter medicine for pain as directed on the label.

* Take other medicines as prescribed by your doctor.

* Get regular checkups to detect hearing loss.

Peripheral Vascular Disease

Signs & Symptoms

Sudden and severe pain in a leg that is not relieved with rest.

What to Do

Get medical care fast!

Signs & Symptoms

Muscle pain in one or both legs. Fatigue in the thighs, calves, and feet. This improves with rest. Open sores on the lower leg, ankles, or toes. Weak or no pulse in the affected limb. Cold or numb feet. Pale, bluish-colored toes.

What to Do

See doctor.

Sciatica

Signs & Symptoms

Sharp pain from the buttocks down the leg. Numbness and tingling in the leg.

Sprain, Strain, or Sport Injury

Signs & Symptoms

Pain in the leg or ankle after an injury that does not keep you from moving the limb.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Signs & Symptoms

Pain, stiffness, and swelling, usually in both knees or ankle joints. The joint looks deformed. Weakness and fatigue. Dry mouth and dry, painful eyes.

Varicose Veins

Signs & Symptoms

Pain or itching in the legs with swollen and twisted veins that look blue and are close to the surface of the skin. The veins bulge and feel heavy. Swelling in the legs and ankles.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Repetitive Motion Injuries

Bone & Muscle Problems

Repetitive motion injuries (RMIs) are also called repetitive strain injuries (RSIs). They result from doing the same activity over and over for a long period of time. This can be at work, at home, during sports, and/or with hobbies.

Signs & Symptoms

Signs and symptoms depend on the injury.

For Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)

* Thumb, index, middle, and ring fingers feel numb.

* Tingling feeling in the hand(s).

* Pain is felt in the thumb and fingers. The pain may be worse at night. It can wake you up.

* Pain starts in the hand and spreads to the arm. The pain can even travel to the shoulder.

* The fingers swell. It feels like your fingers are swollen. Your hands feel weak in the morning.

* You have trouble holding on to things. You drop things.

* You have a hard time writing with a pencil or pen, opening a jar, buttoning a blouse, etc.

Causes

In general, RMIs are caused by repeated movements that involve:

* Drilling or hammering.

* Lifting.

* Pushing or pulling.

* Squeezing.

* Twisting.

* Wrist, finger, and hand movements.

For Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)

Repeated motions, typing vibrations, etc. cause swelling of the tendons inside the carpal tunnel. This is the narrow tunnel in the wrist. The swelling puts pressure on the nearby nerves.

Treatment

For Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)

This is easier to treat and less likely to cause future problems if it is found early. Women are more likely to get CTS than men, because their carpal tunnel is usually smaller. Once diagnosed, CTS can be treated with:

* Preventing further damage.

* Wearing a wrist brace, splint, etc. as advised. It may need to be worn while you sleep and during the day.

* Over-the- counter medicines to reduce pain and swelling. Examples are aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen sodium.

* Physical therapy.

* Occupational therapy.

* Cortisone shots in the wrist area.

* Surgery, if needed.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

For Preventing Wrist and Hand Injuries

Whenever your hands and wrists do the same activity time and again, you increase your risk for CTS and tendinitis. Change how you do a task and you may avoid some of these injuries.

* Do not hold an object in the same position for a long time. Even simple tasks, such as hammering nails, can cause injury when done over a period of time.

* Give your hands a break. Rest them for a few minutes each hour.

* Lift objects with your whole hand or with both hands. Gripping or lifting with the thumb and index finger puts stress on your wrist.

* If your line of work causes pain in your hands and wrists, alternate the stressful tasks with other work.

* Exercise your hands and wrists as often as you can. Here are two examples:

– Place your hands in front of you. Spread your fingers as far apart as possible. Hold for 5 seconds. Relax. Repeat 5 times with each hand.

– Turn your wrists in a circle, palms up and then palms down. Relax your fingers and keep your elbows still. Repeat 5 times.

For Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

* Lose weight. CTS is linked to obesity.

* Take an over-the-counter medicine to reduce the pain and swelling as directed.

* Use a wrist splint. Many drug and medical supply stores carry splints that keep the wrist angled slightly back with the thumb parallel to the forearm. This position helps to keep the carpal tunnel open.

Other Tips

* Keep your head upright and your ears, shoulders, and hips in a straight line.

* Keep your work within reach without having to stretch or strain your arms, shoulders, or back. Don’t stretch to reach items on an assembly line. Wait for the items to reach you.

* Change positions or tasks often. This avoids repeated stress on a single body part.

* Use the proper tools for the job. Use tools made to reduce vibration and/or pressure, if needed.

Resources

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)

877.22.NIAMS (226.4267)

www.niams.nih.gov

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Stye

Eye Conditions

A stye is an infection in a tiny gland of the eyelid.

Signs & Symptoms

* Red, painful bump or sore on an eyelid.

* Watery or tearing eye that burns and itches.

* The red bump may form a head and appears yellow if it contains pus. This usually drains on its own within days.

Causes

Sties form from clogged oil glands at the base of an eyelash.

Treatment

Most sties respond well to self-care and don’t need further treatment.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

* Wash your hands often.

* Don’t touch your eyes with your fingers. Use a tissue instead.

* Use clean washcloths and towels each time you wash your face.

* Don’t share washcloths, towels, makeup, or eye drops with others.

* Don’t expose your eyes to excessive dust or dirt.

To Relieve the Discomfort of a Stye

* Apply warm (not hot), wet compresses to the affected area 3 to 4 times a day for 5 to 10 minutes at a time. Use a clean washcloth each time.

* Don’t poke or squeeze the stye. A more serious infection could occur.

* If the stye drains on its own, gently wash the pus away with a clean, wet cloth.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
When To Consider Crowns

Dental & Mouth Concerns

Crowns can restore teeth that are broken, chipped, missing, or damaged by decay or disease. A crown is a tooth-shaped porcelain cap that fits over the natural tooth. Crowns improve your appearance, but they also protect your teeth and prolong their useful life.

Ask your dentist about crowns if you have any of the following dental problems.

* Badly decayed and damaged teeth.

* Stained, chipped, or cracked teeth.

* Noticeable spaces or gaps between teeth.

* Teeth loosened by periodontal (gum) disease.

* Teeth that have undergone root canal therapy.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Calming An Irritable Bowel

SELF-CARE CORNER

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disorder of the digestive system. Experts believe that IBS happens when there is a problem with how the brain and the gut work together. IBS can have bothersome symptoms like stomach pain, diarrhea and constipation. But, IBS does not damage the digestive tract like the effects of ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease.

Millions of people in the U.S. have IBS. And some people have severe symptoms that require medication or other medical care. IBS should be diagnosed by a doctor to ensure your symptoms are not caused by other diseases.

Fortunately, mild to moderate symptoms of IBS can often be improved with some self-care and lifestyle changes.

Foods to skip

Some foods are known to cause more cramping and diarrhea. People with IBS may wish to avoid these foods, which include:

* Fried foods or high-fat meals

* Artificial sweeteners

* Caffeine, such as coffee or tea

* Alcohol

You should also avoid eating large meals.

Keep a food diary

It may be a good idea to keep a food diary to identify other problem foods and eating habits, especially during flare-ups.

Feel fiber-fabulous

Fiber is one of the most effective ways to help calm an irritable bowel. Fiber can improve constipation because it softens stool and makes it easier to pass. And, it may help “bulk up” stool to reduce diarrhea.

The 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans says that adults should be eating 22 to 34 grams of fiber per day. Soluble fiber may be the best choice for those with IBS.

Good sources of soluble fiber include:

* Oats

* Nuts

* Lentils

* Beans

* Fruits & Vegetables

If you’re not used to eating fiber, don’t eat too much at first. This could lead to gas, bloating, and more IBS symptoms. Gradually increase the amount of fiber you eat by 2 to 3 grams per day until you’re eating the recommended amount. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids to absorb the extra fiber.

Get better sleep

Sleep helps the body restore itself, and poor sleep may aggravate IBS symptoms. Help your body rest by practicing good sleep hygiene. You can do this by:

* Shutting off computers, smart phones and other screens two hours before bedtime

* Going to bed and getting up at the same time every day

* Avoiding alcohol and heavy meals in the evening

* Not smoking

* Getting regular exercise (even light exercise can help you sleep better)

* Avoiding naps if you have trouble sleeping at night

Get help from your doctor

If these self-care steps don’t help, it may be time to talk to your doctor about other solutions. Some people find success by avoiding gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, rye, oats and many other foods.

A low-FODMAP diet may also be helpful. FODMAPS are carbohydrates that can be harder for the intestines to digest. Avoiding these foods helps some people with IBS. Ask your doctor before you begin any diet that eliminates certain foods.

Sources: International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Sleep Foundation

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Hard To Pronounce, Painful Foot Pain

SELF-CARE CORNER

Ouch! That heel pain you feel when you first get up in the morning has a name.

Plantar fasciitis(PLAN-ter fash-ee-EYE-tus). An inflammation of the fibrous band of tissue that connects your heel bone to the base of your toes along the bottom of your foot. The condition usually starts with pain the morning after a day of increased physical activity. You may not remember a specific injury.

Ice the sore area for 20 minutes two times a day, after dinner and before bedtime, to relieve symptoms. Ask your doctor about taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory pain relievers, suggest experts at the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society.

Stretching the plantar fascia with these exercises (www.aofas.org/footcaremd/conditions/ailments-of-the-heel/Pages/Plantar-Fasciitis.aspx) is the best treatment after the initial inflammation has gone down.

For longer-term problems and pain that won’t go away, some injections are available, and shock wave therapy is an option. Surgery may be a final solution.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Pop The Cork, Not Your Eye

WELL-BEING

Americans will consume more than a billion glasses of champagne during holiday and New Year celebrations. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the careless handling of champagne is one of the most common causes for holiday-related eye injuries. These injuries are often caused by improperly opening the bottle, as a champagne cork is just less than 90 pounds of pressure-3 times the pressure inside a car tire.

The Korbel Champagne authorities offer this advice:

* The recommended way to properly open a bottle is to ease the cork out slowly, with the sound of a gentle sigh-not a pop, which wastes champagne.

* Make sure your champagne is chilled and unshaken. Chill the bottle for at least 4 hours in the refrigerator (a warm bottle is more likely to pop).

* Remove the foil cap covering the top of the bottle, exposing a wire hood.

* Undo the wire hood with 6 half-turns of the knob.

* Hold the bottle at a 45-degree angle while holding the cork firmly with one hand and the base of the bottle with the other. Be sure to point the bottle away from your guests.

* Do not twist the cork. Rather, turn the bottle slowly while letting the cork glide out gently, emitting a gentle sigh.

* In the did-you-know department: There are more than 50 million bubbles in a standard bottle of champagne.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Take These Small Steps To Manage Diabetes

MEDICAL NEWS

Nearly 26 million Americans have diabetes, and more than a quarter of them do not know it. Left untreated, diabetes can lead to serious problems such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness, and loss of limbs.

An estimated 79 million adults have pre-diabetes, a condition that places them at increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

Even if you know what to do to improve your health, figuring out how to do it and fitting it into your daily routine can be a big challenge. Making changes in how you care for your health is a matter of trying and learning.

The National Diabetes Education Program suggests you make a plan and take small, but important steps to help you reach your goal:

* Think about what is important to you and your health.

* What changes are you willing and able to make (such as testing your blood glucose, exercising, planning diabetes-friendly meals and snacks)?

* Decide what steps will help you reach your health goals (such as talking with your doctor about your blood glucose goal, taking a tour of the grocery store with a diabetes educator, learning how to make healthier meals).

* Choose one goal to work on first. Start this week. Pick one change you can start to make right now.

* Don’t give up. It’s common to run into some problems along the way. If things don’t go as planned, think about other ways to reach your goal.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Why Memories Change

MEDICAL NEWS

Memory is like the old telephone game, according to researchers at Northwestern University School of Medicine. You remember when kids took turns whispering a message into the ear of the next person in line? By the time the last person spoke it out loud, the message had radically changed. It’s been altered with each retelling.

Every time you remember an event from the past, your brain networks change in ways that can alter the later recall of the event. Thus, the next time you remember it, you might recall not the original event but what you remembered the previous time. The Northwestern study is the first to show this.

“A memory is not simply an image produced by time traveling back to the original event-it can be an image that is somewhat distorted because of the prior times you remembered it,” said Donna Bridge, lead author of the study published in the Journal of Neuroscience. “Your memory of an event can grow less precise even to the point of being totally false with each retrieval.”

The reason for the distortion, Bridge said, is the fact that human memories are always adapting. Take note, lawyers and eyewitnesses.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026