HealthyLife Articles

Tag: Health Conditions

Fire & Burn Awareness

First Aid

Fires & burns are a leading cause of unintended home injuries & related deaths.

Every home should have at least one fire extinguisher mounted securely and in plain sight.

Install smoke detectors. If you use space heaters, keep them 3 feet away from items that can catch fire. Never smoke in bed.

Loose-fitting clothing can easily catch on fire if it gets too close to burning candles or hot burners.

If your clothes catch on fire, don’t run. Motion fans the flames. STOP where you are. DROP to the ground. ROLL back and forth, again and again, until the flames go out.

To use a fire extinguisher, think of the acronym PASS:

Pull the pin. Aim the nozzle or barrel at the base of the fire, not at the flames. Squeeze the handle. Sweep back and forth at the base of the fire.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Hair Loss

Skin Conditions

Most men have some degree of baldness by age 60. After age 60, 50% of women do.

Signs & Symptoms

* Thinning of hair on the temples and crown.

* Receding hair line.

* Bald spot on back of head.

* Areas of patchy hair loss.

Causes

* Normal aging. Family history of hair loss. Hormonal changes, such as with menopause.

* A side effect of some medicines, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Crash dieting.

* A prolonged or serious illness. Major surgery. Thyroid disease.

* Areata. This causes areas of patchy hair loss. It improves quickly when treated, but can go away within 18 months without treatment.

Treatment

* Medications. These include over-the- counter Rogaine and prescribed ones.

* Hair transplant with surgery.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

* Try the over-the-counter medication, Rogaine.

* Avoid (or don’t use often) hair care practices of bleaching, braiding, cornrowing, dyeing, perming, etc. Avoid hot curling irons and/or hot rollers. Use gentle hair care products.

* Air dry or towel dry your hair. If you use a hairdryer, set it on low.

* Keep your hair cut short. It will look fuller.

* Don’t be taken in by claims for products that promise to cure baldness.

Resources

American Academy of Dermatology

866.503.SKIN (503.7546)

www.aad.org

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (Ibs)

Abdominal & Urinary Conditions

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a problem that mostly affects the bowel (the large intestine) and is not caused by any other bowel disease. It can be painful, does not damage the colon or lead to other health problems.

Signs & Symptoms

* Gas, bloating, pain, or discomfort in the abdomen.

* Chronic diarrhea, constipation (or both).

* Mucus in the stool.

Causes

The cause is not known. A person with IBS has an extra sensitive colon. Muscles in the intestines go into spasm, causing symptoms.

Treatment

Changes in eating habits, stress relief, and medications treat IBS.

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.

Resources

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)

www.niddk.nih.gov

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Near-Drowning

First Aid

Near-drowning is when a person is in danger of drowning. Each year, almost 8,000 people die from drowning. Seventy percent of all near-drowning victims recover; 25% die, and 5% have brain damage.

A toddler can drown in as little as 2 inches of water in a bathtub, sink, etc. Toilet bowls are unsafe, too, if a small child falls into one head-first.

Signs & Symptoms

* A person is in the water with signs of distress. He or she can’t stay above water, swims unevenly, signals for help, etc.

* Blue lips or ears. The skin is cold and pale.

* Bloated abdomen. Vomiting. Choking.

* Confusion. Lethargy.

* The person does not respond or can’t breathe.

Causes

* Not being able to swim. Being in water too deep and too rough for one’s ability to swim.

* Water sport and other accidents. Not following water safety rules. Not wearing a life preserver, etc. Unsupervised swimming.

* Falling through ice while fishing, skating, etc.

* Injury or problems that occur while swimming, boating, etc. Examples are leg or stomach cramps, fatigue, and alcohol or drug use. A heart attack, stroke, seizure, and a marine animal bite or sting may have occurred.

Prevention

For Children

* Never leave an infant or child alone in any type of bathtub. Supervise young children in the bathroom.

* Never leave a child alone near water, swimming pools, etc. Lock gates to keep children from getting near swimming pools.

* Have a phone near outdoor pools, etc.

* Teach children to swim. Tell them not to swim alone and not to swim too far from shore without a lifeguard or other adult swimmer.

* Put a personal floatation device on each child when near the water or on a boat.

* Tell children to check the depth of water before diving in. It should be at least 9 feet deep.

* Do not allow children to go on untested ice.

* Take CPR and water safety courses.

For Adults

* Learn to swim. Never swim alone at the beach or in a swimming pool. A lifeguard or other adult swimmer should be nearby in case you suffer a leg cramp or other problem.

* Wear a personal floatation device when you are on a boat, when you fish, etc.

* Check the depth of the water before diving in. It should be at least 9 feet deep. Never dive into an above-ground pool.

* Do not use a hot tub or jacuzzi if you’ve had any alcoholic drinks. You could fall asleep, slip under the surface, and drown.

* Take CPR and water safety courses.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / First Aid

First Aid for Near-Drowning

* Shout for help! Send someone to call 9-1-1!

* If it is safe and possible, try to reach the person. Use a long pole, rope, life preserver, etc. Then pull him or her to safety.

* Did the person fall through ice? Try a human chain rescue to safely reach the person, but stay as far away from cracked ice as you can.

* If you must swim to the person, be sure you are strong and capable enough. Take a flotation device with you. Approach the person from behind in a calm manner. Grab a piece of the person’s clothing. Or, cup one hand under the person’s chin.

* When getting the person out of the water, support the head and neck. (Suspect a neck injury, especially with diving or water sports.)

* CHECK for a response. Give Rescue Breaths and CPR, as needed. If you suspect a spinal injury, use jaw thrust instead of chin-lift for rescue breaths.

* Once out of the water, keep checking the person for a response. Give first aid, as needed.

* Put the person in the Recovery Position. Immobilize the person as much as possible. If the person is vomiting, clear his or her mouth of it.

* Remove cold, wet clothes. Cover the person with a blanket, etc.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Shingles

Skin Conditions

Shingles (herpes zoster) is a skin condition. It is triggered by the chicken pox virus, which is thought to lie dormant in the spinal cord until later in life. Most often, shingles occurs in people over 50 years old.

Signs & Symptoms

* Pain, itching, or a tingling feeling before a rash appears.

* A rash of painful red blisters. These later crust over. Most often, the rash appears in a band on one side of the body or in a cluster on one side of the face.

* Fever and general weakness can occur.

* The crusts fall off, usually within 3 weeks.

* Pain can persist in the area of the rash. This usually goes away within 1 to 6 months. Chronic pain called postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) can last longer, even for years. The older you are, the greater the chance that this is the case. The recovery time may also take longer.

* Blindness can occur if the eye is affected.

* Most cases of shingles are mild.

Causes

The virus that causes chicken pox – varicella zoster virus (VZV) causes shingles. To get shingles, you must have had chicken pox. You are more likely to get shingles after an illness or taking medicine that lowers the immune system. Stress or trauma can also increase the risk for shingles.

Treatment

If you think you might have shingles, see your doctor right away! He or she can prescribe:

* An oral antiviral medicine. This can make symptoms less severe and help you get better sooner. To help, this medicine needs to be started within 24 to 72 hours after the rash first appears.

* Medicine for pain. This includes over-the-counter pain relievers and capsaicin topical cream. Prescribed medicine may be needed for pain. A skin patch called Lidoderm may be helpful for PHN.

* Other medicines to treat symptoms.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

* A Zoster vaccine may help prevent getting shingles. It can also reduce the pain due to shingles. The vaccine is advised for persons age 60 and older.

* Unless your doctor has prescribed pain medicine, take an over-the-counter one as directed.

* Don’t wear clothing that irritates the skin area where sores are present.

* Keep sores open to the air. Until the blisters are completely crusted over, do not go near children or adults who have not yet had chicken pox. Do not go near persons who have a condition which weakens their immune system. Examples are cancer, HIV/AIDS, and chronic illnesses. They could get chicken pox from exposure to shingles.

* Wash blisters. Don’t scrub them.

* To relieve itching, apply calamine lotion to the affected area. You can also use a paste made of 3 teaspoons of baking soda mixed with 1 teaspoon of water.

* Avoid drafty areas.

* Put a cool compress, such as a cold cloth dipped in ice water, on the blisters. Do this for 20 minutes at a time.

* Drink lots of liquids.

Resources

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)

www.niaid.nih.gov

National Shingles Foundation

212.222.3390

www.vzvfoundation.org

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Put Your Tennis Elbow On Ice

Bone & Muscle Problems

If you’re a tennis player with a hard, single-handed backhand shot, you can end up with a painful condition known as tennis elbow. Pain originates in the outer portion of the elbow and works its way down the forearm. Tennis players who are new to the game or use their forearms instead of the force of their whole bodies to swing the racket are most vulnerable.

Other factors that contribute to the problem include:

* Using a racket that’s too heavy.

* Using a racket that’s too tightly strung.

* Using played out, deflated tennis balls or ones that are wet and heavy.

* Using an improper grip.

* Trying to put spin on the ball with improper wrist action.

* Using poor backhand technique.

Continuing to use the arm aggravates the situation. Even several weeks of rest won’t prevent repeat episodes. The best game plan is to rest, then strengthen your forearm muscles and get coaching to improve your skill level.

To relieve tennis elbow pain:

* Apply ice for the first two or three days.

* Take an over-the-counter medicine to reduce pain and inflammation. Examples are aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen sodium. Take as directed.

If you still have pain after three weeks, see a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.

To prevent repeat bouts of tennis elbow:

* Wait until the pain is gone and your grip strength is normal before resuming play.

* Wear an elastic bandage or counter-force brace around the forearm, as directed.

* To strengthen your forearm muscles, lift small 1- to 2-pound weights by alternately flexing and extending your wrists with the palms facing down and your forearms resting on a flat surface. Start with 10 repetitions and work up to 40, three or four times a week.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
A Bucket Of Ice

MEDICAL NEWS

Have you taken the ice bucket challenge? What do you know about the disease you were raising funds for?

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), sometimes called Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a rapidly progressive, fatal neurological disease that attacks the nerve cells responsible for controlling voluntary muscles.

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, ALS attacks nerve cells that control muscles in the arms, legs, and face. Eventually use of limbs and speech stop. Voluntary movement is lost. And with that comes loss of the ability to breathe.

There is no test to diagnose it. There is no cure. And no one knows who will get it and who does not. Ongoing research is looking for answers.

Lou Gehrig was a baseball legend, the first baseman for the New York Yankees who developed the disease that ended his incredible career and his life.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Decoding Sunscreen Labels

MEDICAL NEWS

You may already know you should wear sunscreen to decrease your risk of skin cancer and sun damage. In fact, the Skin Cancer Foundation says that wearing sunscreen regularly can decrease your chance of getting melanoma (the deadliest skin cancer) by 50 percent. Wearing sunscreen regularly will also help you avoid signs of aging like wrinkles and dark spots.

But the sunscreen aisle at the store leaves many people feeling overwhelmed. There are so many choices, different labels, numbers and ingredients. How do you choose one?

The best sunscreen is one you like, because you should use it every day, says the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). Here’s how to narrow it down and choose the sunscreen that’s right for you:

BROAD SPECTRUM

Always look for the words “broad spectrum.” This means it protects against both kinds of UV rays, and it’s important for proper protection.

SPF

Choose an SPF of at least 30.

SPF NUMBERS

Don’t let high numbers fool you. The Skin Cancer Foundation says higher SPF sunscreens do protect more, but not by much. No matter what the SPF number says, you still need to reapply at least every two hours, and always after toweling off, sweating or swimming.

WATER RESISTANT

If you’re going to be sweating or swimming, choose one that says “water resistant.” There is no such thing as “waterproof” sunscreen. The bottle will say how long the sunscreen will remain water resistant. It may say “40 minutes” or “80 minutes.” That’s how often you need to reapply it when you’ve been in the water.

LIPS

Choose a sunscreen for your lips too. A lip balm with broad spectrum SPF 30 is also important. Skin cancer can – and does – affect the lips.

GELS vs CREAMS

Sunscreen gels are great for oily skin, while creams work well for dry skin.

SENSITIVE SKIN

If you have sensitive skin, consider a physical-only sunscreen. This means the active ingredients on the bottle will only include titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, or both. While chemical sunscreens work well, they can irritate some sensitive-skin types.

PRICE TAG

Expensive doesn’t always mean better. A higher price tag may be due to the brand name or certain extra ingredients that make it feel nicer or smell good. It doesn’t mean it will protect you more than a cheaper bottle.

NO COMBINATION

Don’t choose a combination sunscreen and insect repellant. The AAD says sunscreen should be reapplied liberally every two hours. But insect repellant should only be applied lightly every several hours as needed.

BABIES

Most sunscreens are only approved for babies over 6 months of age. Look for a physical-only sunscreen or one formulated for babies. Babies younger than 6 months should be kept in the shade and covered with lightweight protective clothing and hats, says the American Academy of Pediatrics.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Kidney Stones Hurt

MEDICAL NEWS

Although they can be painful, kidney stones rarely cause permanent damage, and you may be able to prevent them, according to the National Institutes of Health. Back or side pain that won’t go away is the primary symptom of a kidney stone. You may also have pinkish or foul-smelling urine, a fever, or painful urination. Caucasians are more prone to kidney stones than African Americans, and men are more prone than women. Age is also a factor. The chance of getting a kidney stone rises as men enter their 40s and continues to rise into their 70s. For women, the risk peaks in their 50s.

Each day, about 50 gallons of blood flows through your kidneys. The kidneys remove waste products including various minerals and other substances from the blood and transfer them into urine so your body can get rid of these waste products. In people who get stones, certain minerals in the urine combine with other waste products and start to form a stone.

Kidney stones aren’t all the same. The most common type is made of the mineral calcium, combined with either oxalate or phosphate. Less common types of stones are made of uric acid or other chemicals, all of which are naturally found in the body. No one knows why these substances form kidney stones in some people but not in others, since we all have them in our urine.

Most kidney stones eventually pass out of the body during urination. But some can grow large enough to begin blocking the flow of urine. That causes intense pain and may also put you at risk for infection. Most kidney stones that don’t pass on their own are treated in an outpatient setting. The most common procedure is called lithotripsy. Greek for “stone crushing,” this technique uses shock waves to reduce kidney stones into small fragments, which then easily flow away in urine.

If you’ve had more than one kidney stone, you’re at higher risk for forming another. But there are ways to help prevent most types of kidney stones. First, your doctor needs to know what type of stone it is. If you pass a stone, try to catch it in a strainer. A laboratory analysis can help your doctor plan a strategy to prevent more stones. Other tests, which may include urine and blood tests, can help your doctor figure out why you had a kidney stone.

Drinking more water may help prevent kidney stones. Depending on the type of stone you’re at risk for, your doctor may also advise you to avoid certain foods or drinks. For example, people prone to forming calcium oxalate stones should avoid spinach, peanuts, and chocolate. People prone to forming uric acid stones should cut back on meat. Doctors can also prescribe certain medications to help prevent these types of stones.

Stone watch

Call a doctor if you have any of the following signs of a kidney stone:

* Extreme pain in your back or side that won’t go away

* Blood in your urine (it will look pink)

* Fever and chills

* Vomiting

* Urine that smells bad or looks cloudy

* A burning feeling when you urinate

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Got Breakouts? Proven Tips For Clear Skin

SELF-CARE CORNER

Acne can be an emotionally challenging condition for people of almost any age. The American Academy of Dermatology says acne affects up to 50 million people each year.

Fortunately, there are a variety of products that can help you manage acne. If you or your child is dealing with acne, check out some of the most popular options to treat this condition.

Salicylic acid

What it does:Reduces redness and unclogs pores.

Side effects:Minor redness, peeling or stinging.

How to get it:Drugstore acne cleansers, toners, pads and creams. Dermatologists offer higher strength products and peels.

Benzoyl peroxide

What it does:Kills bacteria in the pores that causes acne.

Side effects:Dryness, redness, peeling or stinging. May bleach hair or clothing.

How to get it:Drugstore acne washes, creams and gels. Dermatologists offer products that combine benzoyl peroxide with other ingredients, such as an antibiotic.

Retinoid

What it does:Decreases the buildup of cells within pores.

Side effects:Dryness, redness, peeling and burning that can be severe. Should not be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women or women who may become pregnant.

How to get it:Only available from a dermatologist. Usually used for moderate to severe acne only.

Antibiotics

What it does:Kills acne bacteria on the skin.

Side effects:Dryness and irritation. Some antibiotics can cause antibiotic resistance, especially if not used as directed by a doctor. This means the bacteria is no longer affected by the antibiotic and the medicine will no longer work correctly.

How to get it:Only available from a dermatologist. Some antibiotics are applied to the skin. Others are taken as a pill.

Getting breakouts under control can improve self-confidence and emotional well-being. If drugstore products don’t work for you, ask your doctor about stronger options. If your acne treatment is too drying, try a facial moisturizer labeled “non-comedogenic,” which means it won’t clog pores.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026