HealthyLife Articles

Tag: health

What Does Ptsd Look Like?

SUCCESS OVER STRESS

You may have heard of post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, which happens when someone experiences a traumatic event. Many Veterans of the military, soldiers, prisoners of war, and victims of war experience PTSD. But, even those not involved with the military or war can experience PTSD. It can also be caused by:

* Rape, abuse, violent crimes or domestic violence

* Car accidents

* Natural disasters, such as a fire, earthquake or tornado

* Terrorist attacks

* Bullying

* A life-threatening illness, such as cancer

* Loss of a loved one

* Working in dangerous situations, which may include police officers or firefighters

PTSD may happen right after the traumatic event, or it can appear months or years later. Symptoms may include:

* Feeling angry or becoming violent

* Nightmares, flashbacks and/or hallucinations

* Forgetting parts of the traumatic event

* Feeling anxious or jumpy

* Sleep problems

* Avoiding people, places or things that remind the person of the traumatic event

People who have PTSD are often depressed. In some cases, PTSD can lead to abuse of drugs or alcohol. It’s important to see a doctor if you think you may have PTSD. Proper treatment can help a person manage their symptoms. Though PTSD cannot be cured, many people can feel better and lead happier, more productive lives with help from their health care team.

Kids & PTSD

Children can experience PTSD after a traumatic event, just like adults. But, the symptoms may be different than those seen in adults. A child with PTSD may:

* Act confused, agitated, afraid, helpless or angry

* Block the event by avoiding people and places that remind them of the event

* Act depressed, withdrawn or detached from others

* Act out or talk about scary events, especially at playtime

* Become violent and/or prone to extreme temper tantrums

* Be unable to talk

* Be afraid to be left alone

* Have frequent nightmares

If your child has experienced a traumatic event, it’s important to get them medical help as soon as possible. With prompt treatment that usually includes therapy, many children can heal from PTSD and go on to live normal lives.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Easy Ways To Cut Back On Sugar

HEALTHY EATING

Lowering your sugar intake doesn’t have to be a struggle. Here are some tips:

* Keep your favorite fresh fruits ready-to-eat in the fridge or at work. Reach for these when you have a sugar craving.

* Get candy and sweet treats out of the house. Avoid vending machines at work. Out of sight, out of mind.

* Be selective about treats. Allow yourself a slice of grandma’s pumpkin pie if you really want it. Just make it a small piece and an occasional treat, not an everyday habit.

* Drink water with lemon instead of soda, sports drinks, or juice. Or, make your own fruit water by putting your favorite fresh or frozen fruits in a large bottle, and fill the rest with ice water.

* Make a gradual change. Don’t try to cut out all sugar at once. Instead, try cutting a little here, and a little there, to get used to less of it.

* Decrease the sugar in recipes. When cooking or baking, try using about half the sugar you normally would. You may not notice a difference in taste.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
All About Red Blood Cells

MEDICAL NEWS

Blood nourishes every part of the body. Red blood cells are a major component of blood and a key player in how the body receives the oxygen it needs.

What they do

Red blood cells contain a special protein called hemoglobin that carries oxygen from the lungs and delivers it to the organs and tissues. Once a red blood cell drops off oxygen, it picks up carbon dioxide and returns it to the lungs to be exhaled when you breathe out.

Every cell in the body relies on oxygen delivery from red blood cells. To keep a constant supply of healthy red blood cells, the bone marrow produces an impressive 2 million cells every second.

Measuring red blood cells

When you go to the doctor, they often order a complete blood count (CBC) to assess the health of your blood. Several of those values provide information about your red blood cells:

* Red blood cells (RBC) – the number of red blood cells in a specific volume of blood

* Hemoglobin – the amount of hemoglobin (by weight in grams) per the volume in blood (in deciliters)

* Hematocrit – how much of the blood is made up of red blood cells

* MCV – the average size of red blood cells

* MCH – the amount of hemoglobin in each red blood cell

* MCHC – the average amount of hemoglobin in a group of red blood cells

When red blood cells are high

Common causes include:

* Dehydration

* Kidney disease

* Heart disease

* Lung disease

* Smoking (causes scarring of lung tissue)

* Conditions of the bone marrow

What to do:

If your doctor finds your red blood cell values are higher than normal, they may do further testing to identify a cause. Staying well-hydrated keeps your blood cells healthy and in the right concentration.

When red blood cells are low

You may experience fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, and irregular heart rates. Common causes include:

* Anemia

* Malnutrition

* Certain types of cancer

* Kidney disease

* Liver disease

* Certain medications

What to do:

A healthy diet high in iron and other vitamins and minerals is essential for red blood cells. Leafy greens, beans, nuts, seeds, fish, meat, and iron-fortified foods keep blood cells healthy. Your doctor may also recommend supplements or medications.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026