The Facts on Hypertension

Blood pressure is defined as the pressure exerted by blood circulating on the walls of the blood vessels, and it is one of the common vital signs. Our hearts pump blood through our arteries and throughout our body. It is when people develop high blood pressure (hypertension) that problems can arise.

A normal blood pressure range is considered less than 120/80. People at risk for hypertension are considered to have pre-hypertension, which is blood pressure ranging 120-139/80-89. Anything higher is considered hypertension. Stage 1 high blood pressure ranges from 140-159/90-99 and Stage 2 high blood pressure is anything 160 and above/100 and above.

The Facts About Anxiety

Anxiety has been around since the beginning of human civilization. However, it was not until recently that so much focus has been put on it. Anxiety is generally characterized by an overwhelming feeling of fear, nervousness and worry. For some anxiety comes and goes; for others it can be a debilitating condition affecting almost every aspect of life. Anxiety before taking a test or a big interview is normal; everyone experiences this kind of worry. It is when the anxiety won’t leave even when you’re at home when it becomes a problem. Anxiety can manifest itself in many different forms.

Beware: It’s Not Too Late to Catch the Flu

According to the CDC, flu season is officially under way, marked by three consecutive weeks in a row that at least 10% of patients tested positive for the flu at the doctor, with flu virus reports from all 50 states.

Scientists Say Ginkgo May Improve Memory Functions

New research shows that the herb, ginkgo biloba, may improve human performance on tasks requiring short-term memory.1 These findings are detailed in a study from Australian and British scientists. The study participants were given a ginkgo extract for fourteen days and showed improvements in memory-related functions, according to the results. These functions included working memory [...]

What Are Cavities?

Dental cavities are one of the most frequent ailments, aside from the common cold, that almost everyone will have to deal with. Dental cavities, or tooth decay as it’s commonly known, usually affects children and young adults. However, everyone is susceptible.

Spring into Allergy Season

Spring is a welcome time of year for many; trees start to bloom and the snow starts to melt. However, with the beauty come troublesome seasonal allergies. In fact, each year around 35 million people fall victim to hay fever, or allergic rhinitis, as it’s medically known.

Get Control of Overeating

If you have a hard time resisting sugar, fat and salt, you’re not alone – and the food industry may be partly to blame. Dr. David Kessler, former head of the FDA, recently released a new book, The End of Overeating – Taking Control of the Insatiable American Appetite, which offers an inside look at the commercial food industry.

Allergy-Prone? Foods to Avoid

Spring weather has hit parts of the US already, and if you’re sensitive to pollen and other allergens, your eyes and sinuses may already be feeling the change in season and responding with unpleasant watering, itching, and sneezing. However, for people sensitive to food allergies, “season” could be any time you indulge in certain foods.

Do Babies Need Healthy Fat for Intelligence?

The intelligence level of a child may be determined by the nutrients that he or she ingests early in life, according to a study published in the journal, Child Development. In the three-part study, scientists determined that baby formula containing essential fatty acids may improve a child’s ability to solve certain problems. The results show that 229 infants from Texas were randomly given either regular baby formula or baby formula containing two fatty acids: docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (ARA).

Childhood Obesity Reaches New Problems in the Classroom & Beyond

With rates of childhood obesity steadily on the rise, pediatricians are now saying once-standard growth charts are no longer applicable. Approximately 17% of youths are obese, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.