Sleep problems tend to go with asthma; patients and doctors alike have known this for some time. New research, however, suggests that poor sleep habits can actually increase the risk of developing asthma. A large-scale, long-term study examined sleep habits and genetic vulnerability to asthma. Researchers followed 455,405 individuals with high, medium, or low genetic […]
Clarifying Health Effects of Moderate Alcohol Consumption
One of the challenging facts about alcohol consumption is that observational studies find moderate drinkers live longer than heavy drinkers — and also live longer than people who abstain completely. One possible conclusion was that moderate consumption of alcohol is good for us. Is that true? Another explanation Recent research has noted that studies of […]
Understanding Lupus
Lupus, also known as Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects various organs and tissues in the body. An estimated 1.5 million Americans have SLE. Women are affected by this disease nine times as often as men. What is lupus? Lupus occurs when the immune system attacks healthy tissue, mistaking it for […]
Create an Asthma-friendly Environment
Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease in which the airways become inflamed, making it hard to breathe. Asthma care can involve a variety of treatments and approaches to managing your condition. Sometimes it is possible to make changes in the environment that help make life easier for people with asthma. Make it a smoke-free zone […]
Understanding Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is a viral infection that affects the liver. It is caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV) and is transmitted through contact with infected blood. Hepatitis C is a major public health concern, with an estimated 71 million people living with chronic HCV infection worldwide. What is Hepatitis C? The hepatitis C virus […]
Kettlebell Workout Benefits
Kettlebells have gained a lot of attention recently, but they’ve been around in various forms and materials since ancient times, showing up in art and archaeological sites in Turkey, Japan, Greece, Rome, Scotland, and Russia, among other places. Kettlebells are versatile pieces of equipment that can be used for strength training, cardio workouts, and even […]
Ulcers and Anemia
Stomach ulcers can lead to stomach pain. They can also lead to anemia — even if you don’t experience pain. Ulcers and anemia may seem like a surprising pair, but if you have iron deficiency anemia and you’re not sure why, an ulcer might be the culprit. What Causes Stomach Ulcers? What’s the connection between […]
Rheumatic Disease and Activity
A study of rheumatic disease and activity surveyed data on more than 3,300 older adults with rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloarthritis, osteoarthritis, and lupus. They found that those who exercised regularly felt better, with less pain and fatigue, better sleep, and less depression. The researchers concluded that the standard advice to get 150 minutes a week of […]
Sugar and Sleep
Little children take a bottle of juice to bed. Teens finish off their day with a glass of soda. Adults indulge in a dish of ice cream before bed or a sweet cocktail at a late-night party. These are common habits…but do they interfere with sleep? The sleep-wake cycle To understand how sugar affects sleep, […]
Understanding Crohn’s Disease
Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that affects the digestive tract. The condition is characterized by inflammation of the lining of the digestive tract, which can lead to a variety of symptoms, including abdominal pain, diarrhea, and weight loss. Crohn’s disease can affect any part of the digestive tract, from the mouth […]