Author: Colleen Moody

Your efforts to stop smoking are applauded. Quitting is not easy, but it’s the right step toward improving your health. The American Cancer Society (ACS) reports that smoking cessation lowers your risk of developing all cancers caused by smoking, and even adults in their 60s and older benefit from quitting.  You can get help by participating in individual or group counseling, trying nicotine replacement products, and talking to your doctor about medication that may help you quit and reduce withdrawal symptoms. Does Medicare Part D…

Zoloft is a medication that doctors prescribe to treat specific conditions like major depressive disorder, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, social anxiety disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Clinical depression in older adults is not uncommon. According to WebMD, “late-life depression affects about 6 million Americans ages 65 and older.” Depression in older adults Symptoms of depression that older adults present are sometimes misinterpreted as side effects of medications or associated with chronic conditions. Examples include fatigue, sleeplessness, irritability, confusion, low attentiveness, weight or appetite changes, and…

Tetanus is a disease caused by toxic bacteria found in the environment. The toxin usually enters the body through wounds where contaminated dirt, dust or manure can penetrate broken skin. Puncture wounds like stepping on a nail may be the most common way to get tetanus, but the bacteria may also find an entry point of broken skin from insect bites, dental infections, exposed bone and intravenous drug use.  If you have exposure, you may get ill anywhere between three and 21 days later. According to…

Allergic reactions are one of the body’s responses to perceived threats. You can technically be allergic to anything, but for the most part, allergies consist of stimuli involving histamines. These are chemicals that your body produces when white blood cells activate an immune response. Common allergens that result in histamine production include mold and pollen, but some people are also allergic to specific foods. Peanut butter and tree nuts are common food allergens, but shellfish and certain food dyes can also trigger an allergic reaction….

Cancer remains one of the most difficult challenges for modern medicine and the hundreds of thousands of Americans who face the disease. Currently, therapies are in development that show a lot of promise in treating cancer, and traditional treatments like chemotherapy continue to be useful in helping cancer patients improve quality-of-life factors. Unfortunately, as effective as chemotherapy can be in treating cancer, it can come with its own side effects and health risks. Among these risks is the potential for developing severe infections. Because chemotherapy…

Everyone knows that breathing is vital for survival, but you may be surprised to learn just how little oxygen the human body needs to live. Research has shown that humans can survive in environments where the air is only made up of 19% oxygen. Even below this level, the ability to stay alive is still possible. Although this is interesting scientifically, there is a big difference between surviving and thriving. Just because you can live with minimal oxygen does not mean such conditions make for…

Prostate health is something all men have to take seriously as they age. Among other things, the prostate is responsible for producing seminal fluid to move sperm along during ejaculation. The prostate also surrounds the urethra, which is the tubular structure through which urine is passed from the bladder. Over time, the prostate naturally enlarges. In fact, there are two distinct growth periods of prostate enlargement in a man’s life; in his teens as hormones fuel growth and then again in his thirties. This growth…

The inner workings of the human body are incredibly complex, but thankfully, modern medicine offers a number of imaging options to get a better view of the body’s organs and systems. X-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tests can all provide an in-depth view of the body’s interior, but these technologies are limited. If a doctor really wants to get an up-close-and-personal look at what’s happening inside your body, they will perform an endoscopy. What is an endoscopy? An endoscopy is…

If you or someone you are caring for is having trouble getting in and out of bed due to loss of strength, mobility issues, dementia, or other health conditions, having sturdy bed rails to hold onto can provide stability and safety.  On the market today, there are two types of bed rails; those that are attached to hospital beds and portable ones that can be used with most types of beds. If you choose portable rails, you’ll find a variety of styles that are sold…

Millions of people in the United States are currently living with autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, plaque psoriasis, ankylosing spondylitis, and others. Even though there are many different types of autoimmune conditions, they often cause a range of common symptoms that people live with unless they get treatment: Swelling and pain in the joints Skin problems Extreme fatigue Abdominal pain and cramps Problems with digestion Fevers Swollen glands One of the most common FDA-approved biological medical products used to treat certain immune diseases…