Studies on the advantages of the Mediterranean diet have long shown it to be beneficial for heart health, reducing the risk of stroke and even decreasing the risk of diabetes. A new study also shows that following a Mediterranean diet during pregnancy can improve a child’s neurodevelopment. The diet focuses on whole grains, beans, seeds,…
You may know blood pressure and cholesterol play a role in conditions like diabetes and heart disease, among others. But do you know how triglycerides fit in and whether you should have high triglycerides or low triglyceride levels? What are triglycerides? When you eat, your body turns excess calories, alcohol or sugar into triglycerides and…
On the back side of Scottsburg High School’s campus in Southern Indiana, behind the football field, sits a small, purple brick building. There’s no air conditioning, and the sound system barely works. The sounds you can hear are those of a group of boys maneuvering around a wrestling mat, practicing their takedowns and pins. They’re…
Being a little short of breath is normal during pregnancy, especially in the later months. As the body prepares for baby, hormonal shifts, crowded organs and anemia all can contribute to this breathlessness. However, there are some conditions you should be aware of during pregnancy. Here are some more facts to consider: Heart disease (also…
Research from the National Institute of Mental Health suggests that an estimated 5.7 % of American adults experience generalized anxiety disorder at some time in their lives. When comparing the numbers of adults who have experienced anxiety in the past year, there is a higher prevalence in women (2.7%) than in men (1.9%) Research has…
Blurred vision, eye pain, double vision and other eye conditions are common with multiple sclerosis (MS) and are often the first sign of the disease. The most common MS eye symptoms are blurry vision or decreased vision in one eye. This is caused by a condition called optic neuritis, which also can cause a graying…
You need a primary care physician and a gynecologist, because while each can address a broad range of issues, each has specialized experience to make sure you get the right care when you need it. Both can perform basic health assessments, write prescriptions, and provide flu shots or other immunizations. Most insurance plans cover an…
Most people are familiar with the typical way someone shows they are having a heart attack: gasping, clutching their chest and so on. Despite what’s depicted in movies and TV, sometimes chest pain is just chest pain. And sometimes a heart attack has very subtle symptoms. Here are five ways to tell the difference. Millions…
For Brittany Ricks, Thursday, June 8, started just like the previous day. She was preparing for a neighborhood yard sale with family and friends, working in her garage to organize and price items. She was a bit more fatigued than usual and had some aches and pains on the right side of her body, but…
A painless lump on the side of your neck can have many causes. Most commonly, lymph nodes in your neck are apt to swell due to injury or infection. Less commonly, it can be cancer. Lymph nodes, part of the immune system, can swell as white blood cells in the lymphatic fluid attack invasive cells….
Every morning, rain or shine, Hanna Sweeney is out walking in her neighborhood near the University of Louisville. The miles and the time can vary, but the reason for Hanna’s walks is always the same. “I want to have kids someday,” Hanna said, explaining her motivation for daily exercise and a healthy lifestyle. “And I…
A study led by a team of Harvard scientists shows strong evidence that Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is the leading cause of multiple sclerosis (MS), shedding new light on a mystery that has stumped doctors and researchers for decades. MS is an autoimmune disease. The body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the myelin sheaths that surround and…