Health Topics
You’ve felt that burning sensation in your chest after eating certain foods, but what if it’s more than just heartburn you’re experiencing? Heartburn and a heart attack may feel very much alike and it is important to know when to seek help. In fact, severe heartburn accounts for more than half of people seen in the ER in which actual heart problems are ruled out.
Influenza is a respiratory infection caused by a contagious virus that comes on rather suddenly with fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, or a headache. A cold is also a contagious virus that attacks the nose and throat, causing inflammation and mucous.
What is Atrial fibrillation and How is it Treated?
Atrial fibrillation, or Afib, is the most common heart rhythm condition in the United States. An estimated three million people in the U.S. and 20 million worldwide are affected by Afib and its prevalence is projected to increase significantly as the population ages. Afib causes the upper chambers of the heart, or atria, to beat rapidly and in an uncontrolled manner. This irregular beating of the heart affects blood flow and some patients experience a "fluttering" feeling in the chest. The condition can have a significant negative impact on an individual's quality of life in terms of physical, psychological, emotional, and social functioning.
The Connection between Mind and Body
According to the American Psychological Association, approximately 45 million people had a mental illness within the past year. To break that down further, up to one in four, or 25 percent, of adults suffer from a mental illness at any given time. We all know someone who battle the symptoms of a variety of illnesses, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. Mental health symptoms alone can be debilitating and major depressive disorder is the leading cause of disability for younger adults (ages 15-44).
Overloaded Backpacks Awarded Failing Grades
While a backpack is still one of the best ways to tote homework, an overloaded or improperly worn backpack will get a failing grade.
Worn correctly and not overloaded, a backpack is supported by some of the strongest muscles in the body: the back and abdominal muscles. They work together to stabilize the trunk and hold the body in proper postural alignment.
Specialized neonatal care provided to newborns in need
What is a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)?
The birth of a baby is an exciting time. Every expectant parent has visions of a healthy bouncing baby, but in reality some newborns need specialized care when they enter this world. For these precious infants there is a dedicated location in some hospitals ready to provide the expert care they need – it’s a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Every year between 10 and 15 percent of babies born in the United States will end up in a NICU for reasons such as being born premature (born prior to 37 weeks gestation), birth defects, heart problems, breathing irregularities, infections, and other health complications.
Tired drivers cause an estimated 72,000 police-reported crashes a year according to The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). They estimated that about four percent of adult drivers have fallen asleep while driving in the past month. Drowsy driving happens when one hasn’t slept well, enough, or not at all. Untreated sleep disorders such as insomnia, sleep apnea, and narcolepsy can cause drowsy driving. Drowsiness slows reaction time, impairs judgment and vision, and interferes with information processing and short term memory.
School and sports are right around the corner. Sports physicals are an important part of returning to school. Anyone participating in school activities usually needs a pre-participation clearance from a licensed medical professional. Sports physicals, also called pre-participation physicals, are intended to identify those individuals who may be at risk for underlying health problems, especially heart problems. The most common identifiable cause of sudden death on the playing field is called cardiomyopathy.