Americans today are sleeping less (seven hours nightly) compared to nine hours nightly a century ago, according to Harvard Medical School. Sleep deprivation can be complete or partial, based on duration and severity. Complete sleep deprivation occurs when you stay up all night. Partial sleep deprivation happens when you get less sleep than you need for several days (like [...]
Recent studies reported in the AARP Bulletin, offer health numbers to extend life. 2.7: days you should stay home with the flu to reduce risk of infecting co workers. 2: hours of TV daily. Too much tube time increases triglycerides and lowers HDL cholesterol. 7+: ideal daily servings of fruits and veggies. The extra can reduce risk of early [...]
Did you get the flu this season, even though you were vaccinated? As of February 9, the CDC estimated 7.2–8.4 million people sought medical treatment due to flu-like symptoms. First, understand that getting an annual flu shot is strongly recommended and your healthcare professional can determine a best choice You + Health Advocate = Expert Care [...]
Looking for healthy, beautiful skin that is achieved through nourishing your own microbiome? The growing body of evidence shows that maintaining the balance of good and bad bacteria in your skin’s microbiome is how you can not only obtain more beautiful skin, but achieve overall well-being. What is microbiome? [...]
We all know that we feel good when we’re active, eat well, and have enjoyable jobs and social lives. However, we don’t always realize how important good lifestyle choices are for our bodies and brains. Is it possible, for example, to have “stronger” brains that improve our ability to remember [...]
There are two kinds of vein conditions that most of us are aware of. There are “spider” veins that resemble “granddaddy long legs” and may be unappealing to some who have them. They are strictly a cosmetic issue. Varicose veins—which cause discomfort—are the kind that protrude and can look almost like a rope beneath the skin.Dr. Ray Workman, with Novant [...]
What happens in the body that causes aging? Scientists have discovered a fundamental process of aging in our cells that occurs on the strands of our DNA. This discovery, which won the Nobel Prize in medicine in 2009, is important to our everyday life. Why? The reason is we now know the speed of aging can move faster or slower, [...]
By Barbara Nicklas, PhD Question: I would like to start an exercise program, but I just turned 73 and I'm afraid that I'm "too old." Can a man or woman in their 70's really benefit from starting a regular exercise program? Answer: Exciting new research show that it is never too late to start enjoying regular exercise. A recent study [...]
Sleep apnea can be a gateway to heart disease, stroke, and dementia. Julian Parra knew something wasn’t right when he began waking up several times a night gasping for air. He also noticed that he felt unusually tired and sleepy at work and during the day. At age 39, he suspected he might have sleep apnea because his dad has [...]
Todd McDiarmid, MD, holds advanced certification in family medicine and geriatrics. He practices at the Cone Health Family Medicine Center. Our changing memory is a normal part of aging. Just as we have different amounts of reserves in our body that help us cope with aging or illness, we also have different amounts of memory reserves that help us deal [...]
