Warm, bright, sunshiny sunlight. It is essential for so many aspects of our lives — from the water, food and air we need — to the circadian and hormonal rhythms of our bodies —and even our mental health. We need — and we often crave — sunshine. Even our skin, our largest organ, can put […]
The outside joys of spring and summer come with a dark side — or, more accurately, a red and swollen side. If over the course of the fall and winter seasons you’ve forgotten about the obligatory slathering of sunscreen and bug repellant that come along with outdoor time, mother nature will remind you soon enough. […]
“The pain cuts like a knife,” is a common description of the intense pain that often comes with a gallbladder attack. WakeMed Physician Practices general surgeon Dr. Ian Villanueva says the most classic symptoms he sees are ‘sharp or crampy pain under the right ribs and/or the breastbone that occurs 20 minutes or more after […]
Playgrounds are great places for kids to just be kids. However, they can also present hidden dangers if parents aren’t vigilant. In fact, roughly 45 percent of playground-related injuries are due to lack of supervision by adults. Take a look at some of these helpful tips, provided by Safe Kids, and use them to keep your […]
Type 2 diabetes accounts for 90 to 95% of all cases of diabetes — a disease that typically affects those 45 and older. Yet, with alarming speed, more and more children and young adults are being diagnosed. While some cases may be due to heredity, often diagnosis goes hand-in-hand with obesity, sedentarism and unhealthy eating […]
Choosing a primary care provider (PCP) who best fits you and your needs can be a daunting task. You might feel like you have a list of questions and aren’t sure where to begin to find the best answers. Having a good relationship with your provider is important to your health. Building effective communication within […]
These past several months of the COVID-19 pandemic have been tough, and many have been tested mentally, emotionally and even physically. You may have occasional issues with depression, anxiety or fatigue as you try to navigate the many changes brought on by the pandemic. Yet, it’s important to pay attention to your symptoms because while […]
Quitting smoking – or the use of any form of tobacco for that matter – is never easy. For decades, people have tried quitting on their own with minimal success. Fortunately, over the years – researchers have identified new tools and techniques designed to help people quit. This is great news for those who are […]
The first week of December is National Hand Washing Awareness Week. In a year like 2020, when COVID-19 has changed so much of our lives and routines, it might feel like the year of hand washing awareness. But now would be the worst time for us to get complacent. With winter upon us, the spread […]
At a time dominated by the worst pandemic in over 100 years, it’s not hard to compare the current COVID-19 crisis to the 1918 influenza (flu) pandemic. From 1918-1920, a mystery virus swept the world and killed 50,000,000 people before an immunization was created to help fight it. Fast forwarding 100 years to present day, […]
