Health risks are a serious and sometimes lifelong issue for many Americans, but some conditions and diseases affect men more than women. Historically, men have avoided going to the doctor to simply avoid bad news about their health, but this may actually be making their health worse. While a number of people are at risk…
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a condition in which the force of blood through arteries and veins is too great, causing pressure on blood vessels. The condition is serious and needs monitoring under the best of circumstances, but especially in at-risk populations and those women who are pregnant. Pregnancy takes its toll on a…
Hips, shoulders and knees. Between the major bones in your body lies a joint, a mobile connection that is made up of bones, cartilage, and a cavity. They bear your body’s weight and are covered with a layer of cartilage to protect the bones from rubbing against each other when moving. Cartilage ensures that your…
Diabetes is a disease that affects many parts of your body. If you have diabetes, your body goes not make enough insulin or cannot use insulin correctly. Insulin is a hormone, produced by the pancreas, which regulates the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood. High blood sugar levels, especially consistent ones, can do serious…
Most of us know the familiar feeling of an upset stomach, especially after we eat something that doesn’t agree with us. Periods of constipation, indigestion or even diarrhea can seem like a part of our normal lives that we must endure or self-treat until symptoms pass. Usually, they do pass, within a few days. But…
In the last two decades, high blood pressure has been a popular topic of conversation in the healthcare world and beyond. Known as the “silent killer,” high blood pressure can be a symptom of or a predecessor of many diseases and conditions, like heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. The tissues and organs in your body…
Obesity is growing in America. More Americans than ever before are overweight and more than a third of all American adults are obese, defined as having a BMI (Body Mass Index) of 30 or higher. Obesity is a complex health issue, and can result from a combination of many different causes, including personal behavior, genetics,…
Every four and a half minutes, a baby is born in the United States with a birth defect. These defects may affect how the body looks or operates—and range from mild to severe. Some defects are very visible and can be noticed immediately, like cleft palate or Down syndrome. Some must be found using special…
According to the World Health Organization, salt intake has increased dramatically across the globe. Therefore, the prevalence of high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke has increased as well. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends no more than 2,300 milligrams (mgs) a day, but it is hard to know how much salt is actually in…
As a cardiologist, I believe that the heart is the most important organ in our body and my goal is to spread the basic knowledge about heart diseases to our people. Before we discuss common cardiac diseases, it is essential to have basic knowledge about our heart. The heart is a muscular organ located in…
