Asthma causes the airways to narrow and swell making it difficult to breath. Signs and symptoms of asthma include shortness of breath; chest tightness or pain; wheezing when exhaling; trouble sleeping caused by shortness of breath, coughing, or wheezing; and coughing or wheezing attacks that are worsened by a respiratory infection. Pulmonary experts note that…

To reduce one’s risk for type 2 diabetes, the American Diabetes Association recommends the following: get more physical activity, get plenty of fiber, go for more whole grains, lose extra weight, avoid fad diets, make healthier food choices, and get regular checkups to monitor blood sugar levels, especially if you’re overweight. American Diabetes Association, April…

Microbreaks are short timeouts from work functions that usually involve activities like getting a snack, chatting with co-workers, stretching, or doing a crossword puzzle that can help workers maintain their energy levels and stay productive throughout the day. Journal of Applied Psychology, March 2021

Blood tests collected from 268 brittle hip fracture patients revealed that almost 90% were vitamin D deficient, and half of these individuals were severely deficient. Because vitamin D is important for healthy bones, the findings suggest that improving vitamin D status in the elderly could reduce their risk for serious hip fracture. Orthopedic Surgery, March…

American Bone Health offers the following tips to help you stay on your feet when presented with snowy, icy, or wet surfaces: wear shoes with good traction, dress warm, be careful getting out of your car, don’t rush, pay attention to surfaces, stay alert for black ice, and keep your driveway and walkways clear. American…

The Guadalupe Regional Medical Center offers several small tips for improving one’s health and wellness: schedule a wellness check and stick to it, get yearly eye exams, eat at least one fruit and vegetable at every meal, spend one entire day on you, schedule regular dental exams and cleanings, drink at least two glasses of…

Questionnaires completed by 1,300 middle-age adults revealed that one-in-ten regularly experience poor quality sleep. Risk factors for poor sleep quality include poor diet, excessive stress, chronic back pain, chronic respiratory disease, and depression. Preventative Medicine Reports, December 2020

A non-contrast coronary calcium CT scan is used to help detect calcium deposits in atherosclerotic plaque in the coronary arteries. The greater the buildup of calcium, the higher one’s risk for future cardiovascular events. Doctors recommend this test for patients with the following traits: family or personal history of coronary artery disease; males over age…

New research suggests that women who spend more of their working hours outdoors in the sun have a 17% lower risk for breast cancer after age 50. Occupational & Environmental Medicine, February 2021

Scientists have developed a test called fecal immunochemical test (FIT) that may help identify individuals at risk for developing colorectal cancer by finding traces of blood in stool. An examination of data on 3,890 patients who received the FIT showed that of the 618 who tested positive for blood in their feces, 43 went on…