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Don’t let misinformation make waves. Knowing the facts about breast health can help keep you afloat in a sea of information. Myth: Only women have to worry about breast cancer. Fact: Though breast cancer is less common in men, it is more likely to be fatal. The CDC reported 2,300 new cases of male breast cancer in 2017. Myth: You can find all lumps with a self-exam. Fact: Breast cancer doesn’t always cause lumps, and if bumps do develop, it could mean cancer has spread to your lymph nodes. While y...
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Most spring allergies are caused by pollen. Though pollen is harmless, your body can mistake it for a threat and release histamines. In an attempt to repel the “invader,” histamines cause your eyes, nose and throat to swell, itch and produce mucus. Even if you know all about pollen, you may not know the best ways to combat it. Avoid these common spring allergy mistakes that can prolong suffering or even make symptoms worse. Mistake No. 1: Waiting too long to medicate. For best results, allergy medicine ...
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There’s both good and bad news in the United Health Foundation’s annual report. Unfortunately, millions of Americans live with chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes and cancer. We’ve also reached a new national high. Obesity increased 15% between 2011 and 2019 and now affects more than 70.4 million adults. But the good news is that many of our health problems are preventable or treatable. The percentage of adults with three or more chronic conditions declined between 2018 and 2019. More people...
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According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, there was enough wheat flour in 2019 for each American citizen to consume 131.1 pounds each. But in a world where we’re concerned about gluten and brown grains versus white grains, are the modern forms of these foods better? Modern grains, like wheat, corn and rice, have been processed, hybridized and genetically modified. Don’t be concerned about the name—ancient grains aren’t foods that have stayed in your pantry too long. Instead, the name is a marketi...
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Everyone feels angry, irritated, nervous or sad sometimes. Generally, a reaction to a stressor in your life—like a major deadline at work—shouldn’t be cause for concern. Those feelings pass as soon as the project is over. But what if those emotions linger past that date, or maybe for no reason at all? It might indicate you are battling a treatable mental illness. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) reports: 19% of U.S. adults had any anxiety disorder in the past year Anxiety disorder is more common ...
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You’re going about your day, working, exercising or spending time with family, when all of a sudden you feel a sharp, stabbing pain in your abdomen. You’ve been nauseated and haven’t had much of an appetite all day. If you’ve ever felt this way, don’t just dismiss it as something simple as overeating.These are all signs that you have appendicitis or inflammation of the appendix. Appendicitis occurs due to infection, parasites or when the tube that joins your large intestine and appendix is blocked by tr...
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In February, we often think about Valentine’s, love, and our feelings about our partners, siblings and close friends. It’s no surprise because those are the people who make us feel young at heart. A study in the American Psychologist reports social connections help us live longer, lower our risk for heart disease and boost our immunities. Feeling young at heart is good, but certain risk factors may actually be aging your heart beyond its calendar years. Do you know your heart’s real a...
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Whether it’s a springtime ritual, a way to remove pet hair or your toddler colored on the wall, cleaning is a good idea. However, what you’re using to get out that carpet stain or kill germs could pose a breathing risk to your or your family—especially if someone is asthmatic. Here’s what you can do instead. Avoid VOCs. Many cleaning supplies release chemicals called volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that irritate the throat and eyes, spark headaches and are linked to cancer. According to the American L...
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When you think of a typical heart attack patient, there’s a good chance the person who comes to mind is an older man in his 50s or 60s, clutching his chest in sudden pain. That doesn’t always align with reality, however. Which of these people do you think is most at risk for a heart attack? SCENARIO #1: A 65-year-old woman with a family history of heart disease is overweight but gets a moderate amount of exercise and tries to follow a healthy diet. She is aware that her weight and family history put her...
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The metaphor of a broken heart to describe intense emotional pain has been a favorite among poets and jilted lovers since the beginning of time. In 1990, Japanese scientists discovered that the hurt felt after a messy breakup or the loss of a loved one affects the heart—but it doesn't necessarily break it. Sudden turmoil temporarily enlarges a part of the heart and prevents it from pumping efficiently, yet the rest of your heart maintains normal function. The Cleveland Clinic reports that Takotsubo card...
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