HEALTHY DIRECTIONS
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Rutgers University wrestling coach Jordan Pagano, 27, was recently demonstrating simple wrestling moves with a student-athlete, something he does regularly. When he placed his hands on the mat to change positions, the unexpected happened: he ruptured a disc in his neck. The herniated disc pushed on Jordan’s spinal cord, [...]
For most people, a healthy diet is a great way to get the vitamins and minerals you need. But if you’re planning a pregnancy or are pregnant, your body needs extra nutrients beyond the healthy foods you eat – and those can be provided in a prenatal vitamin. “Pregnancy [...]
Shuvro Ghose felt fine after a cardiac procedure at another hospital in November 2022 – until he tried to swallow medication and began choking. An MRI of his brain revealed he had several small strokes during the procedure. Due to neurological damage from the strokes, Shuvro’s vocal cords wouldn’t [...]
A few weeks after his 60th birthday, Miguel Pereira noticed that his urine was darker than usual. He made an appointment with his primary care physician, who ordered bloodwork. When the results showed very high levels of bilirubin – a normal byproduct of red blood cells – his doctor [...]
In today's fast-paced world, digital devices have become an integral part of our daily lives. But the urge to check smartphones and social media can become compulsive, impacting sleep, relationships and your health. If you’ve noticed these effects – or if you feel unhappy, irritable, frustrated, lonely or insecure [...]
In the quest to shed extra pounds, many people have turned to a practice that’s increasing in popularity: intermittent fasting. This pattern of eating between designated hours not only aids in weight loss, but it also can offer additional health benefits. “Intermittent fasting gives your body recovery time at [...]
Why does your ankle become swollen if you twist it? It’s part of your body’s natural response to an injury. Your immune system sends out inflammatory cells to help heal tissue or fight infection. But if your body sends out these cells without a typical cause, you may have [...]
Several years ago, Stephanie Akselsen of Howell faced a “perfect storm” of challenges: physiological menopause symptoms and inadequate sleep; emotional repercussions of three relocations; and her fourth child’s departure for college. She held her emotions in and soon found herself with debilitating depression. When other therapy and medications didn’t [...]
Step aside, avocado toast, cottage cheese is back and gaining a lot of attention from health-conscious foodies with good reason. Packed with protein, cottage cheese provides calcium to support strong bones and may also contain probiotics to boost gut health, according to CentraState registered dietitian Caryn Alter, MS, RD, [...]
Four days before his wedding to Melissa Cooper, Kevin McKenzie, 32, completed a workout. A few days later, his muscles felt sore and stiff, making it difficult to walk. He used a massage gun on his sore muscles to ease the pain. When he saw blood in his urine [...]
