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 [...]
Up to one-third of strokes are caused by carotid artery disease, a buildup of plaque in the main arteries in the neck that supply oxygen-rich blood to the brain. Without treatment, this buildup can slow blood flow or dislodge plaque that travels to the brain, causing a stroke. Some [...]
For many people, a wound from a cut or scrape is a temporary inconvenience. But when a wound is chronic – meaning hard to heal – specialized treatment is usually needed. Some chronic wounds require the removal of unhealthy tissue to promote healing, which can be painful depending on [...]
Pickleball has become America’s fastest growing sport – probably because it has physical and social benefits and can be played at any age or skill level. But injuries sometimes happen, particularly in people over age 60. About 60% of pickleball injuries are sprains, strains and fractures. If you’ve joined [...]
For kids, nothing beats summer’s bright and balmy months for rest, rejuvenation, and fun. But the season is always fleeting – and back-to-school concerns may soon present themselves, especially for adolescents transitioning to new schools. According to CentraState child and adolescent psychiatrist Ankur Desai, MD, the transitions from elementary [...]
