We all know what it’s like when we don’t get enough sleep. The words irritable, tired, and unfocused immediately come to mind. Sleeping is a necessary action in order for our minds and bodies to function normally. So what happens when an individual is getting enough sleep, yet still feels too tired and unfocused to function?

Aren’t eating disorders illnesses that affect only girls and actresses?

When you picture someone with an eating disorder what image pops into your mind? If you are like most people, you will instantly picture an emaciated girl or a gaunt young female actress being photographed on the red carpet.

With flu season just around the corner and as the numerous strains of the influenza virus continue to pose a deadly danger to public health, this seems like a good time to share the work of several pioneering experts. They maintain that sufficient levels of vitamin D have the capacity to supercharge the immune system and lower the risk of infection. Their findings also underscore the inadequacy of current “recommended” daily doses of 400-800 IU.

Heart disease is the number one killer of women. But the good news is that we can control many of the risk factors for this killer. Being educated about the condition and how to prevent it are key steps to living a healthier life. 

Family History

It’s important to know if you have a family history of heart disease. Who in your family has struggled with, or died from, a form of heart disease? Having this information can greatly help you and your doctor to chart a course that will very likely help you avoid such dangerous waters. 

  This is a topic talk isn’t talked about much especially around the holidays. It is chalked up to old sports injuries or maybe old age. The reasons are different; the results are the same: difficulty getting out of a chair, painful to get in and out of the car, challenging to getting out of bed, and don’t even talk about the floor and playing with the kids.

Every semester, in which I teach an Introduction to Psychology course, I invite my college students outside of the classroom to get a real life experience. No, I don’t take them to a psychiatric hospital; I take them to court.

As defined by the national Parkinson Foundation, “Parkinson disease is a brain disorder. It occurs when certain nerve cells (neurons) in a part of the brain called the substantia nigra die or become impaired.

Normally, these cells produce a vital chemical known as dopamine. Dopamine allows smooth, coordinated function of the body’s muscles and movement. When approximately 80% of the dopamine-producing cells are damaged, the symptoms of Parkinson disease appear.”

If you have diabetes you have probably had conversations with your healthcare professional (doctor, nurse practitioner, physician’s assistant, nurse, dietitian) about many of your concerns regarding the complications of diabetes. You likely discussed your heart health and circulation, kidney function, vision, foot care and possible neuropathy (disease of the nerves). I bet you also reviewed your latest lab results for cholesterol and Alc.

Recently I had the opportunity to visit The Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston, MA. As a certified diabetes educator and clinical specialist since 1980, I have always considered the Joslin Diabetes Center an amazing place for people to go for treatment of diabetes. The center began it’s journey of “conquering all forms of diabetes” in 1898 and over the years has served as a role model for many health care providers, patients and diabetes programs.