Category Archives: General Health

Sometimes we have to hold in our pee because there isn’t a bathroom in sight. If you do this once in a while, it isn’t that detrimental, but constantly holding in your pee can set you up for some serious health consequences. When the bladder becomes full it sends a signal to the brain, prompting ...click here to read more

Literally millions of Americans suffer from atonic or neurogenic bladder. The atonic bladder signs vary from person to person, but the worst of the neurogenic bladder symptoms is the inability to control bladder function. Atonic bladder occurs due to a nerve signaling problem that may occur after a stroke, spinal injury, or tumor. The condition causes the bladder to be in one of three states: flaccid, spastic, or a mix of the two. Flaccid refers to the bladder not being able to contract, resulting in urinary overflow. Spastic refers to the bladder sustaining involuntary contractions, producing feelings of wanting to urinate despite not having a full bladder. Mixed refers to having a combination of both flaccid and spastic bladder. Atonic bladder often requires the uses of catheterization, as normal bladder control is absent. Tests involving the measurement of urine flow and imaging are often done to reach a diagnosis. Neurogenic or atonic bladder symptoms can be linked to a destruction of nerves. Essentially, it is bladder dysfunction ...click here to read more

When we become stressed out bodies release cortisol – the stress hormone – which helps us cope with challenges. Cortisol’s role is to convert protein into energy by releasing glycogen and counteract inflammation. When cortisol is released in the body temporarily, this is okay and won’t have long-lasting detrimental effects to health as it is ...click here to read more

There is a greater risk for winter falls, especially among older adults, as the roads and walkways become slippery due to ice and snow. Falls, in general, are detrimental to the health of older people because they can cause disability and worsen quality of life. Therefore, it’s important to not only recognize a potential fall ...click here to read more

Hypothermia is a wintertime health risk that older adults should be mindful of. Hypothermia occurs when the body’s internal temperature drops abnormally low. Normal body temperature is 98.6 °F (37 °C) and hypothermia is classified when the body temperature is below 95 °F (35 °C). Seniors are more susceptible to hypothermia because they have a ...click here to read more

Why do some people jump in icy water for a polar bear swim to ring in the New Year? Or stay up far past their bedtime just to witness the stroke of midnight as the calendar changes (whether you’re blowing noisemakers and kisses at a party or cozied up on the couch watching the ball ...click here to read more

Latest findings unveil that people who help care for others tend to live longer than those who do not. The researchers found that grandparents who take care of their grandchildren, on average, lived longer, compared to grandparents who did not. The researchers conducted survival analysis of over 500 people over the age of 70. The ...click here to read more

There are many wintertime dangers older adults are prone to, and frostbite is one of them. Also known as cold burn, frostbite is a medical condition in which a part of the body actually freezes. Mild frostbite rarely leaves permanent damage, but severe frostbite does. In extreme cases, frostbite may actually lead to amputation of ...click here to read more

A urinary tract infection is one of the most common forms of bacterial infection, which accounts for millions of doctor and hospital emergency visits in the United States every year. Now, scientists may have found a urinary tract infection prevention that could potentially be administered one day in the form of a vaccination. A team ...click here to read more

The Christmas holiday season can be a hectic time, but we can’t lose sight of the possibility of running many health risks, so consider some simple safety tips that could help prevent your merry celebration from turning miserable. Statistics show that 13,000 Americans have to visit the emergency department during the Christmas holidays. It is ...click here to read more

Binge drinking is more likely during holidays and may harm your brain. Alcohol seems to go hand-in-hand with the festivities, and as many of us gather to celebrate, it seems that drinking (often excessive) is an inevitable part of any holiday party. Research has shown that after two glasses of wine the brain becomes activated ...click here to read more

Depression and chronic fatigue syndrome, although different, may actually be linked. In both conditions, the patient will feel extremely fatigued, regardless of the sleep quality the night before. It is possible that a patient may have depression and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) simultaneously, or mistake one condition for the other. It’s important to recognize the ...click here to read more

Managing anxiety during holiday shopping may seem to be a challenging mission, but it’s not mission impossible. Standing for hours in the lineups, struggling to find a single parking spot, walking around overcrowded malls… Holiday shopping can be a nightmare even for those who don’t usually suffer from anxiety. Dr. John Oldham of Menninger Department ...click here to read more

Winter tiredness stems from an increased production of melatonin, the hormone regulating our sleep-wake cycle. When it’s dark, our body believes it is time to go to sleep, so it makes more melatonin. Hence, sunlight is a good way to combat melatonin production and keep you awake. But with the sun nowhere to be found ...click here to read more