Stressed out pregnant women may be putting their babies at risk for developing asthma. Researchers compared the cord blood of infants born to moms in high stress environments to moms in lower stress situations,...
For decades. . . Many new mothers have suffered in silence at the hands of a relentless aggressor. It’s an attack of the mind and body called postpartum depression. For some women, the condition...
Unlike the cervix or breast, which are accessible, the ovaries reside deep within the body. This makes it very difficult to get to the ovaries and learn a great deal about the early events...
The health benefits of breastfeeding have been debated for years. A new study reveals the length of time a baby is breastfed may be associated with their level of intelligence later in life. Previous...
More and more medical studies are showing a link between stress and heart disease, cancer and other chronic conditions. While you can’t completely eliminate stress from your life, there are things you can do...
Blood testing strips vary from batch to batch (they may contain different amounts of chemicals), so you need to calibrate most meters every time you start a new pack of strips to obtain an...
What is an annual review? Once a year, your health professional will assess with you how well your blood glucose level and blood pressure are controlled and check for any signs of the long-term...
How often should I have my blood pressure checked? Your blood pressure will be checked at least once a year at your annual review. If you have high blood pressure, you will probably have...
Myth “You know if you have high blood pressure because it gives you headaches” Truth High blood pressure does not always give you symptoms, and it is often found by chance during routine health...
Previous research shows women who breastfeed are more likely to have children with low blood pressure. However, a new study suggests breastfeeding’s effect on blood pressure may not be as significant as previously thought....
When you’re pregnant, you’re eating for two or maybe more. But choosing the right foods can be confusing. Some common foods can pose a risk to your unborn baby. Here are some recommendations on...
When the fever’s turned up, which thermometer do you reach for? Study tells us quick and easy doesn’t always mean accurate. It sometimes takes the entire Hill family to get baby Christopher’s temperature. His...
Who will help me manage my diabetes? You will be helped by a team of people trained in diabetes care, including your doctor, an endocrinologist, a diabetes specialist nurse, a diabetes educator, a registered...
Diagnosing Type 2 diabetes is straightforward and consists of tests to check the level of glucose in your blood. Initially, your health professional may use fingerprick blood tests and urine tests, both of which...
Is it true that my diabetes is caused by being overweight? I feel so guilty. It’s true that being overweight makes your own insulin less likely to work properly. However, to develop Type 2...
Although urine and fingerprick tests can reveal a higher than normal blood glucose level, you need one or more of three laboratory blood tests to diagnose diabetes; the random or fasting blood glucose test...
What is an A1c test? The A1c test (each letter is pronounced separately) provides information about your blood glucose level. It measures the amount of glucose attached to the hemoglobin (oxygen-carrying molecule) in your...
The biggest fear the patients experience after being diagnosed with endometriosis is that they will be infertile. The most common mistake made by endometriosis patients is to believe that any gynecologist has sufficient training...
Do all blood glucose meters work in the same way? No. the exact procedure for carrying out a blood test will vary according to which type of blood glucose meter you have. With most...
Specialized equipment is available for you to test your blood glucose level wherever you are. Testing is usually done by inserting a blood testing strip into a blood glucose meter and applying a blood...
If the prostate becomes enlarges, urination is difficult or impossible, and there is a risk of urinary and kidney damage. All the following treatments can help. • Take 4 teaspoons (20 ml) of flaxseed...
Men aren’t usually as in tune with their bodies as are women. In the past it was considered “not manly” to worry about physical problems – men were supposed to tough it out and...
A new study shows chronic headache is a predictor of stroke in men. Interestingly, the study did not find a connection between headaches and stroke risk in women. There have been many studies linking...
This is a class of chronic headache sufferers. They are learning how to prevent migraines. Sherry Gaunt, migraine sufferer: “They are so bad that you hurt and you say ‘Make it stop.’” Sherry hopes...
Getting family members involved after a person with bipolar disorder has an acute episode can reduce the chances of a relapse, report researchers in this month’s Archives of General Psychiatry. Most people with bipolar...
It’s estimated that 2.5 million people in the United States suffer from bipolar disorder. It’s a mood disorder in which people have periods of depression that alternate with periods of mood elevations. Doctors often...
The occasional high or low blood glucose reading doesn’t indicate that you diabetes is out of control (although treating a low blood glucose as soon as possible will prevent it from dropping lower). However,...
What can I do if I regularly get high readings? You can identify the cause by looking at the times when your readings are high and considering what you were doing in the hours...
These everyday factors have an influence on your blood glucose level. Understanding the effect of each will mean you can take action to prevent your blood glucose level rising too high or falling too...
Why do I need to monitor my blood glucose level? The only way to know if your blood glucose level is within the recommended range is to take s ample of your blood and...