We preview an article in Vibrant Life magazine that talks about the various effects of a thyroid disorder, including the possibility that a underperforming thyroid can lead to extra pounds of fat.
Category: Physical health & diseases
I’ll Drink to That
On my most recent birthday my husband gave me a beautiful, lush potted plant that I simply adored. A week later I took off for a three-week trip to Africa, leaving my daughter to care for my new plant while I was away. Imagine my dismay when I returned home and found a mass of […]
In the Lyme Light
Lyme disease is the fastest-growing infectious disease in the United States, and 2012 is predicted to hold the highest risk ever for contracting it. Like most people, Vibrant Life editor Heather Quintana didn’t think she was at risk. But after several years of seizures, night sweats, and severe fatigue, a blood test traced all her […]
Foods That Fight Cancer
If you want to fill your grocery cart with foods that will help keep cancer far from home, start with these powerful foods: Colorful Fruits & Vegetables According to the recent World Cancer Research Fund report, fruits and vegetables are especially protective against cancer of the lung, mouth, esophagus, and stomach. A Swedish study, for […]
How to Show Support for Someone Who Has Cancer
Receiving a cancer diagnosis is horrifying news that deeply affects patients and their loved ones. Offering support is crucial, yet we may feel we don’t know the “right” thing to say or do. Still, we can’t let feelings of discomfort stop us from coming alongside our loved one at a time of great need. Cindy […]
Six Ways to Relieve Pain Naturally
Antidepressants, muscle relaxers, analgesics, and antianxiety medications—nearly a dozen prescriptions were supposed to manage Myrna Scott’s fibromyalgia symptoms. But instead of helping her feel better, the side effects—such as a severely upset stomach and a general feeling of being “out of it”—made her feel even worse. So she decided to do something about it. She […]
Simple Strategies for Outmaneuvering Motion Sickness
You’re sitting in the passenger seat of your family’s SUV, watching trees rush past in a blur. Your head spins, your stomach lurches, and a warm, clammy feeling comes over you. No, you’re not in love. You’re experiencing motion sickness. Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day are among the busiest travel periods of the year. […]
Getting Smart About Cancer
Really stop to think about your diet. How many servings of fruits and vegetables did you honestly have yesterday? In response to that question, many people sigh and think, I need more veggies. It’s just too inconvenient to eat healthfully! Research agrees with that inner voice telling you to eat more veggies. In fact, for […]
Type II Diabetes
Type II diabetes is becoming more and more common. However, there’s encouraging news on how to manage this disease better if you already have it–and ways to avoid it if you don’t.
To begin, Type II (also known as adult-onset diabetes) accounts for 95 percent of diabetes cases in the United States. Now there’s solid evidence that patients themselves hold the key to improving their health, and that the improvements they experience are often dramatic.
In a groundbreaking study at the University of South Carolina’s Norman J. Arnold School of Public Health in Columbia, researchers have found that lifestyle intervention focusing on exercise and modest weight loss worked nearly twice as well as medication did.
Medical Resources on the Internet
No matter what your condition, you can find a vast amount of information on the Internet. There are online versions of medical journals, government sites such as the National Library of Medicine, Centers for Disease Control, or the Food and Drug Administration, and sites sponsored by medical schools.
Patients who take time to do research on their condition are more informed and have a better understanding of their disease. By going online, they can read articles by experts from all over the world. Internet-savvy doctors can provide patients with lists of sites containing relevant information.