Health Topics
Control your asthma and breathe with ease. Asthma is a chronic condition that occurs when the bronchial tubes (the lungs' main air passages) become inflamed. The bronchial wall muscles tighten, producing excess mucus and causing the airways to narrow. This constriction causes conditions ranging from minor wheezing to severely labored breathing.
One in eight women will develop breast cancer in her life; 70 percent of these women have no known risk factors for the disease. Women ages 40 to 49 should talk to their doctor and make an informed decision about whether mammography is appropriate based on their family history and general health. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that women ages 50 to 74 have a mammogram every two years.
There are often no visible symptoms of the disease, but if it's detected early, cervical cancer is one of the easiest female cancers to treat.
Many people are embarrassed to talk about colorectal cancer, even with their doctors. But silence can be deadly. When detected early, it's one of the most curable and preventable cancers, yet it's the third-leading cancer killer in the nation, according to the American Cancer Society.
Take a deep breath. Do you feel tightness in your chest or shortness of breath? Do you often wheeze or cough up mucus? Do you smoke or have you ever smoked cigarettes? Do you spend a lot of time with people who smoke? Do you get respiratory infections frequently? Recognize early warnings of complications and get information on risk factors to help you and your OB care provider manage your pregnancy.
Clinical depression, the most common mental health problem, affects nearly 20 million Americans each year. And that number is probably significantly higher because, nationally, fewer than half of those suffering from clinical depression seek treatment. Here in Hawaii, the percentage of those who seek treatment is even lower.
Having diabetes can be tough, but there are lots of things you can do to make managing the disease easier. By living a healthy lifestyle and getting all of the recommended screenings and tests, you can reduce the possibility of complications from diabetes.
Not having enough good cholesterol (HDL) and having too much bad cholesterol (LDL) can put you at risk for heart disease, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke. There are some risk factors you can't do anything about, such as age or family history. But there are things you can do to help improve your cholesterol levels.
The flu, also known as influenza, is a contagious viral infection that sickens millions of people each year. It is unpleasant to have and places those with weak immune systems at high risk for serious flu complications such as pneumonia, heart attack, and stroke, which may lead to hospitalization or even death. Flu season begins around October and can last until May.
Regular brushing and flossing can lead to more than just white teeth and fresh breath. Healthy teeth and gums can improve your overall health.
Most men hate going to the doctor. Why get a checkup anyway? One good reason is because men have a prostate. The prostate is a walnut-sized gland below the bladder and in front of the rectum. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer affecting men in the United States.
