Can you believe the weather we’re having? We can’t! We’re all wrapped up in warm clothing and fighting over who gets to sit closest to the heater. But if you want to prevent coughs, colds and the flu which are common during winter, fighting over the heater is not the solution. With more of us spending time indoors, it’s easier for germs to spread. Keep in mind the following tips to prevent the spread of illness. Get a flu shot. Flu shots are especially beneficial for those with weakened immune systems, the elderly or those who come in contact with a lot of people. Check with your doctor for more…

Most of us have experienced menstrual cramps at one time or another. For some women menstrual cramps are crippling, while others experience only some uneasiness during their period. Severe menstrual cramps occur in young women who have just begun their menstrual cycles and often becomes less severe after a woman has given birth or when she reaches her mid-twenties. Sometimes menstrual cramps are caused by other conditions such as endometriosis, fibroid tumors, pelvic adhesions, and ovarian cysts or by the use of an intrauterine device (IUD) for birth control. Menstrual cramps are thought to be related to a naturally occurring substance, which causes the uterus to contract. If a woman…

When you thyroid produces too much thyroid hormone, you can become hyperthyroid. This is the situation where your body just works too fast and too hard. You have increased heart rate, high blood pressure and you could lose weight because you’re burning too many calories. The symptoms of hyperthyroidism, like hypothyroidism depend on your age and your general level of health. You may have some or all of the following symptoms. If so, perhaps it is a good idea to see your doctor about a thyroid test. If you’re hyperthyroid: You lose weight quickly (even if you are eating a lot) You have a hard time falling asleep, you have…

Thyroid disease can affect almost every aspect of health. Understanding more about the thyroid, and the symptoms that occur when something goes wrong with this small gland, can help you protect or regain good health. Your thyroid is a small gland in your neck, wrapped around the windpipe. The thyroid produces several hormones. The brain releases something called Thyrotropin-releasing Hormone (TRH). The release of TRH tells the pituitary gland to release something called Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH). This TSH, circulating in your bloodstream, is what tells the thyroid to make thyroid hormones and release them into your bloodstream. Most people with thyroid disease end up hypothyroid; the situation where the…

Stress is like a nasty insect; it can eat away at you slowly. Then suddenly, it hits you… you’re over-stressed and suffering from exhaustion. Stress needs to be managed. It is in your control. Take some time to think about how you can avoid stress and lead a healthier lifestyle. Simple modifications in posture, habits, thought, and behaviour often go a long way toward reducing feelings of stress and tension. Here are some simple things you can do immediately to help keep your stress level under control. 1. Watch for the next time you find yourself becoming annoyed or angry at something trivial, then practice relaxing. Make a conscious decision…

You must have experienced insomnia at least once in your life. You must have known what it is like to lie awake at night, frustrated at not being able to sleep. The more frustrated you get, the less likely you are to sleep. The next day you find yourself fighting fatigue, convinced that this exhaustion will be the automatic introduction to a good night’s sleep… then it happens again. Insomnia affects all of us at one point, some far worse than others. There are three medically recorded types of insomnia: Transient insomnia lasts only a night or two, or, at most, a week. It is usually caused by some outside influence like…

Depression is a biological illness that effects behaviour, thoughts and feelings. Although depression can be caused by or worsened by life problems, medical research has shown that depression occurs as a result of a chemical imbalance in the brain, just as many other diseases such as diabetes, involve chemical imbalances. Almost all of us have, at one point or another, experienced feelings of unhappiness “a blue mood” that could be associated with a disruptive life event. However, a pervasive feeling of sadness that lasts for more than two weeks, and affects our general functioning is a sign of depression. Some common symptoms of depression include: Changes in sleep habits, like…

Quitting smoking was never on my list of priorities. I’m young and generally healthy and so logically there is no reason whatsoever to quit smoking, right? For God’s sake, I am 26 years old. I mean people who quit smoking are usually middle aged, or suffer from asthma or have just discovered a deadly disease. Other than that, there is no real reason to quit smoking, right?WRONG WRONG WRONG. Last week, I had to interview someone for an article I was writing. For once I had made the appointment on time and was therefore feeling rather graceful. I walked into the entrance of the building and found the bawab informing…

DID YOU KNOW Breast cancer risk increases with age and every woman is at risk. Every 13 minutes a woman dies of breast cancer. Seventy-seven percent of women with breast cancer are over 50. Risks for breast cancer include a family history, delaying pregnancy until after age 30 or never becoming pregnant, early menstruation (before age 12), late menopause (after age 55), current use or use in the last ten years of oral contraceptives, and daily consumption of alcohol. Early detection of breast cancer, through monthly breast self-exam and particularly early mammography after age 40, offers the best chance for survival. Ninety-six percent of women who find and treat breast…

Feeling bloated? Feeling anxious for no obvious reason? You burst into tears at the slightest remark. You feel lonely even if you’re in the most loving relationship. You have backache. You’re craving food. We’ve all gone through it; you’re suffering from pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS). According to studies at the University of Virginia, PMS is a group of symptoms that affect a high percentage of females between the ages of 18 to 50 thus making it one of the most prevalent health disorders today. For many years, women were told that their symptoms were either those of a hypochondriac and were told, “it’s all in your head.” Today we know this…