How Blue Light Affects Sleep
The brain doesn't distinguish between blue light from the sun and blue light from sources like our cellphones and laptops, so blue light at bedtime can signal to the brain that it's time to be awake.“It essentially tricks the brain into thinking it's daytime in the evening and suppresses the mechanisms that promote sleep,” says Phillip Yuhas, PhD, an...
Substitutes for Milk, Yogurt, Butter, and More
There are several milk alternatives to choose from. “These products are typically made by steeping or boiling the central ingredient in water, straining the solids, and fortifying the dairy alternative with nutrients to somewhat mimic the nutritional profile of dairy milk,” Linsenmeyer says.Almond MilkAlmond milk is made of almonds, and, as such, has a slightly nutty flavor.Depending on the...
5 Key Schizophrenia Triggers to Avoid to Prevent Relapse
Most people with schizophrenia will experience relapses — a worsening of symptoms — throughout their lives. In fact, approximately 80 percent of people have a relapse within five years of being diagnosed with the disease.Relapses are often associated with a major disruption in a person’s life, such as a job loss or legal problem. They’re usually preceded by early...
What to Know About Being a Schizophrenia Caregiver — and How to Know When It’s Time to Stop
If you’re a caregiver for someone who has schizophrenia , you’re probably shouldering a heavy burden. You may feel as though the disease has taken a toll on your emotional health, personal life, and family life. Plus, you may think you’re unequipped for the role. One survey found that caregivers to people with schizophrenia tend to lack education about...
Psoriasis and Cold Weather Strategies: 8 Ways to Protect Your Skin
In a survey by the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) , 4 in 10 people with psoriasis said that winter is the season that most aggravates their disease. If you have psoriasis, you may find that the cold, the dry air, and the short days result in more flares. Lack of sunlight, in particular, can make skin symptoms worse, says...
Why It’s So Important and How to Choose and Apply One
Hannah Kopelman, DO, a dermatologist at Kopelman Hair in Paramus, New Jersey, says, “When helping my patients choose a sunblock, I always recommend looking for products that are gentle and designed for sensitive skin. Mineral-based sunblocks, which create a physical barrier to UV rays using ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, are typically the best option for people...
Recognizing Ulcerative Colitis Emergency Symptoms: A Caregiver’s Guide
The following complications might be behind your loved one’s UC emergency. These result from serious tissue damage in the colon and rectum.Acute Severe Ulcerative ColitisSometimes called fulminant colitis, this complication affects less than 10 percent of people with ulcerative colitis and involves damage to the entire thickness of the intestinal wall. Unless urgent treatment can bring the inflammation under control,...
What Is Laryngeal Cancer?
Laryngeal cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the larynx (voice box). The larynx helps you breathe, speak, and swallow. It houses your vocal cords, which create the sound of your voice. Laryngeal cancer can be curable, especially if it’s diagnosed and treated early. But even for more advanced forms of this cancer, the outlook can be...
Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Outlook
To date, there’s only one disease-modifying therapy (DMT) approved in the United States for use in children with MS: the oral drug fingolimod (Gilenya).The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved its use for treating pediatric MS in children and adolescents age 10 or older.In MS, which is an autoimmune condition, your immune system mistakenly attacks the nerve...
Food as Medicine: What It Means and How to Reap the Benefits
You know your diet plays a huge role in weight and energy, and even your mood . But did you know it could help save your life, too? That’s the whole idea behind the “food as medicine” movement — a philosophy that has roots in the HIV epidemic and began in the 1980s, when public health advocates launched nutrition...
