Health News
Features
-
Pop Quiz: Maintaining optimal optical health
| Understanding the causes of low vision and taking precautions as you age | EYESIGHT is a precious thing, and unfortunately there are many threats to optimal optical health. One common eye problem is low vision, and it affects seniors the most. Low vision, in its simplest terms, is any vision loss that interferes with…
-
Celebrating Black History Month with a look at local African-Americans in medicine
ALEX ALEXANDER Registered Nurse Bartow Regional Medical Center As a black registered nurse from North Carolina, 56-year-old Alex Alexander has had his run-ins with prejudice. But he’s learned to remember who he is, treat others like his brothers and sisters, forgive, and … not believe everything he hears. “You earn things by your merit and…
-
Heart disease warnings for women
| Don’t believe you’re not at risk; do believe you can improve your odds | WOMEN HAVE A MEASURE of built-in protection against heart disease — as long as their ovaries are producing estrogen. Although estrogen may delay the onset of heart disease until the sixties or seventies, women’s risk eventually is the same as…
Columns
-
Heartburn and the Holidays
The holiday season is upon us and for many, it is a time of indulgence as well as celebration. At such times, heartburn and acid reflux can become more of a problem for folks who suffer from these chronically, or even for those who do not. Heartburn is a symptom caused by stomach acid irritating…
-
Oral Hygiene Tips for the Cooler Months
When it’s cold outside, exposed skin isn’t the only part of your body that can suffer from a drier climate. Your mouth and oral hygiene can suffer as well, and it is important to remain proactive in keeping your mouth, teeth, and gums healthy during the colder months. Here are a few common issues that are…
-
Learn About LASIK and Other Refractive Procedures
Refractive surgery is designed to correct myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) and astigmatism to effectively reduce dependency on eyeglasses and contacts. The most popular refractive procedure is LASIK, which stands for laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis. It involves shaping the cornea using a laser. Other refractive procedures include photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and refractive lens exchange (RLE). Those…
