Menopause can cause an increase in sex drive or a decrease as hormone levels fluctuate, but very often it’s the symptoms of menopause — mood swings, weight gain, hot flashes and vaginal dryness — that can leave you uninterested in sex. Lower estrogen levels can lead to vaginal dryness as blood supply to the vagina…
Summer is in full swing — don’t get sidelined by injury or illness this summer. Here are four of the top summer injuries and what to do about them. Heat-related illness The summer sun can feel great, but too much can wreck your holiday. Prolonged time outside in the sun without proper preparation can be…
If medication fails in controlling epilepsy, there is still hope. Medication failure means that two different medicines have not controlled your epilepsy. Surgery for epilepsy is an alternative means of stopping seizures or reducing seizure severity. Should I have surgery for epilepsy? “Medication-resistant epilepsy” (known medically as refractory epilepsy) is a condition where seizures do…
When you’re sick, you want to feel better faster. You might think antibiotics are always the answer, but that’s not exactly true. Are antibiotics “bad” for you? No. And also yes. Read on to learn when to use antibiotics — and when not to. Antibiotics are a group of medicines that fight infections caused by…
The body goes through many changes after having a baby, and having some yellow discharge after birth is normal. This type of discharge is called “lochia.” It is part of the body’s way of healing itself after delivery, and it is a normal part of recovery after a vaginal birth or cesarean section (C-section). How…
Driving and aging, dementia or other memory loss conditions are hard topics to discuss with loved ones. When to stop driving is a difficult thing to consider for yourself, as it can mean the loss of independence. It may be harder still when you realize your dementia or memory loss is putting you and others at risk…
Jason Smith always assumed the tremor in his right hand was caused by drinking a lot of coffee. Turns out, it actually was one of the first symptoms of young-onset Parkinson’s disease. Jason was diagnosed with the progressive nervous system disorder eight years ago at age 40. Parkinson’s causes unintended or uncontrollable movements, such as…
If dehydration leg cramps are cramping your exercise routine, the cure might be as close as your water bottle. Cramps from dehydration are usually harmless but painful. Here is the lowdown on what causes leg cramps, how to stop leg cramps and more. What causes leg cramps? Leg cramps are common for many people and…
It’s important to avoid certain foods when breastfeeding. Your diet can affect your breast milk and the nutrients that are passed on to your baby. Making healthy choices can fuel milk production and support your little one’s growth and overall health. “You don’t need to go on a special diet or be overly restrictive in…
Compared to women, more men avoid going to the doctor, skip recommended health screenings and practice riskier behaviors. As a result, they also live with more years of bad health and die about five years sooner than women. A national survey by Cleveland Clinic revealed a disconnect between the sexes when it comes to our…
Spring has sprung in Kentucky, and with it comes those leaves of three: poison ivy. If you think you have poison ivy, here’s what you need to know. Rashes from poison ivy and its relatives poison oak and poison sumac are caused by an allergic reaction to an oily substance called urushiol (pronounced yoo-ROO-shee-all). Urushiol…
Bladder control, bladder incontinence, urinary incontinence, peeing when coughing — whatever you might call it, it’s an issue that affects many women. It’s not just a “change of life” or aging issue — urinary leakage affects women of all ages. There is a certain stigma to it that keeps many women from getting treatment. However,…