This time of year, the weather truly IS frightful. February is a cold month stuck in between the holiday fanfare of New Year’s Day and the first inklings of spring in March. Extremely cold temperatures, gray skies, snow and ice all make it difficult, if not impossible, to be outside. Let’s face it, cabin fever […]
The month of February is filled with celebrations – Valentine’s Day and Fat Tuesday /Mardi Gras are both celebrated with special treats and offerings that we only indulge in once a year. With our New Year’s resolutions not too far behind us, keeping your weight goals on track can still be accomplished even with all […]
You have probably heard about shingles – a viral infection that is caused by the same virus responsible for chickenpox. If you have had chickenpox, the virus remains inactive in your body; present in nerve tissue near your spinal cord and brain. When a shingles outbreak occurs, the nerve roots are infected, which is what […]
We have heard it called “the winter blues” or the “doldrums of winter”, but Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a very real condition that affects millions of people every year. Brought on by the changes in the seasons, SAD most often begins in late fall as the skies get darker earlier and continue into winter […]
Now that is it mid-January, we are deep in the trenches of the cold winter season, and with it the height of cold and flu season. Scientists now know that our immune systems are weaker when the weather is cold outside. For persons with chronic medical conditions, receiving the proper vaccinations is especially important to […]
The cold winter months bring to light lots of homeowner situations that can be unpleasant for anyone. Shoveling snow and spreading salt on icy sidewalks can be dangerous activities, especially for older adults who may not have the endurance or balance to safely perform these tasks. The cold weather can bring frozen pipes, problems with […]
Many of us associate allergies with the changing of the seasons – the cold-like symptoms that accompany the unfurling of spring blossoms and the descent of vegetation in the fall. People who suffer the most during these times of the year are likely allergic to pollen (more than 25 million Americans are!) and experience the […]
We all love to indulge in our favorite culinary treats, and the holidays give us an excuse to do so sometimes a little too much. Many people gift baked goods to friends, neighbors, grandparents and co-workers as a way to share the holiday cheer. In addition to receiving an avalanche of cookies, fudge and homemade […]
Cataracts are a common condition in the older population, but did you know that cataracts are a regular cause of vision loss for 22 million people as young as 40? As the population in the United States continues to age, it is estimated that over 30 million Americans will have cataracts in just a few […]
Thanksgiving is over, and it’s officially the Christmas holiday season. Shopping malls are becoming more crowded, the to-do lists are growing longer and the excitement for the big day is mounting. The holidays can be a wonderful time for family traditions (both new and established) and sharing the holiday spirit with others. However, the seasonal […]