Ever wonder why colds and allergies present many of the same symptoms, such as runny nose and sneezing? Allergic reactions begin in the immune system, which triggers your body’s response to protect you from a perceived or actual invader. This means allergies and immune system function are inherently linked. Allergic reactions cause inflammation throughout your body. This is part of your immune system’s natural defense mechanism, but if left untreated, chronic inflammation can contribute to disease and poor immune system health. So, seeking diagnosis and treatment for your allergies is importan ..read more

Colorectal cancer is a combined term for colon and rectal cancers. According to the National Cancer Institute, 153,020 new cases of colorectal cancer were estimated for 2023. In light of Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in March, we reached out to Dr. John Whitfield, a colorectal surgeon at Mission Health, to learn some of the most common misconceptions about colorectal cancer and why screenings are important to protecting your health. Myth 1: Colorectal cancer is rare Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in men and women worldwide. It’s also the second most common caus ..read more

In the United States, nearly 1 in 3 adults is overweight, and more than 2 in 5 are obese. For some, weight loss can be a lifelong challenge. If you or a loved one has struggled to lose significant weight and keep it off through diet and exercise, you should look into other options such as weight loss surgery. We reached out to Dr. Jamie Loggins, bariatric (weight loss) surgeon at Mission Health for his expert advice on weight loss surgery and other weight management options. What are common weight loss options? Many people with a high body mass index (BMI) can’t lose enough weight to normalize ..read more

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, between 1 and 3 million people in the United States live with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). POTS is characterized by a group of symptoms that occur when you change positions, such as from sitting to standing. While there’s no cure, understanding postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome self-care can help you manage the symptoms. What is POTS? To understand POTS, it’s important to look at what each word means individually: Postural: Your body’s position Orthostatic: Related to standing upright Tachycardia: Increased heart rate (over 100 ..read more

Valentine’s Day is a day to show love for the people in your life that make it special, and what better way to do that than with a box of chocolates? Despite the rising costs of just about everything, Americans planned to spend nearly $26 billion on the romantic holiday in 2023, with more than half of that spending going toward sweet treats. But while chocolate may be a symbol of your figurative heart, is dark chocolate good for your heart in a literal sense? If you’re a chocolate enthusiast, you may be delighted to hear that the answer is yes — in moderation. Too much of anything can be bad f ..read more

In 2023, 66% of all households in the U.S. included a pet. If you’re part of this majority, you already know your pet enriches your life in many ways. A poll by the American Psychiatric Association found that, overwhelmingly, people who have pets consider them members of the family and report that they have a positive impact on their mental health. But are there really health benefits of owning a pet? Research into this topic has increased in recent years, and some of the results may be good news for pet owners. Here’s a roundup of some potential health benefits of owning a pet. 1. Support hea ..read more

Thinking about making resolutions for a healthy new year? You’re not alone. Based on a study that conducted polls for three consecutive years, 44% of U.S. adults said they were likely to make New Year’s resolutions. And while New Year’s resolutions are sometimes viewed as unsustainable, they can lead to lasting positive changes a year later. So, what makes a good resolution, and how many should you make? Making resolutions that stick Think quality over quantity when making New Year’s resolutions. According to the American Psychological Association, you’re more likely to stick with one small, r ..read more

The American Red Cross recently made news when it announced a national blood shortage. The organization, which distributes about 40% of blood donations in the U.S., said it has a shortfall of about 30,000 blood and platelet donations due to a busy travel season and back-to-back months of climate disasters in certain parts of the country. Although it’s well known that donating blood benefits the recipient, you may not know that it also benefits the donor. Why is blood donation important? Blood is vital for life — you can’t live without it. Blood circulates throughout your body to deliver essent ..read more

Food is a universal language that brings people together, especially during the holidays. Everyday diets often take a backseat to festive spreads laden with salt, sugar and fat. Alcohol tends to flow more freely as well. This type of overindulgence can lead to holiday heart symptoms if you’re not careful. Fortunately, you can enjoy the holidays and protect your heart health at the same time with a few small tweaks. What is holiday heart syndrome? Holiday heart syndrome refers to atrial fibrillation (AFib) associated with binge drinking. AFib is an irregular and often rapid heartbeat, known as ..read more

When considering the best time for exercise, there’s no magic fitness hour. The most important thing is that you make exercise part of your weekly routine. Timing can make small differences, but the big difference comes from moving your body, getting your heart rate up and building your strength on a consistent basis. For optimal health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise plus two sessions of a strength-training activity each week. For example, that might look like 30 minutes of aerobic or cardiac exercise (e.g., walking, jogging ..read more