While blinking is perfectly normal—after all, you may blink up to 29,000 times a day without even noticing—it can be surprisingly annoying when this common movement goes into warp speed (aka: eye twitching). Now it may be hard to imagine a form of blinking that’s really that distracting, but eye twitching is definitely no joke. So what exactly is it—besides your eyelid fluttering faster than a hummingbird? FYI, even though it feels like it’s moving a mile a minute, most other people won’t even notice it. This condition is actually the result of involuntary muscle contractions. This causes y ..read more

All of these classes and more will be offered by Gwinnett Medical Center. If a registration number is not listed, please call 678-312-5000 to register, or register online at gwinnettmedicalcenter.org/classes. Scroll to the bottom of the list to see some of our support groups. A full list of support groups is available here. Classes Monthly Pre-Diabetes Classes If you’ve been told you have pre-diabetes, or are at high risk of developing diabetes, take charge of your health! Learn effective lifestyle strategies that can dramatically improve your overall health and reduce your chanc ..read more

If the saying is that eyes are the window to the soul, then what does that make your nails? The barometer of your overall health, of course. That’s because everything from nutrition and age to infections and diseases can all show themselves through your nails. Now this isn’t to say that every little change in nail texture, thickness, or rate of growth, is something to be concerned about, since these occur naturally with age. However, there are subtle shifts in your nails that may be trying to tell you something more. However, before we get to the specifics, here are a few fast facts about ..read more

If you’re one of the thousands who have made a New Year’s resolution to exercise more—kudos to you. While there may be some doubt as to how effective these resolutions are, any excuse to exercise—improved health, stress relief or weight loss—is a good one. But before you let your excitement get the best of you, let’s take a step back and make sure you’re kicking off your renewed commitment to exercise the best way possible. Especially if you’re like many who’ve left their exercise routine in November, just as the holiday season settled in. The truth is, if you’ve taken a month or more off ..read more

Most of us can’t get enough of those delicious, indulgent recipes, homemade sweet treats and tasty Christmas candies. However, once December 26 rolls around, it just isn’t quite the same. That means that most of us are left with more food than we can eat—a classic case of bigger eyes than stomachs. So how do you bounce back after all of that delicious indulgence? Look no further. Here is a healthy spin on a comforting classic: meatloaf. Filled with ample vegetables, you’ll enjoy a hearty dose of some much-needed fiber. In addition to having a full and happy tummy after this meal, you may enj ..read more

It’s December 24 (aka: Christmas Eve), can you believe it? Chances are you can believe it because you’re stress levels are at an all-time high. Even if you’re shopping is done, and your groceries are picked up and safe traveling is complete, there’s always something left to do (is that the kitchen timer going off?). But let’s not dwell on that. After all, things usually have a way of coming together, no extra worry needed. So, amidst all of the crazy, yet festive chaos that is Christmas Eve, make sure you take a little time to have some holiday fun. After all, it’s probably safe to say tha ..read more

Usually defying the odds is a good thing, but when it comes to the flu, not so much. Unfortunately, this is exactly what Georgia—and its 10 million residents—are up against with this year’s flu season. According to the CDC, the peach state is one of only three states to have widespread flu activity. This means that flu cases have been reported across half the state—or more. Because Georgia’s flu season has already ramped up, it’s important that each of us do our part to help minimize the spread of the flu. A great place to start is to remember the basics of flu prevention, this includes ..read more

Let’s be honest, most of us consider it a personal victory just to make it to the gym, let alone properly fueling ahead of time, too. Wait, what does it mean to fuel properly anyway? After all, if you eat too much, then you’ll likely feel sluggish instead of energized, and if you eat too little, then you may not have the stamina to really put in work.   Even though it takes energy to work out, it's important that exercise doesn't interfere with digestion, or vice versa. There’s nothing worse than trying to run with a full stomach (yikes!). To find that pre-workout sweet spot, experts s ..read more

Winter doesn’t exactly make anyone feel their healthiest. Maybe it’s the chilly temperatures, the marathon of holidays or the lack of daylight that makes staying healthy during the winter months feel so darn hard. Who can turn down a warm brownie while you’re snuggled up on the couch—right?  While most of us assume winter health hurdles, like rough dry skin, weight gain, stress, low energy, are only temporary, could they actually be something more? Well, as it turns out, your thyroid may be sending out an SOS. Now you’re probably thinking, how could one little gland be responsible for ..read more

There are many wonderful aspects of the holiday season, way too many to list here. But for many of us, one of the best parts, hands-down, has to be eating our fill of deliciousness. Whether it’s brie bites, buttered mashed potatoes, herb-crusted pork tenderloin, frosted sugar cookies, or all of the above—we can always count on this time of year to usher in a higher-than-normal level of tastiness. And why wouldn’t we take full advantage of it? So it’s probably safe to assume that when enjoying all of these delectable dishes, getting a balanced amount of essential vitamins and nutrients isn’t ..read more