A resting heart rate can be a good indicator of health. According to the Mayo Clinic, a lower heart rate at rest implies more efficient heart function and better cardiovascular fitness. Athletes tend to have lower normal resting heart rates than non-athletes. Conversely, an unusually high resting heart rate may signify an increased risk of heart disease or another medical condition. While the official stance on resting heart rate for adults indicates it should range from 60 to 100 beats per minute (bpm), most healthy adults fall between 55 and 85 bpm. However, certain people may fall outside o ..read more

By Annette Pinder Vitiligo is a chronic, long-lasting autoimmune disorder affecting 2.8 million men and women globally, causing patches of skin to lose pigment or color when skin cells that make pigment are attacked and destroyed. Celebrities with vitiligo include football coach Carl Dunbar, actor Jon Hamm, ballet superstar Michaela DePrince, runway model Winnie Harlow, and late pop-star Michael Jackson. Here in Western New York, Lisa Toner has lived with vitiligo for over 20 years. Vitiligo’s main symptom is loss of natural color or pigment of the skin anywhere on the body, including the hand ..read more

By Christopher E. Mutty, MD A common question that patients often ask is: “Will I have limitations on activities following hip or knee replacement surgery?” The goal of having joint replacement surgery is to return to activity with minimal restrictions, without the pain that was present prior to surgery. Engaging in an active lifestyle helps to improve overall health following surgery. During the first few weeks of recovery, you can expect to experience a gradual increase in activity. Most patients will use a walker for a few days after hip replacement. Patients having their knee replaced may ..read more

By Matthew Smith, Executive Director Preventionfocus According to the American Institute of Stress, everyday stress encountered at home and at work has become a major challenge for American adults. Individuals report that the stress of increasing demands at home and at work contributes to low morale and feeling out of control. Sadly, evidence shows that stress also accounts for an increase in heart attacks, hypertension, and other health disorders. Fortunately, there are helpful ways to survive and even thrive in stressful situations. The local non-profit Preventionfocus offers “Resilience and ..read more

By Ronnie Dubrowin CNM, MS, IBCLC In 1989, when I underwent extensive training to become a certified midwife, the primary focus was women’s health and neonatal health. Back then, men’s health was rarely a consideration. When I was invited to learn about the procedure involved in newborn male circumcision, I was very torn. Some of what I read emphasized an urgent support regarding the benefits of circumcision to men’s health. Other discussions, which rarely referred to medical research, focused on the negative aspects of circumcision. I ended up mastering the newborn circumcision procedure, as ..read more

by Judith G. Fales After Ray, my life partner, was diagnosed with dementia and Parkinson’s disease, he lived in a nursing home. Being able to visit him daily allowed me to be his advocate, and assured me that he was doing as well as possible. But after the pandemic hit, everything changed. Ray was unable to manage making calls on his own, so the only time we could talk to one another was when a nurse had time to help him. Not being able to touch Ray, see him, or feel confident that he was receiving the best care left me feeling helpless. When my friend, a social worker, suggested I contact Hos ..read more

By Annette Pinder Ever wonder why gardening makes you feel good? According to the National Initiative for Consumer Horticulture (NICH), gardening can be relaxing, help reduce stress, and create a sense of belonging and connectedness. Gardening also provides the opportunity to spend time outdoors absorbing vitamin D, which enhances the production of serotonin, which increases your sense of happiness and well-being. For individuals who grow vegetables, rewards include the ability to consume healthy and nutritious foods. In fact, research reveals that individuals who grow their own vegetables are ..read more

Recent studies have examined the potential healing components of being in nature. The World Health Organization 2023 report titled “Green and Blue Spaces and Mental Health,” showed that time spent in nature in both country and urban regions improves mood, mindsets, and mental health. Here are some ways nature can have a healing effect. Immunity protection: Trees and plants emit aromatic compounds called phytoncides, which when inhaled, ignite healthy biological changes similar to the concepts of aromatherapy. When people walk in forests or other green areas, they often experience blood change ..read more

Courtesy of Eye Care & Vision Associates The eyes are amazing organs. When working correctly, they enable crisp vision and process a vast array of vivid hues. When the eyes are compromised by illness or other conditions, various impairments may be the culprit. Cataracts often affect aging individuals. The American Academy of Ophthalmology® (AAO) says a cataract forms when the natural lens in the eye, which is responsible for refracting light rays that come in the eye to help a person see, becomes cloudy. As a result, vision can be compromised and seem like a person is looking through a fog ..read more

By Mona Chitre, Pharm.D. Medication adherence is the fancy term for taking meds as directed. You might assume that patients always adhere to the instructions they’re given, but that’s not the case. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says 20 to 30% of prescriptions are never filled, and of those that are, half are not taken as directed, including not following timing, dosage, frequency, or duration instructions. That means, at best, just 40% of prescriptions are taken properly. Medication adherence is especially important for managing chronic conditions such as diabetes, high ..read more