Local News
Online Features
Health & Wellness
4LXR_17559830_web.jpg
Who has time for sick days? Tips to fight the cold, cough and flu this year
(BPT) - People who have gotten sick report their cold and flu symptoms lasted up to six days, according to the Vicks Second Annual Global Cough and Cold Survey. While health experts advise sick workers to stay home to avoid spreading germs, few of us can afford to take that many sick days off from work or home life. Fo...
full story
4PVM_16915789_web.jpg
Why going gluten-free doesn't mean going grain-free
(BPT) - It’s impossible to stroll the aisles in your local supermarket without seeing package after package labeled “gluten-free.” But who really needs a gluten-free diet, and how can you still enjoy grains, even if you are eating gluten-free? Gluten is a protein found in just four grains: wheat, barley, rye and tritic...
full story
K3I1_17141581_web.jpg
Frequent spring allergy questions answered
(BPT) - Spring is in the air – and that means pollen, mold spores and other airborne allergens are going to bring on sneezing and wheezing for an estimated 40 to 50 million Americans. The spring season can be especially bothersome with so much conflicting information on how to find relief. To help you better understand...
full story
25C_16621487_web.jpg
Medicine cabinet makeover tips for people with high blood pressure
(BPT) - If you’re among the 68 million Americans who have high blood pressure, you may feel that taking your medicine, getting plenty of exercise and eating a healthy diet means you’re doing everything you can to manage your condition. But with cold season in full swing and many areas of the country recording record num...
full story
Survival tips for every Alzheimer's disease family caregiver
Every 68 seconds, someone in the United States develops Alzheimer’s disease. Approximately 5.4 million Americans currently have the disease, and nearly 15 million others are providing care. Often the equivalent of a full-time job, 80 percent of at-home care for people with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia is provided by unpaid family caregivers. With the rise in the older population, many Americans may find themselves in the role of caregiver for a friend or family member with Alzhei...
full story
DQ7K_17135863_web.jpg
To comfort a cold or flu, home remedies make a world of difference
(BPT) - For generations, families have passed down home-spun remedies that can help loved ones feel that even during those sniffles and sneezes, they’re cared for. Having a bowl of grandma’s famous soup or your aunt’s special healing concoction can help your body heal and set your mind at ease. Recently, a group of Lati...
full story
DPM9_17476581_web.jpg
The truth about losing weight: Separating facts from fiction (and magic pills)
(BPT) - Losing weight can dramatically improve your emotional and physical health, but it’s often a slow process. Millions of American adults use dietary supplements to lose weight, choosing a range of products that claim to decrease appetite, block fat absorption or increase metabolism. But with hundreds of products ...
full story
3037_17599206_web.jpg
Keep your office healthy to prevent a flu outbreak
(BPT) - A flu outbreak in your workforce can cause problems in several different areas of your business. The best flu prevention is encouraging and educating workers on how to be proactive at fending off the flu virus. By making sure your employees do the best they can to stay in good health and flu free, you can keep y...
full story
2W48_17515748_web.jpg
Diabetic nerve pain is different than a muscle ache or sprained ankle
(BPT) - The prevalence of diabetes continues to increase significantly, and is expected to affect 53.1 million Americans by 2025, an increase of 64 percent from 2010. One of the most common complications of diabetes is diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), a form of nerve damage. More than one in five people with diabet...
full story
Eye-opening facts and myths about eye health [Infographic]
If you live long enough, you will get a cataract. Cataracts can limit the ability to see bright colors, read and, most frighteningly, drive a car – especially at night. Although more than 20 million Americans 40 years and older have a cataract in one or both eyes, there is a surprising lack of knowledge about the condition among U.S. adults. In fact, a recent survey found that 22 percent of Americans did not think that they were at risk for developing cataracts in their lifetime, when in rea...
full story
H4JA_17566566_web.jpg
Learn how to be healthy, active and live well with diabetes
(BPT) - Whether you are at risk for, have been recently diagnosed with, or are living with diabetes, it is essential to make sure you have the information necessary to manage your disease. It can also be overwhelming caring for someone with diabetes. The American Diabetes Association strives to make it easier and the or...
full story
1GQX_17378312_web.jpg
Nursing home admissions avoided with simplified prescription packaging
(BPT) - Numerous factors impact a senior’s ability to live independently, such as health and memory problems, mobility issues, and care coordination concerns. Often overlooked is the fact that one quarter of all nursing home admissions are the result of poor medication adherence. Representing a loss of independence, be...
full story