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Balancing act Are you going to the gym more but enjoying it less? If youre checking out mentally as you are working out, you may not be getting the full benefit from the experience.
Open wide please Estimates show that as many as 75 percent of U.S. adults have some degree of fear of going to the dentist. But perhaps 5 to 10 percent of them actually suffer from dental phobia, which causes so much distress that they avoid the dentist at all costs until an emergency happens.
Growing pains The joy that comes with pregnancy can sometimes be overshadowed by the discomfort and pain of the physical challenges that accompany it. But women dont have to live with the discomfort. They can benefit from physical therapy that focuses on increasing strength and stability and eliminating pain during and after pregnancy.
Strategic healing Maybe youve wondered about that brightly colored tape youve seen adorning the bodies of professional athletes like Serena Williams, Lance Armstrong and David Beckham. It isnt a new type of tattoo, its Kinesio Tape, strategically placed on their bodies to help reduce pain and improve the healing of injuries. Developed by a chiropractor, Kinesio Tape is thin woven elastic color-coded tape that is used on joints and muscles where support and stability is needed.
Mirror image A dedicated fitness regime can tighten those abs, tone your legs and give you sculpted arms. But theres one thing it cant do: Give you the body you werent naturally meant to have.
The numbers game Diane Tolega may not be able to change the date on her birth certificate, but during the past few years she feels shes shaved a few years off her chronological age through a combination of lifestyle choices and medical approaches.
The autism debate Controversy has surrounded the causes of autism, a spectrum of brain disorders that make communication and social interaction difficult. Symptoms typically start before the age of 3, when parents notice their child is not behaving like other children of the same age. The signs may include a delay in talking, repeated behaviors such as body rocking, unusual attachments to objects and/or a lack of social skills.
Correcting the curve In the past, some children with scoliosis faced a difficult surgery with up to a year of inactivity, but today that time has been reduced thanks to advancement in surgery and other treatments.
Fatigue fighter A three-sport athlete in high school, Kevin Crowley, 25, was eager to stay active during cancer treatments that lasted nearly all of 2010.
Conquering colitis For Megan Starshak of Milwaukee, the symptoms of ulcerative colitis began when she was a junior in high school. The disease, an inflammation of the colon, often causes frequent and urgent trips to the bathroom and severe abdominal pain. "At first, I thought maybe I had a virus," says Starshak, 26. "I was doing high school track at the time and thought I was overworking."
Sleep cycle Sleep is an essential part of good health, as important as a balanced diet and regular exercise. Unfortunately, most Americans view sleep as a waste of time. "We as a society dont place enough value on sleep," says Steve Gardner, director of marketing for the Sleep Wellness Institute and executive director of the Reggie White Sleep Disorders Foundation.
Boning up If you eat the right foods and stay active, theres a good chance your bones could carry you well into your old age. "There are several well-established guidelines we recommend to patients that will help keep bones healthy and prevent bone loss," says Dr. John England of Orthopaedic Associates of Wisconsin in Waukesha.
The first 24 One day last March, Blake returned from his daily six-mile walk feeling a little sick. "I was going to have dinner, but I wasnt really hungry. That shouldve been the tip-off to me that something was wrong," he says. "I felt like I had a bad case of heartburn, so I went to lie down. That didnt help, and when I stood up, I felt light-headed and faint."
Meeting of the minds People with chronic pain, allergies and other health problems who have not found success with traditional Western medicine are turning in greater numbers to Eastern medical techniques like acupuncture for solutions.
Silence is not golden Women improving their health together is the concept behind Heart Secrets at Columbia St. Marys. Participants learn from experts on diet, exercise, gynecology and midlife health and from fellow patients in group settings that last up to two hours. Besides these "shared medical appointments," women also meet individually with a preventive cardiologist. At the home or office, patients can use exclusive health tracking tools and other online resources.
The organic debate After watching the Oscar-nominated "Food, Inc." documentary showing tomatoes blasted with ethylene gas to spur natural ripening for faster sales; chickens living in squalor and never seeing daylight; corn syrup-infused foods; and salmonella scares and e-coli scandals, its no wonder consumers are concerned about their food.
Breathe easy Millions of people have allergies caused by outdoor allergens that vanish with the change of seasons. But some allergens just dont go away: Theyre lurking inside your home. Learning what they are and how to get rid of them can help you avoid problems.
Foods, with benefits They reportedly do everything from boosting brain power, preventing cancer and reducing belly fat but what role should certain foods, dubbed "super foods," play in our everyday diet?
Cosmetic successes Many studies have shown that cosmetic surgery produces positive psychological benefits by improving patients perception of well-being. But a growing number of cosmetic procedures also can improve certain physical problems that detract from the quality of a persons life.
Set your smile free Mention the word "dentist" to Carol Gerard of Milwaukee, and shes likely to flash you a million-dollar grin. But she wasnt always enthusiastic about sitting in a dentists chair. "Theyve come a long way with dentistry," Gerard says. "I used to have a dentist I (jokingly) called Dr. Yankum."
Realistic resolve The New Year is over and the obligatory "I-am-going-to-change-my-life" discussion is under way. How is it that every year folks take a weight loss and fitness goal and turn it into something so impossible to reach?
Up all night How did you sleep last night? Did you wake up feeling refreshed? Perhaps you felt fatigued and tired. If you did, youre not alone. In fact, 50 to 70 million American adults suffer from sleep and wakefulness disorders, according to a new report from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Something to chew on Many dentists say the most important part of dental care is what happens at home. Even if you visit your dentist regularly, he or she sees you perhaps a few times a year so youre the one in the best position to notice changes in your mouth. Changes can include bleeding or swollen gums, discolored teeth and sores on your gums or cheeks. And, you should be aware of other issues such as bad breath, sensitive teeth and dry mouth.
Worth their salt Weve been told for years by our physicians to moderate salt in our diets, but a new, novel approach to cooking might make home cooks want to disregard that advice, at least for a little while. Instead of adding salt, home cooks and professional chefs are now cooking on salt through the use of Himalayan saltware.
Medicinal Massage Anyone whos enjoyed a great massage can appreciate its stress-releasing effects. The ancient art of massage has been shown to have benefits for many serious medical conditions, including cancer and hypertension, as well as less serious issues, such as pain related to exercise, headaches or sinus problems. But choosing the right type of massage and even the right massage therapist is key.
Deadliest cancers By now everyone knows about the importance of regular mammograms, Pap smears and colonoscopies. Such screenings can detect cancers early, when they are most treatable.
Diet du jour It must be the same trait that drives us to buy lottery tickets when the jackpot tops $100 million. Detox diets that claim you can drop 25 pounds in two weeks, cleanse your liver and boost your metabolism have captured our collective interest. We humans are forever seeking the easy way to riches, beauty and health.
Heart secrets Columbia St. Marys Hospital of Wisconsin recently launched a womens heart program that takes an interactive approach to fighting heart disease.
Looking at lipids One-third of all deaths in Wisconsin each year are related to cardiovascular disease, and a small, but growing number of physicians, are tackling the problem.
Breakthroughs Consider the following: You step into a germ-free booth, where your face and body are zapped by a bright white light. Seconds later, you step out, looking 25 again no wrinkles, no cellulite, no sags or bags. Sound great?
Protect yourself Spring is here and the yard is beckoning. Its time to prune, plant and get rid of last winters ugly reminders. But before you head outdoors for some much-deserved sunshine and frolicking in the flowers, remember to take a few precautions.
Sugar attack Diabetes is more common than ever. More than 20 million Americans have been diagnosed with the disease, but there are many more that are unaware they have it.
Take heart Heart disease is the No.1 killer in Wisconsin for women; doctors urge its time to protect your health.
Implant alternative Dr. John LoGiudice became interested in plastic and reconstructive surgery after observing a surgeon reconstruct the face of a 16-year-old girl suffering from a rare, aggressive facial tumor.
Rethinking pain "Im different than other people," Daffy Duck once proclaimed. "Pain hurts me." Sorry to ruffle your feathers, Daffy, but pain hurts all of us. And in an era of instant gratification and direct pharmaceutical marketing, it seems theres a pill for every ache.
A change of heart At a stable near Milwaukee, theres a horse named "My Happy Ending." How he got his name is a story with more convolutions than a dressage event at a national horse show.
Deconstructing Harry High-achieving men often pay a steep physical price for that success. They endure Bzzzzz bzzzzzz
A model makeover Many people can easily list 100 things they would rather do than visit the dentist. But for Brian Janssen, it was his No. 1 fear, thanks to the childhood trauma of having baby teeth pulled by a dentist he and his brothers called "the old crabby guy."
Brothers team up in prostate cancer fight As a former football player, Gene Felker knew what it was like to get hit. When he learned in 1997 that he had prostate cancer, Felker felt like hed been leveled. Surgery, months of hormone injections, and 40 radiation treatments followed.
Finding relief An autoimmune disease is among natures most mysterious disorders a malfunction of the bodys immune system, causing the body to attack its own tissues.
Precious moments All that Ann Quale of Mequon can remember about the seizure that struck her "totally out of the blue" on the afternoon of Oct. 17, 2007, is coming groggily back to consciousness at about the same time her two young boys got off the school bus.
Kid stuff Most infants and young children will develop an average of three respiratory infections each year, studies show. Some infections are the result of viruses and will go away on their own, but others are caused by bacteria and require antibiotics.
Sleep relief Many a bed partners sleep has been disturbed by their beloveds nighttime symphony. Homebuilders are rescuing the sleep deprived with separate bedrooms for the nocturnally noisy that are attached, yet separated, from the master suite.
Healthier by morning If you dont think good sleep is a critical part of staying healthy, then you might be surprised by some of the questions Dr. M. Sandra Casper asks her patients.
Tame those tender tootsies News flash: Feet arent supposed to hurt. Just try telling that to the millions of Americans whose tootsies, ankles and soles are singing, even wailing, the blues. Granted, some of the pain is the owners fault sky-high heels, extra weight, ill-fitting shoes, miles at the track. And much of that can be eliminated with sensible heel heights, a few less pounds, shoes with wider toe boxes or, for serious runners, a reduction in training. But if your feet still hurt after those solutions, its time to get professional help.