January is national thyroid awareness month. This butterfly-shaped gland, located at the base of your neck, manufactures hormones that regulate your body’s metabolism. Different disorders can arise when your thyroid produces too much hormone (hyperthyroidism) or not enough (hypothyroidism). Problems can range from a goiter (a noncancerous enlargement in the neck) to an autoimmune disease that requires constant monitoring. Most thyroid disorders are more common in … [Read more...] about What You Should Know About Your Thyroid
5 Perimenopause Symptoms to Watch For
If you’re a woman in your 40s, you may experience bodily changes as you begin the transition to menopause. This transition period—which can last 3 to 5 years—is called perimenopause. Perimenopause is a natural part of life and is nothing to worry about. But it can be helpful to know what to expect. During perimenopause, your estrogen levels fluctuate and gradually begin to drop. This continues until your monthly cycle stops. This is the time you’ve reached menopause. But in the meantime, … [Read more...] about 5 Perimenopause Symptoms to Watch For
Emergency Room Visits During COVID-19
The COVID-19 has made people rethink their choices on commingling with others — how often they go to the grocery store, parks, schools – and public spaces. However, one thing COVID19 shouldn’t do is seeking medical care in a healthcare emergency and making a visit to the ER. Having said that, we understand many have unsettling feelings about ER visits. Every medical emergency is stressful, still one during a pandemic can bring even more concern. Will the ER staff be available to treat me? … [Read more...] about Emergency Room Visits During COVID-19
Heart Palpitations: When To Visit The ER
Ideally, many people barely notice their hearts beating, which is natural. However, any noticeable change in the heartbeat should be concerning, be it slow or fast. Chances are, you're experiencing what's usually known as "heart palpitations," a term for feeling your heart is beating hard, fast or erratically. Although heart palpitations can be worrisome, they are usually harmless. In rare cases, they can be a symptom of a more serious heart condition, such as an irregular heartbeat … [Read more...] about Heart Palpitations: When To Visit The ER
Thyroid Awareness: Know The Symptoms
Each year, an estimated 20,000,000 Americans are victims of various thyroid conditions that may not show any symptoms at all. 60 percent of them do not even know that there is something wrong. I was one of those Americans. In my case, my condition turned out to be thyroid cancer. And at the age of 34, a month before my baby girl turned 1, I had to have my entire thyroid removed. While my cancer story could employ another 10,000 words (future post alert), the focus of today’s post is to … [Read more...] about Thyroid Awareness: Know The Symptoms