Excerpts from our conversation with Dr. Kenneth Wright, Jr., an NIH-funded expert on sleep at the University of Colorado, Boulder. NIHNiH: What is the circadian system? And why is it disrupted by shift work, such as working the night shift? Wright: The circadian system is our biological clock. That biological clock controls the timing of a lot…
Dr. Kenneth Wright on Shift Work and Sleep
Finger Numbness
Do you have tingling or numbness in your hand or fingers? It could be a sign that you have carpal tunnel syndrome. Often, you’ll get pain in your thumb, index, and middle finger. You may find that your hands are clumsy, and it’s harder to grip things. Symptoms of carpal tunnel usually start slowly. Many…
The Best Diet for Hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism
Is the apparent protection of plant-based diets for thyroid health due to the exclusion of animal foods, the benefits of plant foods, or both? There are several autoimmune diseases that affect the thyroid gland, the most common being Graves’ disease and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Graves’ disease results in hyperthyroidism, an overactive thyroid gland. Though slaughterhouses are…
Is It Parkinson’s? These 10 Signs Could Tell
Parkinson’s disease can be hard for the average person to identify, but 10 warning signs may offer an early clue that you or a loved one may be developing the disease. The Parkinson’s Foundation suggests being aware of the signs, while knowing that having any one of them doesn’t mean the disease is present. Tremor…
Moving Away From Opioids to Treat Dental Pain
By Ernie Mundell Many opioid abusers cite short-term, legitimate use of an opioid for relief of joint or dental pain as their “gateway” into addiction. Now, research done at one New York State clinic finds that dentists can cut their use of opioids down to zero, using other painkillers for patients instead. The end result:…
Dealing With Grief on the Cancer Journey
Cancer isn’t just a physical struggle but also an emotional one, as patients, survivors and their loved ones experience grief and loss throughout the experience. Gabrielle Alvarez, a social worker at Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, offered some tips to help patients and caregivers manage their feelings. Alvarez, a certified grief counselor, noted that…
Enlarged Spleen Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
An enlarged spleen – also known as splenomegaly – can lead to spleen pain and anemia. The spleen is part of the lymph system and works with the drainage network in order to prevent illness and keep us healthy. The spleen, although it protects us from illness, can get sick from numerous conditions, such as…
Eat These Foods to Starve Cancer Cells to Death
Some people may not realize this, but many people have cancer cells in their bodies without presenting much danger. Fortunately, there are some common foods that can cut off cancer cell’s nutrient supply and starve them to death. Autopsies of individuals who died of trauma often reveal microscopic colonies of cancer cells, also known as in…
Alzheimer’s Is Linked to Gum Disease – but Bad Oral Health Is Not the Only Culprit
For most people, teeth cleaning may just be a normal part of your daily routine. But what if the way you clean your teeth today, might affect your chances of getting Alzheimer’s disease in years to come? There is an increasing body of evidence to indicate that gum (periodontal) disease could be a plausible risk…
Health Risks Linked to Leaving Lights on at Night
Ensuring your bedroom is pitch black at night—without light exposure from a television, window, cellphone, or even your alarm clock—is a simple way to reduce your risk of chronic disease. It was only about 130 years ago that electric light was invented, bringing with it drastic changes in the way humans function on a daily…
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