September 22-30, 2013 - Original Health Articles

"People with cancer often feel quite alone and isolated, because others may not be in tune with what they are going through," says Kimberly A. Stump-Sutliff, MSN, RN, AOCNS associate medical editor for the American Cancer Society. Part of the problem is that friends and family members typically don't know how to properly comfort the person who is ill.

For people with serious allergies to foods, insect venom, latex, drugs, or other substances that can lead to a dangerous allergic reaction called anaphylaxis, carrying an epinephrine auto-injector—and knowing how to use it properly—could mean the difference between life and death.

Someone you care about has gained a noticeable amount of weight and you're wondering if you should say something about it. The answer is "no," according to Claire Mysko of the National Eating Disorders Association. She says that your words can end up making the situation worse.

What's the secret to living the good life when you have arthritis? It's all about taking care of yourself, seeking out the best possible therapies, and taking wellness seriously. Unfortunately many people make big mistakes when dealing with arthritis, potentially sabotaging their treatment.

There is no cure for Parkinson's disease, a degenerative neurologic disorder that affects up to one million Americans and can cause severe mobility and coordination problems. Exercise is often recommended to help manage symptoms, but according to research...

When it comes to surgery for breast cancer, there is no one-size-fits-all choice. The type of procedure depends on the stage of the cancer, how big the tumor is, whether lymph nodes are involved, the chances of a recurrence, and a woman's own comfort level, among other factors.

With the change in the seasons upon us and so many pollen, leaf mold, and other allergens floating around, millions of Americans are experiencing allergy symptoms. While itching, sniffling, and sneezing are bad enough, many allergy patients also have asthma, an inflammatory reaction that occurs in the airways.

There's no time of year that screams Family and Couples like the holidays, except of course, for all those other special occasions where you might run into your ex, like your child's first day of school or graduation, or a big family wedding. How do you get through these potentially stressful events without being miserable or worse, making your children miserable? We've got 10 tips for how to deal with your ex during special occasions—whether you have children together or not.

Different types of diabetes develop for different reasons. Here are the answers to some common questions about the three major types. Q: What makes one type of diabetes different from another? A: Type 1 diabetes develops when the body stops producing the hormone insulin.

For diabetes patients, food and lifestyle choices are crucial: They can keep blood sugar levels under control, and lower patients' risk of diabetes-related complications like blindness, strokes, heart attacks, amputations, and kidney and nerve damage.

People with Type A personalities tend to be competitive, assertive, and sometimes impatient perfectionists. Highly focused and bent on success, they often approach life with a sense of urgency. And, intriguingly, when they have type I diabetes, Type As also have lower mortality rates than others with the condition, even after adjusting for factors like age, smoking status, and educational level, according to a study in Diabetes Care.

You probably enjoy a few bananas or more every week; this inexpensive fruit is tasty and easy to find. But did you know that many people also make good use of the banana leaf? Banana leaves are the big, inedible fronds on the banana plant that appear above ground, and can be used for a variety of cooking and first-aid needs.

Juicing is hot. From all-American orange juice that's still a staple at the morning table to the multitude of smoothies now found everywhere from supermarkets to specialty juice bars, juice has never been more popular. Is there any downside to the trend? Yes, says Stephanie Middleberg, MS, RD, CDN, a New York City dietitian and the founder of Middleberg Nutrition.

Gluten is a big diet buzzword these days, and chances are someone you know avoids it like the plague. But whether you eat a gluten-free diet because of Celiac disease, a serious autoimmune disorder that causes intestinal damage; Gluten intolerance,...