NATIONAL KIDNEY MONTH

Chronic kidney disease, also known as chronic renal disease or CKD, is a condition characterized by a gradual loss of kidney function over time. Chronic kidney disease includes conditions that damage your kidneys and decrease their ability to keep you healthy by filtering wastes from your blood. If kidney disease worsens, wastes can build to […]

NATIONAL HEART MONTH

Every year more than 600,000 Americans die from heart disease. The number one cause of deaths for most groups, heart disease affects all ages, genders, and ethnicities. Risk factors include high cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, and excessive alcohol use. Heart disease occurs when the arteries leading to the heart become clogged. Although heart […]

NATIONAL THYROID AWARENESS MONTH

More than 12 percent of the U.S. population will develop a thyroid condition during their lifetime. An estimated 20 million Americans have some form of thyroid disease. Up to 60 percent of those with thyroid disease are unaware of their condition. Women are five to eight times more likely than men to have thyroid problems. […]

NATIONAL SAFE TOYS AND GIFT AWARENESS MONTH

In recent years, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has created a robust toy safety system, by requiring testing by independent, third party testing laboratories around the world; enforcing stringent lead and phthalates limits for toys; imposing some of the most stringent toy standards in the world; and stopping violative and dangerous toys at […]

NATIONAL COPD AWARENESS MONTH

COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, is an umbrella term used to describe chronic lung diseases, encompassing emphysema, and chronic bronchitis. The disease is characterized by increasing breathlessness. Unfortunately, the disease can progress for years if it is undiagnosed. It’s important to talk to a health care provider as soon as you experience symptoms, including […]

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

What is breast cancer? Cancer occurs when changes called mutations take place in genes that regulate cell growth. The mutations let the cells divide and multiply in an uncontrolled way. Breast cancer is cancer that develops in breast cells. Typically, the cancer forms in either the lobules or the ducts of the breast. Lobules are […]

NATIONAL CHOLESTEROL AWARENESS MONTH

What is cholesterol? Blood cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance made by your liver. Blood cholesterol is essential for good health. Your body needs it to perform important jobs, such as making hormones and digesting fatty foods. Your body makes all the blood cholesterol it needs, which is why experts recommend that people eat as […]

NATIONAL IMMUNIZATION AWARENESS MONTH

Vaccines work by stimulating the body’s immune system to safely provide protection against viruses or bacteria that cause infection. After vaccination, the immune system is prepared to respond quickly when the body encounters the disease-causing organism. Why are vaccines important? They help provide protection from an infectious disease and can lessen the severity of illness. […]

National Autism Awareness Month

What are the signs of autism? The autism diagnosis age and intensity of autism’s early signs vary widely. Some infants show hints in their first months. In others, behaviors become obvious as late as age 2 or 3. Not all children with autism show all the signs. Many children who don’t have autism show a few. That’s why […]

National Sleep Awareness Month

March is National Sleep Awareness Month. We all need sleep, but many of us are not getting enough of it. Research shows that lack of sleep, on a regular basis, may have long-term health problems including diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, depression, and obesity. A good diet and exercise help to maintain good health, but […]