The American Cancer Society estimates that about 17,650 Americans (13,750 men and 3,900 women) will be diagnosed with esophageal cancer this year.
Are you at risk, and if so, can you lower that risk? Is esophageal cancer linked with frequent heartburn? What are the treatment options? Dr. David Zink, Spectrum Health Medical Group-Gastroenterology, offers answers to these questions and more:
What’s the harm in letting a young person try alcohol? Plenty. While drinking in moderation as an adult might be fine, kids’ brains aren’t mature enough to handle any amount of alcohol. That’s why it’s critical for parents to talk to their kids about the pitfalls of alcohol and underage drinking. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests beginning this discussion as early as age 9.
Thyroid disease affects millions of Americans, especially women—yet it’s often misunderstood and overlooked. To clear up the confusion, and underscore the importance of this small but powerful gland, Dr. Peter Hoekman, an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist, offers answers to some common questions:
A butterfly-shaped gland located in the front of your neck, the thyroid makes hormones that regulate critical functions, such as metabolism, heart rate and body temperature.
From online gaming to social media to video chatting, messaging and selfies, technology is ever-evolving and ever-present in our lives. Children use it to socialize, to do homework, to stay informed, and for entertainment.
While we can’t and shouldn’t cut off access to digital media entirely, it is necessary to create boundaries and exert some control over your child’s screen time. For added peace of mind, Holland Hospital Behavioral Health Services offers these seven tips:
It may be all fun and games for hoops fans, but for problem gamblers, March Madness is a dangerous time of year. Those few bucks you spend on a bracket (or two) for your March Madness office pool? They’re part of an estimated $10 billion gambled each year on the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. Other common forms of gambling that put people at risk include casinos, online games and lotteries.
Why is March Madness a losing bet for those who may be struggling with gambling? Here are a few reasons:
While colon cancer is one of the most common cancers in the U.S.—affecting 1 in 23 men and 1 in 25 women at some point during their lifetime—you’re far from powerless when it comes to lowering your risk of this disease.
Here are six ways to help protect your colorectal health:
More than 40 percent of Americans suffer from heartburn at least once a month. While occasional heartburn isn’t something to worry about, frequent symptoms could signal a more serious problem known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or acid reflux.
Heartburn is caused by stomach acid backing up into the esophagus. The burning sensation is generally felt in the upper and central part of your chest.
Heartburn is a common symptom of GERD, but this condition can also cause:
Heart disease is a sobering reminder of mortality. After a heart attack or surgery, you live with a new reality. Maybe you’re faced with dietary restrictions or lifestyle changes or a new pharmaceutical regimen. Probably you’re more conscious of your breathing and your heart rate. With all the preoccupations and adjustments that accompany heart disease, sex can become a low priority. Maybe you’re afraid that intercourse will damage your newly fragile heart or actually trigger a heart attack. Or maybe it’s hard even to be interested in sex.
While running may be considered the darling of aerobic exercise, putting one foot in front of the other at a moderate pace can also provide ample benefits to your heart and overall health, with less risk of injury. In fact, the simple, affordable act of walking can add years to your life, and moving at a faster clip may further boost longevity.
Norovirus. Just hearing the word makes you, well, queasy. But what exactly is it? Is it the same as the flu? What can you do to speed relief if you catch it?
Dr. Matthew Hilton from Holland Hospital Family Medicine offers answers and untangles norovirus myths from facts: