Healthy Life Articles

Back to school not only means gathering school supplies, packing lunches and enduring the groans of homework—it also means making sure your child’s vaccinations are up to date.

When it comes to immunization, there really is no question. Without proper immunization, many vaccine-preventable diseases can have dangerous consequences, from seizures and brain damage to blindness and even death—for your child, yourself and others around you both. Before you consider forgoing vaccinations, talk with your child’s health care provider.

Congratulations on your new arrival! Now that your baby has made his/her debut, you want to give him/her the very best start. While breastfeeding is a personal choice, it delivers a lot of perks—for moms and little ones alike.

If you’re one of the 795,000 Americans who’ve suffered a stroke in the last year, what should you expect for the rest of your life? Although stroke remains a leading cause of long-term disability in the U.S., early and comprehensive therapy can make a profound difference on long-term health and quality of life.

Bringing a baby into the world is an exhilarating experience, but it doesn’t come free of worry, perhaps most especially regarding labor pain. The good news is, moms-to-be who choose Holland Hospital’s Boven Birth Center for their delivery have access to an additional convenient and safe comfort option: nitrous oxide. 

Hooray, summer has arrived! It’s the perfect time to keep your feet cool with a pair of easy-breezy flip-flops. Besides being cute and convenient, they can be pretty comfortable, too. But are flip-flops good for your feet?

The not-so-fun medical answer is ... no. Here are some reasons why: 

While it’s often easier to talk about sports, current events or work, discussing your personal wellness could make a profound difference when it comes to your longevity and quality of life. Most men, however, are reluctant to talk about their health with anyone, let alone a medical professional. In fact, 60 percent of men don’t go to the doctor, according to a Cleveland Clinic study.

The most common reason people seek medical care isn’t diabetes, cancer or even heart disease. According to the National Institutes of Health, it’s pain. In fact, it’s estimated that 100 million Americans struggle with pain symptoms daily, and chronic pain is the nation’s leading cause of long-term disability.

Lack of energy and concentration. Sleepiness. Lost of interest and appetite. Mood swings. While these are only some of the symptoms of clinical depression, they’re all pretty good reasons to avoid exercise. That said, working up a sweat can be as effective as medications for fighting depression.

So if you’re one of the millions of Americans living with this chronic disease, lacing up your walking shoes or slipping on your swimming cap might be just what the doctor ordered.

Between Netflix and limitless fast food options, the temptations to indulge are vast and varied. While it’s not surprising that our lifestyle choices impact our overall wellness, did you know that healthy living can prevent or even reverse as much as 80 percent of chronic disease? 

While TV commercials make menstruation seem like a breeze, with women making the most of everything—from water sports to ballroom dancing—you’re probably not eagerly awaiting your next cycle. This may be especially true if you experience 
menorrhagia (heavy periods). 

Menorrhagia affects more than 10 million American women every year. If you’re one of them, your period is, well, no picnic. You may be suffering from complications like heavy blood loss, severe pain and even anemia.