According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in every 3 American adults has high blood pressure. Without treatment, uncontrolled hypertension (high blood pressure) can lead to other serious health concerns, including stroke, heart and vision problems, and kid-ney failure.

But what do doctors consider high anyway? The American Heart Association, American College of Cardiology and other leading health organizations recently lowered the definitions of normal, elevated and high blood pressure.

You’re pregnant or recently brought your little one into the world, and your excitement is replaced with sadness, irrational thoughts and anxiety. Fifty to eighty percent of new mom’s experience some unexpected weepiness, mood swings and insecurity.

Life changes with every decade, from graduating college to raising a family to planning for retirement. Regardless of age, all women should make a commitment to embrace a healthy lifestyle.

Hey guys, when’s the last time you checked in with a doctor? How much exercise are you getting each day? (No, couch surfing doesn’t count.) Are you eating enough fruits and vegetables? (French fries don’t count either.)

Every year, stroke impacts the lives of about 795,000 Americans, and yet, most of us wouldn’t recognize the warning signs of this life-threatening, leading cause of long-term disability. So what’s the best way to fight stroke?

Prevention—and knowledge is the key.

What is a stroke

A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted by a blocked (ischemic stroke) or burst (hemorrhagic stroke) blood vessel.

Oh baby, you’re going to have one! First and foremost, congratulations! While pregnancy is an exciting time, it also comes with a lot to think about, from who you’d like to deliver your baby to which over-the-counter medications are safe to take to what you’d like to name your son or daughter.

Another important decision every mom-to-be will have to make is where to have her baby. It’s never too early to envision and plan your labor and delivery experience. To help you get started, Dr. Michael Werkema, OB/Gyn Associates of Holland, offers some key questions to consider:

After years of decline, measles is on the rise in the U.S., Europe and Latin America. Why? Because alarmingly, fewer children are being vaccinated. To stop this virus from spreading, people must receive two doses of the measles containing vaccine (MMR or measles/mumps/rubella).

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:

What is the thyroid gland

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.