Category: Health and Wellness

Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain and tenderness, accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory and mood issues. Researchers believe that fibromyalgia amplifies painful sensations by affecting the way the brain processes pain signals. Women are much more likely to develop fibromyalgia than are men. Many people who have fibromyalgia also have tension headaches, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, irritable bowel syndrome, anxiety and depression. While there is no cure for fibromyalgia, a variety of medications can help control symptoms. Exercise, relaxation and stress-reduction measures also sometimes help. There is no test to detect this condition, but lab tests or X-rays are usually conducted to rule out other health problems.

If you have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia or are facing a medical decision, Best Doctors is here to help.

Call 1-866-904-0910 or visit www.bestdoctors.com/members

Read the entire PDF by Best Doctors.

November is American Diabetes month. The purpose of American Diabetes month is to raise awareness. According to the American Diabetes Association:

•  Nearly 30 million children and adults in the United States have diabetes.
• Another 86 million Americans have prediabetes and are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes.
• The American Diabetes Association estimates that the total national cost of diagnosed diabetes in the United States is $245 billion.
• Diabetes causes more deaths a year than breast cancer and AIDS combined.

So what is diabetes? There are two variations. As explained by MSU’s Health eGuide, Type I Diabetes occurs when the pancreas ceases to make insulin, a hormone that helps the body use sugar for energy. Lack of insulin causes a high blood sugar level which can be harmful to many parts of the body and can increase risk of other health complications. Type II Diabetes differs in that the body is still able to make insulin, however, it is unable to use it in the right way. While Type I Diabetes is not yet preventable, Type II can be avoided by living a healthy lifestyle.

This month and into the holidays, do your best to engage in a healthy and active lifestyle! You also can donate to help find a cure for diabetes here.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Breast cancer is the second most common cancer diagnosed in women in the United States (after skin cancer). While breast cancer does occur in both men and women, it’s far more common in women. Public support for breast cancer awareness and research funding has improved the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. Early detection, new treatments, and a better understanding of the disease have all contributed to higher breast cancer survival rates.

As in all forms of cancer, the abnormal tissue that makes up breast cancer is the patient’s own cells that have multiplied uncontrollably. Those cells may also travel to locations in the body where they are not normally found. When that happens, the cancer is called metastatic. Breast cancer usually begins with the formation of a small, confined tumor (lump), or as calcium deposits (microcalcifications), and then spreads through channels within the breast to the lymph nodes or through the blood stream to other organs. The tumor can grow and expand to tissue around the breast, such as the skin or chest wall. Different types of breast cancer grow and spread at different rates, with some types taking years to spread beyond the breast and others growing and spreading quickly.

Fortunately, breast cancer is very treatable if detected early. Early detection, however, has become our most powerful weapon against breast cancer. Mammograms, clinical breast exams, and breast self-examination have all been enormously effective in the early detection and treatment of breast cancer. Talk to your physician about the best methods for you.

To read the entire PDF by Best Doctors, click  here.