Brain games may seem like a tool to boost your memory, but do they really help? As we grow older, it’s possible to experience moments of forgetfulness. These lapses in memory may also spark a quest to find tools that can improve overall brain function and health. While some brain games claim to enhance memory, […]
Heading to the hospital can be a stressful time, but there are ways to plan for your stay so that it’s more comfortable. Going to the hospital for a surgery or treatment that will require staying more than just a couple of nights may understandably make you nervous. It’s not easy to be away from […]
It’s a scientific fact that points to a definite mind-body connection. Loneliness has become a public health epidemic, according to former United States Surgeon General Vivek Murthy. A 2018 AARP survey seems to back this up: It found that 1 in 3 adults older than 45 were lonely. Given the disconnectedness of our world, it’s […]
Do you have severe abdominal pain? You could have gallstones. Learn more about the signs and symptoms. Tucked beneath your liver, the gallbladder is a seemingly inconsequential organ that stores bile from your liver. When this bile passes to your small intestine, it helps digest fatty foods. However, when gallstones occur, the pain can be […]
Dr. Hsieh is a colorectal surgeon at Keck Medicine of USC, who specializes in minimally invasive surgery as well as women’s health, including anorectal disease, pelvic floor disorders and functional concerns. Here’s what you won’t find on her resume. The love for a great story led her to medicine. “I used to be a journalist, […]
While it’s probably not going to lead to harm, cracking your knuckles doesn’t necessarily have any benefits, either. We all know a knuckle cracker. If you’re one yourself, you probably spent your childhood listening to well-meaning adults tell you to stop, before you cause damage to your joints. As an adult, you might also get […]
Take control of your health, with these tips on preventing common injuries and conditions. Many diseases strike without warning. Their causes could lie in your family history or something in your genes, which you have no control over. But, a surprising number of health problems can actually be avoided with the right preparation and lifestyle […]
Several people in both Alabama and North Carolina have been diagnosed with a rare eye cancer known as ocular melanoma. Although found in only 6 out of 1 million in the US, dozens of ocular melanomas were diagnosed in mostly women 20 to 30 years of age. Interestingly, through the use of social media, multiple […]
Linda Dankwa is an award-winning critical care nurse at Keck Medicine of USC, who has more than three decades of health care experience. Here’s what you won’t find on her resume. Her career choice was inspired by family — and soaps. “My three choices after high school were pharmacist, engineer and nurse. I admired my […]
For some people, medications aren’t enough to clear up sinus infections. Here are some steps you can take if you’ve had enough. Sinus infections are no fun. They cause pressure, swelling and congestion that can be painful and even debilitating. And if one acute infection isn’t bad enough, some people get them over and over […]