Wellness

It happens annually – temperatures start to drop, and suddenly everyone is getting sick. According to the NIH, this is partly due to the fact that colder winter air allows cold and flu viruses to survive longer and transmit more easily.

Many Americans find that their physical and mental health is adversely affected by a sedentary lifestyle. Fortunately, there are ways you can remain physically active and maintain your mental health during the workday.

Bug-borne illnesses have increased significantly over the past decade, with most cases relating to flea-and-tick-borne lyme. Southwestern Pennsylvania actually had the most cases statewide in 2018.

We’ve said it once, we’ll say it again – shots aren’t just for kids.

Research shows living liver donor transplants have improved three-year survival rates for recipients over deceased liver transplants, as well as lower hospital costs. Yet, too few people donate.

It’s the topic no one wants to talk about, yet it happens – often: head lice.

As you prepare your children to go back to school, now is the perfect time to renew your commitment to protecting the environment and to encouraging healthier lunchtime habits.

While the summer sun and heat can be fun, it has proven to be dangerous. Studies show that seniors are more prone to heat stress and make up 36 percent of fatal heat stress-related cases.

Summer travel is stressful enough without the added strain of traveling with a backseat driver.

As the weather keeps heating up, it calls for protection of all sorts like hydration and sunscreen, but there’s one thing you’re probably forgetting – your eyes.

In this day and age, one thing is clear: We’re surrounded by plastic. While recycling can help reduce the amount of plastic that ends up in landfills and waterways, there are many other options for making the switch to more sustainable items and reducing plastic use in your life.

Been to the doctor lately? If you are a man, probably not – studies show that men are 24 percent less likely to have regular checkups than women.

While a cloudy eye may seem benign, it could be more dangerous than you think – cataracts are the leading cause of blindness for Americans over 40.

Juggling multiple responsibilities is hard, and maintaining your mental health through it all is even harder. With so much on our plates, it’s easy to neglect ourselves and forget to set aside time to breathe. Here are some tips to implement self-care tactics into your everyday life.

Trying to improve your health? Easy: get some z’s. That’s right – proper sleep habits have been linked to improved mental, physical and emotional health. At PA Health & Wellness, we know that a good night’s rest is key to great health.

Many in our society are focusing on making their lives greener. But for some, the concept seems so vast that it’s hard to understand the lingo.

The skill of caregiving is one that not many have. Sure, tending to a sick loved one every so often is doable for most. But prolonged caregiving, where you help people heal over time and live their lives, requires intense patience.

Did you know pets are more likely than people to be overweight? A recent study found 60% of cats and 56% of dogs are obese – compared to a third of people.

If you feel stressed, you’re not alone. For better or worse, stress affects 70 percent of Americans on a daily basis. People take the effects of stress for granted, but studies link stress to weight gain, mental health issues and long-term disability.

The FDA recently announced breast implants could be tied to non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a cancer affecting the immune system. Since monitoring the situation in 2011, 457 women developed lymphoma, including nine who lost their battle to cancer.

The Parkinson Foundation Western Pennsylvania will host the 5th Annual Living Well with Parkinson’s Conference on Saturday, April 27, at the Pittsburgh Airport Marriott.

Pittsburgh is the epicenter of the opioid epidemic. There are 2.1 million Americans suffering from opioid use disorder (OUD), and over 3,500 Pennsylvanians died of an overdose in 2015 alone.

About 50% of patients with chronic conditions sometimes fail to take their medication as prescribed. This can lead to higher rates of hospital admissions, poorer health outcomes and increased healthcare costs.

If you’re a senior who wants to remain healthy well into your golden years, research shows that you’ll want to get your fill of protein.

Did you know that 1 out of every 2 older adults are at risk of becoming malnourished? That’s why we’re celebrating National Nutrition Month by shining a light on dietary needs for seniors.

Adults are often drawn toward meditation to ease daily stress and experience moments of peace. Children growing up in today’s fast-paced culture also show increased levels of restlessness, stress and anxiety, and meditation can be just as beneficial to them.

There’s good news for the workforce: The economy is on an upswing, unemployment is down and there are many careers in high demand.

Time wears differently on women’s and men’s brains. A recent study found that the female brain appears about 3.8 years younger than men’s. In the study, several researchers looked at brain metabolism – how efficiently the brains were able to turn sugar into fuel that powers it. Women consistently fared better.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., impacting 1 in 4 people. In fact, it kills more women than all forms of cancer combined. However, unlike cancer, it’s easily preventable by changing simple health habits.

It’s that time of winter when you ask the too-familiar question: Is it the flu or a cold?