Research-based articles on weight management, joint health, gut health, and natural wellness to help you make informed health decisions.
Getting an MRI with a pacemaker used to be strictly forbidden, but that is no longer the case. Many hospitals and imaging centers now perform MRIs safely on people with certain pacemakers. You need a facility that is equipped for “MRI-conditional” devices and has staff trained in the specific safety protocols required for pacemaker patients. … Read more
Most pregnant people in the United States get two ultrasounds during a typical pregnancy. One is usually done in the first trimester, between 11 and 14 weeks. The second is the anatomy scan, typically performed between 18 and 22 weeks. This is the standard recommendation from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. But the … Read more
Dermatitis flares happen when your skin barrier is compromised and an irritant or allergen triggers inflammation. The most effective way to prevent flares is to strengthen your skin barrier daily with gentle cleansing and consistent moisturizing while avoiding known triggers. This means using fragrance-free products, patting skin dry instead of rubbing, and applying a thick … Read more
An hCG blood test measures the level of human chorionic gonadotropin, a hormone produced during pregnancy. This test is primarily used to confirm pregnancy, but it also helps track early pregnancy health, screen for certain pregnancy complications, and detect some rare cancers. The test detects the exact amount of hCG in your blood, which gives … Read more
Blood is never blue. Not inside your body. Not outside your body. Not before it hits air. This is one of the most persistent myths in health education, and it is completely false. Human blood is always some shade of red. The color changes depending on how much oxygen it carries, but it never turns … Read more
Brown spots on your skin are most often sun damage, aging spots, or leftover marks from old acne or injuries. They are usually harmless. You should worry and see a dermatologist when a spot changes shape, color, or size, has an irregular border, is itchy or bleeding, or looks different from your other spots. What … Read more
Macrocytosis means your red blood cells are larger than normal. It is not a disease itself but a sign that something else is going on in your body. The most common cause by far is a vitamin B12 or folate deficiency. Your body needs these vitamins to make DNA properly. When they are low, your … Read more
An MRI shows a herniated disk as a piece of spinal disk material that has pushed out beyond its normal boundary. On the scan, the disk appears darker than the fluid around it, and the herniated fragment looks like a small blob or tongue of tissue pressing into the spinal canal. Radiologists call this a … Read more
If you have an H. pylori infection, your stomach lining is already under attack. What you eat directly affects how much pain you feel and whether the bacteria can thrive. The short answer: avoid foods that increase stomach acid, irritate the stomach lining, or feed the bacteria. This means cutting out spicy foods, acidic fruits, … Read more
When you get your blood pressure checked, the reading shows two numbers. The top number is systolic pressure, which measures the force when your heart beats. The bottom number is diastolic pressure, and it measures the pressure in your arteries between heartbeats when your heart is resting and refilling with blood. This lower number matters … Read more