From the latest in medical technology to finding ways to de-stress after a long day's work, our Mind & Body features are full of useful information.
Music plays a significant role in nearly everyone’s life, but for some people it represents much more than an invitation to dance or a soundtrack for the morning commute.
Researchers have found that music therapy provides a diversion from negative feelings and helps manage the pain of not only adults, but of children with developmental, physical, behavioral, and neurological disabilities.
Whether you prefer a relaxing day on the beach or an afternoon on the golf course, enjoying the warmth of sunshine is one of the great things about summertime. Getting a sun-kissed glow is one of the side benefits . . . or is it? Unfortunately, those sunrays aren’t kind to the skin. "Many people think a little color to the skin makes a person look healthier, but if they knew the damage the sun causes to the skin, they would avoid it,” says Lee Miller, MD, board certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon with Dermatology Associates of Southwest Louisiana.
High blood pressure plays a contributing role in more than 15% of deaths in the United States, according to a Harvard study. The American Heart Association reports approximately 30% of Americans suffer from high blood pressure, but don’t know it.
Between the never ending piles of laundry, the chauffeuring of children to their various activities, and keeping the homestead in tip-top shape to the weekly meals prepared for the family, and for many, a full-time job, staying on top of health matters can fall to the bottom of a to-do list. In truth, your health is the best gift you can give yourself and your loved ones, so it is imperative you make time to take care of yourself in addition to taking care of everyone else. Consequently, the Department of Health and Human Services has made May 8, 2017 National Women’s Check-Up Day.
A single note of a melodic gong commences Miranda Fontenot’s Yin Yoga class. Quiet music with peaceful nature sounds plays in the background. Infused essential oils scent the air. "Namaste.” As she calmly voices instructions, Miranda walks among her students, helping them attain proper postures. She encourages them to relax into the positions.
When you think of great places for cycling you may think of France, Amsterdam, and California . . . but could Southwest Louisiana be included on that list? Thanks to a push by an unprecedented number of organizations, governments, and businesses, this region is buzzing with bicycle advocacy, bike lane construction, and group rides on any kind of bicycle you can think of.Below are some groups, events, and locations that will encourage you to dust off your 10-speed, pump up the tires, and hit the road.
How many times have you visited The Art Walk and wished that you, too, could create something like the masterpieces that hang in the Gallery by the Lake or The Art Shop? If those particular skills seem beyond your reach, you may be mistaken. Lake Chares is home to several different studios that can stoke your creative fires and help you achieve the results you want with the artistic outlet of your choice.
We’ve all heard the expression, "It is better to give than to receive.” Who doesn’t appreciate that warm fuzzy feeling when we give to those in need, be it our time, energy, or money? Generosity provides the giver a sense of purpose and increases one’s self-esteem. It improves relationships and promotes social connections. The act of giving not only helps others, but is in your best interest physically, as well! Recent studies show that generosity is good for our bodies as well as our minds. Here’s a rundown of the physical health benefits of generosity.
The Revolution of Fitness Apps
Fitness trackers have come a long way since those first pedometers that merely counted the steps you took while clipped to your waistband. Now many people use some sort of activity tracker, whether it be a Fitbit, Apple Watch, Garmin, or one of the countless fitness-tracking cell phone apps that exist. These apps are developed to help users achieve their fitness and health goals easier. With so many readily accessible apps available, it can be a challenge to determine which one is best for you. Here’s a rundown of some of the most popular fitness apps available.
First impressions count. The first moments of meeting someone or experiencing something new sets the stage for everything else from that point.
In this season of candy hearts and dozens of roses, the feeling of being alone can be magnified when set against the backdrop of coupledom. The empty ache of loneliness can take root within you and make simple daily tasks draining and unfulfilling. In fact, psychologists say that the pain of loneliness can be as real as the pain of thirst or hunger. If you are experiencing loneliness, have courage. With a little effort you can overcome your feelings of isolation.
When you think of the typical patient in an orthodontist's office, an awkward middle schooler with a mouth full of metal brackets may come to mind, but things have changed. Not only are more adults seeking a straighter smile in record numbers, there are more choices than ever in materials for achieving the results they want.
February is National Children’s Dental Health Month. Parents often struggle with how to get their children to brush their teeth regularly. The good news is that for those parents who put in the effort, their kids will usually develop good oral hygiene habits.
Six eye surgeries. A stroke. Numbness on one side of the body. These are just some of the complications Kristen Orndoff has experienced as the result of diabetes. And she is just 30 years old. "I was diagnosed at age 3, so I have been in treatment for this disease and dealing with the limitations that result from it for basically my entire life.”
In the medical field, life or death situations are often measured in seconds. Sometimes they are measured in pints.
In 2011, Dr. Kyle Daigle studied at Parker Chiropractic, a cutting edge chiropractic clinic near Dallas. While there, he gained an appreciation for a holistic approach to treating health disorders. He studied the human body and learned how all the physiological systems work together. He developed therapy modalities that were different from what most patients were accustomed to. But they worked. And word spread quickly.
Grief during the holiday season can be the most difficult grief of all. Someone mourning the loss of a loved one may struggle to join in the merriment, be overcome by memories of holidays past, or try to block out or avoid the celebrations altogether.
The holiday season is officially upon us, and with it comes increased stress for many. Each December tends to bring a mix of joy, anxiety, and moments of panic. If you’re already feeling the pressure, or remembering the pain of holidays past, consider these five tips to keep you feeling balanced, happy, and in control.
Americans are not sleeping well. Whether it is sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, sleepwalking or insomnia, sleep difficulties plague an estimated 50 million Americans, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Finding a remedy for these sleepless nights used to require spending the night in a sleep clinic for testing and observation. While that is still the gold standard for a comprehensive sleep disorder diagnosis, today, many people opt for a sleep study in the comfort of their home.
Yoga is the oldest structured form of exercise and can help you maintain a happy and healthy lifestyle, says Chelsea Boudreaux, an eleven year certified yoga instructor and owner of the Yoga Center of Lake Charles. According to the Seattle Yoga News, about 36.7 million Americans currently practice yoga in order to receive the many benefits that lead to this happiness and good health.
President Ronald Reagan designated November as National Alzheimers Disease Awareness Month in 1983. It is doubtful he could have known at that time that by 2016, an estimated 5.4 million Americans would suffer from Alzheimers disease and that it would be the 6th leading cause of death. One in nine people ages 65 and older has Alzheimers. For people over age 85, a sobering one in two is diagnosed with this tragic disease.
As breast cancer awareness and prevention takes center stage during October, an improved way of viewing mammograms is taking the spotlight. Three-dimensional technology, now available locally, allows radiologists a more detailed view than the previous 2D method.
Even though October is awash with pink breast cancer awareness messages, we see the pink ribbons on billboards, TV, products in stores, even the NFL players wear pink in support of breast cancer research, it is still up to each woman to make that phone call and schedule a mammogram.
Long gone are the days of lacing up your old Chuck Taylors, putting on a pair of shorts and a Tshirt, and heading out for a little road workout.What we have now is a completely different kind of running game; one where the equipment must fit the runner.
From the latest in medical technology to finding ways to de-stress after a long day's work, our Mind & Body features are full of useful information.
