Specific cancer symptoms

The following are specific symptoms typically associated with certain cancer types: Digestive/Gastrointestinal Some common gastrointestinal cancer symptoms include: cramps, bloating, gas pain, changes in bowel/bladder habits, constipation, diarrhea, bloody stools, rectal bleeding, anemia, and/or jaundice. Learn more about symptoms of colorectal cancer. Gynecologic Some common gynecologic cancer symptoms include: abnormal vaginal bleeding (after menopause, between periods, following sexual inter...

Recognizing medical emergencies

According to the American College of Emergency Physicians, the following are warning signs of a medical emergency: – Bleeding that will not stop – Breathing problems (difficulty breathing, shortness of breath) – Change in mental status (such as unusual behavior, confusion, difficulty arousing) – Chest pain – Choking – Coughing up or vomiting blood – Fainting or loss of consciousness – Feeling of committing suicide or murder – Head or spine injury – Severe or persistent vomiting – Sudden injury...

4 Habits That Destroy Your Smile

1. Not flossing Brushing your teeth twice a day is important, but many patients don’t realize that flossing at least once a day is just as critical to achieving — and maintaining — a healthy smile. Flossing removes the cavity-causing bacteria left behind from food particles that get stuck between teeth. 2. Brushing too soon after eating Consuming acidic foods and beverages, such as sports and energy drinks, citrus fruits, wine, and tomatoes, can erode tooth enamel — the glossy outer layer of th...

A Fresh Face on the March of Dimes

BY KIM KACHMANN-GELTZ | PHOTO BY ROB KAUFMAN On October 19, 2012, first-time mother and local salon stylist, Terra Scoggins’ water broke, fifteen weeks critically shy of her due date. She went into labor fast. So fast that just minutes after arriving at Hilton Head Hospital via ambulance, she gave birth to a son. Two-pound, eight-ounce newborn “Daxton” had no heartbeat, no breath. A team of neonatal nurses and specialists revived him with critical life-saving care. Afterwards the hospital airlifted Dax to the Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the … Read more

Food addiction recovery

Food cravings can be as powerful and irresistible as a bright orange bag of Nacho Cheese Doritos. Even the thought of such hyperpalpable foods can increase dopamine, a pleasure-seeking brain chemical. With 70 percent of Americans overweight or obese, we’ve become a nation of dopamine seekers addicted to the opioid that controls emotions, motivation and feelings of pleasure. The brain is very sensitive to opioids. Receptors, small monitoring devices on brain cells, detect the level of opioids in the brain and continually make adjustments. How much does the American epidemic … Read more

A Second Chance to Live

Forty-eight year old Dave Ferguson woke up in the middle of the night alone in his hotel room, drenched in sweat and feeling the incredible intensity of an elephant sitting on his chest. He knew he was having a heart attack. Paralyzed by fear and the crushing pain and pressure, he couldn’t even reach for the phone sitting on his nightstand. “I’m a Christian but I became more of a Christian that night,” Dave said while recalling that he prayed hard, made lots of promises and asked for forgiveness and … Read more