Every March, the health community focuses on colorectal cancer awareness. Colon cancer is the fourth most common cancer that affects Pennsylvanians — in 2020, 5,688 cases were reported and 2,342 of these cases ended in death, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). When caught early, colon cancer is easier to treat
READ MOREIn adherence to the well-known saying, ‘the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,’ the fruit lying in the backyard of Denny and Jennifer Harer’s home can be identified as ‘golden delicious!’ The couple’s offspring, sons Conner and Brandt, were the talk of Hershey and the state’s wrestling fans when the Montgomery duo walked away
READ MOREEveryone loves to indulge in fast food, processed snacks, and carbonated beverages from time to time. We know that they aren’t the best for us health wise, but did you know that they can also trigger heartburn? Heartburn is the burning feeling in your chest, up to the back of your throat, caused by acid
READ MORE‘Miniclover’ is a top trending grass alternative for yards across America If you’re looking to renovate your yard, there’s a sustainable, drought-tolerant alternative to high-maintenance, water-guzzling grass that also reduces your environmental footprint. “Clover lawns” went viral on social media last fall and became the most searched home improvement trend on Google in 2023. If
READ MOREThe idea of giving your home a thorough cleaning each spring is very appealing, but can also be overwhelming. It may even seem impossible, given today’s busy lifestyles, active children – and especially pets. You may love your pets, but the fur and stains they leave behind make it even more challenging to keep your
READ MOREConsistency. Consistency is a new word in my life that I never thought would have so much meaning for me. I can give the word consistency pretty much all of the credit for my weight loss and maintenance of that 65-pound loss. And, of course, the good Lord above! Without consistency, I couldn’t have done
READ MOREEating healthy can be a hard thing to do. We have so many good foods that tempt us on any given day. The donuts in the break room for breakfast. Stopping for fast food on lunch break because you didn’t have time to pack. Quick Starbucks stop for one of their fancy drinks during a
READ MOREThanks to the convenience of technology and our modern lifestyles, people in the U.S. are more inactive than ever. Whether we’re sitting behind desks, hunched over laptops all day for work, or lounging around binging our favorite shows, Americans simply aren’t as physically active as we used to be — and that’s a problem. According
READ MOREIf your goals for 2024 include a healthier lifestyle and added nutrition, your mission is likely to start with a refreshed menu. Add a few newfound favorites to this year’s rotation like wraps, salads and smoothies to power each day and propel yourself toward wellness success. These easy-to-make, better-for-you recipes offer simple solutions to keep
READ MORECervical cancer is the most common gynecologic cancer among women. The American Cancer Society estimates about 13,960 new cases of invasive cervical cancer were diagnosed and about 4,310 women died from cervical cancer in 2023. Cervical cancer was once one of the most common causes of cancer death for American women. Fortunately, according to the
READ MOREWith the holiday decorations packed away, now is a good time to evaluate the state of one’s home with a bit of pre-spring cleaning. I think of January and February — with fewer activities on the calendar — as ideal months to clean out, clear out, and reset household organization. Besides purging and dusting cabinets,
READ MOREHappy New Year to my family and friends. I would also like to give a shout to those who frequent this page. I look forward to many more tales. This part-time gig is grand, and we will cover many different topics in 2024. Let’s kick things off with one of my favorites. Dave Weigle of
READ MOREEvery year, millions of people hoping to spark positive change make New Year’s resolutions. The recurring themes each year include a more active approach to health and fitness, improved finances, and learning new things for personal and professional development. See what resolutions you can make this year and how to keep them all through 2024.
READ MOREYou may have heard someone say they can tell when a storm is coming because they felt achy in their joints. For many who suffer from arthritis or other inflammatory conditions, cold weather can wreak havoc on already vulnerable parts of your body. It’s common to blame joint pain flare-ups on changes in the weather,
READ MOREAs we wind down 2023, I’m looking ahead to the trends of 2024, and with every year, I like to take a deep dive into the Pantone Color of the Year. To pick the color that will set the tone for the year ahead, Pantone considers emerging trends across a range of industries. Experts comb
READ MOREThe holidays can be a crazy time of year. We’re running from party to party, trying to squeeze in time for family and friends, and we may let our health take a back seat to the hustle and bustle of the season. However, it’s important to carve out time to focus on taking care of
READ MOREThe holiday season is right around the corner, a time packed full of gift-giving, shopping extravaganzas, parties, and activities galore. While this season is meant to bring feelings of love and cheer, it can also be one of the most stressful times, putting added strain on your heart. Stress is a part of life, and
READ MOREHeadache disorders are the most prevalent neurological disorders, affecting more than 90% of all Americans. Most headaches are primary headaches, while a small percentage are secondary headaches, which are headaches resulting from some other issue, such as head trauma. As of 2018, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that 3% of all
READ MOREDiabetes is a common category of disease that affects millions of people across the globe. Yet, many may not realize that there are two different forms of diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2. The diagnosis of diabetes or prediabetes can be a surprise and in addition to all the emotions that it stirs up, it
READ MOREThere are many things from everyday life that people take for granted – their loved ones, electricity, access to nature, and even breathing. November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month, and it’s important to learn about the ways in which you can reduce your chances of developing the disease. According to Centers for Disease Control and
READ MOREWhat you eat and drink, as well as your activity level and habits, affect your heart and brain health and are essential for managing blood pressure, cholesterol and more. High blood pressure (readings consistently higher than 130/80 mm Hg) is a leading cause and controllable risk factor for heart disease and stroke as well as
READ MOREGenetic testing to discover ancestry is common practice and sometimes discovering your family history can reveal unexpected connections, new storylines, and a world of new relatives. But, there’s another benefit for some specific types of genetic testing. The genes you inherit can help doctors determine your cancer risk, including your risk for breast and ovarian
READ MOREWhen we lived on Roosevelt Ave., my brother and I each had front windows to our sweet little ranch house. My dad had got us each a pumpkin that was flat-faced and hung in the window with a suction cup. The pumpkins smiled big from our bedroom windows as strangers drove by for a Halloween
READ MOREKenzy has been ready for Halloween since the middle of August. She couldn’t wait to decorate her room and anything else she could get her hands on. Her favorite is setting the table for dinner. She will decorate the middle of the table with her decorations from her room or my decorations around the house.
READ MORERehabilitation benefits patients and makes a huge impact on their everyday lives, no matter the reason they started with a rehabilitation program. Illness, serious injuries, and surgery are common reasons, and a rehabilitation program is designed to help you recover to your fullest potential. There are several types of rehabilitation that help fit the needs
READ MOREPets provide unconditional love to their companions; in return, it’s important to make sure they live happy and healthy lives by providing the best care possible. This means making sure that in addition to food, treats and toys, they receive daily care for their eyes, ears and overall health. With a desire to bring a
READ MOREOur hearts are amazing organs, and we can often take them for granted. They steadily pump away, rhythmically beating life into our bodies. But what happens when your heartbeat becomes irregular, erratic, or even skips a beat? These incidents are called heart palpitations, and for most people, heart palpitations are a once-in-a-blue-moon occurrence. However, some
READ MOREThe heart has been characterized as the engine that makes the human body run. If that metaphor is not exactly spot-on, it still serves as a good indicator as to just how vital a healthy heart is to the human body. Despite the importance of a healthy heart, diseases that affect the heart remain the
READ MOREWith “Barbie” crossing the $1 billion mark, 2023 may one day be called “the summer that saved the movies.” As of this writing, not only was Mattel’s blockbuster still cruising along in first place, but the season’s other hits — “Oppenheimer,” “Indy 5,” MI:7,” the new “Guardians” and “Spider-Man” — were working toward a boffo
READ MORE