Credit: iStock/DMP Yoga is well known for improving flexibility, building strength and reducing stress. Better gut health rarely makes the list of expected benefits. Yet a growing body of research suggests that yoga may help some people manage irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a condition that affects millions of people and can cause abdominal pain and bloating, along with diarrhea, constipation or both. At first glance, yoga and gastrointestinal health might seem unrelated. But physiology tells a … Continue reading Have Irritable Bowel Syndrome? A Yoga Class Might Help
Chronic Disease
What Is Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus?
Credit: iStock/aldomurillo Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) is often called the “treatable dementia,” yet many people had never heard of it until singer-songwriter Billy Joel announced his diagnosis in 2025. Despite affecting up to 5% of adults over age 80, it is frequently mistaken for normal aging, Alzheimer’s disease or Parkinson’s disease. In NPH, cerebrospinal fluid—the … Continue reading What Is Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus?
Interoception: The Body’s Hidden Sixth Sense
Credit: iStock/magicmine Our bodies are constantly sensing what is happening inside us, even when we are not aware of it. This internal awareness is known as interoception. Similar to homeostasis, the term interoception describes something we experience every day—the process through which the body monitors its internal environment and sends signals to the brain to … Continue reading Interoception: The Body’s Hidden Sixth Sense
Spotlight On: Gestational Diabetes
Credit: iStock/lostinbids A person’s body changes in many ways during pregnancy to support a growing baby. One change involves how the body controls blood sugar. Insulin is a hormone that helps transport sugar from the blood into cells so it can be used for energy. During pregnancy, the placenta produces hormones that make the pregnant … Continue reading Spotlight On: Gestational Diabetes
Why Sleep During Pregnancy is a Health Issue, Not a Luxury
Credit: iStock/AsiaVision Many people assume poor sleep during pregnancy and the weeks after giving birth is simply part of the experience. The physical changes of pregnancy—and the demands of caring for a newborn—can make rest feel out of reach. But research shows sleep does far more than fight fatigue. It plays a direct role in … Continue reading Why Sleep During Pregnancy is a Health Issue, Not a Luxury
Going Gluten-free: Is It for Me?
Credit: iStock/SeventyFour Gluten-free products are taking over grocery store shelves and social media channels, with market growth expected to increase by $8 billion by 2033. People who have celiac disease and gluten intolerance used to be the only ones who followed a gluten-free diet. But recently it has become a trend that attracts younger generations, … Continue reading Going Gluten-free: Is It for Me?
Spotlight On: Parkinson’s Disease
Credit: iStock/Devonyu Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that affects how the brain controls movement. It develops gradually, often beginning with subtle symptoms that are easy to overlook. The condition was first described in 1817 by the British physician James Parkinson. Today it is recognized as one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases worldwide, … Continue reading Spotlight On: Parkinson’s Disease
Beyond the Bugs: Could Chemicals from Microbes Help Lower Blood Pressure?
Credit: iStock/Elena Istomina Did you know that the trillions of bacteria residing in your gut actively influence one of the most critical numbers in your life: your blood pressure? For a long time, scientists mainly looked at genetics, diet and lifestyle as the key reasons behind high blood pressure. While these factors are important, there’s … Continue reading Beyond the Bugs: Could Chemicals from Microbes Help Lower Blood Pressure?
The Quiet Art of Protecting Your Lungs Against COPD
Credit: Amin Mohajeri Take a slow, deep breath. Feel the pleasant airflow entering your lungs, nourishing your blood and fueling your cells. This effortless, automatic rhythm is a priceless gift. With each breath, oxygen flows into the body and carbon dioxide leaves. Yet this delicate exchange can be disrupted over time by long-term exposure to … Continue reading The Quiet Art of Protecting Your Lungs Against COPD
Spotlight On: Metastasis
Credit: iStock/Ekaterina79 Cancer is a scary experience. You may have heard the term “metastasis” in relation to cancer that can spark more worry. You might not understand exactly what metastasis is. It’s the spread of cancer, from its original site,—such as when breast cancer spreads to the lungs or the brain. Read on to learn … Continue reading Spotlight On: Metastasis