PCOS is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, one of the most common hormonal endocrine disorders in women, September is PCOS awareness month. This syndrome is known as the “silent killer” because PCOS cannot easily be diagnosed with one test and the symptoms vary from woman to woman. There are several diseases that women with PCOS are higher risk for such as: endometrial and breast … [Read more...]
Marriage Stress is Real; 6 Tips That Help You Relax, Relate & Release
Do you ever feel like your life is out of balance? You hate your job, your husband is getting on your last nerve, the kids are driving you nuts, and no matter how much you try to stick to your budget, some unexpected expense always comes up. I’ve been there—feeling like no matter what I do, I just can’t seem to get everything right. When life gets like this, handing me … [Read more...]
Studies Show a Mom’s Exercise Influences Her Kids’ Activity
I once attended a conference in San Diego during where Dr. Oz held a session on family health. He highlighted that children mimic their parent's--especially mom's--activities and that when a mother neglects her own health, children tend to do the same. A new paper published in the journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics reports that the less physically active a mother is, … [Read more...]
Will 2014 Be the Year You Finally Put Your Health First?
Last week, I decided to start training for a half marathon that will take place in New York City in April. There are a few things that factored into my decision, but the greatest reason was a desire to finally put my health first in the New Year. I have two young children and lately I can’t help but to feel like I am letting them down. I have been eating whatever I want, and … [Read more...]
Natural Help for Allergies and Asthma
Does your child or a child that you know suffer from asthma or allergies? Asthma attacks are triggered by things such as exercise, temperature changes and also environmental irritants. While there are some things you can't control, other things you can. As a healthcare professional and an asthma sufferer myself (along with my kids), I try to avoid certain triggers to keep bad … [Read more...]
Have You “Let Yourself Go”
Months or maybe even years in and you are still in a state of marital bliss. You’ve finally found your groove a, groove in which “me” was replaced by “we” and everything was shared including the bed, the bathroom, and your spouse’s bowl of ice cream should you be so inclined. You got comfortable and caught up in the day to day responsibilities; those that come with having a … [Read more...]
Couple Works Together to Lose 500 Pounds
For Angela and Willie Gillis loving one another is the easy part. They’ve been doing it for years first as best friends and now as husband and wife. According to an article by CNN, “their individual strengths balance the other’s weakness.” They have what most couples strive to have in the sense that they balance each other. The balance that they share is something that hasn't … [Read more...]
5 Ways the Affordable Care Act Benefits Black Families
Yesterday, I had the distinct honor of attending a White House briefing on behalf of Black and Married with Kids, to discuss the Affordable Care Act and the significance it has specifically to the African American community. I didn’t realize how much I was missing or just didn’t know altogether about the ACA. And if many of you are like me, you’re missing out on a lot of facts … [Read more...]
Study Finds Weight in Children May Impact Lung Function
There is new research to add to the growing list of why exercise and maintaining a healthy BMI is so critical for our children. As if the risk of diabetes wasn’t concerning enough, there is now the possibility that the functioning of our children’s lungs can be compromised. As referenced in Health Day, according to senior study author Dr. Deepa Rastogi: “While it has been … [Read more...]
HPV Vaccination for Boys an Important Step in Prevention
The human papilloma virus (HPV) is widely known to affect women as the leading cause of cervical cancer. While cervical cancer cases have declined, risks such as oral and anal cancers in men are on the rise. HPV vaccines for men are just four years into being approved, but a recent study from the Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) showed that low-income and minority … [Read more...]
February is Heart Health Month
February is Heart Health Month, so we're trying to get the word out to make sure that everyone, especially women, know and really understand the important facts about heart disease. According to the American Heart Association, 43 million women in the U.S. are affected by heart disease, and it is the cause of one in three women's deaths every year...ONE IN THREE! Here are a few … [Read more...]
Despite the Obesity Epidemic Among Black Children NAACP Is Against the NYC Ban on Sugary Drinks
If you are drinking a soda at the moment you may want to put it down and read this carefully. Data supports the fact that our children are obese at a higher rate than their peers. They are consuming sugary drinks at alarming rates placing them at risk not just for obesity but for diabetes as well. Despite knowing this information both the NAACP and the Hispanic Federation are … [Read more...]
January Is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month
What is Cervical Health Awareness Month? The United States Congress has designated January as Cervical Health Awareness Month. During January, we as health care professionals, are shedding light on cervical cancer, HPV disease, and the importance of early detection. What exactly is cervical cancer? Well, let's start with the virus first. Human papillomavirus (or HPV as … [Read more...]
5 Mistakes We Make When Trying to Be Healthy
'Tis the season to eat drink and be merry. You've had Thanksgiving dinner. And, next up are all the office and social holiday parties, not to mention the Christmas feast that awaits us all in just a few short weeks. Since eating is such a huge part of the American culture, we're ranked pretty high as one of the most obese countries in the world. If you're like me, then you … [Read more...]
Get up, Get out, GET ACTIVE! Your Health Depends On It
Obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease are a few of the negative effects of not exercising. African-Americans are much more likely to be affected by these health issues than the general population. That is concerning on many levels, especially since we can influence our risk if we just GET Active. Physical exercise is something we all know is needed in our lives. … [Read more...]