What health issue millions of Americans have in common with Kanye West and what to do about it

You may have heard about Kanye West’s recent hospitalization, reportedly for exhaustion and sleep deprivation. Some sources said it was a “mental breakdown,” following what’s been called “erratic behavior,” including controversial rants, ending concerts early, and even canceling the rest of his tour. While most of us aren’t living Kanye’s lifestyle, the Better Sleep Council has found that around half of Americans say they don’t get enough sleep, but many don’t do anything about it.

Are you allergic to peanuts? If so, you and Serena Williams have something in common and there’s hope yet

Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are one of the most popular sandwiches in the U.S., and if you have a child with a peanut allergy, you may be sad they’ve never had a chance to experience them. Good news though: The results of an ongoing clinical trial show wearable patches just might be the future of mitigating peanut allergies!

Sepsis: a major killer facing a new tech challenge

Working in the health care industry, I would be the first to admit our nation’s biggest health danger is the public’s lack of health education. You see, until seven weeks ago, I had never heard of sepsis. Sadly, neither had my mother Rosemary, a vivacious, go-go lady who had just celebrated turning 74 years old by leasing a brand-new car.

Why the elderly are more likely to get sepsis, the same condition that Patty Duke died of at 69

Sepsis is a very serious medical condition. What happens is this: Your immune system releases chemicals into the bloodstream to fight an infection, which causes widespread inflammation, leading to blood clots and leaky blood vessels. You end up with impaired blood flow, which damages the body’s organs by depriving them of nutrients and oxygen.

World Health Organization gets proactive to fight diabetes and obesity

Do you love soda? Nearing possible addiction? This is nothing to be ashamed of, and the World Health Organization feels your pain and wants to help. Sugar-sweetened beverages are a significant contributor to the worldwide rise in obesity and diabetes, WHO said. In fact, obesity has at least doubled since 2014, and diabetes has risen to nearly 10 percent of the worldwide population.

Does raising your HDL “good cholesterol” really protect against heart disease?

In March, scientists discovered a gene mutation that raises HDL cholesterol levels (commonly known as the “good” cholesterol) -- but rather than protecting against heart disease, it increases your risk for it. With HDL cholesterol widely being touted as heart-protective, it made scientists scratch their heads, wondering if HDL cholesterol levels are not really a catch-all. Perhaps it’s not the amount of HDL that matters, but how it works and how well it removes unhealthy cholesterol.

Pancreatic cancer symptoms: 16 things to look out for

Pancreatic cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, having claimed the lives of thousands of people every year, including some notable public figures such as Steve Jobs and Patrick Swayze.

What to expect and how to prepare for your MRI scan

So, your doctor ordered an MRI scan. You may be wondering, how do MRI scans work? Is an MRI machine safe? An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) uses a large magnet and radio waves to look at organs and structures in your body. It is a painless process in which you lie on a table that then slides into a tunnel-like machine.

If you have lipedema, weight gain is a disorder and not your fault

If you’ve ever felt like no amount of dieting and exercise works on your bottom half, read on. There’s a relatively common fat disorder called lipedema, often mistaken for simple obesity. It is estimated to affect 10 million to 17 million Americans, with signature characteristics of a slim upper body with large hips and legs.

How your brain controls your thyroid

There are a lot of articles that say “Is your thyroid slow?” or “Is your thyroid working too fast?” To understand thyroid disease, you have to understand that the thyroid gland, located in the neck, isn’t just an automatic, independent machine. It’s regulated by the brain. The pituitary gland, a part of the brain, makes an array of hormones, including the thyroid-stimulating hormone, TSH. That’s what the TSH is on your lab report. It’s not even a thyroid hormone; it’s a brain hormone.

Do you sweat excessively even if you aren’t doing anything exhausting? Here’s the blog you’ve been waiting for

Do you constantly have to wipe your forehead? Do you always pack an extra shirt for work, just in case you sweat through? Do you find that you’re sweaty even when you’re not hot, nervous or exercising? If so, you may actually have a treatable medical condition called hyperhidrosis.

How vitamin B12 can help prevent memory loss as you age

Did you know vitamin B12 is critical for brain function? When you don’t have enough of this essential vitamin -- found in foods such as beef, fish and dairy products -- you may start to experience mental decline, such as memory issues or depression.