What are the warning signs of a stroke? – Mission Health Blog

Acting quickly in response to a stroke is important to reduce the chances of brain damage and other complications.

Stroke is a leading cause of death in the United States and a leading cause of long-term disability. While the risk of stroke increases with age, one can occur at any age. Globally, 1 in 4 adults over age 25 will have a stroke in their lifetime, and approximately 14.5 million people worldwide will have a stroke this year. That’s why it is critical to recognize the warning signs of a stroke and seek help as quickly as possible.

What is a stroke?

A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is blocked, which prevents it from getting oxygen and nutrients, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. When the brain is deprived of oxygen and nutrients, the cells begin to die. This can cause brain damage

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3 healthy Thanksgiving recipes guests will love – Mission Health Blog

By making some simple substitutions, you can create healthy Thanksgiving recipes that the whole family will love.

For many families, Thanksgiving is known for its casserole, desserts and, of course, turkey – sometimes deep-fried. But with a table full of temptations, it can be hard to stick to the everyday nutrition that doctors advise.

Fortunately, there are many healthy and delicious Thanksgiving recipes. Home cooks and professional chefs alike have mastered the art of wholesome holiday meals that don’t skimp on taste, and it often comes down to making just a few changes or substitutions.

Taking inspiration from the American Heart Association (AHA), American Diabetes Association (ADA) and others, here’s what experts suggest you do to dress your table with a healthy twist, plus three recipes that put that advice to work.

Easy swaps to try when cooking or baking

One of the first recommendations nutritionists offer on healthy meal

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How many types of diabetes are there? – Mission Health Blog

Image Caption While some types of diabetes may not be preventable, all types are treatable.

How many types of diabetes are there? The answer is more complicated than you might think. Although there are three main types of diabetes – Type 1, Type 2 and gestational diabetes – the lines between these are blurring as doctors learn more about the disease and how it affects people at different stages of life.

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a build-up of sugar – glucose – in the blood that happens when the body doesn’t convert the food you eat into energy like it should. Usually, our bodies make a hormone called insulin in the pancreas to help break down food into energy. Sometimes the pancreas stops making insulin, or the body stops being able to use insulin effectively. That’s when sugar builds up in the blood, causing high blood sugar, which can

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How to improve lung health after quitting smoking – Mission Health Blog

Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of preventable disease, disability and death in the United States. It accounts for more than 480,000 deaths each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Approximately 30.8 million adults in the U.S. currently smoke cigarettes, and more than 16 million live with a smoking-related disease. Although smoking is most closely associated with lung cancer, it can cause other health issues, such as heart disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). If you are thinking about giving up cigarettes, here’s how to improve your lung health after quitting smoking.

How does smoking affect the body?

Smoking doesn’t just affect your lungs – it affects every part of your airway, from your throat to your air sacs, says Dr. Susan Garwood, HCA Healthcare’s national physician director of pulmonary disease and advanced bronchoscopist at Sarah Cannon Cancer Institute at TriStar Health. “It

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Holiday safety tips to avoid common injuries and illness – Mission Health Blog

To avoid injuries around the holidays, be sure to exercise caution while you’re cooking, decorating and driving.

Most of us look forward to the holidays and savor the memories they bring. However, not all holiday memories are happy ones, as emergency rooms see a rise in certain types of injuries during the holidays. Fortunately, the following holiday safety tips can help keep your holiday memories merry and bright!

Think twice before drinking

If your holiday celebration includes alcohol, be aware that adding any amount of alcohol increases the risk of accident or injury, no matter what activity you’re engaged in. Alcohol plays a role in more than 7% of all accidents. Even small amounts can have effects on your ability to think through your actions and take proper precautions. This is especially true when it comes to climbing ladders, cooking or driving motor vehicles.

Don’t decorate alone

You may be

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