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When you’re trying to get back into shape, you’re more likely to reach your fitness goals if you start with simple, specific and attainable goals. There are small steps you can take each day to kick-start your efforts like parking farther from the door when shopping to get more walking in, or taking the stairs […]

One unique and popular way to usher in spring in the Triangle area is by attending a movie on the lawn at the North Carolina Museum of Art. Thousands turn out with picnic baskets in tow to enjoy a favorite snack while watching a film under the stars. That’s one of the best parts about […]

For those that experience migraines, these intense headaches can vary from an annoyance to a major disruption in daily living. That head-pounding, throbbing feeling can be followed by nausea and even vomiting. The painful effects of a migraine can last for a few hours or even a few days. The causes of these debilitating headaches […]

The rate of children with type 2 diabetes has declined since 2002, but unfortunately, the rate of type 1 diabetes in children is on the rise. Researchers used a national database to track the rate of type 1 diabetes amount children in the U.S. and published the results of their study in the journal “Diabetes […]

It seems like I get stuck behind a smelly car at least once a week during my commute. I feel trapped in my own car, breathing in smelly exhaust fumes. It always seems difficult getting away from those cars—I can’t seem to change lanes fast enough. Pollution from exhaust is more than just an annoyance—it […]

Untreated sleep apnea is tied to a whole host of other health problems like an increased risk for heart disease, hypertension, stroke and diabetes. The risk goes both ways for sleep apnea and diabetes – type 2 diabetes can increase the likelihood of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), but having OSA can also increase the chance […]

If you’re getting ready to write your New Year’s resolutions, you’re in good company—45% of Americans make New Year’s resolutions. The coming New Year is the perfect opportunity to reflect on the past year and identify areas for improvement. Most resolutions, 47% to be exact, are related to self-improvement or education—we’d all like to be […]

The decision to breastfeed or use formula is one of those polarizing parenting subjects akin to co-sleeping or hiring a nanny versus using day care. Breastfeeding can be a real challenge for busy moms, but researchers continue to find more and more examples of how breastfeeding benefits a baby’s immune system. In addition ato delivering […]

We often associate a vitamin D deficiency with weak bones, but it’s also linked to increased risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, cognitive impairment in older adults, and severe asthma in children. Vitamin D, or the “sunshine vitamin,” is created in the body after exposure to sunlight, and it can be absorbed from foods like fish […]

It’s easy to recognize the effects of air pollution on our ability to breathe, but air pollution can cause a myriad of other health conditions. Air pollution is the ninth most important cardiovascular risk factor for heart disease, and new research shows that it could also increase the risk of resistance to insulin in children—a […]

It wasn’t that long ago that restaurants asked patrons, “Would you like to be seated in the smoking or non-smoking section?” In 2010, North Carolina’s legislature passed North Carolina’s Smoke-Free Restaurants and Bars Law that gradually made that question obsolete. Smoke-free legislation is growing traction on a national level with the proposed rule to make […]

For many of us, making the decision whether or not to go to the gym after work (or before work for you early birds!) is a daily struggle. There are so many activities vying for your time whether it’s a trip to Target, happy hour with friends, or that new season of your favorite show […]

I read a funny story the other day by NPR’s Marc Silver about his quest to decipher a dog-eared, stained cookbook from his late mother-in-law. He wanted to keep her memory present at holiday meals, but struggled with missing information (and sometimes misinformation) from his mother-in-law’s handwritten notes. Through trial and error, he managed to […]

There’s a long-standing myth that if you have asthma, you should avoid exercising, but there are numerous examples of professional athletes that thrive in their profession despite having asthma. Even individuals with exercise-induced asthma can reduce asthma symptoms by working with their doctor on a medication management plan. New research further dispels the “no exercise […]

Lately there’s been a lot of buzz about gut bacteria, evidenced by the growing selection of probiotics available at Whole Foods and the rising popularity of Activia yogurt, which promises to bring balance to your gut bacteria. Research on gut bacteria is still in its infancy, but researchers are discovering that diversity in gut bacteria […]

Gender plays an interesting role in how diabetes affects those with the condition. For example, pregnant women carrying a baby boy are at a higher risk of developing gestational diabetes than mothers of girls. New research has revealed another way that diabetes affects men and women differently—studies in China and Italy have shown that women […]

A big challenge for individuals with type 1 diabetes is having to continually check blood sugar levels and administer insulin throughout the day. A new device called the “bionic pancreas” would alleviate the need to both manually check glucose levels and administer insulin. A research team at the University of Cambridge, and another team at […]

The CDC recommends children get vaccinated for 16 diseases including polio, the flu, chickenpox, and the measles. A vaccine for type 1 diabetes may be added to that list in the near future–researchers at the University of Florida are currently developing a vaccine for type 1 diabetes. When tested on mice, the type 1 diabetes […]

I was surprised to learn that wildfires on the West Coast have affected air quality as far away from the fire source as Colorado Springs, Colo. Even more surprising was the news that a Seattle otter was recently diagnosed with asthma triggered by smoke from these wildfires. In August, as the air at the Seattle […]

I’m always impressed by the skills dogs can learn—skills that save lives in some cases. Service dogs help sight-impaired individuals better maneuver through their environment, are used in search and rescue missions, and protect soldiers over seas. Perhaps a less-widely known role for service dogs is assisting individuals with diabetes. ABC News recently published a […]