Search Results for: diabetes

Sugar-sweetened beverages like soda hold much of the blame for America’s obesity epidemic. They have been linked to not only increased weight gain, but also to tooth decay, diabetes, and even heart disease. Soda is not the only drink to pin the blame on though, as Americans consume sugar-laden fruit drinks, sports drinks, and sweetened ...click here to read more

Being human allows us to experience the world around us and live our lives as we see fit. Some will base their lives on rules and structure, others let emotion guide the way they live, but most people try to find a balance between the two. It is emotions that make us unique as humans, ...click here to read more

Shift-work sleep disorder (SWSD) is a condition that affects workers who perform changing shifts or work at night. Nearly 20 percent of the U.S. workforce takes part in shift work, which goes against a person’s natural circadian rhythm. SWSD develops as a result of recurrent sleep disruptions and is most commonly seen among individuals who ...click here to read more

Our gastrointestinal gut system is one of the body’s most important systems, as it is involved in breaking down our food to produce energy. When gut health becomes compromised or affected by a disease, it can lead to serious health consequences. Approximately 70 million people in the United States suffer from some sort of digestive ...click here to read more

During our younger years, we were more daring, had near endless stamina, and could eat to our heart’s content without gaining significant amounts of weight. But sadly, this doesn’t last, for as we age, our metabolism naturally slows down and forces us to do less of the things we took for granted in the past. ...click here to read more

An enlarged bladder is a medical condition where the sac involved in holding urine becomes larger than normal. It is referred to in the medical community as bladder hypertrophy. The condition is characterized by thicker bladder walls that become larger from overstretching. An enlarged urinary bladder may occur from birth, while other enlarged bladder causes ...click here to read more

Getting enough sleep can be difficult for some of us. An estimated 33 percent of Americans are not getting the amount of sleep they need. This is not only making us tired: according to a new study, it is also taking a toll on our physical health, increasing the risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke ...click here to read more

A new study finds that mice without a sense of smell do not gain weight in the same way as mice that can smell what they are eating. Being able to smell our food has been linked to how much we enjoy eating it. Imagine walking into a restaurant and not experiencing the suddenly overwhelming ...click here to read more

Although it’s true that our vision changes as we age, it doesn’t have to be an inevitable part of aging. There are steps you can take that can help you maintain your vision. In order to keep your eyes healthy, there are a few things you need to know. Below you will find a “pop ...click here to read more

With the obesity epidemic reaching new heights in America, people are looking for any way possible to cut their calories. Since weight gain has an association with increased consumption of sugary beverages like soda, some people choose to replace it with its “diet” equivalent. Reducing meal sizes and getting enough exercise can be very difficult ...click here to read more

Thousands of Americans are taking statins to lower their cholesterol. Cholesterol is a big threat to your heart because it results in plaque buildup in the arteries, which causes them to narrow. Statins work by blocking a substance your body needs to produce cholesterol. Furthermore, statins may help the body reabsorb cholesterol that has built ...click here to read more

Approximately 42 million American adults suffer from some sort of sleep breathing disorder, with obstructive sleep apnea being the most common type affecting Americans today. It occurs as a result of collapsed soft tissue that blocks the passage of air needed to breath properly. Because this issue is so prevalent, we at Bel Marra have ...click here to read more

Scientists at Northwestern University have developed an app that can predict your risk of cardiovascular complications following a liver transplant. On average, 6,500 people receive liver transplants each year in the United States. Liver transplant patients are among the highest risk of developing cardiovascular complications post-surgery. Nearly 35 percent of patients will develop a serious ...click here to read more

The pancreas is an extremely vital organ in the human body. Being part of the endocrine system, it produces several important hormones, including insulin (required for glucose metabolism) and glucagon (a hormone involved in the storage of glucose). It also secretes digestive enzymes required to break down the food we eat. Pancreatic cancer is often ...click here to read more