Article Library
Loving Your Heart
When a problem exists with respect to the heart or the blood flow, the rest of the body likewise suffers. The heart is responsible for connecting the blood with each and every part of the body. It depends upon a functioning plumbing system.
Old Habits Die Hard
According to Merriam-Webster, the definition of resolution is “something that is resolved,” in which resolved means “to deal with successfully,” almost as though changes are instantaneous. Yet, most resolutions that come in the form of dieting and exercise have been developed from habits that are learned over years and decades.
Connection Matters
When people feel lonely, experience isolation, and perceive that they have limited number of social contacts, basic social needs are not fulfilled. These needs are imperative for emotional and social connectedness. Furthermore, loneliness and isolation can have a direct impact on physical and emotional health.
Food Gives Life
Diet is said to be the largest predictor of health and premature death. Yet every day, Americans are bombarded with fast food restaurants, brilliantly colored processed food packaging, and an ever-growing food industry that knows the tricks of marketing.
Aging Well in Blue Zones
Within the first few pages of The Blue Zones [1], Dan Buettner writes a profound idea: that the world’s eldest can teach people the wisdom of living longer and richer lives. He teamed up with National Geographic and the National Institute on Aging in search of areas with the highest number of centenarians…
To Microwave or Not: The Great Debate
The microwave oven has been a fixture in the American kitchen for decades. Yet throughout the years, the safety of the microwave oven has been a hot topic.
A Close Look at Cholesterol
The public is constantly informed to keep cholesterol levels low. High cholesterol is a big risk factor for cardiac disease, the leading cause of death in the United States. Yet what is its purpose in the first place?
Blood Pressure Variables and Importance of Accuracy
Blood pressure is a significant factor when determining a cardiac problem that often leads to prescribed medications. Because variables affect readings so easily, take action to prevent false readings…
Body-Mind Connection in Heart Disease
An article published in The American Journal of Medicine highlighted the important relationship between the body and the mind, particularly with respect to cardiovascular disease and mental health [1]. Sometimes overlooked when considering the cardiovascular system, mental health plays a large role in a person’s internal environment.
Beginning the Journey to Healing Health
Would you like to start a journey to healing health? In order to contemplate such an adventure, let’s first explore the concept of the word “health.”
Medical Error
Heart disease and cancer have consistently been named the first and second leading causes of death by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Yet many are not aware that medical error is number three! The CDC publishes a list of top causes of death for the public, yet medical error is not listed among them. The mechanism of reporting a death is not a straightforward one. Because causes of death are assigned to an International Classification of Disease (ICD) code on the death certificate, human error is not captured. In this manner, the public is not aware that underlying causes of death may actually exist. To delve into this issue further, the medical literature must be scrutinized.
Sacred Cows
I first heard of the expression “sacred cow” when I started my nursing career. The phrase happened to be a hot topic at the time. I have to admit, I had never heard of the term. “What does a cow have to do with nursing?” I would wonder. I laughed a little at myself when I finally comprehended why this saying was used. Sacred cows are deeply held traditions that are done without question.
Part II: Informed Consent and Human Rights
You may ask yourself why informed consent is so important. Across history, people have been subjected to experimentation without their knowledge. Self-determination is the basic human right of freedom to choose. Without preserving this sacred right, the choice of one’s own medical decisions will be in jeopardy.
Scrutinizing Nutrition: An Introduction
Across the recent decades, nutrition has been a seemingly confusing topic with much advice about nutrient needs, malnutrition, weight loss or gain, and fad diets by a plethora of health experts and government officials.
Part 1: Defining Informed Consent
Have you ever considered what the term “informed consent” means to you? Informed consent is a foundational component of patient care with the assertion that the patient has the right to make his/her own health decisions without external influence.