Prevention

Nearly 1 in 10 women who give birth experience premature or preterm birth, defined as any birth before the 37th week of pregnancy. There are a variety of inherent health factors, environmental factors and lifestyle factors that heighten the risk of premature birth.

Pre-diabetes refers to elevated blood sugar levels that aren’t high enough to be Type 2 diabetes. However, pre-diabetes can lead to the development of diabetes without lifestyle changes to lower blood sugar levels.

Dry air and dust can wreak havoc on allergies, sinuses and skin. Dry air indoors is more common during the winter. Many people use humidifiers to keep their air more humid in the winter months, but do humidifiers help or exacerbate allergies? It depends on the specific allergens and triggers involved.

Don't get sidelined by an injury. Here's how to build strength and prevent injuries in the first place.

Regular running and exercise are associated with better overall heart health and other health benefits. Americans who follow the American Heart Association guidelines of 150 minutes of moderate or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise a week have healthier hearts and avoid diseases at higher rates than those who don’t, and those who get 3-5 times that amount of exercise have the best health outcomes.

The risk of falls and injuries from falls increases as we age due to loss of bone mass, muscle mass and balance. Balance exercises can lower the risk of falling as well as the risk of injuries. Here are some balance exercises that are helpful for balance training and preventing falls and related injuries.

There are more than 30 million cases of illness cause by food contamination annually in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Many of these cases are preventable with proper cooking, handling and storing practices. Learning proper food preparation practices and getting rid of unhealthy habits in the kitchen can prevent food poisoning and safety issues.

In the hustle of everyday life, it's easy to overlook the importance of self-care. I know when my schedule picks up, I have a habit of prioritizing my responsibilities over my own wellness. However, I’ve made the conscious decision to incorporate self-care habits into my routine.

I think I can speak for almost everyone when I say that my smart phone runs my entire life. Staying connected with friends, listening to music, and mapping me to my next destination. As someone who grew up in a world where cell phones always existed, it is hard for me to imagine a world in which I am not dependent on my smart phone

Topical treatments and medications are available and can be very effective for some, but acne can be persistent and hard to deal with.

Mental health, anxiety and depression are topics many people shy away from because they can be uncomfortable to talk about. Breaking the stigma around mental health is extremely important because someone’s mental health is just as important as their physical health.

People with weaker immune systems may find themselves getting sick from common bacteria found on their cell phones. To avoid contracting those germs, get in the habit of cleaning your device on a regular basis.

Putting sunglasses on a baby or infant is sure to be cute – but it’s also an important preventive choice to protect the child from sun damage. Learn when kids start to need sunglasses and how to pick out the right set of sunglasses for a baby or infant.

You may feel anxiety rising as summer nears its end and autumn and winter get nearer. This end-of-summer anxiety can be tied to a few causes. Learn how to recognize and deal with “August anxiety” or the back-to-school blues.

One of the easiest ways to make a real difference when it comes to the environment is by making simple adjustments to your own lifestyle. As awareness of environmental issues grows, people are looking for ways to reduce their plastic use.

Going to the beach is not only fun, but a great way to spend time outside and connect to the natural sights and sounds of an inland lake or one of the Great Lakes. The best way to make sure your beach day is a success is to be prepared. We’ve compiled a list of must-haves to include in your beach bag.

As temperatures increase, people might notice that their blood pressure is increasing as well. High heat causes blood pressure to increase. It is important to focus on your blood pressure during the summertime because Midwest summers present high temperatures and high humidity.

Summer is in full swing, which means people are spending more time outside. It also means that more insects are outside, including bees and wasps. Being stung by a bee or wasp is scary for many people, but it can cause more than pain in some situations.

Lyme disease is an emerging disease transmitted by the blacklegged tick in Michigan. In 2024, It has been reported in nearly every county in the state, according to the State of Michigan. Taking prevention measures is one of the smartest ways to avoid tick bites and tick-borne diseases.

Summertime comes with unique challenges or environments that can harm or endanger foot health and foot safety. With increased time spent active outdoors, in the sun, and barefoot or in open-toed shoes, more care and attention is needed prevent injuries or burns to the feet.

UVA, UVB, UVC: What do these all mean? Here’s how to the know difference and protect yourself from their damage.

While the sun can be healing, it can also be harmful. Make sure to protect your skin with sunscreen but remember skin protection from sunlight doesn’t stop there.

Summer is here and the sun is shining. While you are enjoying the heat and daylight, you also have to protect your skin and body.

You can protect yourself against West Nile and other mosquito-borne diseases by avoiding contact with mosquitos. Here are five tips to help you do just that.

Damaged hair can say a lot about your health – keep your hair healthy in the hot summer with these diet tips and scalp treatments.

Shin splints are a common and painful overuse injury or condition usually caused by running, tennis, pickleball, dancing, or other standing exercises for extended periods of time. With some preparation, there are self-treatment tips for preventing shin splints or minimizing the pain from shin splints.

Six months ago, I found out I was pregnant with my first child — only two months into the “honeymoon stage” of marriage. To be honest, even at 35 years old, I was not prepared at all! 

Diabetes can lead to conditions that affect your vision, such as glaucoma, cataracts and diabetic retinopathy. Equip yourself with the knowledge needed to prevent these conditions by reading these tips.

Water bottles are traveling everywhere with you and collecting the germs from places you go. From errands to work to an outdoor soccer game on the weekends, your water bottle straw is picking up bacteria in those areas.

Does your fear of needles keep you from donating blood? Check out these ways to combat your fear and save lives in the process!

Breakouts on the skin can be frustrating and uncomfortable. When a breakout happens, there are ways to manage the discomfort and the affected areas. There are also some products, behaviors, and foods to avoid for managing breakouts.

The causes for summer anxiety and depression are broad, but some common causes can be found including sleep issues, schedule changes, and even summer onset seasonal affective disorder.

Allergens can easily find their way into your home and wreak havoc on your allergies or immune system. Learn how to identify how allergens are entering your home and some easy steps to take to avoid indoor allergens and improve the quality of the air inside.

Working from home has obvious benefits, but many of us who work remotely know it can also breed loneliness. These tips encourage movement and socialization. They may help you break up the monotony of the remote work day.

When a child suffers a fall or a blow to the head, concussion is a concern. It’s important to know the signs of a concussion, warning signs that need immediate care, and what to do for a child who may be concussed.

I've found that when I'm feeling depressed or particularly anxious, I will revert to that old childhood habit of watching movies and shows I've already seen. And, when I'm feeling like this, sometimes watching something new will actually make me feel worse. 

Many triggers or allergies or allergens are found in the home or brought into the home from outside and continue to aggravate and trigger allergy symptoms in the supposed comfort of your own home. One of the most common culprits of allergens in the home is laundry and the laundry room.

Skin breaking out in acne or a rash can be scary, irritating and confusing especially if you are not sure what the cause is. Acne most commonly occurs during puberty, but up to 15% of adult women develop acne as well.

It is important to know about your skin, allergies or sensitivities, and skin type whether or not you have a chronic condition. Depending on the severity and extent of chronic skin conditions, certain products or medications may need to be added to a skincare routine.

While it’s exciting to head outside and enjoy nature, the change in season also means allergies. Here’s how to nip symptoms in the bud.

While no furry friend can truly be hypoallergenic, there are some dog breeds or types of pets are better choices for hopeful pet owners who have pet allergies. The cause of most pet allergies is not the pet itself, but the dust and dander that gets trapped in their fur, or allergens they carry inside on their fur.

When the body encounters allergens or foreign substances that trigger an immune response, it is known as an allergic reaction. The immune response that is triggered affects the skin, manifesting as irritation, redness, scaliness, hives, swelling, and more symptoms of an allergic reaction on the skin.

Skin allergy tests can help care teams determine what allergies or sensitivities a patient may or may not have, based on the reactions and results to the test. There are three main types of skin allergy tests given: skin prick tests, intradermal skin tests, and patch tests.

Vaccines prevent more than 2.5 million deaths each year and protect not only those receiving the vaccine, but also everyone around them, particularly those with weakened immune systems, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Chronic kidney disease is a public health crisis that's serious but also preventable. Managing blood pressure and blood sugar are two of the seven ways recommended to keep the kidneys healthy.

It might seem as simple as updating a few clocks in your home, but Daylight Saving Time can take a toll on some people’s overall health.

It’s one of those topics people avoid talking about. But the fact is, colonoscopies save lives and it's important to debunk these four common misconceptions surrounding them.

Breast self-exams, temperature checks and even measuring heart rate are all things that can be indicators of how healthy a person is.

Limiting certain foods and teaching dental hygiene habits at a young age can lead to a lifetime of healthy behaviors while preventing cavities in the process. 

The right healthcare plan varies from family to family and person to person. As with any big decision, knowledge is power. Whether you receive insurance through your employer or you’re self-insured, you typically have a choice between the two most common types of managed care plans – health maintenance organizations (HMOs) or preferred provider organizations (PPOs).

Chocolate, wine and a trip around the dance floor are hallmarks of Valentine’s Day. But they can also be good for your heart.

Not everything you hear about how the winter affects your health is true. As the dead of winter approaches, it's important to be as informed as possible.

As you cozy up at home during the long winter months, take these simple precautions to keep the flu bug and other illnesses at bay.

You shouldn't dive right into snow shoveling without first taking your health into consideration, especially if you have preexisting conditions. These tips should help.

What is a Disney Rash? It looks like a rash, but it’s really not. 

This year, trade your big New Year's resolutions for small goals that will make you healthier.

Dr. William T. Beecroft has advocated against alcohol abuse for much of his 40-plus-year health care career. Here, he reflects and shares some candid thoughts.

Holidays can mean overeating to the point of stretchy pants and undoing some waistband buttons. But they don’t have to.

Having diabetes doesn’t mean you can’t make choices for a healthier lifestyle.

Can the foods you eat make urinary tract infections worse? 

The more members of your family who receive the flu shot, the greater the effect the vaccine has on your household. Here's how you protecting yourself can actually help protect others.

Germs are spread when you touch your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands, so it's important to wash them the right way. Especially during flu season.

Healthy eating cannot completely prevent every kind of disease and illness. However, a balanced diet featuring these five foods can help fight against breast cancer.

Understanding why seniors are at risk of falling can help individuals, caregivers, friends and families prevent them from happening in the first place.

It’s easy to assume that if you didn’t get the flu shot last year and didn’t get sick, there’s no need to get one this year. But that's one of a few common misconceptions surrounding the flu shot. We address those here.

Learn about WAIT, which offers simple suicide prevention advice.

Should our sun safety practices change as we get older? Here are sun protection tips by age.

Myths about sun safety and SPF are common. Here’s what SPF really means and how to use it to keep yourself safe in the sun.

The summer sun can do serious damage to your skin if you are not proactive. These five tips can keep you safe, healthy and unburnt.

A hormone imbalance can leave you feeling tired, moody or even a little heavier. Here’s how certain foods can help.

Ready to use biohacking to improve your mental and physical health? Here are some of the best biohacks to improve your health.

Getting appropriate and timely preventive care is an important part of a well-rounded, overall health strategy for men.

Headaches are a real pain. But before you reach for medication, try these time-tested home remedies to ease the symptoms.  

Aging experts say diet, exercise, sleep and social habits play a big role in protecting brain health and preventing mental declines and dementia.

Some people know more about their horoscope signs than what type of blood they have. Here are a few things you should know about your blood type.

Sunscreen can lose its efficacy when improperly stored or owned for too long. Soak up this information so you can soak up the sun safely!

Cleanse, moisturize and protect are the basic steps, but not all men’s skin care routines are the same.

Seniors looking for ways to get fit or maintain their health have plenty of at-home exercises to pick from.

Some types of foods can be really helpful for people trying to curb a craving for nicotine.

It is important for women to get enough information about perimenopause and menopause symptoms and side effects.

Most indoor allergen sources can be combatted by taking certain measures around the house.

For most women, having cramps is part of having your period. But here are some signs to watch for that mean you might need to talk to your doctor.

Learn how to spot the telltale signs of a new allergy’s development and where to go to receive qualified care and advice.

In the spring, we can’t wait to get outside. But you are more likely to get a sunburn in the spring.

Gracefully Greying health correspondent Lila Lazarus tries the cold plunge trend and reports back on results.

Did you know there are different types of stress? Here’s what you need to know.

Stiff-person syndrome is a rare, progressive autoimmune disorder that affects how a person’s muscles move. Here are the symptoms and treatments.

So many cleaning products are probably sitting in your home. Here is some helpful information about what cleaning products not to mix.

It’s never too early to think about your brain health. Whether you’re a teenager or an adult, these tips can help keep your mind young.

Tired of tossing and turning? If you’re looking for more restful sleep, a weighted blanket might help.

Going to sleep with tense muscles is not a recipe for good sleep. Here’s how stretching can improve your zzzz’s.

Love showers hot? That packs a lot of body benefits - but so do showers that are downright cold.

Think you can down a bag of potato chips, eat fries, snack on candy and just exercise away all the bad stuff? Think again. 

If you’re looking to pick the healthiest bread for your daily toast, sandwiches or snacks, the good news is, you’ve got a lot of choices.

You may love a double-stacked bacon burger, but it’s not the best choice when you’re trying to get the highest-quality proteins to boost heart health.

If you live at a distance, here are tips for maximizing your caregiver effectiveness – and maintaining your peace of mind.

Most bouts with a cold can be handled at home, but other times your body may send warning signs that professional medical help is needed.

Laxatives can cause short-term weight loss due to lost water. Overuse or improper use can lead to dehydration and ultimately put you at risk for colon cancer.

Learning the different types of eating disorders, as well as the signs of an eating problem, can help as a first step. Here’s what you need to know.