One of the basic truths of cancer is that the earlier you find it, the better. Early detection means more effective treatment. And that’s one of the reasons pancreatic cancer is so deadly: It usually isn’t found early. There’s no screening for pancreatic cancer, and it doesn’t cause many symptoms until it reaches an advanced…
If you live with a chronic illness or have survived a major health event, you know the experience can have unexpected consequences. For some, this can lead to negative feelings and emotions, and even mental health issues such as depression. Sarah Laughon, MD, is a practicing psychiatrist and assistant professor in the UNC School of…
Sometimes vaginitis—or vaginal inflammation—can be so mild you may not think anything out of the norm is happening. Other times, vaginitis is accompanied by pain and discomfort, which may point to a yeast infection or bacterial vaginosis. The problem? Both issues share common symptoms, which can make it hard to distinguish which one you are…
Every year, millions of Americans get sick with the flu. Some become so sick they must be hospitalized; in fact, tens of thousands of people die from the flu each year. Fortunately, getting sick is not inevitable. Here are some tips for reducing your risk of getting the flu and how to prevent spreading it…
Diet and exercise are staples of any weight-loss regimen. But new research from the UNC School of Medicine shows how the wrong combination of the two can harm your bones. Maya Styner, MD, an associate professor of endocrinology and metabolism at the UNC School of Medicine, researches the role fat plays in bone health. Her…
If you ever experience a feeling of heaviness, tightness or aching in your arms or legs, you could have lymphedema. Lymphedema is swelling caused by an accumulation of lymph, a protein-rich fluid found throughout the body. (Lymph also has white blood cells that help fight infection.) Often the swelling is in the arm or leg,…
For a few lucky individuals, the golf swing is a thing of beauty. They make the complex look simple. You can see some of these perfect swings on display this week at the Rex Hospital Open. For millions of others, it’s an exercise in futility mixed with occasional moments of brilliance...
A UNC expert warns about liquid calories and offers practical tips for choosing healthier beverages. We know that sugar consumption is a major contributor to obesity and chronic diseases such as diabetes. Yet the average American takes in about 22 teaspoons of sugar per day, and the average adolescent consumes as many as 34…
This painful condition can lead to malnutrition and diabetes. A large gland located behind the stomach, the pancreas makes enzymes that help digest food and produces hormones called glucagon and insulin that control blood sugar. But sometimes the pancreas becomes inflamed or damaged, a condition called pancreatitis. When this happens, it is harder for the…
Coping with cancer is never easy, but there are special challenges for people between childhood and full-fledged adulthood. Adolescents and young adults diagnosed with cancer can find themselves caught between two worlds—children with cancer and adults with cancer—at what is already an emotionally charged time of life. That’s why the Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA)…
A guide to understanding the different types of primary care providers. Whether you’ve recently moved or just need a change in your health care, finding the right primary care provider is important. We talked to Robert Hutchins, MD, MPH, Dana Neutze, MD, PhD, Tracy Rentner, FNP, and Rachel Urrutia, MD, MSCR, about what to consider when…
This chromosomal condition causes short stature and a lack of ovarian development. When Kate Alvstad was about 4 years old, her mother became concerned about her height. Kate was much shorter than other girls her age, and her mother suspected she might have a medical problem. “So, we went to see a doctor, and he…
