Prediabetes is a condition in which blood glucose concentrations—often called blood sugar—are higher than normal but don’t yet meet the criteria for diabetes. However, untreated prediabetes often leads to full-fledged diabetes in five years or less. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 84.1 million American adults have prediabetes, representing about 34 percent…
Having diabetes can put you at greater risk for heart disease, kidney failure, blindness and nerve damage. Can it put you at higher risk for dementia, too? “The connection is definitely there, but it’s tenuous. There are a lot of theories about how it might happen, but not a lot of proof,” says John Buse,…
Summer is a season to be outside. As you’re enjoying a backyard cookout, the beach or a block party, remember to be mindful of the impact of heat on your health. “Your body works to maintain the same internal temperature, and one of the ways it does that is by sweating,” says UNC Health family medicine…
Let’s say you have an upcoming medical procedure, and you’re terrified. Your worries about everything that could go wrong are overwhelming, and you struggle with the idea of even showing up for your appointment, even though you know the procedure is important for your health. That’s an instance when your doctor may consider a medication…
Food dyes are a hot topic on social media and in the news this year, as policymakers consider bans on some dyes at the national and state level. Proponents of these bans say food dyes cause health problems including cancer, behavioral and developmental issues, and obesity. As a result, you may be wondering whether the…
When you’re no longer having menstrual periods or symptoms associated with menopause, you might think you’re done with the gynecologist. Not so fast: While your reproductive years may be over, your reproductive organs still need care, whether that comes from a gynecologist or a primary care provider in family medicine or internal medicine. “Everybody needs…
Our kidneys do a tremendous amount of work. Every day, they filter about 150 quarts of blood, cleaning it of waste, toxins and extra water. They regulate how much fluid is in the body and balance our electrolytes, ensuring that the rest of the body’s systems can do their job. Kidneys also produce proteins and…
Unfortunately, trauma is a nearly universal experience: Estimates suggest that about 90 percent of the population has experienced an event or circumstance that caused physical, emotional or life-threatening harm. Everyone’s response to trauma is different, and these experiences can affect our health in ways that can be difficult to predict or understand. You may not…
In middle age, there are many concerns that can affect your ability to get a good night’s sleep. You might be worried about a child, an aging parent or an issue at work. But if you’re a woman, your sleep issues could be caused by the hormonal changes associated with the menopause transition. These sleep…
Spare tire. Beer belly. Muffin top. We have a lot of unkind terms for excess abdominal fat, and we see a lot of images (often fake) of perfectly flat tummies. As a result, the belly is a part of the body that many people are sensitive about and want to change. You may wish for…
When you visit your healthcare provider, you provide a lot of information verbally or in writing—your family health history, medications you take and symptoms you experience. A physical exam reveals more information. But to get the complete picture of your health, your provider will typically need data that can only come from inside your body.…
One of the best things you can do for your overall health is to see a primary care provider regularly. Even if you’re generally healthy and seeing that provider just once a year, they can help you stay healthy and lower your risk of long-term health problems. They also can confirm you’re on the right…
