Not being able to have a bowel movement—you know, pooping—and the discomfort that results is called constipation. This includes bowel movements that are infrequent, incomplete or difficult to pass. It is a fairly common issue in the United States, affecting around 16 out of 100 adults. Technically, constipation is having three or fewer bowel movements…
Eating disorders can affect anyone. While they may be associated with girls and women, about 1 in 3 people struggling with an eating disorder such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder are male. About 10 million men, teens and boys in the United States will struggle with these potentially fatal illnesses at some…
Have you noticed that your child’s body has changed during the pandemic? Did a visit to the pediatrician start a conversation about your child’s weight? Does your child’s percentile ranking on a BMI chart seem especially high? If any of the above are true, don’t panic—and think carefully before you broach this topic with your…
If you’re scheduled to have surgery, you’ll want to take steps to prepare for it to help ensure you have a successful operation. There are also steps you can take after surgery to heal faster and return to the things you love. UNC Health trauma and acute care surgery nurse educator Beth Schreiber, RN, suggests…
Sometimes your fitness routine becomes more of a memory than an everyday occurrence. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced nearly everyone to modify their workout habits in some way, and for some, that’s meant dropping exercise altogether. If this describes you, that’s OK! It’s been a very tough year (and counting), but it’s always a good…
The COVID-19 pandemic has left its mark on our bodies, and not just in the way you might think. Much has been said about the “COVID 19”—gaining 19 pounds during the pandemic—and research shows this might actually be true for many people. But it’s not just about whether our clothes fit: Being sedentary at home,…
If you’ve been doing online fitness classes or exercising outdoors during the COVID-19 pandemic, you may be ready to change up your routine and head back to the gym. We talked to Emily Sickbert-Bennett, PhD, director of UNC Medical Center Infection Prevention, about the steps you and your gym should take so you can do…
Planning to run a 5K? Or maybe you’ve set your sights on a longer race, such as a 10K, a half-marathon or even a full marathon? No matter the distance, all runners can benefit from adding some simple exercises to their training to help them run faster and reduce their risk of injury. But deciding…
While recent headlines about a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine may be promising, COVID-19 is not going away—in fact, it’s getting worse. As of Nov. 18, the average number of cases a day in the United States hit 162,816, and more than 11 million people in the United States have been infected. At least 250,400…
In a typical year, fall weather brings a slew of races for runners and walkers, from 5Ks to marathons. This year, most of those races have been canceled or are taking place virtually because of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Even so, whether you’re training for a virtual race this year, an in-person race…
Sports injuries are common, whether you’re an elite athlete, a marathoner or a fitness class enthusiast. Every year, about 8.6 million Americans are sidelined by sports- and recreation-related injuries. The risk of injury should not deter you from playing sports and exercising. Physical activity is good for the body and mind. However, being aware of…
Fitness enthusiasts across the country may be eager to resume their indoor workouts as gyms reopen their doors. But is it safe to walk into a gym to pump iron or take a spin class during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-2019) pandemic? The experts say: Working out inside in close proximity to others is risky.…
