Having obesity does not mean you will get cancer, but it does mean you are more likely to get cancer than if you maintained a healthy weight. Excess body weight is thought to be responsible for about 11 percent of cancers in women and about 5 percent of cancers in men in the U.S., as…
Medical providers have a new tool to help identify people at risk for severe preeclampsia, a potentially fatal high blood pressure condition that occurs in pregnancy. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a blood test that can predict with 96 percent certainty whether a pregnant patient will develop preeclampsia within the next two…
If you have pain or a bulge in your abdomen or groin, you could have a hernia. But sometimes it can be hard to tell. Seth Weinreb, MD, a UNC Health surgeon, explains what a hernia feels like, what to do if you might have one and what treatments are available. What is a hernia?…
Sugar, especially glucose, is important for our body. Our cells use sugar for energy, and our brain primarily runs on glucose, keeping us awake and alert, says UNC Health Rex Cancer Care clinical dietitian Jillian Reece, MS, RD, LDN. But experts agree we’re getting too much of it. American adults consume 17 teaspoons of added…
A trip to the beach can be delightful. But as with all outdoor activities, there is some risk. Sunburn, rip currents and foodborne illnesses are well known, but Vibrio bacteria are not. Some Vibrio strains can cause skin infections and gastrointestinal distress, known as vibriosis. In extreme situations, infection can lead to death. For the…
Do your thumb and fingers tingle, burn or feel numb? You could have carpal tunnel syndrome, which is caused by a pinched nerve in your wrist, says UNC Health orthopedic surgeon Jeremy J. Miles, MD. “There’s a nerve that provides feeling to your thumb, index and middle fingers,” he says. “It passes through the carpal…
If your child had diabetes or a broken bone, you probably wouldn’t hesitate to let their teachers know. But what if the diagnosis is a mental health disorder? Should you share this information with their teachers, coaches and others? The answer depends on the child, the diagnosis, and the teachers and other adults in your…
As we age, our bodies don’t always work as well as they once did. But when we notice it’s our brain that’s slowing down, it can be scary. You might wonder if it’s just normal aging or an early sign of dementia. There’s actually a middle ground called mild cognitive impairment. These are changes beyond…
Whether they are as small as a grain of sand or as large as a golf ball, kidney stones can be extremely painful. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent developing kidney stones or at least minimize their size and impact, says UNC Health urologist David F. Friedlander, MD, MPH. “Across the country, about 10 percent…
If you struggle with obesity, weight-loss surgery can help you lose excess pounds that impair your health, mobility and enjoyment of daily activities. People who have bariatric surgery have typically tried to lose weight many times with little or no success, and surgery can be life-changing. For those considering surgery, one of the first steps…
It was a big deal when Paxlovid became available to the public in December 2021. COVID-19 was still surging across the country, causing high numbers of hospitalizations and deaths. A pill that you could take at home to reduce the risk of serious illness was a game changer. Paxlovid was authorized for adults and children…
Kids often complain of aches and pains: Tummies hurt, boo-boos bleed and limbs feel funny. As parents, it can be tough to know what’s going on. Children’s perception of pain and their ability to communicate how they feel is different from adults, says UNC Health pediatrician Edward Pickens, MD. “A child is not going to…
