New guidelines released this past fall by the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association have changed the way you should be looking at your blood pressure numbers. High blood pressure is now defined as 130/80 and higher, which differs from the older definition of high blood pressure as 140/90 or higher. But, what exactly is blood pressure, and what do these numbers mean? Blood pressure is the pressure blood puts on the walls of blood vessels as it circulates through … [Read more...] about Blood Pressure: Understanding the Numbers
Dr. Terry Bagley
Winter Sports: Snow Much Fun!
For fans of winter sports, the upcoming months hold the promise of cold-weather fun, including skiing, snowboarding, sledding, snowmobiling and ice skating. But, with winter activities comes some cautionary advice. Winter sports and activities are a great way to remain active during the colder months. But ice and snow can create hazardous conditions that can lead to falls, and falls are the leading cause of brain injuries. Your brain is the consistency of gelatin. It’s cushioned by … [Read more...] about Winter Sports: Snow Much Fun!
Treating Diabetes through Rehabilitation
For many, a healthy diet and regular exercise are self-prescribed ways to feel better. But for people with diabetes, diet and exercise often are medically recommended to help treat the disease. Diabetes is a disorder where either the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells in the body do not recognize the insulin. To understand diabetes, you first need to understand the role of insulin in your body. When you eat, your body turns your food into sugar, also called glucose. At that … [Read more...] about Treating Diabetes through Rehabilitation
Weekend Warriors: Fight Back!
If that Saturday morning bike ride or run left you limping into work on Monday sore and exhausted, you’re probably not alone. Welcome to the ranks of the “Weekend Warriors.” “Weekend warriors” is the name given to people who are physically inactive most of the week, but then participate in rigorous physical activity during the weekend. Many times these folks overestimate their abilities and push themselves beyond what they reasonably should do. Many may have had active lifestyles … [Read more...] about Weekend Warriors: Fight Back!
Diving Into Summer
While summer is the time to dive into warm-weather activities like swimming, it’s also the time for a little extra precaution in order to guarantee an injury-free season. Nearly 12,000 new spinal cord injuries occur every year in the United States, according to the American Spinal Injury Association. And about 1,000 of those injuries are caused by diving accidents. Approximately 79 percent of spinal cord injuries occur among males. The spinal cord is made of soft tissue surrounded by bones … [Read more...] about Diving Into Summer