Tag: Health Matters
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Jaw Pain and Discomfort? It Could Be TMD
By Esther Frasso, PT Imagine waking up one morning and not being able to open your mouth. Or imagine not being able to chew or speak — or even yawn — without significant pain. This is the reality for millions of people throughout the United States who suffer from temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD), a musculoskeletal…
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Don’t Sneeze Your Way Through Spring: Seek Care for Seasonal Allergies
By Kristen M. Sikorski, MD If you sneeze your way through spring, you are not alone. More than 50 million people nationwide suffer from seasonal allergic rhinitis — commonly referred to as hay fever or seasonal allergies— according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. And that number is only increasing as the…
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Work-Life Balance: There is Such a Thing
By Heather Lynch, MA, LPC, ACS Work-life balance, is there such a thing? The short answer is yes. For many people, however, it can be difficult to achieve and maintain, especially as the lines between work and home have become increasingly blurred over the past few years. Left unmanaged, constant work stress can lead to…
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Coping with Anxiety through Virtual Reality
By Yuko Martin, MA, MT-BC, LPC, ACS Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health conditions in the United States, affecting nearly 30% of adults at some point in their lives, according to the American Psychiatric Association. Fortunately, however, anxiety disorders are treatable, and a number of effective treatment options are available. At Penn…
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Compassionate Care to Help Improve Quality of Life
By Ramy Sedhom, MD This article was originally released in December 2022. In light of the recent news about former President Jimmy Carter choosing hospice care — which focuses on the care, comfort, and quality of life of a person with a serious illness who is approaching the end of life — Penn Medicine Princeton…
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Busting Myths About People in Larger Bodies
By Rebecca Boswell, Ph.D. Today’s society is heavily focused on thinness and losing weight, from the latest diets to unrealistic body ideals depicted across social media. Given the pervasive emphasis on body size, people in larger bodies often face weight bias based on their physical appearance. And it can take a serious toll on their…
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Manage Your Cancer Risk with Genetic Testing
By Jacquelyn Powers, MS, LCGC No one can exactly predict whether you will develop cancer. But there are many factors that may put you at higher risk, including your genetics. Determining your personal cancer risk may create an opportunity for prevention, early detection, or more effective treatment. As one of the nation’s largest genetics programs,…
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Take Simple Steps to Protect Against Falls, Fractures
By Sangita Verma, PT, DPT, MBA, GCS A sudden misstep can happen to anyone, but older adults as well as individuals with chronic health conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure, or those taking certain medication such as sedatives, are at greater risk for falls. What’s more, a single unexpected tumble can result in…
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Gratitude Can Improve Quality of Life
By Linda Baker, MS, LPC, ATR-BC Did you know that the practice of gratitude can have a major impact on both your emotional and physical health? From improving blood pressure to decreasing depression, regularly practicing gratitude can be a life-changing experience. But what does it really mean to be grateful? How does someone practice gratitude?…