Health

An estimated 160 million Americans experience difficulty sleeping. We recommend creating a Zen bedroom by ensuring the noise is consistent. Earplugs or a sound conditioner might be in order. Shutting down all electronic devices before sleeping will also help ensure a good night’s rest.

Trying to improve your health? Easy: get some z’s. That’s right – proper sleep habits have been linked to improved mental, physical and emotional health. At PA Health & Wellness, we know that a good night’s rest is key to great health.

Oklahoma City-County Health Department’s Public Health Protection experts remind residents who plan to picnic or cookout this summer to keep all ingredients on ice to avoid the threat of contamination and sickness.

Cases of measles are now appearing in pockets across the country, particularly in the northwest. It is critical to understand the virus and how to be protected from it.

Many in our society are focusing on making their lives greener. But for some, the concept seems so vast that it’s hard to understand the lingo.

West Nile Virus has existed in Oklahoma since 2002, as a seasonal outbreak which flares up in the summer and continues into the fall. It’s spread by the bite of infected mosquitoes.

With summer just a few months away, it’s the perfect time to jump into eating better and exercising. These habits can help you get in shape and have a healthier and more active season.

The OKC-County Health Department’s Total Wellness program is a no-cost, interactive weight-loss program for adults that helps prevent diabetes and heart disease. Classes meet one hour a week for eight weeks. The goal of the class is for everyone to lose 5 percent of their body weight and develop a more active lifestyle.

Cases of measles are now appearing in certain pockets of the country, particularly across the northwest. It is critical to understand the virus and how to protect against it.

Every 39 seconds, an adult dies of a heart attack, stroke or other cardiovascular diseases. Heart disease doesn’t just happen to older adults. It’s happening more frequently to younger adults, and conditions that lead to heart disease are commonly occurring at younger ages.

Let’s face it: Dreams can be weird, scary, humiliating and stressful. But what exactly do they mean?

As spring approaches, it’s important to survey your surroundings and eliminate the culprits that cause allergies to flare up at home or in the office.

Laws enacted at the state Capitol can directly impact the lives and well-being of individuals across the state. The Oklahoma Legislature can take action to significantly improve the collective health of Oklahomans by passing legislation that further reduces the smoking rate and curbs vaping by teenagers. Enacting barriers to smoking and/or vaping is a proven strategy that has achieved greater health outcomes in states across the country.

Oklahoma recently ranked 47th in health rankings by the United Health Foundation. As a result, Oklahoma businesses could see increased healthcare costs if rankings remain low.

American Heart Association’s revolutionary movement, Healthy for Good, inspires people to create lasting changes in their health and in their lives. Make 2019 the year to be “healthy for good,” with the following tips:

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is saying goodbye to the Obama administration’s school lunch and breakfast program in a move to serve meals more appealing to students.

Nations Laboratory Services LLC (NLS), recently opened a new location in Tecumseh, in partnership with the Citizen Potawatomi Nation (CPN). NLS will provide clinical and medical testing services for diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease.

A new year is a good reminder to safeguard those prescription medications before guests of all ages visit your home. When family and friends are in your home, continuously monitor your medicines for missing or outdated pills, and never keep leftover prescriptions.

“The definitive factors in determining whether someone is in good health extend significantly beyond access to care and include the conditions in their life and the conditions of their neighborhoods.” – John Auerbach, former policy director with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Milk’s vitamins and minerals make it an important part of a healthful diet, but yet many wonder if milk is healthy for humans. Here are a few myth busters:

Healthy families raise healthy children. The OKC-County Health Department’s Health at School program partners with local schools to help them become healthier places for staff, students and families. One way we do this is through the use of Community Health Workers (CHWs).

Dr. Dan T.D. Nguyen, a nationally renowned neuroradiologist, has moved his medical talents to Oklahoma and is breaking down the barriers of pain management.

Everyone 6 months of age and older should get a flu vaccine before flu activity begins. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends getting vaccinated by the end of October. Oklahoma City-County Health Department (OCCHD) epidemiologist Ozair Naqvi notes the flu shot lowers one’s chance of contracting the flu and lowers the severity of symptoms if one does get sick.

As working professionals, we’re all too familiar with the afternoon slump, as productivity and motivation often decline in our post-lunch exhaustion. Most people don’t take naps while at work, but could there be benefits to midday rest?

A community health worker is a front-line public health worker who is a trusted member of a community and has an unusually close understanding of the community they serve. This trusting relationship enables the worker to be a liaison, link and intermediary between health and social services and the community to facilitate access to services and improve the quality and cultural competence of service delivery.

Uh oh. A new study has some scary implications for our reliance on cellphones, tablets and computer screens. Those blue-tinged displays could lead to serious eye problems – maybe even blindness.

Oklahoma City-County Health Department (OCCHD) nurses encourage parents/guardians to check their children’s immunization status early.

It’s that time of year, when vigilance for mosquitoes is a must. Remember to Fight the Bite by draining standing water, using DEET-containing insect repellent, dressing in long sleeves and pants sprayed with repellent and protecting yourself by limiting your exposure outside.

Children First (C1) helps first-time mothers make the best decisions for the future of their children. C1 is utilizing the Lemonade for Life model to stop the cycle of poverty and child abuse by preventing future exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Clients learn techniques that instill hope and responsibility for change, which is key for self-sufficiency.

Heart Health Month aims to raise awareness of the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States: heart disease.

Regardless of what business you’re in, many offices share a common similarity: a sedentary work culture. Studies show sitting is a major contributor to employee health issues. Try these simple tips to minimize the negative effects of a sedentary lifestyle and create a ripple effect that could change office culture for good.

January is the time many start fresh with a new year and a new you.