ARMC Health Blog

A stroke can be one of the most frightening medical events a person and their family members can face. It often begins suddenly. A person may notice weakness on one side of the body, trouble speaking, drooping of the face, confusion, vision problems, or loss of balance. These changes can happen in minutes and require emergency care right away. Quick treatment can reduce brain damage and improve outcomes.

Many people think heart health is only about the heart muscle and blood vessels, but that is not the whole picture. Your heart is deeply affected by how the rest of your body works, especially your metabolism.

Everyone feels pain from time to time, but when it lasts for weeks or months, it can start to affect everyday life. It makes it harder to move, sleep, or enjoy normal activities. If the same pain lasts longer than three months, we consider that to be chronic pain. For example, a person is injured, and the injury heals within a few weeks, but the pain lingers or worsens over time. That’s when your primary care provider may refer you to a pain management specialist.

Now that the days are shorter and colder, many of us find ourselves slowing down. It is tempting to stay inside, curl up, and move less. But your health depends on staying active all year long, and there are steps you can take now to prepare for the season ahead.

Cold weather can create serious challenges for people trying to heal skin wounds. When temperatures drop, the small blood vessels near the surface of the skin tighten to help your body hold on to heat. This means less blood reaches an injury. With less blood flow, the wound receives fewer nutrients and less oxygen, both of which are needed for healthy skin repair.

In Ashtabula County, COPD is one of the top chronic health problems that sends people repeatedly to the hospital.

One of the best ways to prepare for fall allergies is to understand your specific triggers. Ragweed is the most common fall allergen. It has already begun releasing pollen, and it may not peak until mid-September. Even a small patch of ragweed can produce millions of pollen grains that travel for miles. Outdoor mold also thrives in fallen leaves and damp wood. Indoor allergens like dust mites often increase when the windows close and heaters come on later this year.

Stroke is a true medical emergency. A stroke happens when a blood vessel supplying the brain either becomes blocked by a clot or bursts, cutting off the blood flow and oxygen that brain cells need to survive. Without immediate treatment, millions of brain cells die each minute, leading to irreversible brain damage, long-term disability, or even death. When it comes to strokes, time lost is brain lost.

Nutritional studies show that people who limit red meat consumption and who eat a healthy mix of green vegetables, colorful fruit, nuts, and grains have a lower risk of developing dementia. In fact, improving your diet over time may lower your risk by up to 25%. Even starting later in life can still make a difference.

Most people have heard about type 2 diabetes, but few people know about a respiratory ailment called Type 2 allergic asthma. A person experiences this when their lungs swell because their immune system reacts too strongly to things like dust, pollen, or pet dander. Essentially, a person’s body goes into overdrive fighting the allergy trigger. With such a strong reaction from the body, regular inhalers or medication may help lessen the symptoms, but the person may still experience coughing, wheezing, or other trouble breathing.