Reducing Stress Can Save Your Life
It’s no surprise that stress can affect your health, but you may not be aware of the true toll stress has on your health and happiness. Did you know that stress increases your risk of heart disease by 40%, your risk of heart attack by 25%, and your risk of stroke by 50%…
That Pain in Your Feet Might Be Neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy occurs when your peripheral nerves (like those in your hands and feet) become damaged. Neuropathy is rather common, and causes numbness, weakness, and pain for about 40 million Americans…
How to Quit Smoking
You know you need to quit. You know the health benefits. You’ve heard that almost half a million people die each year in the US because of smoking. [1] But quitting isn’t easy. You need a plan. Smokefree.gov has a great website where you can get help…
You Might Have Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a bone disease that causes your bones to become weakened and fragile, and sometimes break. In fact, osteoporosis actually means “porous bones.” Everyone’s bones have tiny, microscopic holes and spaces; but, bones with osteoporosis have larger holes and...
What Exactly is Celiac Disease?
Celiac disease is a disorder where your body reacts to gluten, a protein found in many types of grains (e.g., wheat, barley, rye). If you have celiac disease, your body’s immune system mounts a response in your small intestine that causes inflammation of the cell...
What are The Signs of a Stroke?
Did you know that about 800,000 people experience a stroke every year in the US? A stroke occurs when the blood to the brain is blocked (transient ischemic attack) or when a blood vessel in or near the brain ruptures (hemorrhagic stroke). When a stroke occurs, your...
Back to School Traffic Safety
As our kids head back to school, we at Horizon Family Medical Group want to remind you to drive safely. Here are a few tips to ensure our kids are safe getting to and from school. DRIVING Don’t pass school buses that are stopped picking up or dropping off kids. You...
Hosting a Healthier BBQ
With a few more BBQs left in the summer season, we at Horizon Family Medical Group encourage you to choose healthy options. You have a variety of ways to still plan and serve delicious backyard fare, while focusing on flavorful, low-fat options. Here are a few...
What to Do About Asthma
Asthma is a condition where your airway becomes restricted due to inflammation in your lungs, making it harder to breathe. If you don’t have asthma yourself, you probably know someone who does. According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 11...
4 Quick Tips for Managing Your Arthritis Symptoms
If you have arthritis, you’re not alone. An estimated 53 million adults and 300,000 children in the US have some kind of arthritis. According to the Arthritis Foundation, “In New York State alone, there are more than 3.6 million people, including 18,400 children,...
7 Ways to Stay Fit and Safe This Summer
You have all kinds of ways to stay active and enjoy the summer season. We at Horizon Family Medical Group have come up with a few fun ways to stay fit and safe this summer. Go swimming. Warm weather means the pools are open. If you’re one of the lucky ones who has a…
Read more“On average, one person dies every hour due to melanoma—a deadly form of skin cancer.”
-The American Academy of Dermatology
Going Green: Find Out How Small Efforts Make a Big Impact
Now is the time to go green and take care of the Earth. It doesn't always take major lifestyle overhauls. Even small changes can add up, having a massive impact, not only for our own communities, but for the entire planet. Here are some ways you can focus on small...
Raising Healthy Preteens
As a parent, you want your children to be healthy and safe. Helping your child understand and adopt healthy behavior during those preteen years can help set a positive foundation for the upcoming teenage years. This month, we're focusing on 3 areas where you can help...
Raising Awareness About Excessive Alcohol Use
We all know that excessive alcohol use can have long-term, detrimental effects on your health. Excessive drinking, including binge drinking, accounts for almost 10% of deaths among adults aged 20-64 years. According to a study published by The Centers for Disease...
Being An Alert Driver
Staying alert and avoiding dangerous behaviors while driving can save lives. Unfortunately, tens of thousands of people die in car crashes each year in the United States. In 2014, the National Safety Council (NSC) stated that 35,400 individuals were killed, primarily...
Why You Should Wear Sunscreen
The dermatologists here at Horizon Family Medical Group want to remind you that summer is just around the corner. Warm temperatures and sunny days can be fun, but they also come with precautions. A wicked sunburn is a quick way to end your day, your vacation, and your...
Sports Safety: Protecting Your Eyes
Sport-related eye injuries occur to thousands of adults and children every year. Of course, different types of sports and activities come with different risks. The good news is that you can prevent nearly 90% of serious eye injuries by wearing the appropriate...
How to Stay Safe Around the House
Did you know that, according to the Home Safety Council (HSC), injuries at home account for almost 20,000 deaths and more than 20 million medical visits each year? (Source: safekids.org) And with spring-cleaning just getting started in many homes, we at Horizon Family...
Get the Facts on Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) affects millions of Americans. In fact, nearly 20% of people in the US experience IBS symptoms (source: MayoClinic.org). That’s 1 in 5 who experience cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, gas, diarrhea, and constipation. For most folks,...
What the World Thinks About Diabetes
Each year the World Health Organization (WHO) holds a World Health Day and picks an important theme to highlight. On April 7th, their theme was diabetes and diabetes awareness. (Source: who.int) Did you know that, according to the International Diabetes Federation,...
Routine Diabetic Eye Exams Can Save Your Sight
Did you know that diabetic retinopathy is the most common cause of vision loss among people with diabetes, and a leading cause of blindness among working-age adults? It is also one of the four leading causes of blindness in the elderly. People with diabetes are also...
What Does Your Plate Look Like?
About 33% of adults in the U.S. are obese. And about 17% of kids aged 2 to 19 are obese. That means 1 in 3 adults are at higher risk for hypertension, diabetes, and other health problems. The good news is that, with the help of your family here at Horizon Family...
Why You Need a Colonoscopy
Did you know that March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month? And did you know that colorectal cancer is the nation’s second-leading cause of death from cancer for both women and men? The good news is that colorectal cancer can often be treated effectively...
How Hand Washing Reduces Sick Days
Did you know that the average American worker uses more than 10 sick days each year? According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), washing your hands can reduce respiratory illness by more than 16%, and gastrointestinal illness by 31%. Imagine...
When Did You Last Check Your Blood Pressure?
The blood pressure check has become a staple of the annual physical exam, and for many of your other doctor visits as well. That’s because it’s so important. Elevated blood pressure, or hypertension, can be a sign that your heart is working too hard. Reducing high...
The Secrets to Lowering Your Cholesterol
If you have high cholesterol, you’re not alone. According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 73 million adults in the United States have high cholesterol. That’s almost a third of adults in this country. What is cholesterol? Cholesterol is a...
Preventative Care for Patients with Diabetes: Controlled Blood Sugar
Controlling blood sugar levels is paramount in managing your diabetes. Knowing what causes your blood sugar levels to rise or fall helps you make decisions about the kinds of food you eat and the activities in which you engage throughout the day. Eating too much and...
Preventative Care for Patients with Diabetes: Eye Exams
Did you know that people with diabetes are 40% more likely to develop glaucoma, and 60% more likely to develop cataracts? The good news is, patients who receive regular eye exams can often catch potential issues while they're minor and start treatment before the...
Preventative Care for Patients with Diabetes: Foot Care
Because diabetes affects your circulation, proper foot care and regular foot exams can help you catch, or prevent, issues before they become severe. The American Diabetes Association recommends you check your feet every day for cuts, bruises, or swelling problems....