Stay Healthy

As many as half of all heart attacks may be "silent" -- without the typical crushing chest pain, shortness of breath and cold sweat. Silent heart attacks are almost as common as heart attacks with symptoms and just as bad. Heart attacks reduce or stop blood flow to the heart muscle. Because silent heart attacks often go undiagnosed, people don't get the medical care needed to prevent another heart attack, or even death.

When each new year dawns on Jan. 1, so does another chance to stick to your New Year’s resolutions. The easy part is making the promises to change your life to yourself; the hard part is actually doing it.

Circling that magical date on your calendar is about as useful as going out to a karaoke bar with some friends and expecting to sound like Adele the first time you grip the microphone.

Hippocrates, considered one of the most influential physicians in the history of medicine, once said: “All disease begins in the gut.” Current research and modern medicine continue to support this statement. Digestion, mood, autoimmune disorders, arthritis, dementia, infertility, heart disease, cancer and even the way people think are being linked to the human microbiome, or a community of microbes that reside in the digestive system.

Memory Matters’ new executive director is ready to spread the word about staying mentally fit.

“I would like to see Memory Matters be on the front end of hope in helping people think about what can we do to maintain brain health,” says Sheila Strand, who started the job this month after moving to Hilton Head Island from Kansas City, Missouri. Strand was principal of Strand Communication Strategies and will replace outgoing Memory Matters executive director Edwina Hoyle, who is retiring Feb. 28.

Mentioning Alzheimer’s disease or dementia conjures images of vacant stares, confused expressions and heartbroken family and friends. But that’s only if you haven’t spent some time at Memory Matters.

The Hilton Head Island-based nonprofit organization has been bringing smiles to frustrated caregivers and dementia sufferers for two decades. By tackling one of the most feared illnesses facing the elderly, the agency has also helped change public perceptions of memory loss.

If ’tis the season for you is more like ’tis the stressing, you’re not alone. According to Prevention Magazine, up to 90 percent of the population feels some degree of stress during the holidays. And here’s why: On average, we spend approximately $1,000 — which means many people might be working longer hours to afford gifts, or people who work in retail might be facing longer hours and bigger crowds — and drive 275 miles. Plus, 37 percent of the population worries about gaining weight. It’s hard to feel festive when you’re overwhelmed with worry.

Oysters have long been a staple of Hilton Head’s rich culture, back to the days when Native Americans thrived off of the Lowcountry’s bounty. An equally delectable fact, according to Andrew Carmines, owner of Shell Ring Oyster Company and general manager of Hudson’s Seafood On the Docks, these briny bivalves also provide benefits to our ecosystem at every growth stage. 

Breast cancer is the second most common kind of cancer in women. About one in eight women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer. The good news is that many women can survive breast cancer if it’s found and treated early. A mammogram — the screening test for breast cancer — can help find breast cancer early, when it’s easier to treat.

Oral health linked to your overall health

It is widely accepted now that good oral hygiene and regular dental visits are an incredibly important part of a healthy lifestyle - not just for oral health but for overall health. Research suggests that your mouth can reflect the condition of your body as a whole, and that good oral health can actually help prevent certain diseases. Despite this knowledge, many people continue to neglect their oral health.