| Narcolepsy | Narcolepsy is a chronic disorder that causes people to fall asleep at odd times, usually for a few seconds or several minutes at a time, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Although the exact cause of narcolepsy is unknown, one theory is that the brain has lost the ability to control the sleep-wake cycle. Symptoms may include extreme sleepiness during the day, sudden loss of voluntary muscle tone, and hallucinations while the person is falling asleep or waking up. |
| Obesity | Obesity is an ongoing disease, not a cosmetic problem. It means that you have excess body fat that is putting your health at risk. Having too much body fat affects you in many ways. It influences how you look and feel. But it also is linked to many health problems, including type-2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood poressure, arthritis, sleep apnea, and stroke. Although obesity is a complicated disease, there are many ways to treat it. Work with your doctor and other health professionals to find a treatment plan that works best for you. |
| Phytochemicals | Phyton is the Greek word for plant, so phytochemicals are plant chemicals, or compounds, that add flavor, scent, and protection (from predators or environmental risks) to fruits,vegetables, and other plants. Different phytochemicals are thought have different effects on human wellness and nutrition. Some may play a role in cancer prevention, others in the prevention of heart disease. Phytochemical research is new and therefore not yet conclusive, but it's clear that along with vitamins, minerals, fiber, and flavor, phytochemicals are yet another reason to increase your fruit and vegetable intake. |
| Pilates | Pilates is a series of mind-body exercises, usually done on an exercise mat, which are designed to strengthen the muscles in the body’s torso, abdominals, and back (often referred to as the core). The exercises, which are named after movement pioneer Joseph H. Pilates, can also improve flexibility, endurance, and coordination without adding muscle bulk. |
| Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) | Up to 85 percent of women normally have one or more troubling physical and emotional symptoms between the time they ovulate and the first days of their menstrual period. These are called premenstrual symptoms. When premenstrual symptoms interfere with your relationships or responsibilities, they are called premenstrual syndrome. While some women first have PMS in their teens or 20s, others don’t until their 30s. PMS can come and go during your reproductive years; you may find that your symptoms worsen as you approach perimenopause in your late 30s or 40s. PMS occurs only in women who ovulate during their monthly menstrual cycle. Women who do not ovulate—because of pregnancy, menopause or taking birth control pills—do not have PMS symptoms. However, many do have similar hormone-related symptoms. |
