By Jasmine A. Stone Uncontrolled high blood pressure (hypertension) can lead to serious, and sometimes even life-threatening, health problems and disease. Atherosclerosis, heart disease, heart attack, stroke, kidney damage and eye damage can all be the result of uncontrolled high blood pressure. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment significantly improves the outlook for most hypertensive patients. While lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, losing weight and increasing activity levels, can help to reduce blood pressure, some people may need medication to control their hypertension and reduce the risk of future health problems. ACE Inhibitors ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) in

Just because a panic attack happens in a situation the sufferer can’t escape doesn’t mean he or she has to suffer. Medication and therapy can be a great help, but in these instances, panic requires an immediate cure. That’s when these three quick mental tricks can be a lifesaver. Box Breathing A simple relaxation technique, box breathing prevents hyperventilation, slows the heart, and quickly relieves the stress driving the panic attack. It’s simple to do, and while smartphone apps exist to guide anxiety sufferers through the process, they aren’t necessary. To start, sufferers close their eyes and breathe in slowly through the nose while counting to four. Then, they hold their breath for fou

(StatePoint) Every year, an estimated 3.3 million dogs enter U.S. animal shelters, with roughly half that number subsequently adopted by pet owners. These include shelter dogs with special medical needs that can make them harder to place. Dogs with heartworm infection are a common example. What is heartworm disease and how do dogs get it? Heartworm disease is a serious disease spread by infected mosquitoes that is estimated to affect more than one million dogs, cats and ferrets in the U.S. The incidence of heartworm disease in shelter dogs is thought to be higher than in other dogs because stray and surrendered pets are less likely to have received prior veterinary care or to have been on ro

By Daniel Yetman If you’re looking for a simple tea loaded with health benefits that you can make at home, look no further. You can make this recipe using ingredients you can find in the spice section of the grocery store, ginger root, coconut milk, and a sweetener of your choosing. What Is Turmeric? Turmeric is a root in the ginger family that’s usually ground into a yellow powder. It’s been used in Indian in cooking and medicine for thousands of years and is most famous for giving curry its bright-yellow color and unique taste. Turmeric contains the compound curcumin, which is a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. The active ingredient in black pepper (piperine) increases the absorpt

If you enjoy spending time in your backyard, you’ve probably heard all those chirping birds hanging around.  Maybe you even enjoy watching them flutter by, lending their color to the surrounding landscape.  But have you ever considered the vital role they play in maintaining the local ecosystem?  If you’re like most people, chances are you take the presence of birds in your yard for granted. One way birds contribute to a desirable outdoor space is by controlling the number of unwanted pests.  Birds feed on insects, such as beetles and mosquitoes, which can ruin an otherwise perfect evening outside.  They also help to control slugs and aphids, and other bugs that can harm your plants and vege

by beconrad The thyroid may be a tiny organ, but it has a large and important role to play in your body. The thyroid is responsible for regulating hormone levels and making sure your metabolism is working the way it should. If your thyroid levels are too low, the condition is known as hypothyroidism. If your hormone levels are too high, that is known as hyperthyroidism. Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism have their own signs and symptoms, and it is important to know what those signals mean. Your doctor should check your thyroid levels during your annual examination, but if you suspect trouble between visits you should bring it up with your medical team. Unfortunately, the signs of both

By Sandi Tomlin-Sutker Pat Puckridge and Donna Prinz are a team, the “Asheville’s Dream Team.” More than that they are leaders and mentors to their staff and other team members at Keller Williams.  And more than that, they are great friends. A Little History Both of them are natives to Asheville. Pat grew up in the Beaverdam area and after finishing school married Larry 36 years ago. They had a trucking company and also invested in several properties as a retirement plan. “We rehabbed many of them; I painted more walls and cleaned more toilets than I care to say… but that was back when we were young!” Their realtor, Mike Tavener, and his partners started a Keller Williams franchise in 1999.

By John Dunnery We hear many songs about romantic love but few about friendship. Yet friendship often lasts longer than romance, and friendship brings long-term comfort and sustenance. Here are five benefits of friendship: 1. Friendship provides social companionship. Friends fill the all-important role of reliable social companion. If you need someone to accompany you to a movie and your romantic partner is unavailable, you call a friend. If you have nothing to do on a Saturday evening, you invite a friend over to your home to watch television or play cards. 2. Friends help when help is urgently needed. There are moments in life when you need assistance urgently but it’s awkward or inconveni