You’ve probably been told to ‘live your life’ and ‘be in the moment,’ so it’s no surprise that you might not want to think about the what-ifs. What if you are in an accident or become too sick to make decisions about your own healthcare? Will your family know what you want — or don’t want — done to keep you alive?

You’ve been playing a little too much pickleball or bowling, holding babies or toddlers too long or carrying heavy groceries into the house. Now you have some aches and pains in your shoulder and it’s hard to sleep at night. A part of your shoulder called your rotator cuff might be to blame and, no, this injury doesn’t just happen to professional athletes.

Your body is a machine that gets put through its paces each and every day and your joints take the brunt of the workload. Thanks to hours of walking, carrying packages and babies, running, playing sports and standing, you might find that your joints — such as your knees, hips or neck – hurt and feel a little stiff. This could be osteoarthritis.

It seems to make sense that if you eat less food, you’ll lose weight. But that’s not necessarily the case, according to Dr. John B. Cleek, an obesity medicine specialist with Roper St. Francis Physician Partners.

Job loss, remote learning, financial strain, stress and fear of you or your family members getting sick are just some of the concerns weighing down everyone during these trying times. 

Nobody wants to think about a medical emergency happening to them or their loved ones, but the fact is that illnesses and accidents can happen. If they do, your health – or the health of your loved one – shouldn’t wait. Be prepared by knowing now when you should get to the emergency room, what the medical staff can do for you and when the ER may not be the best place for your symptoms.

When someone gets emotional, it’s said that they have a lump in their throat. While that kind of lump is harmless, you may have a reason for concern if you actually see or feel a lump.  The symptoms of something more serious are not always obvious. They can mimic other diseases. But if you have a lingering sore throat, a sinus infection that won’t go away, neck pain, voice changes, breathing difficulties, coughing or trouble swallowing, all of these symptoms can be indicators of thyroid cancer.

Are you considering working out to drop a couple pounds from staying home? Maybe you’re just looking to get in better shape? No matter what your reason for starting a new exercise routine, don’t take one step without making sure you have the right footwear.

Are you dealing with a crick in your neck that seems to linger forever? Do you wake up with shoulder discomfort that lasts throughout the day and sometimes disrupts your sleep in the middle of the night? You’re not alone. Millions of Americans suffer from these common issues, but there are ways to ease your pain.

There are a number of reasons your joints — especially your knees and hips — could be hurting. The pain could be a result of osteoarthritis, an old injury flaring up, too much high-impact activity, or simple wear and tear that occurs over time. If you’ve tried everything to ease your pain, it might be time to consider a joint replacement.