Health Discovered

Every night, millions of Americans are affected by insomnia. Insomnia presents in various forms, including difficulty falling asleep at night and frequent waking up during the sleep cycle, resulting in feeling tired during the day. What are the causes of insomnia? And how do factors like screen time and caffeine consumption during the day impact our sleep? We spoke to Michael Breus, PhD, DABSM, clinical psychologist and diplomate o...

More than one million Americans are diagnosed with gallstones every year, and women of all ages are more likely to develop them. How are gallstones formed? What do they mean for our health? While gallbladder problems can be uncomfortable and potentially risky, understanding the treatment options available is the first step toward relief. We spoke to Benjamin Schmidt, MD, board-certified gastroenterologist and creator of the healthc...

Health equity is when everyone has a fair opportunity to achieve their highest level of health. But in the United States, that’s not always the case. Today, Black Americans are more likely to die at early ages for most health issues, and young Black Americans are living with diseases that are typically more common in other races during older age. How do barriers in healthcare contribute to the current health disparities in the Blac...

March is colorectal cancer awareness month. According to the American Cancer Society, nearly double the number of young adults under 55 are being diagnosed with colorectal cancer. And while it’s a highly treatable cancer, many people will not have symptoms in the early stages of colorectal cancer. So, when should regular screening begin? And what measures can we take to lower our r...

Many people desire happiness, but is there a science to being happy? Can we learn to be happy regardless of external challenges? Are there evidence-based tools and practices for managing emotions and enhancing our lives? We spoke with Arthur C. Brooks, who co-authored the book Build the Life You Want: The Art and Science of Getting Happier with Oprah Winfrey, about using science to understand happiness from a psychological and biol...

Often, when we think of toxic chemicals, our minds go to household cleansers or environmental pollution. But we can also be affected by harmful chemicals in our clothing. What are some of the chemicals found in clothing, and what potential impact do they have on our health? Are there resources to help consumers identify fashion products that are safe, sustainable, and free from harmful chemicals? We spoke to Alden Wicker, award-win...

Weight management is something that many people struggle with. And sometimes, it can feel impossible. But what happens when we shift our focus beyond the scale? How would incorporating sleep management tools, social support and connection, and other pillars of lifestyle medicine positively impact our experience with weight management? To guide us through this topic, we spoke to Mahima Gulati, MD, a triple board-certified physician ...

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men, women, and people of most racial and ethnic groups in the United States alone, with one person dying from heart disease every 33 seconds. February, in addition to American Heart Month, is Black History Month. Black Americans are 30 percent more likely to die from heart disease than non-Hispanic white Americans. What risk factors contribute to heart disease impacting Black Americ...

Between the extreme opposites of toxic positivity and pessimism lies a healthy middle ground that we often overlook: practical optimism. What does it mean to move through the world with optimism? And even if we often feel pessimistic or hypervigilant, how can we practice optimism on a daily basis to develop this emotional muscle? To explore this topic, we spoke with Sue Varma, MD, a board-certified psychiatrist and author of the ne...

Over the past century in the U.S., there's been a societal transformation in what we expect from our romantic relationships. It's not just about love anymore; there's a growing belief that our partners will fulfill many roles, including being instrumental in our personal growth. But what do these expectations mean in romantic partnerships? Are they realistic, or are we setting ourselves up for disappointment? We spoke with Lia Love...