There’s been an uptick in kidney cancer media attention since 46-year-old Brad Arnold, lead singer for the rock band 3 Doors Down, was diagnosed with stage 4 kidney cancer. Kidney cancer, along with other kidney diseases, is a major public health concern. While these conditions affect a small percentage of the population, the number of cases is increasing.

Loose clothing. Living a healthier lifestyle helps you gain muscle, making it easier to zip up your jeans and button your jacket.

Better focus. A healthier lifestyle is known for sharpening attention and concentration.        

Legendary musician Billy Joel recently cancelled his current tour after being diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), which is also known as water on the brain.  

This rare condition can develop if the flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is blocked. CSF helps absorb shock, protecting the brain and spinal cord. It also provides the brain and spinal cord with nutrients and removes waste. Each day, the brain ventricles produce enough CSF to fulfill its functions. The fluid is then reabsorbed into the blood.  

When it comes to keeping our bodies functioning, Vitamin D plays a starring role. Often called the "sunshine vitamin," it's one of the 13 essential vitamins our bodies need for growth and maintenance. Yet, despite its importance, more than 40 percent of American adults don't get enough of it. Here’s why Vitamin D matters so much and how you can ensure you're getting an adequate supply.

The Fundamental Role of Vitamin D

Vitamin D isn't just another over-the-counter supplement — it's a critical component in multiple bodily functions.

For many years, the only way to positively diagnose Alzheimer’s disease was studying the brain after a patient had died. But medical advances like advanced scanning combined with memory tests and family history has made it easier for physicians to diagnose the disease.

Now the Food and Drug Administration has approved a new blood test that will help doctors zero in on the disease earlier.

Many household and personal care products list the chemical compounds phthalates among their ingredients. Phthalates are often referred to as “everywhere chemicals,” because they’re commonly used and continuously leach into the environment.  

American adults love napping. In fact, 80.7 percent of U.S. adults reported napping at least 10 minutes in the past three months, according to a survey conducted by the Sleep Foundation. Results from the same survey also showed that 30.5 percent of Americans nap more than twice a week.  

You probably noticed that as you age, it gets harder and harder to manage your weight. It’s a common complaint among middle-aged adults; in fact, about 44 percent of Americans ages 40 to 59 are considered obese, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  

While there is no cure for dementia, there is good news: Science is advancing our understanding of the risk factors while creating new testing and diagnosis regimes and new treatments.

In fact, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved a new test that can help diagnose Alzheimer’s Disease, the most common form of dementia. The blood test, the first of its kind, tests for amyloid plaques, which are associated with the disease in patients aged 55 and older who are already exhibiting symptoms. 

More than cancer, more than heart disease, dementia is on the minds of many Americans over 40. In fact, half of all adults aged 40 and older worry that they’re likely to develop dementia, even though heart disease and cancer are far more prevalent.
While worrisome, dementia isn’t a forgone conclusion. It’s not a natural part of aging, and many physicians and researcher feel that it’s largely preventable. 

But it helps to know more about dementia to begin with.