Transforming Healthcare: A Blog By Gwinnett Medical Center

Suns out—legs out? Well, not for everyone. Despite it being hot, hot, hot, spider veins and varicose veins can make nearly anyone feel self-conscious about their legs. On top of that, spider veins and varicose veins can also be uncomfortable or even painful.
So, if you notice the bulge of varicose veins, or the bursts of spider veins, what does this mean for you? For starters, you’re not alone. Both varicose and spider veins are very common and women are nearly twice as likely as men to develop them. You’ll be happy to learn, though, that there are simple ways to reduce both the look and feel of them.
What is the difference between varicose and spider veins?
Varicose veins are caused by weakened valves in the veins, which can allow blood to leak and pool. Because blood collects, the veins become bigger and evolve into varicose veins.
Similarly, spider veins are caused by a backup of blood, as well as increased pressure in the legs.
What are common risk factors?
Because varicose and spid…

Bone health is literally something you build on throughout your life, not just as a child. Your bones are living tissue after all. Fun Fact: because they have living cells in them that are constantly renewing, you have an entirely new skeleton every 7 to 10 years. 
But this doesn’t mean that you don’t have to take bone health seriously. The efforts you put in now, or lack thereof, will determine your bone health throughout your life, as well as the likelihood that you’ll develop conditions like osteoporosis.
Now you may hear osteoporosis and immediately think that it’s not something you need to worry about until you’re 65 or older, but that’s not the case. Did you know that your bones stop gaining in density when you turn 30?  This means that after age 30, more bone tissue is lost than is gained.
So while bone depletion may be natural, this doesn’t mean that you’re doomed to have brittle bones as you age. In fact, here are 5 simple ways you can keep your bones—all 206 of them—happy and h…

Have you been searching for the next best exercise or training technique to add to your workout routine? Well, look no further. Among the latest trends is the importance of pre- and post-workout stretching. Now before you write-off stretching as nothing more than something you used to do in gym class, take a quick look at the surprising benefits to it offers.  
While it may not get your heart pounding like strength training, or burn as many calories as aerobic exercise, stretching can be just as beneficial. Not only can stretching improve flexibility and maintain good range of motion in your joints, it can also:
·Give you an energy boost by increasing blood flow ·Support overall balance by helping fine-muscle coordination ·Deter aches and pains from exercise and from life ·Help you to get more out of your workout ·Prevent injury ·Lower your blood sugar ·Reduce stress and promote relaxation
Still not convinced that stretching should be a part of your workout routine? Well, there’s a chance you …

As we enter into one of the hottest months of the summer, it’s only fitting to take a closer look at something we all experience this time of year—sweat. And while sweat may have a bad reputation for being a smelly, salty nuisance, it actually plays a vital role in your overall health.
When temperatures spike, your body produces sweat to help cool you down, keep your skin hydrated and prevent infection. That isn’t all sweat does, though, read on to learn more about sweat’s many benefits. And who knows, maybe next time you start to sweat, you’ll feel a bit of relief instead of discomfort.
   1. You’re covered in sweat glands. On the surface of your body, you have between 2 and 5 million sweat glands; however, they are not evenly spaced out. They are the most concentrated on the bottom of your feet and the least concentrated on your back.
2. Your sweat isn’t smelly. While you may feel like sweat brings with it an unpleasant smell, it isn’t actually sweat that makes you stinky. This is b…

There’s no doubt about it, yoga continues to grow in popularity across nearly every age group. And while yoga is nothing new, it's nearly 5,000 years old after all, studies continue to find more and more benefits. For instance, it is known that yoga can help improve these conditions: ·Poor blood circulation ·High blood pressure ·Arthritis ·Osteoporosis ·Limited mobility ·Lower back pain ·Difficulty breathing ·Headaches ·Tension or stress ·Depression Relax your mind and then consider this: In addition to the seemingly endless benefits of yoga, experts have found that it can actually impact your genes, too. In a recent study, several researchers reviewed 18 studies, involving a total of 846 people, to examine how the behavior of genes is affected by yoga, tai chi and meditation. The conclusion? Mind-Body activities, like yoga, reverse molecular reactions in DNA that cause poor health and depression. "Millions of people around the world already enjoy the health benefits of mind-body interventi…

All of these classes and more will be offered by Gwinnett Medical Center. If a registration number is not listed, please call 678-312-5000 to register, or register online at gwinnettmedicalcenter.org/classes.
Scroll to the bottom of the list to see some of our support groups. A full list of support groups is available here.
Classes
Monthly Pre-Diabetes Classes If you’ve been told you have pre-diabetes, or are at high risk of developing diabetes, take charge of your health! Learn effective lifestyle strategies that can dramatically improve your overall health and reduce your chances of developing Type 2 diabetes. Topics include healthy eating, reading food labels, importance of exercise, and weight management. Presented by a registered dietitian, certified diabetes educator, this class is for ages 18 years and older. All classes will be held 5 – 7:30 p.m. There is no cost to attend, but registration is required.

For more information or to register, please call 678-312-6048.

Lawrenceville cl…