A stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain is blocked or bursts, depriving the brain of oxygen. Brain damage can occur within minutes.

Stroke is the nation’s leading cause of adult disability and the third leading cause of death. Early diagnosis and treatment can help lessen a stroke’s long-term effects and increase the chances of survival. Many people having a stroke can’t help themselves. That’s why you should learn the symptoms of a stroke and act FAST*.

Blood pressure is considered normal or healthy when it’s below 120/80, according to the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American College of Cardiology (ACC). Both organizations now define high blood pressure as anything over 130/80, down from 140/90.

Why is it important to keep track of your blood pressure? Neelima Rao, MD, explains: 

Whether or not you've had weight-loss surgery, you should always be eating healthy, balanced and whole foods. Here's a day's worth of recipe ideas to enjoy the flavors of fall. 

Many new moms ask, “Is breast milk really better for my baby?” Michelle Carlson, RN, IBCLC, certified lactation consultant and breast milk expert, discusses this common question: 

Abdominal pain is a common complaint after any surgery, including weight loss surgery. Initially, this is often caused by the abdominal incisions from your surgery. This pain should be temporary and lessen over the first six weeks after surgery. Farther out from surgery, you may experience abdominal pain for a number of reasons: 

Myth: I should look for foods with “protein” on the packaging because it is probably better for me. 

It might be time to upgrade your game-day offerings and go beyond potato chips and fruit chews. So if you're next on snack duty for your child's sports team, don't sweat it!  Melinda Wivell, RDN, LD, a registered dietitian at Lake Health, shares her short list for healthier, shareable snacks that can fuel your young athlete: 

One of the most common questions bariatric patients ask is, “Will I regain my weight?" Everyone considering bariatric surgery naturally has this concern. Certainly, the answer is complicated.

After weight loss surgery, one common side effect is occasional constipation. Most patients agree the benefits of weight loss surgery outweigh the challenges. One of the most frequently asked questions after surgery is about avoiding constipation. Bariatric surgeon Dr. Aviv Ben-Meir shares his tips for avoiding constipation and other gastrointestinal issues after weight loss surgery:

Weight loss surgery patients find that success comes from not only the surgery, but from lifestyle changes that their bariatric surgery center help them achieve. Exercise is an important component of healthy living and weight management after bariatric surgery. How soon can you start exercising after weight loss surgery? Bariatric surgeon Dr. Aviv Ben-Meir shares what he recommends for his patients.