Brain cancer sounds like one of the scariest diagnoses out there. Movies and TV have taught us that when someone gets brain cancer, there is little hope—and that’s not totally wrong. With a survival rate of just a little over a third (35 percent) of those diagnosed, it’s a very…
Meredith Johnson
Writer
Meredith Johnson is a recent graduate from the University of Iowa with a BA in English and Creative Writing with minors in French and Art History. She just returned from the south of France, is currently reading Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado, and is a devoted weekly listener to the Bon Appétit Foodcast.
Entries Meredith Johnson
While not all of us are Aretha Franklins ready to belt out a song at any moment, singing a tune every now and then might be good for your health. And it makes sense: by singing you are filling your lungs with air, increasing their capacity, which allows more oxygen…
Arthritis is one of the most common afflictions of people in the U.S. Encompassing more than 100 joint diseases and conditions, arthritis is a catchall term for stiffness, pain, swelling and inflammation of the joints. Based on a 2016 study conducted by the CDC, approximately 23 percent of adults (54…
For years, science has backed the importance of a balanced breakfast. By consuming a breakfast paired with carbs and protein, your metabolism receives the jumpstart it needs to keep your body moving throughout the day. Carbs give you the easy-to-use energy needed for cognitive function and protein gives you stamina and…
A healthy brain makes for a healthy body, right? Based on research by Harvard Medical School, the best foods for your brain are actually the ones that improve blood vessel and heart health. Taking steps to improve your diet now could mean a healthier brain later on—and could lower your…
Congratulations—if you’re reading this and you’re a woman you are more likely to live to see the age of 100. Based on a 2010 census, there were about 80,000 centenarians in the U.S. and 85 percent of them were women. Due to the protective role of menstruation and a fewer…
If you’ve noticed that you’ve been more tired recently, unable to get off the couch, moody or unseasonably pale, you may have a folate deficiency. Folate, commonly known as folic acid, is the B vitamin responsible for building and repairing DNA. You’ve probably heard of it in the context of…
If you’ve been suffering from repetitive skin infections, high blood pressure and cholesterol, or kidney problems, these all may be side effects of diabetes. Unfortunately, diabetes may also be responsible for a host of other health complications which may surprise you. Although not as common as other symptoms, diabetes can…
In the big wide world of the internet, chances are you’ve probably heard something about the health benefits of lemon water. It’s not complicated, it won’t break the bank, and it’s easy to incorporate into your routine—what’s not to love? Celebrated for its detoxification abilities, it’s also been linked to…
If you’ve found that your spouse is quick to interrupt, dominates all conversation, suffers from delusions of grandeur, requires endless praise, and in layman’s terms, bears a shocking character resemblance to Dennis from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, you may be married to a narcissist. While a lot of these…
While the flu and cold are as common as, well, the common cold, over time the symptoms can develop into pneumonia, a serious and potentially life-threatening condition (usually in older people). You may have fever, shakes, headaches, runny nose, cough—all symptoms of the cold and flu. However, the cold and…
Mysterious in the way they often cause no symptoms, uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths of the uterus. Although they rarely turn into cancer, a fibroid can range in size from a seed to a mass so large it can reach the rib cage. While sometimes silent, they are fairly common…
Estrogen is a crucial group of hormones in a woman’s body. It is responsible for developing and maintaining the female reproductive system and the development of secondary sex characteristics. Consequently, when estrogen levels aren’t quite right, unsettling symptoms can result. Many women with low estrogen levels report feeling like they…
It’s no secret that your metabolism slows as you age. Once women hit the age of 40, metabolic rate decreases as we enter into menopause and begin losing muscle mass. Consequently, women often gain weight around the middle during this period. But, with diet, mild exercises and quality sleep, women…
Morning pain and stiffness can make every day feel like you’re waking up on the wrong side of the bed, but with some simple exercises, your body will feel more energized for the day ahead. Yoga, pilates and stretching are great ways to reinvigorate your body after a restful night…
Brain cancer sounds like one of the scariest diagnoses out there. Movies and TV have taught us that when someone gets brain cancer, there is little hope—and that’s not totally wrong. With a survival rate of just a little over a third (35 percent) of those diagnosed, it’s a very…
