Articles written by JL Francis

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About me - JL Francis

My writing will mainly feature current trends and issues in health and medicine. From time to time I may dabble in other areas and publish articles about topics that grab my attention.

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Creative Writing > Memoirs How I relax: My favorite hobbies: 2 of 174

Relaxation is vital to recharging ourselves and facing the struggles and demands of life. The opportunities to relax are endless. But, finding the time may be the problem. To decompress most people carefully plan getaways either for the weekend or for a longer period of time. When getting away is not an option we turn to som...
Health & Fitness > Healthy Living & Wellness Best ways to minimize stress: 5 of 23

It's 6 a.m. and on any other day your alarm clock should have sounded off already. But, you've already turned it off. After several throw down sessions with your covers you just lay there. Your mind is flooded with issues that you can't seem to shake and you're looking a bit haggard from the lack of sleep. Have you been ther...
Health & Fitness > Heart Disease & Heart Attack Understanding heart disease: 1 of 4

According to the American Heart Association, cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the cause of approximately 40% of all deaths in the United States. So, how can you avoid becoming a part of this statistic? Well, educating yourself on the various forms of heart disease is a start. Cardiovascular disease is the broad term used to d...
Health & Fitness > Menstruation & Menopause Why menstruation occurs: 1 of 4

It's a beautiful sunny day. But, you wouldn't know it. You're snippy with practically everyone. Your favorite jeans don't fit you. Oh, and get this there's no more ibuprofen left in the house. These are some of the signs of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) that most women, including myself, dread. Menstruation is a monthly occurr...
Health & Fitness > Sleep Disorders Sexsomnia (sleep sex) causes: 1 of 4

Your heart is still beating fast as you collapse into your partner's body. The street light coming through the bedroom window along with the film of perspiration gives your skin a sensual luster. Satiated after a pleasurable evening you both eventually fall into a deep slumber. Okay, so maybe this romanticized account of a s...
Health & Fitness > General Health (Other) Why CVS is a great neighborhood pharmacy: 3 of 11

It's 9:30 p.m. and I'm preparing to give my grandmother her evening meds. But wait! As I pick up the bottle for her heart medication it's empty. I completely forgot to pick up her prescription. I am not alone in this. So many people caring for loved ones get overwhelmed trying to keep track of everything with their own lives...
Health & Fitness > Pediatrics The age at which most girls start menstruating: 1 of 3

Did you know that a baby girl has anywhere between 1 to 2 million eggs in her ovaries when she's born? That's amazing! Early in development, the fetus is already preparing for menstruation later in life. It is the "when" that is the mystery. By the time a young girl is ready to begin puberty the number of eggs is reduced to ...
Health & Fitness > Alzheimer's and Dementia Symptoms and treatment of Alzheimer's disease: 10 of 19

Ball, flag, tree. It's been a decade since I worked as a psychiatric research assistant and I can still recall these words. Recalling these words are part of a simple and quick cognitive test called the Mini Mental Status Exam. For some delayed recall is a problem. Some may shrug it off as memory loss associated with aging. ...
Health & Fitness > Heart Disease & Heart Attack Symptoms and treatment of heart disease: 6 of 9

You heart what you beat! That's right you're heart beat is an indicator of your health. Doctors listen to the pace of your heart. But, you can feel it. Yes, your heart quickens its pace when you see your new love. It beats rapidly against a ribbed caged after a morning jog. Well, those are the welcomed rhythms of the heart. ...
Sciences > Anatomy Why chopping an onion makes eyes water: 3 of 4

You've broken up with your longtime love no? Okay, maybe you've just finish watching your favorite romantic flick no, again? So, what's the deal with the tears? Simply, the cause is Allium cepa which is better known as the onion. This tear jerker comes in an assortment of colors - yellow, white or red and when the chef in yo...