Trusted Health Information

Stay safe during physical activity Physical activity has many benefits for your health.  But staying safe during physical activity is just as important for your health. Start slow if you have not been physically active for a while. This will help you stick with it and avoid injury. Should I talk to my doctor before starting a physical activity program? Maybe. Most healthy women do not need to talk to their doctor or nurse before becoming active. But if you have health concerns or have not worked out in a while, it is a good idea to talk to a doctor or nurse about the types of physical activity that are right for you. This is especially important if you: Have or are at high risk of  heart disease Have had or are at high risk of a  stroke Have or are at high risk of  diabetes Have  obesity  ( body mass index  of 30 or greater) Have an injury Are  pregnant Are women more at risk than men are for injuries during physical activity? Yes and no. Both women and men are at risk for injuries dur

  Carpal tunnel syndrome Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)  is the name for a group of problems that includes swelling, pain, tingling, and loss of strength in your wrist and hand. Women are three times more likely to have CTS than men.  What is CTS? CTS is the name for a group of problems that includes swelling, pain, tingling, and loss of strength in your wrist and hand. Your wrist is made of small bones that form a narrow groove or carpal tunnel. Tendons and a nerve called the median nerve must pass through this tunnel from your forearm into your hand. The median nerve controls the feelings and sensations in the palm side of your thumb and fingers. Sometimes swelling and irritation of the tendons can put pressure on the wrist nerve, causing the symptoms of CTS. A person's dominant hand is the one that is usually affected. However, nearly half of CTS sufferers have symptoms in both hands. CTS has become more common in the U.S. and is quite costly in terms of time lost from work and ex