Overview of Meriter
Virtual Tour of Meriter
Meriter Physicians
Commitment to Quality
More
Patient Center
Meriter Hospital
Meriter Medical Clinics
Meriter Medical Group
Meriter Laboratories
Meriter Home Health
Meriter News
Video Showcase
Meriter Awards
Site Features
More
Meriter Stories
Birth Experiences
What’s Your Story?
Meriter Classes & Events
Discussion Boards
Meriter Newsstand
More
Maps/Directions
Online Gift Shop
Meriter E-Cards
Cafeteria/Coffee Shop
More
Job Postings
How to Apply
Career Paths at Meriter
Nursing at Meriter
Employee Benefits
More
Give to Meriter Foundation
Become a Volunteer
More
Feedback Form
Customer Satisfaction Survey
Web Site Survey
Browse Our Encyclopedia
for for Diseases & Conditions, Surgeries & Procedures
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
Search Healthy Living
Go
Increase Text Size
Healthy Living Home
Meriter Resources
Classes and Events
Discussion Boards
The Meriter Newsstand
Community Resources
Library
Healthy Living
Back and Neck Care
Blood Pressure
Cholesterol
Fitness
Mental Health
Nutrition
Smoking Cessation
Stress Management
Weight Management
Chemical Dependency
Health Centers
Your Family
Interactive Tools
About This Site
Healthy Living
Home
Healthy Living
Back and Neck Care
Millions of Americans suffer from back pain every year. The reasons for the pain are many, including bad posture, accidents, improper lifting, obesity, and weak muscles. Practice prevention to minimize your risk for back pain — get regular exercise, lose any excess weight, and learn good posture.
Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is called the "silent killer" because it has no symptoms. If high blood pressure remains unchecked, it can lead to stroke, heart attack, heart failure, and more. You can stop this silent killer — if you catch it in time.
Cholesterol
There's a lot of news about cholesterol these days, and with good reason. High cholesterol contributes to heart disease, which kills more Americans than all cancers combined. A regular exercise routine and good eating habits — along with medication if your doctor recommends it — can keep cholesterol levels under control and lower your risk of heart disease.
Fitness
You may wonder what all the fuss is about exercise. Simply put, inactivity is hazardous to your health. Physical activity can help you prevent chronic disease, manage your weight, and stay mentally fit. The best news is that it's never too late to adopt a more active lifestyle.
Mental Health
Your mental health is just as important to your overall well being as your physical health. Here's information on a range of mental health topics, plus ideas on how to cope when your life hits an emotional bump.
Nutrition
Could your diet use a nutritional tune-up? A healthful diet has many benefits and it doesn’t have to be bland and boring. Add color to your plate with fresh fruit and vegetables, choose whole grains and low-fat dairy, and keep an eye on your portion size. Aim for balance, variety, flexibility and moderation.
Smoking Cessation
You’ve heard all the reasons to stop smoking. You may have thought about quitting or even tried it a time or two. But you may need a little help. Learn how to get ready to quit, how to quit, and how to stay quit for a healthier, smoke-free future.
Stress Management
If you feel overwhelmed by stress, you’re not alone. But you can start to view stress as a fact of life and respond to it in positive ways. Learn the skills to keep stress in check and have a more balanced, healthy life.
Weight Management
Are you at a weight that lets you feel and look your best? If not, it’s time to start managing your weight. The good news is that to lose weight, you don’t have to diet. But you may need to learn new skills. Find out how to lose weight safely and keep it off for good.