Studies suggest doctors should cut back on some medications in seniors
Source: University of Michigan Medical School whatdoctorsknow.com Anyone who takes medicine to get their blood sugar or blood pressure down — or both — knows their doctor prescribed it to help them. But what if stopping, or at least cutting back on, such drugs could help even more? In some older people, that may be […]
A stronger heart may keep your brain young
By Julie Corliss Harvard Health Blog You probably know that regular exercise offers a wealth of benefits for your body, like staving off excess weight and chronic illnesses like heart disease and diabetes. But mounting evidence suggests that exercise is also good for your brain. A study published in the journal Neurology links better cardiovascular […]
How to overcome your exercise excuses
By Jean Harvey, Ph.D., R.D., & Joyce Hendley It’s easy to come up with reasons why you can’t exercise — but sometimes you spend more time arguing with yourself than it takes to fit in an exercise session. The easiest way to overcome your exercise excuses is to be prepared for them. Identify the reasons […]
Managing worry in generalized anxiety disorder
By Srini Pillay, M.D. Harvard Health Blog Everyone worries, but some people worry more than others. When worry is excessive, people may develop generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). In fact, close to a quarter of people who go to their primary care physicians with anxiety suffer from this. In general, stressful events in childhood and adulthood, […]
Lactose intolerance can develop at any age
Mayo Clinic Q&A DEAR MAYO CLINIC: What would cause someone to become lactose-intolerant later in life? I’m in my 40s and have never had an issue with dairy, but, now, I can’t seem to have it without problems. Do I need to see a doctor to be tested for allergies, or should I just avoid […]
Environmental Nutrition: Whole grains, soyfoods and the plant-based diet
Environmental Nutrition Newsletter Whole grains linked to longer life Eating at least three servings of whole grains, such as bran, oatmeal and quinoa, every day could lower your risk of cardiovascular disease-related death. A review of studies by Harvard researchers that included 786,076 men and women found that when three servings of whole grains were […]
Exercise: It does so much more than burn calories
By Elizabeth Pegg Frates, M.D. Harvard Health Blog If you’re trying to lose weight, you’ve surely heard that you need to “eat less and exercise more.” The more you move, the more calories you’ll burn — and you’ll lose weight. But as it turns out, the effect of physical activity on human physiology may be […]
3 immune-boosting myths busted
By Brierley Wright, M.S., R.D. It’s that time of year when any sniffle, cough or sneeze is noticed — and if it didn’t come from you, chances are you’re subtly putting a little space between you and whoever it came from. There’s no better time than the present to talk about immune-boosting myths — from […]
New expert recommendations on children and media use
By Claire McCarthy, M.D. Harvard Health Blog For years, the standard recommendation of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has been that children shouldn’t have more than two hours a day of screen time. But with the explosion of the internet and social media, the increase in smartphones and tablets, and more education and homework […]
Evaluation after stroke can help identify common causes
Mayo Clinic Q&A DEAR MAYO CLINIC: Is it always possible to figure out what causes a stroke? My husband had a stroke two months ago at the age of 38. He has mostly recovered now, but his doctors never pinpointed a cause. I want him to see a specialist to make sure that nothing else […]
Knee damage appearing on MRI predicts arthritis ahead
Source: Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine whatdoctorsknow.com People who are at higher risk to develop knee osteoarthritis (OA) from being overweight or having injured their knee in the past may have normal X-rays, but worsening lesions or damage appearing on their MRIs predicts a significantly higher risk of soon developing knee osteoarthritis or painful […]
Top 10 tips for IBS relief
By Kate Scarlata, R.D.N., L.D.N., Environmental Nutrition Newsletter Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), an unrelenting intestinal disorder, occurs in up to 1 in 5 Americans, presenting with bloating, alteration in bowel habits, pain and cramping. Diet may be your first line of defense. Here are 10 evidence-based strategies that may minimize symptoms: 1. Try a low […]
Keeping hands consistently clean one of the best ways to avoid getting sick
Mayo Clinic Q&A DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I’ve heard many times that handwashing is the best way to prevent illness. But how often is it enough? I have small children, and I want to keep them as healthy as possible. Is hand sanitizer a good alternative to soap and water? ANSWER: You’re correct that frequent handwashing […]
Specialists in pain management help patients cope with chronic pain
Mayo Clinic Q&A DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I’ve had persistent headaches for about six months. Medication sometimes helps, but not always, and the pain just keeps coming back. My doctor checked to see if another medical problem could be causing the headaches, but she didn’t find anything. She now recommends I see a pain management specialist. […]
Fighting risky pain pill use in the ER
Source: University of Michigan Health System As America battles an epidemic of deaths from misused pain pills, a new study suggests an inexpensive way to cut risky use of these drugs by people who have a high chance of overdosing. And it could happen exactly where many patients get those drugs in the first place: […]
Fight back when drugs are denied
By Eleanor Laise, Kiplinger’s Retirement Report You make a routine trip to the pharmacy to fill a prescription. But the pharmacist tells you your Medicare drug plan won’t cover the drug. You walk away with no medication — and no clear explanation about why you were denied coverage. More and more seniors are finding themselves […]
Eat to see clearly
By Carrie Dennett, M.P.H., R.D.N., Environmental Nutrition Newsletter We often take our sight for granted until it starts to fade. More than half of all Americans develop cataracts by age 80, and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) — the top cause of severe vision loss and blindness in adults over age 60 in this country — […]
The many ways volunteering is good for your heart
By Julie Corliss Harvard Health Blog If you do volunteer work, whether it’s at a school, soup kitchen or senior center, perhaps you’ve experienced the emotional rewards of donating your time. What you might not realize, however, is that volunteering may offer some added advantages for your heart. “There’s a growing body of research showing […]
