Learning to focus on the present can help calm both body and mind.

Most of us are multitaskers. It's what we do to accomplish everything we expect of ourselves — working, volunteering, helping overextended children, troubled partners, grieving friends, or aging parents. Then there are concerns about the economy and the world situation. The result? We feel pressured, stressed, and unable to concentrate. We rush through activities without paying attention, snack and overeat without noticing, and listen to friends or colleagues without really hearing them. One antidote is to practice mindfulness.

What is mindfulness? Mindfulness is the practice of purposely ...

You may feel fine — but you could need surgery.

If you've been told that you have primary hyperparathyroidism, chances are the diagnosis came as a complete surprise. It's typically discovered in the course of blood testing for other reasons, and there are usually no symptoms — or only nonspecific ones, such as fatigue, constipation, aches and pains, trouble concentrating, or low mood. Primary hyperparathyroidism occurs mainly in postmenopausal women, who may blame such vague symptoms on other health problems or just on normal aging. In the United States, about one in 500 women ages 60 and over develops the ...

Bath time, mealtime, and bedtime are among the hardest parts of the day. Here are some ways to get through them.

Alzheimer's disease has a profound emotional impact on the family members who must cope with a loved one's irrevocable decline. There are many legal and financial issues that need to be addressed as quickly as possible, but family members often report that the day-to-day challenges of caring for someone with Alzheimer's weigh far more heavily.

It's important to remember that the abilities of a person with Alzheimer's disease can fluctuate from day to day and even from hour to ...

In the journals  

Heart experts recognize the benefits of daily omega-6s Omega-6 fatty acids are an important part of a heart-healthy diet, and lowering your intake from current levels could increase your risk of heart disease, according to a science advisory from the American Heart Association (AHA). Omega-6s are a type of polyunsaturated fat found in certain vegetable oils (corn, sunflower, safflower, and soybean), seeds, and nuts. Compared with the well-known benefits of omega-3s — found in cold-water fish such as salmon and tuna — the role of omega-6s in heart health has been less clear-cut. There's been concern ...

In the journalsWeight loss reduces urinary incontinence in heavy womenLosing weight reduces the risk factors for many diseases, especially cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Shedding just 10 pounds, for example, can lower blood pressure. Weight loss also lowers blood sugar and improves cholesterol levels. Now, a new benefit can be added to the list: reduced urinary incontinence in women who are overweight or obese. In a randomized trial funded by the National Institutes of Health, moderate weight loss in a group of heavy women who undertook a six-month diet and exercise program cut the frequency of urinary incontinence episodes ...

A study found that middle-aged women who had more than two drinks per day had a slightly higher risk of developing atrial fibrillation. Read More »

You wrote about weak, brittle fingernails with longitudinal ridges. I have strong nails with horizontal ridges. What causes this, and what can I do about it?

I'm 78. I had breast cancer nine years ago and have been taking Arimidex for six years. I have pain and some bleeding after intercourse, despite using Astroglide. My gynecologist prescribed vaginal estrogen cream. Is that safe for me?