Even a little exercise linked with lower stroke risk in people with afib
Testosterone therapy without evidence of deficiency may boost heart risk
Weight-loss drug may lower risk of heart attacks and infections
What to eat on the DASH diet
Migraine: How it's diagnosed and what that means
Tricep workouts you can do at home
Mindfulness practices to reduce stress and improve focus
Antihistamines may not offer meaningful relief from eczema symptoms
Overweight and taking blood pressure medications: Study finds it's a trend that's working
FDA approves first mRNA-based flu vaccine
Alzheimer's Disease Archive
Articles
Depression in men: Getting the right treatment
Dr. Terry Schraeder talks with Dr. Michael Miller about the symptoms of depression in men and getting over the gender hurdles to find the right treatment.
Can stem cells treat eye disease?
Stem cell research has led to techniques to restore vision in animals and to grow new, healthy lenses in human babies born with cataracts.
Is an underlying condition causing your fuzzy thinking?
The top five causes you may be overlooking.
Image: the-lightwriter/iStock
You know the feeling: you can't find a particular word, remember someone's name, or concentrate the way you once did. Is it just aging, or is something else to blame? "It's easy to underestimate how underlying conditions affect memory and thinking, and they are often overlooked," says Dr. Shreya Raj, a neuropsychiatrist with the Center for Brain/Mind Medicine at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women's Hospital.
Common causes
What you should do
When trouble with concentration or memory interferes with your day, it's probably time to talk to your primary care doctor. Report any additional symptoms you may be having, such as fatigue, muscle weakness, sadness, daytime sleepiness, or anxiety. You might need some blood tests to check your thyroid hormones or B12 levels (neither test is ordered routinely), or a sleep test if you have sleep apnea symptoms.
Often, treating an underlying condition can restore your clarity of thinking. "When we treat depression or sleep apnea, for example, we see a sudden improvement in memory and focus," says Dr. Raj. "And if a medication side effect is the problem, changing the dose or type of drug may resolve the problem."
If treating an underlying condition doesn't sharpen thinking skills, your doctor may refer you to a neuropsychologist for formal tests of your thinking ability, particularly signs of dementia. Most of the time, however, people with fuzzy thinking do not have dementia.
Fuzz bustersWhen you're struggling with fuzzy thinking, lifestyle changes like these can bring more clarity. Get more sleep. Aim for seven to eight hours of sleep per night. "Older adults to tend to sleep less, but if you're getting too little sleep, you won't think as sharply as you could," says Dr. Shreya Raj. Boost your Z's by going to sleep and waking at the same time each day, and avoiding caffeine, particularly after noon. Exercise more. Try to get 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity per week, such as brisk walking. You'll get more sleep and boost blood flow to the brain. Many studies have shown that aerobic exercise in particular improves thinking skills. Change your diet. "Not eating healthfully makes you more sluggish, even in thinking. Studies have shown the Mediterranean diet may improve cognitive function," says Dr. Raj. The diet includes fresh vegetables and fruits; whole grains; olive oil; nuts; legumes; fish; moderate amounts of poultry, eggs, and dairy; moderate amounts of red wine; and red meat only sparingly. Image: JackF/Thinkstock |
Loneliness and isolation raise risk for stroke and heart disease, study suggests
Loneliness and isolation are associated with an increased risk for developing coronary artery disease (CAD) and stroke.
Therapy beats drugs for chronic insomnia
The American College of Physicians recommends cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) as a first line of defense for chronic insomnia, instead of sleep medications.
What a therapist can do for you
Many men resist talking about their problems, but there are times when it's necessary.
Image: ArtemSam/Thinkstock
Men often like to think of themselves as the strong, problem-solver type who never needs help, especially when it comes to their emotional and mental issues. But men should never bottle up their feelings and tough it out, according to Dr. Darshan Mehta, medical director of the Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine at Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital.
"Your mental health is equally as important as your physical health and proper nutrition. Not addressing negative feelings can carry over to all aspects of your life and have a profound impact," he says.
Over-the-counter drugs may be linked to memory decline
A class of drugs commonly used in over-the-counter and prescription drugs to treat such problems as insomnia, diarrhea, high blood pressure, depression, and urinary incontinence may be linked to cognitive impairment. Scientists believe the drugs block the neurotransmitter acetylcholine that helps process information, which scientists believe is responsible for the effect.
Getting protection from bug-borne illnesses
This summer, it's especially important to take precautions against mosquitoes and ticks.
Image: Rene Drouyer/Thinkstock
You're no doubt aware that a mosquito bite can transmit the Zika virus and that pregnant women infected with the virus may have babies with microcephaly—incomplete brain development. Although Zika is getting the most attention this summer, mosquitoes and ticks carrying the pathogens responsible for other conditions, including West Nile fever, Lyme disease, encephalitis, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, are still at large in areas of the United States.
While scientists work to develop vaccines against these illnesses, the best protection is still prevention. "One thing everyone can do is to reduce their risk of exposure," says Dr. Mary E. Wilson, adjunct associate professor of global health and population at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Getting the best protection depends on the type of bug you're protecting yourself against.
Don’t accept a diminished sex life as a “side effect” of illness
Living with a chronic condition or as a survivor of cancer or a heart attack needn't take a toll on intimate relationships.
Image: Jack Hollingsworth/Thinkstock
Strategically timing when you take pain medication can make sex more comfortable.
Sexual satisfaction is an important part of well-being, yet women who have been successfully treated for cancer or are living with chronic conditions often accept a diminished sex life as a trade-off for being alive. "Women with cancer go through surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation in order to be alive, but once they're through treatment they may not feel as though they are really living to the fullest," says Dr. Sharon Bober, a psychologist at Harvard-affiliated Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Women with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and arthritis may also feel that their health issues have eroded their intimate relationships.
Endometriosis linked to increased risk of heart disease
Women who have a history of endometriosis—a risk factor for cardiovascular disease—should take measures to reduce their other cardiovascular risk factors.
Even a little exercise linked with lower stroke risk in people with afib
Testosterone therapy without evidence of deficiency may boost heart risk
Weight-loss drug may lower risk of heart attacks and infections
What to eat on the DASH diet
Migraine: How it's diagnosed and what that means
Tricep workouts you can do at home
Mindfulness practices to reduce stress and improve focus
Antihistamines may not offer meaningful relief from eczema symptoms
Overweight and taking blood pressure medications: Study finds it's a trend that's working
FDA approves first mRNA-based flu vaccine
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