Alzheimer's Disease Archive

A 2023 study suggests that some brain changes in people with obesity appear similar to those that occur in people with Alzheimer's disease, the most common cause of dementia.

Travel disrupts many of the body's natural rhythms, including digestion, increasing the odds of indigestion, diarrhea, or constipation. Food and water in developing countries can be contaminated with germs that make traveler's diarrhea more likely. Tactics to keep "traveler's tummy" at bay include packing over-the-counter digestive aids and familiar snacks, and avoiding street food and local water and ice.

An estimated one in 11 Americans has a kidney stone at some point in life. The larger a kidney stone, the more likely it will block urine flow and need treatment. Smaller stones may pass on their own. Drinking plenty of fluids can help prevent kidney stones.

A 2023 study suggests regular exercise improves symptoms of depression, anxiety, and psychological distress more effectively than sedentary behavior.

In a 2023 study of more than 28,000 older adults, those who reported socializing the most frequently lived the longest, compared with people who said they didn't socialize.

A 2023 study shows that avoiding sugary drinks is linked to dramatically lower risks for cardiovascular disease and early death in people who have diabetes. Drinking artificially sweetened beverages in lieu of sugary drinks was also associated with lower risks.

For people who buy over-the-counter hearing aids, getting the devices is only a first step toward better hearing. It takes time to learn how to use, wear, and adjust the hearing aids, especially during the first two weeks. Tips to ease through this adjustment period include wearing devices at home for at least a few hours per day, and longer if possible; allowing soft sounds to be louder than normal at first; and learning to switch device settings for changes in environmental noise, such as going from a quiet street into a noisy restaurant.

Inflammatory bowel disease, a condition that causes inflammation along the gastrointestinal tract, has a major impact on daily life. For people who identify as LGBTQ+ there are some specific concerns and issues to understand and consider.

Reports of severe lung illness experienced by hundreds of people who were using e-cigarettes raise questions again about the safety of vaping. Vaping can help some people stop smoking, but potential health risks likely outweigh any benefit.