Brain health Archive

Researchers have found that the risk of death due to Alzheimer's disease is markedly lower in taxi and ambulance drivers compared with hundreds of other occupations. And the reason could be that these drivers develop certain structural changes in their brains as they work.

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) affects up to a million Americans, more than three-quarters of whom are women. A main feature of POTS is an intolerance to being upright. Symptoms include heart rate spikes, palpitations, dizziness, and fatigue. Risk factors include recent viral infection, surgery, concussion, or a long period of inactivity. POTS symptoms can be managed through exercising, drinking more fluids, increasing salt intake, wearing compression garments, and using counter-pulsation poses.

With ticks thriving in a wider geographic range, appearing earlier and sticking around later, it's important to stay vigilant about protecting yourself against ticks that cause Lyme disease and other illnesses. Learn some steps you can take to avoid tick bites.

Decreased concentration is often a normal part of aging as the brain's ability to function efficiently gradually declines. People who struggle with concentration when performing tasks can try strategies like avoiding multitasking, taking scheduled breaks, and removing distractions. Other lifestyle behaviors may also affect concentration and should be examined, such as sleep, medication, and caffeine intake. Activities like meditating, reading, and learning a new skill also can help improve mental focus.

In a 2024 study, researchers found that the short-term brain boosts people receive after doing moderate to vigorous exercise can last 24 hours.

Intensive blood pressure control that lowers systolic blood pressure (the first number in a reading) below 120 points may lower the risk of cognitive impairment or probable dementia.