Caregiving Archive

Anxiety often brings physical sensations ranging from dry mouth, nausea, or sweaty hands to more severe symptoms such as dizziness, shortness of breath, or a racing heart. Extreme symptoms can manifest as anxiety attacks and cause people to avoid everyday activities. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is considered the gold standard treatment for extreme anxiety. One common form of CBT involves exposing people to stressful situations to learn how to cope.

Many people have used at-home medical tests to detect COVID-19. Other home tests are available that can screen for, diagnose, and monitor dozens of health conditions, including pregnancy, infections, cholesterol and blood sugar levels, and colorectal cancer. The tests are accessible and convenient, and results may spur people to seek necessary treatment. But test results may be inaccurate or confusing, provoking unneeded or risky further testing or treatment. People should tell their doctors if they use at-home medical tests.

Doctors concentrate on helping men lower their blood levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or "bad" cholesterol, to lower their risk of cardiovascular disease. Lower HDL levels are associated with higher cardiovascular risk. This may be related to HDL's role in helping to remove excess cholesterol in arteries that can lead to plaque buildup and increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes. However, no specific therapies to raise HDL levels have improved outcomes.

People with disabilities or physical limitations can still stay active and get the recommended amount of exercise by participating in adaptive sports and activities. These often run parallel to traditional endeavors but are modified to support an individual's needs. Popular choices include cycling, skiing, archery, kayaking, rowing, tennis, bowling, swimming, basketball, and golf.

When it comes to managing high blood pressure, the average American consumes too much sodium and too little potassium. Reversing this imbalance could help control high blood pressure which could, in turn, lead to fewer heart attacks, strokes, and deaths from heart disease.

The start of daylight saving time in the spring can have a profound impact on people's well-being. Moving the clock ahead one hour can cause sleep deprivation, affect focus and concentration, and exacerbate existing problems like depression, anxiety, and seasonal affective disorder. People can lessen the effect by taking steps a week prior to the time change, such as adjusting their sleep schedule, getting more light exposure, and cutting back on caffeine and alcohol.

In November 2022, the FDA called out seven supplement companies for illegally claiming their products could treat or prevent cardiovascular disease, such as atherosclerosis or heart failure.

People with knee arthritis who don't feel ready for joint replacement can take a number of steps as they ponder the possibility. These include getting knee injections or wearing a brace to reduce pain, modifying activities (such as exercise) that aggravate knee pain, losing weight to take pressure off the knee joint, exercising more to help with weight control, seeking physical therapy, getting underlying health conditions under control, doing research about knee replacement, and talking to an orthopedic surgeon.

Mounting evidence paints a worrisome picture of the potential health consequences of nontraditional shift work schedules. So how can people who are required to work during the night and sleep during the day protect their health and well-being?

Parents often think that they would know if their teen was suicidal. However, this is not always the case. Here's what to be aware of and watch for, and what to do if you see worrisome behavior.