Osteoporosis Archive

A three-move routine-arm sweep, back bend, and chair pose-can help loosen stiff muscles in the shoulders, back, and legs.

Common causes of persistent or recurrent swallowing difficulty include medication side effects, an inflamed esophagus, an enlarged thyroid, among others. A doctor can conduct several tests to help identify the problem and offer appropriate treatment.

About 98 million Americans have prediabetes, in which the average amount of sugar (glucose) in the blood is high but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. While people with prediabetes want to avoid getting diabetes, prediabetes can be dangerous on its own, as it increases the risk for cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, and fatty liver disease. Controlling blood pressure, lowering LDL (bad) cholesterol, and managing glucose levels with weight loss, exercise, and diet offers protection against diabetes and these conditions.

A 2024 study suggests that swapping table salt for a salt substitute can markedly lower the risk of developing high blood pressure.

The average cough, typically due to a cold or other respiratory virus, lasts three weeks or less. A lingering or chronic cough lasts eight weeks or longer. Most causes of chronic cough aren't serious, such as bronchitis, seasonal allergies, or medication side effects. People should see a doctor if over-the-counter treatments haven't worked or if they experience signs such as breathlessness, wheezing, chest pain, blood in the sputum, weight loss, or fatigue. Before an appointment, people should track their cough and note its patterns to offer clues for diagnosis.

Annually, about 790,000 Americans (about 60% women) undergo knee replacement surgery. Women are more likely to have arthritis, the main culprit leading to most knee replacements. Before surgery becomes an option, people first need to try conservative treatments such as pain relievers, injectable medications, and physical therapy. Signs a knee replacement may be necessary include pain that hinders people from doing basic activities, unstable walking, and needing multiple medications to function.

Antidepressants influence the way brain chemicals regulate mood and other body functions and behaviors. Examples include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, such as fluoxetine (Prozac) and citalopram (Celexa); and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, such as venlafaxine (Effexor) and duloxetine (Cymbalta). Although the medications are commonly used to treat depression, sometimes they are used to treat other conditions such as insomnia, headaches, gynecological pain, or nerve pain.

Cold weather can lead to stiff, sore muscles. To avoid that, it helps to perform two types of stretches. One type is called dynamic stretching. It involves flowing, repetitive motions that prepare muscles for activity by getting blood, oxygen, and heat to them. The other type is called static stretching. It involves holding a certain position for 20 to 30 seconds, which gently lengthens the muscles to keep them flexible. Static stretching should be performed only after the muscles are warmed up.

Tonsil stones are small white or yellow deposits on the tonsils. They develop when bacteria, saliva, food particles, and debris from cells lining the mouth get trapped in tiny indentations on the tonsils. While usually harmless, they can cause bad breath and sore throats.

Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is a condition marked by involuntary movements of the face or limbs, caused by long-term use of certain drugs, many of which are for mental health conditions. An ad for a once-daily drug to treat TD leaves some important questions unanswered.