Preventive care Archive

Sleep is a key pillar of health, and countless influencers on social media are touting a concept called sleepmaxxing. But what exactly is it? And how likely is it to deliver on claims of amped-up energy, a boost to the immune system, reducing stress levels, and improving your mood?

We can learn much from people who continue to live productive lives into their 80s and 90s. Doctors in this demographic have a unique perspective as they have the lessons from their decades of medical practice and their personal experiences dealing with Father Time. Here, two Harvard physicians - Dr. Marshall Wolf, 87, and Dr. Mitchell Rabkin, 94 - share lessons they've learned over the decades from their practice and personal life about how they keep their body and mind strong, healthy, and thriving.

Playing pickleball can boost cardiovascular health, but this popular sport can leave older players prone to injuries. Preventive strategies including taking a class to learn proper form; choosing supportive gear such as well-fitting shoes and sleeve braces; warming up before playing with squats, lunges, and heel raises; and doing lower-body strength-building exercises a couple of times per week.

Anorexia of aging affects about one-quarter of older adults, and women more often than men. The condition is marked by diminished appetite and can prompt a breakdown of muscle and bone mass that can lead to frailty, falls, delayed recovery from illness or surgery, and earlier death. Risk factors include changes in smell and taste, swallowing problems, slower digestion, medications that lead to dry mouth, dental problems, cognitive decline, and loneliness or social isolation. Treatments can include exercising, boosting protein intake, and medications.

People may choke on their own saliva when talking quickly, laughing, or turning their head. Other causes include postnasal drip or dry mouth, which medications may trigger. Certain health conditions can also affect swallowing.

A 2024 study found that people who follow a diet with a higher ratio of plant-based protein to animal-based protein may have a lower risk for cardiovascular disease and coronary artery disease compared with individuals who eat a lower plant-to-animal protein ratio.