Safety/injury prevention Archive

Over-the-counter cold remedies can be helpful, but they must be carefully considered before use. They contain drugs that can cause serious side effects, interact with other medications, and worsen certain health conditions. For example, decongestants can help ease a stuffy nose but also can increase blood pressure and heart rate. And cough suppressants can help someone stop coughing, but taking too much can cause dizziness, confusion, or even changes in mood or thinking.

A 2025 study suggests that urgent care clinics frequently prescribe prescription medications inappropriately for conditions such as ear infections, bronchitis, sprains or strains, or digestive discomfort.

A 2025 study found that many people who use a fitness app to track their daily steps were able to maintain or increase their numbers over two years, suggesting the devices may have a long-term effect on motivation.

Diastasis recti occurs when the rectus abdominis muscle - the "six-pack" - separates and leads to a midline abdominal bulge. This might happen because of pregnancy, aging, genetics, excessive abdominal pressure, or abdominal surgery. The bulge becomes more noticeable when lifting heavy objects, getting out of bed, or even performing everyday tasks. The condition usually doesn't resolve on its own. Working with a physical therapist can help decrease the muscle separation.

Approximately 50% of people who begin an exercise program quit within the first six months, according to some estimates. Declining motivation is usually the main reason, but there are ways that people can approach their fitness to help them stay focused and committed. These include recognizing the value of staying healthy, enlisting a workout buddy, adopting specific exercises to reach individual goals, matching workouts to their personality, and finding inspirational figures.

Research suggests that exercise is beneficial in managing insomnia, but current guidelines don't specify which types may be most effective. A 2025 study found that yoga, tai chi, walking, and running were associated with reduced symptoms of insomnia.

The bear crawl is a body-weight exercise that consists of moving along the ground using only the hands and feet. The move is a fun way to strengthen core muscles and improve mobility, coordination, and balance.

Aging often leads to a loss of shoulder strength and motion, especially the ability to reach up and lift objects overhead. The best way to protect the shoulders is to stretch them daily and strengthen them every other day. Exercises can be done consecutively in a single workout or individually throughout the day. It's best to do a warm-up before engaging in any shoulder exercises. A warm-up can be as simple as marching in place for a few minutes while gently moving the arms up and down.

A 2025 randomized trial of people with carpal tunnel syndrome found that 57% of those who had surgery as a first-line treatment recovered within 18 months, without additional treatments, compared with 13% of people who received steroid injections instead.

A statement from a group of doctors and scientists raised concerns around taking acetaminophen during pregnancy, but research backing this is based on observational studies and animal studies, so that no firm conclusions can be drawn from it. Here's what to consider if you're pregnant.