Sleep Archive

Men often carry around extra belly fat and lose muscle mass as they age. An expanding waist could be sign of too much visceral fat, which is stored within the abdominal cavity and surrounds vital organs, including the pancreas, liver, and intestines. Research has shown that visceral fat can increase blood pressure, blood sugar, and total cholesterol levels, and raise the risk of fatty liver disease. Building muscle mass with resistance training and getting aerobic exercise improve muscle metabolism and help reduce visceral fat.

A 2025 study suggests that owning a dog or cat may help slow cognitive decline as people age.

A 2025 study suggests that consuming higher amounts of flavonoids such as berries, apples, oranges, and black tea may promote healthier aging, particularly in women.

No evidence suggests that nicotine patches promote weight loss. Nicotine suppresses appetite but also raises health risks such as high blood pressure and narrowed arteries. People can talk to a doctor about medically supervised weight loss.

X-rays can detect a broken bone, dislocation, or joint problem. People should seek an x-ray if an injury results in severe pain; severe or persistent swelling or bruising; difficulty moving or bearing weight; or a noticeable deformity.

A variety of health conditions can be influenced by sleep position. Side sleeping helps people breathe easier, hampers heartburn, and is safer during pregnancy, but it may aggravate joint pain. Back sleeping keeps the spine straighter, but can intensify breathing problems, worsen heartburn, and cause other problems during pregnancy. People should talk to their doctor if they have a health condition that could be affected by the way they sleep, but otherwise can sleep in the position that is most comfortable for them.

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.

Tai chi uses a series of gentle, flowing motions and slow, deep breathing to exercise the body and calm the mind. It's good for health in many ways, especially for balance, which improves as the body becomes more attuned to changes in movement. Tai chi can be practiced outdoors as well as indoors, which is helpful during winter months. To get started in a tai chi practice, it helps to take a class with an instructor who supervises practitioners' progress. Classes can be found at wellness centers and health clubs.

Insufficient sleep triggers a long list of physiological and hormonal changes that contribute to heart disease. For example, a lack of sleep can cause increases in blood pressure, blood sugar, inflammation, and weight. Doctors recommend getting at least seven hours of uninterrupted sleep per night. Strategies that promote better sleep include going to bed and waking up at the same time every day, creating a healthy sleep environment, and turning off electronics an hour before bedtime.