Social engagement and relationships Archive

If you know someone dealing with chronic pain it’s tempting to offer advice, but whatever the suggestion might be, that person has almost certainly tried it already. Simply taking time to listen and empathize may be more helpful.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a condition in which the macula, the part of the eye that's responsible for your sharpest and most detailed vision, begins to thin and break down, causing vision loss. If left untreated, it can lead to blindness.

There is no surefire way to prevent AMD. However, there are things you can do to delay its onset or reduce its severity. Here are 5 of our favorites:

The scope of the opioid crisis in the US has led some communities to revise their view of substance use disorders. One idea is creating supervised injection facilities that would provide a safe environment and make treatment resources available.

New phrases showing up on packaging don't always tell you if the food is better for your health.

 Image: © Jupiterimages/Thinkstock

You're not alone if you don't know the meaning of certain terms on food labels lately. A new language has developed to describe healthy ways to produce meat, vegetables, fruit, and other products in the grocery store. "It's not just the terms that are confusing, but also various associated health claims," says Vasanti Malik, a nutrition researcher at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Organic vs. natural

Some food is labeled "organic" or "natural." What's the difference? The FDA doesn't have a definition for "natural," although it doesn't object to the term if a food does not contain added color, artificial flavors, or synthetic substances.