Recent Blog Articles
PTSD: How is treatment changing?
Virtual mental health care visits: Making them work for you
How healthy is sugar alcohol?
A bird flu primer: What to know and do
New urine test may help some men with elevated PSA avoid biopsy
Dupuytren's contracture of the hand
Why play? Early games build bonds and brain
Moving from couch to 5K
How — and why — to fit more fiber and fermented food into your meals
Tick season is expanding: Protect yourself against Lyme disease
Staying Healthy Archive
Articles
Is your home blood pressure monitor accurate?
Many home blood pressure monitors are not validated for accuracy, which means there's no way to know if information they provide is correct. Relying on inaccurate measurements can affect decisions people make about medical treatment. Fortunately, reliable organizations have developed lists of blood pressure monitors that have demonstrated clinical accuracy. If a blood pressure monitor isn't listed, it's probably not validated.
Men, women, and red meat risk: Maybe both sexes should put down the burger
A 2023 review of 70 studies found that both unprocessed and processed red meat are linked to higher risks of cardiovascular disease and diabetes, with no apparent difference in risk between men and women.
3 group housing trends for the 60 and older set
Three group housing trends can help ward off loneliness and isolation in older age. One trend is specialized communities, which are private mini-neighborhoods that promote shared activities, involvement with neighbors, and sometimes shared goals (such as providing stable lives for foster children). The communities are run by the people who live there or by nonprofit organizations. Another trend is home sharing—taking on a boarder or sharing a home with friends. A third trend is residential care homes, which are small assisted living facilities in private homes licensed by the state.
Will a multivitamin help my brain?
Increasing evidence suggests that people who take a daily multivitamin pill have a lower risk of cognitive decline compared with people who don't take multivitamins. In particular, two randomized controlled trials published in the spring of 2023 found that people older than age 60 who take a multivitamin are less likely to experience a slight age-related cognitive decline, at least over the next three years, compared to those taking a placebo. The benefit appeared to be particularly true for people who had cardiovascular disease.
Can apple cider vinegar curb appetite?
Drinking apple cider vinegar before bedtime isn't proven to curb appetite or promote weight loss. Doing so can also lead to heartburn or reflux and erode tooth enamel. To consume it more safely, people can blend apple cider vinegar with water or into salad dressings.
Monitoring blood pressure at home? Make sure you follow these steps
Your doctor may ask you to track your blood pressure at home to help decide if you need to start taking medication or to track your response to treatment. Here's how to get accurate readings.
The (almost) last word on alcohol and health
Research into the health benefits of alcohol has not provided a clear answer. Some findings suggest that alcohol helps protect against heart disease and lowers the risk of heart attacks and strokes, and drinkers tend to live longer than nondrinkers. Other studies say these benefits are less clear. If you don't drink alcohol now, there are no health reasons to start drinking. If you do enjoy it, it's best to have no more than 2 drinks in the same day.
Study finds dog walking injuries are increasing
A 2023 study noted a sharp rise in injuries (from 2001 to 2020) among people who walked dogs on leashes. Dog walkers most commonly suffered broken fingers, shoulder sprains, and traumatic brain injuries.
Don't get duped: Here's how to avoid online pharmacy risks
The vast majority of online pharmacies are rife with risks. They might sell medications that are expired, fake, or contain harmful ingredients. Before ordering from an online pharmacy, one should look it up on the Buy Safely tool from the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) to make sure the pharmacy is verified. One can also look for a symbol on a pharmacy website indicating that it's earned NABP accreditation. The symbol resembles a vertical infinity sign (like the number 8) inside a red circle, and the words "NABP Accredited Digital Pharmacy."
Recent Blog Articles
PTSD: How is treatment changing?
Virtual mental health care visits: Making them work for you
How healthy is sugar alcohol?
A bird flu primer: What to know and do
New urine test may help some men with elevated PSA avoid biopsy
Dupuytren's contracture of the hand
Why play? Early games build bonds and brain
Moving from couch to 5K
How — and why — to fit more fiber and fermented food into your meals
Tick season is expanding: Protect yourself against Lyme disease
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