Staying Healthy Archive

Increasing numbers of older adults are using cannabis over recent years. People over 50 report using it to relax, sleep better, feel good, relieve pain, improve mood or mental health, or treat medical conditions. But older adults are more vulnerable to cannabis side effects, such as falls or interactions with prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Many older adults aren’t aware that cannabis products today are far more potent than in decades past. Medical visits related to cannabis use rose more than 27-fold among adults 65 and older between 2008 and 2021.

There is little evidence that dietary supplements marketed as performance enhancers do more than following a well-balanced diet. Two nutrients that can help people during extended exercise are carbohydrates and caffeine.

As the number of pickleball players has grown, so has the number of eye injuries in people ages 50 or older, according to a 2025 study. Such injuries include damage to the eye surface, retinal detach­ment, or fractures near the eye socket.

Prescription eye drops, such as pilocarpine hydrochloride (Vuity, Qlosi) and aceclidine (VIZZ), can ease blurry close-up vision that occurs in middle and older age. The eye drops temporarily shrink the eye’s pupil, which focuses light and makes near vision sharper. The eye drops are considered generally safe to use daily or occasionally, depending on preference. However, they can have side effects, such as dim vision and headaches. In rare cases, they might cause retinal problems.

Home health technologies have made it easier for people to monitor their health at home. These handy home devices can track certain health markers, such as blood pressure, blood sugar, heart rhythm, heart rate variability, and oxygen saturation. Checking this information periodically may help some people identify possible problems or manage existing conditions.

Research suggests that people can exercise in the evening without it affecting their sleep if they avoid physical activity several hours before bedtime.

Bowel preparation (prep) is considered the most unpleasant part of the colonoscopy process, but it’s also crucial. A clean bowel helps the gastroenterologist more easily locate and remove polyps, small growths that can develop into cancer. If the prep is inadequate, the patient will have to repeat the process. Updated guidelines for gastroenterologists, published in 2025, can help them guide their patients to have more successful preps.

The gut microbiota contains trillions of microbes, including both good and bad bacteria. Good bacteria help digest food and absorb nutrients, regulate appetite, synthesize vitamins, and support the immune system. When the gut microbiota becomes unbalanced because of an increasing number of bad bacteria, problems can arise. Keeping the gut balanced and healthy involves eating more probiotics (foods containing good bacteria) and prebiotics (foods that help existing good bacteria grow).