Reasons alcohol keeps you awake

By Suzy Cohen
Posted on February 11, 2025

Alcohol is a common part of socializing and unwinding, with almost 87% of American adults having consumed it at some point, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Surprisingly, around 20% of Americans use alcohol as their sleep aid, unaware it may worsen insomnia.   For me, if I drink even one regular full glass of wine, I will sleep for an hour and then... READ MORE

Why cooking, no matter the recipe, is healthier

By Lauren Wicks
Posted on February 10, 2025

You may be one of the 90% of Americans who don’t like to cook — but you probably know that you should cook more. Because while eating out or ordering takeout saves time, it depletes your bank accounts and your health.  The health benefits of a home-cooked meal outweigh almost any other method of eating, no matter the recipe. Here’s why:  You’re in control of the ingredients. ... READ MORE

Work with your hands? Watch out for carpal tunnel syndrome

By Kristin Karim, M.D.
Posted on February 06, 2025

Dear Mayo Clinic: I’m a homebuilder and have begun experiencing numbness and tingling in my hands. Sometimes I drop things because I can’t get a good grip. A friend suggested I might have carpal tunnel syndrome. But doesn’t that mostly affect people who use computers all day? Can you explain more about the condition?  A: Working with your hands day after day can take a toll on... READ MORE

New guidelines intend to prevent strokes

By Kenya Hunter
Posted on February 05, 2025

The majority of strokes could be prevented, according to new guidelines released last fall that are aimed at helping people and their doctors do just that.  Stroke was the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S. in 2023, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and more than half a million Americans have a stroke every year. But up to 80% of strokes may be... READ MORE

Think positively about aging for long life

By Howard LeWine, M.D.
Posted on January 29, 2025

People who tend to be more positive, optimistic and energetic as they get older are more likely to live longer and have healthier lives than those with negative thoughts about aging.  A study published in February 2022 in JAMA Network Open found that the people with the highest satisfaction with aging had a 43% lower risk of dying from any cause compared to those who were the least... READ MORE

Is it all in your head, or not identified yet?

By Suzy Cohen
Posted on January 28, 2025

The body and mind are intricately connected, and sometimes, this connection can lead to physical symptoms driven by emotional stress. These are known as psychosomatic disorders, and they demonstrate just how powerful stress, unresolved trauma and emotions can be in affecting our physical health. However, not all unexplained symptoms fall into this category. Some are the result of... READ MORE

Barley is a healthy, high-fiber whole grain

By Lori Zanteson
Posted on January 28, 2025

Barley, as a staple, is anything but basic.   Native to Ethiopia and Southeast Asia, barley has been cultivated for more than 10,000 years. Since ancient times, it has been used for food — both human and animal — as well as tea, alcoholic beverages, medicine, and even as a standard of measurement.   These days, we’re most likely to enjoy our barley in a meal of hearty stew... READ MORE

Ways to fight against winter depression

By Carla K. Johnson
Posted on January 22, 2025

As winter arrives and daylight hours grow shorter, people prone to seasonal depression can feel it in their bodies and brains.  “It’s a feeling of panic, fear, anxiety and dread all in one,” said Germaine Pataki, 63, of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.  She’s among the millions of people estimated to have seasonal affective disorder, or SAD. Her coping strategies include yoga,... READ MORE

Snacking can be part of a healthy diet

By Mayo Clinic staff
Posted on January 21, 2025

Do you find yourself sometimes reaching for snacks instead of sitting down for a more formal meal? That’s not necessarily a bad thing.  When snacking is done correctly, it can give you a boost of energy between meals, help meet nutrient needs for the day, and help keep hunger at bay to prevent overeating at the next meal.   And managing your hunger can help you maintain a healthy ... READ MORE

Ways to get your doctors to listen to you

By Jim Miller
Posted on January 21, 2025

Dear Savvy Senior,  How can I get my doctors to listen better? I just turned 78, and over the past few years I feel more and more dismissed by my doctors. I know I can’t be the only one who feels this way. Any suggestions?  —Dissatisfied Patient  Dear Dissatisfied,  Communication difficulties between patients and their doctors are nothing new. Many older patients feel... READ MORE