Ways to avoid back injuries this winter
Dear Mayo Clinic: I threw out my back doing yard work. While I was laid up for a few weeks, I’m okay now. I’m concerned I will reinjure my back shoveling snow this winter. How can I protect my back while shoveling? A: Winters can be long and snowy. While seemingly an innocuous task, snow shoveling can be a rigorous aerobic activity and one that significantly stresses the back. You... READ MORE
Foods may lower anxiety, depression risk
Looking beyond the enjoyment of a fantastic meal, there is a (science-backed) connection between what you eat and your mental wellness. Turns out, certain foods and nutrients have the potential to improve your mental health — and even serve as a complement to therapy for depression and anxiety if those are conditions you experience. Here are five foods to add to your diet: ... READ MORE
New drug slows Alzheimer’s progress — a bit
An experimental Alzheimer’s drug modestly slowed the brain disease’s inevitable worsening, researchers reported last month. But it remains unclear how much difference that might make in people’s lives. Japanese drugmaker Eisai and its U.S. partner Biogen had announced earlier this fall that the drug lecanemab appeared to work — a badly needed bright spot after repeated... READ MORE
COVID risk for older adults rising again
Coronavirus-related hospital admissions are climbing again in the United States, with older adults a growing share of U.S. deaths, and less than half of nursing home residents up to date on COVID vaccinations. These alarming signs portend a difficult winter for seniors, which worries 81-year-old nursing home resident Bartley O’Hara, who said he is “vaccinated up to the eyeballs”... READ MORE
Get tested if your legs hurt while walking
Dear Savvy Senior, I started a walking program a few months ago to help me lose weight. I’ve been having problems with my legs and hips hurting during my walk, although they feel better once I stop. I thought it was just because I’m getting old, but my neighbor was telling me about a leg vein disease she has called PAD and thinks I may have something similar. What can you tell me ... READ MORE
Tasty lentils contain fiber, protein, vitamins
If you’re looking to eat healthier, lentils — whether black, brown, yellow, green or red — should be among the top foods in your meal plan. Fortunately, learning how to cook lentils isn’t too complicated. Lentils have nutritional benefits to cover all of your bases: Lentils are rich in fiber: One of the biggest benefits of legumes like lentils is their high levels of fiber,... READ MORE
How meds and supplements can interact
Dear Mayo Clinic: As I have gotten older, doctors have placed me on more medications, such as for high blood pressure and cholesterol. Also, as I age, I have chosen to take some supplements that are supposed to improve my memory, reduce cholesterol and prevent cancer. Should I worry about these supplements interacting with one another or my medications? A: With age come more chronic... READ MORE
Questions about memory, using weights
Q: When should a person start worrying about becoming more forgetful? How can you tell if it’s normal memory loss, or something more serious? A: For many of us, memory blips become more common as we get older. Our brains form fewer connections now, so our memory is not as strong as it used to be. As we get older, the processing speed of our brain slows down, so we can’t recall... READ MORE
Nature and nurture affect our resilience
There’s an old saying that adversity makes you stronger. Real life shows that’s not always true, but the adage highlights an evolving debate among scientists about resilience. After traumatic events and crises such as child abuse, gun violence or a pandemic, what explains why some people bounce back, while others struggle to cope? Is it nature — genes and other inherent traits? Or... READ MORE
Should you worry about lead exposure?
Through much of the 20th century, lead was a common part of American life. It was used in paint, plumbing fixtures, water pipes and many consumer goods. Automobiles guzzled leaded gasoline to improve engine performance. Meanwhile, the medical community increasingly recognized the toxic effects of lead on the body, particularly in children. Since the 1970s, sweeping regulations have... READ MORE
