Studying a drug to prevent heart attacks
Heart disease is the number-one cause of death in America, accounting for 1 in 4 deaths in a normal year. According to the CDC, before the pandemic about 659,000 Americans died from heart disease each year. Many of us know someone who has had a heart attack or takes medication to prevent one. Common heart disease medications include statins, beta-blockers, diuretics and ACE... READ MORE
COVID News — January 2022
How to protect against omicron How can you protect yourself from the new omicron variant? The same way you guard against COVID-19 caused by any other variant: Get vaccinated if you haven’t yet, get a booster if you’re eligible, and step up other precautions you may have relaxed, like wearing a mask and avoiding crowds. It will take a few more weeks to learn key aspects about this ... READ MORE
Try a variety of cardiovascular exercises
Dear Mayo Clinic: Heart disease runs in my family, so I try to eat a mostly Mediterranean diet and get plenty of exercise. Lately, though, I feel stuck in a rut when it comes to my cardio workout. Do you have any advice for exciting exercises to improve my cardiovascular health? A: Eating well and exercising are key elements of a heart-heathy lifestyle, but choosing the right type of ... READ MORE
Meds that can cause hair loss (and a fix)
I was talking with a friend who said she is suddenly experiencing hair loss, and that it is very disappointing to her because it appears to be getting worse. She was leaning on me for advice because, she said, “I can’t look in the mirror anymore.” She has tried all the expensive shampoos and color treatments; she has asked her doctor; and she has finally accepted the reality of... READ MORE
Chicken and mushroom orzo “risotto”
Winter is a critical time to eat healthy foods, which can keep your immune system in tip-top shape to fend off viruses. Many fruits and vegetables support a healthy immune system. Researchers have concluded there are a variety of micronutrients important for supporting a healthy immune system. They’re all familiar: vitamin A, B, C, D, E, iron, selenium and zinc. You can get vitamin... READ MORE
Many therapies to try for nerve pain relief
Q: I have persistent pain on the left side of my body just below my rib cage. It feels like it starts in the back and wraps around to the front. I had an abdominal CT scan, which didn’t show anything that might cause the pain. What else might cause this and what can be done about it? A: What you describe is actually quite common. It sounds like your pain might be coming from one of... READ MORE
Alcohol use is rising among older adults
Recent studies have found that alcohol use among adults 60 and over has increased during the past 20 years, especially among women. The University of Michigan’s 2021 National Poll for Healthy Aging, for instance, found that 20% of older adults drank four times per week; 27% had at least six drinks on at least one occasion in the last year; and 7% reported experiencing alcohol-related... READ MORE
What can cause a swallowing problem?
Q: I recently began having a problem swallowing foods. What could this be? It is really starting to bother me. A: Swallowing difficulty (doctors call it dysphagia) can happen for a variety of reasons. It is not always caused by a serious medical problem, but it is always a problem that needs to be sorted out. Dysphagia is an urgent problem if you are losing weight or if you are... READ MORE
Knee pain causing the blues? Study could help
If your knees hurt, you’re not alone. About half of people over age 50 experience some kind of knee pain. But it’s more than just an achy knee; your mind is affected, too. In fact, researchers have found a connection between chronic knee pain and depression. According to a 2014 analysis of 16 studies published in a medical journal, “depression plays a significant role in knee... READ MORE
Simple, low-cost, low-tech brain training
We’re all looking for ways to boost our brain power. And fortunately, there are plenty of simple, low-cost, low-tech ways to help sharpen cognition. “Low-tech, mentally stimulating activities, especially ones that are challenging, help our brains create new connections. The more connections we have, the more paths our brain has to get information to where it needs to go. “This... READ MORE
Health 2024
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