When anxiety disorders magnify COVID-19

By John Sharp, M.D.
Posted on November 05, 2020

These days, we all have to accept the anxiety inherent in living in the time of the coronavirus pandemic. If there was a way to dispel all anxious feelings, I’d tell you, but there isn’t. The one exception might be someone who could summon such a degree of denial that they carry on as if everything was normal. And that would be very unwise. Anxiety helps us prepare to respond to... READ MORE

Squash buyer’s guide

By Bruce Weinstein and Mark Scarbrough
Posted on November 03, 2020

All varieties of delicious winter squash are packed with the antioxidants alpha and beta carotene. Here you’ll find some tips on what varieties to look for and how to choose them. Shopping tips Choose squash that is very hard: press firmly all over to make sure the rind isn’t soft (a sign of immaturity or improper storage). Look for vivid colors — the skin color should not look... READ MORE

Get your flu shot now — it’s not too late

By Lauran Neergaard
Posted on November 02, 2020

A record number of flu vaccine doses are on the way — between 194 million and 198 million for the U.S. alone — seemingly plenty considering last year just under half of adults got vaccinated and there usually are leftovers. Still, there’s no way to know how many will seek shots this year and some people occasionally are finding drugstores or clinics temporarily out of stock. Be... READ MORE

Mobile app may help caregivers manage

By Margaret Foster
Posted on October 30, 2020

If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment or dementia, there’s a new mobile app in development that could help. Research has found that routine and structure help patients with dementia. One way to stay organized is through your smartphone. Once downloaded on an iPhone, the app, called Mantrah, can help manage your condition and improve quality of... READ MORE

Some tips to counteract the winter blues

By Abigale Matulewicz
Posted on October 28, 2020

Q: With the start of fall and daylight savings time approaching, is it true that some people feel “blue” during the cooler months just because there isn’t as much daylight? A: While October brings fall leaves, pumpkins and welcome cooler temperatures, it also represents a shift to shorter daylight hours, with the sun setting earlier each day. For many, these cooler, darker days... READ MORE

Third virus vaccine in final U.S. testing

By Lauran Neergaard and Carla K. Johnson
Posted on October 22, 2020

A handful of the dozens of experimental COVID-19 vaccines in human testing have reached the last and biggest hurdle — looking for the needed proof that they really work. Once a vaccine wins approval, the first limited doses will need to be rationed. Last month, a U.S. advisory panel suggested some ways that can happen. Three vaccine candidates began final testing this summer in tens ... READ MORE

Good news for pre- and Type 2 diabetics

By Alyson Kelley-Hedgepeth, M.D.
Posted on October 20, 2020

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a metabolic disorder of insulin resistance — a reduced sensitivity to the action of insulin — which leads to high blood sugar, or hyperglycemia. Approximately 12% of American adults have T2D, and more than one-third of Americans have prediabetes, a precursor to T2D. This is a major public health concern, as T2D dramatically increases risk for heart disease... READ MORE

What causes hands, feet to fall asleep?

By Robert H. Shmerling, M.D.
Posted on October 16, 2020

We’ve all been there. You awaken in the morning, and one of your hands is completely numb. It feels dead, heavy and simply won’t work. Perhaps there’s some tingling as well. Or, you arise from a long dinner or movie and one of your legs feels that way. Then over a few minutes — maybe you shook your hands, stamped your foot — everything goes back to normal. But did you ever... READ MORE

A one-hour, one-pot recipe welcomes fall

By America’s Test Kitchen
Posted on October 12, 2020

With many of us still staying close to home, it’s a perfect time to add a great-tasting, quick-cooking meal to your recipe rotation. In this one-pot recipe, lively lemon zest, bright peas and summery basil combine with pasta, meat and vegetables for a satisfying, light and lively fall dish. In the Test Kitchen, we’ve found that the best way to pull off a one-pot pasta dinner is to... READ MORE

Gut microbes linked to severe vision loss

By Dr. Alice Gasch
Posted on October 09, 2020

Imagine looking at the center of a clock with hands and seeing the peripheral numbers, but not the central hands. That’s the effect of severe age-related macular degeneration (AMD): loss of central vision, but retained peripheral vision. AMD is a disease of the macula, which is the central area of the retina. The retina lines the back of the eye like wallpaper. In developed... READ MORE