Staying Healthy Archive

Articles

Vitamin D and your health: Breaking old rules, raising new hopes

Vitamin D's primary function is to help the body absorb calcium, though it may also protect against prostate cancer and other diseases. Many people do not get enough from sunlight, its natural source, and should get the needed amount via a supplement.

Music and health

Researchers are exploring the many ways in which music may influence health, from stress relief to athletic performance.

A new treatment for obesity

A new medication for the treatment of obesity has been approved by the FDA, and it received significant media attention in the months leading up to its approval. A high-dose injectable hormone, it already existed in a different form as a treatment for type 2 diabetes, but in this form and dosage it has advantages over other available weight-loss medications, as well as its own potential risks.

Grandparenting: Ready to move for family?

The desire to be closer to children and grandchildren leads many older adults to consider relocating to different parts of the country. But such a move is not possible for everyone, and not advisable for some. Before exploring relocation, take time to consider the all implications — as well as your children's feelings on the subject.

Mobile health and fitness apps pose privacy risks

Most mobile health apps aren’t doing enough to protect people’s private information, according to a study published online June 16, 2021, by The BMJ.

How can I help my partner with dementia who resists help?

Caring for someone can be stressful, and this can be even more challenging if a loved one is not ready to accept help. Caregivers who find themselves in this situation should take steps to enlist others' help to ease their burden and should take time for themselves to reduce their stress levels and protect their mental health.

Ban on harmful pesticide: What parents need to know

After two decades of concern, and mounting evidence of its harm to young children, the FDA has banned the pesticide chlorpyrifos from use on food. But it's important to remember that chemicals are everywhere, and there are other steps all parents should take to protect their children from exposure to potentially harmful products and substances.

Gadgets to help you sleep better: Do they work?

Many gadgets claim to promote better sleep. For example, white noise machines or noise-canceling earbuds may help someone fall asleep by masking unwanted sounds in the sleep environment. As another example, a sunrise alarm, which simulates the sun’s morning light, can be helpful for people with disorders of the sleep-wake cycle. Proven methods to improve sleep include cognitive behavioral therapy and good sleep hygiene, such as keeping the room dark and cool and avoiding electronic screens within two hours of bedtime.

Activities to sharpen your eye‑hand coordination

Many activities can help improve eye-hand coordination. Examples include racquet sports, swimming, tai chi, noncontact boxing, playing catch or cornhole, bouncing a ball against a wall, juggling, throwing darts, sewing or knitting, painting or drawing, or playing a video game. If an activity is too challenging, one can modify it to make it easier. For example: if a ball is too small for catch, one can hit a balloon back and forth; if it’s too hard to play table tennis with a Ping-Pong ball, one can use a larger ball such as a pickleball.

Back to the doctor

People who’ve skipped medical check-ups for a while should visit their primary care doctor, dental hygienist, and eye doctor. A primary care doctor will consider a person’s blood pressure, medications, weight, alcohol intake, gait, balance, memory, hearing, mood, and levels of physical activity and socialization. To prepare for the visit, one should write down questions for the doctor and bring a list of all medications. At the appointment, one should take notes and ask any questions needed to understand the doctor’s instructions.

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