Category Archives: Health News

People like to say, “you are what you eat.” While that can be true, I prefer to say you are what you absorb. Just because you eat something doesn’t mean you’re getting all its nutrients. In fact, you’re never really getting it all; the process of digestion always results in some lost nutrition. Other factors ...click here to read more

Seniors who experience social isolation after being in intensive care units (ICUs) are at an increased risk of disability and are more likely to die after they have been discharged. This new research compares patients who are more connected to family and friends and those who are alone at home. Previous studies have found that ...click here to read more

This hasn’t been a great week for my memory. So far, I’ve forgotten my keys, some important groceries, and a few names. But I’m not too worried about it. Other than the awkwardness of forgetting a name or having to head back to the grocery store, the lapses lead to little more than some minor ...click here to read more

Do you want to live longer? You can boost your chances one step at a time. Literally. New data suggests that walking can lead to a longer life. So, if you’ve started a walking routine during the pandemic or are keeping a score of steps on a fitness tracker, you could be in luck. And ...click here to read more

According to new research, replacing salt with a low-sodium alternative can lower the risk of stroke in people with high blood pressure. Published in the New England Journal of Medicine, the study looked at the effects of sodium on heart disease, stroke, and death. Previous studies have shown that both elevated sodium and low potassium ...click here to read more

COVID vaccines work. They might not always prevent infection, but they will certainly reduce the risk of a severe infection requiring hospitalization. And that is a big deal, because people ending up in hospitals with a COVID infection don’t often fare well. There is data to suggest that 27 percent of hospitalized COVID patients die. ...click here to read more

A new approach to treating rheumatoid arthritis may include repairing gut bacteria. UCL researchers have found that damage to the lining of the gut plays an important role in the development of rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease that causes joint pain and inflammation. It’s caused when the immune system does not work ...click here to read more

A few years ago, I was hanging out with some friends on a hot summer day. One of them turned to me and said “your veins look like a roadmap.” It was kind of true. The veins all down my forearms where clearly visible and protruding from my skin. My friend thought it looked gross. ...click here to read more

You don’t have to be a health specialist to know the dangers of added sugar. For close to a decade, health authorities have been warning the public of its dangers, and in some cases, calling for initiatives to reduce consumption. But new data suggests that sugar taxes, banning sugary drinks in schools, or labeling sugar ...click here to read more

In older patients with hypertension, aggressive blood pressure treatment may lower the risk of cardiovascular events. Compared to standard therapy, this treatment comes without increasing adverse outcomes. Previous studies in older adults with hypertension have shown mixed results, and guidelines recommend different target levels. These trials specifically set out to examine whether intensive treatment targeting ...click here to read more

The scent of fresh coffee and eggs fill my kitchen every morning. To some, that might sound like an unhealthy breakfast. To others, it can’t get much better. There is no doubt that coffee and eggs are two of the most controversial foods out there. Eggs because of the cholesterol content, and coffee because of ...click here to read more

New research is suggesting that adults with ADHD are more likely to struggle with substance abuse. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is typically thought of as a condition for younger people. And although much of the information about it is focused on younger people, it can affect older adults. Some have grown up with it, ...click here to read more

If you like to get outdoors and hike, this might be the best time of the year to do it. Temperatures are dropping ever so slightly, and the fall colors are approaching quickly. Of course, there are inherent risks in hiking, much like any other activity. There are the ticks of course, but you also ...click here to read more

It might not work in a matter of minutes, but a little patience and adherence to the Mediterranean diet could help you avoid erectile dysfunction. That’s right. New research is suggesting that what you eat could play a role in ED risk. The Mediterranean diet is no stranger to health benefits. It’s associated with a ...click here to read more