Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of disorders that signal a person’s increased risk of diabetes, heart disease and stroke, the American Heart Association says. Symptoms may include high blood pressure, high fasting blood glucose, high cholesterol and abdominal obesity. Metabolic syndrome is commonly associated with being overweight, lack of physical activity and advanced age. Source:… read on >
When you’re looking for a new doctor, find someone you feel comfortable talking with, the U.S. National Institute on Aging suggests. The agency offers these additional tips: Locate several doctors who meet your criteria. Read online reviews to understand how existing patients rate each doctor. Call each doctor’s office and speak with the staff to… read on >
When the 2015 U.S. Dietary Guidelines were released, they included details for following the Mediterranean-style diet. That’s the way of eating in countries that border the Mediterranean Sea and has been associated with many health benefits, from a sharper mind to a healthier heart. The eating plan includes more fruit and seafood and less dairy… read on >
Flexibility is a component of all types of movement — from everyday activities to the most rigorous exercises. Being flexible helps you stay mobile and avoid injury. Yet flexibility training often gets lost in the shuffle or pushed to the bottom of the list after cardio and strength training. Its goal is to increase your… read on >
Many people rely on chicken noodle soup to soothe a cold, but few know exactly why the warm broth brings relief. But one dietitian can explain its magic. “Studies have shown that a hearty bowl of chicken noodle soup may help clear nasal congestion and ease cold symptoms,” said Sandy Allonen, a clinical dietitian at… read on >
For common birthmarks, doctors should abandon the traditional wait-and-see approach, a leading group of pediatricians says. Instead, physicians should try to identify those that could cause scarring or medical problems and begin immediate treatment, according to a new American Academy of Pediatrics guideline. Infantile hemangiomas are bright red or bruise-like birthmarks that appear shortly after… read on >
Movies, the theater and other cultural events can help you fight the blues as you age. And the more you go, the less depressed you’ll be, new research suggests. The British study showed that older folks can cut their depression risk by 32 percent simply by going to cultural activities every few months. And if… read on >
Chapped lips often occur throughout winter, but there are things you can do to prevent them, the Mayo Clinic says. Here are the clinic’s suggestions: Before you go outside in cold weather, apply a lubricating lip cream or balm. Then cover your lips with a scarf. Reapply the balm as needed. Do not lick your… read on >
Whooping cough is an infection of the respiratory system caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis, the Nemours Foundation says. The highly contagious infection, typically affecting children. can trigger coughing spells that can last more than a minute. The child’s face may turn red or purple, and the child may vomit, Nemours adds. Nemours offers this… read on >
It’s not just a sign of the holiday season. Food servings have been getting supersized everywhere, from restaurants to grocery shelves. So it can be hard to know what a recommended portion size actually looks like anymore. Whether it’s a scoop of ice cream or a serving of vegetables, it’s probably a lot more than… read on >
