Being in tune with the present moment — called mindfulness — can relieve stress and make you an actor rather than a reactor, a wellness expert says. Focusing on what’s happening right now allows people to notice things they might otherwise miss, said Dr. Timothy Riley. He is an assistant professor in the family and…  read on >

Here’s some career advice for the new year. Experts often suggest that people follow their passion when looking for work that they’ll feel enriched by. But sometimes you don’t have a choice and have to take a job that you’re not quite wild about, to put it mildly. But rather than feel resentful and unhappy…  read on >

Primary dysmenorrhea is the most common kind of menstrual pain, the U.S. National Library of Medicine says. It is typically caused by an overabundance of chemicals produced by the uterus. These chemicals, called prostaglandins, trigger cramps when the uterus contracts and relaxes. Pain associated with menstruation can start a day or two before your period…  read on >

Adult strokes are commonly caused by high blood pressure, an irregular heartbeat and a hardening of the arteries. But these conditions are rare in children, the National Stroke Association says. Stroke can occur at any age. The risk among children is highest after the first year of birth and remains among the top 10 causes…  read on >

One of your New Year’s resolutions should be to be good to your skin, and dermatologists have 10 ways to help. “All the stresses and excesses of the holidays can leave your skin in bad shape, which makes you feel low, too,” said Dr. Megan Rogge, an assistant professor of dermatology the University of Texas…  read on >

PRP (platelet-rich plasma) therapy is a relatively new treatment for pain, the American Association of Orthopaedic Medicine says. It has shown promise, the association says, for treating ailments including osteoarthritis of the knee, shoulder, hip and spine; rotator cuff tears; chronic plantar fasciitis; and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. The association explains how the therapy…  read on >

Regular bedtimes and adequate sleep during childhood may contribute toward a healthy weight in the teen years, a new study finds. The study included nearly 2,200 kids in 20 U.S. cities. One-third of them had consistent, age-appropriate bedtimes between ages 5 and 9, according to their mothers. Compared to that group, those who had no…  read on >

Some people who receive botulinum toxin injections for disorders that cause muscle tightness and contractions develop resistance to the treatment, researchers say. The new study included nearly 600 patients with dystonia or spasticity who had been receiving botulinum toxin type A (commonly known as “Botox”) for about three to five years. The researchers found that…  read on >

A new study suggests that an occasional drink won’t harm, and might even help seniors with heart failure. Heart failure patients who drank in moderation — a drink a day for women, two for men — had an average survival that was a year longer than nondrinkers, the researchers found. “My patients who are newly…  read on >

If you’re thinking about making some health-related resolutions for 2019, the American Medical Association (AMA) has some suggestions. “This is the perfect time of year for each of us to consider our personal goals, and how we can make positive health choices in the coming year,” said AMA President Dr. Barbara McAneny. “We encourage everyone…  read on >