To strengthen your back — the most commonly injured part of the body — it’s important to condition both the muscles in it and the ones that support it, notably the abs. Here are four moves to boost back fitness: For the bird dog, start on your hands and knees. Tighten your abs and simultaneously…  read on >

If a loved one has symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, he or she should visit a doctor for a formal evaluation. It may be easier to control the disease if it’s diagnosed early, the Alzheimer’s Association says. Here is the association’s list of other potential benefits of early diagnosis: Better access to treatment options. Possible participation…  read on >

Uncontrolled high blood pressure is dangerous and could even lead to death, the American Heart Association says. The AHA offers these suggestions for controlling high blood pressure: Know your numbers and identity your target blood pressure range. Work with your doctor to develop a plan to lower your pressure. Make lifestyle changes — such as…  read on >

No parent wants to see their child catch a cold, but some take prevention measures that have little basis in science, a new survey shows. For example, 51 percent of parents said they give their child an over-the-counter vitamin or supplement to prevent colds, even though there’s no evidence they work. Seventy-one percent of parents…  read on >

The amount of sleep a child needs varies at different ages, the American Academy of Pediatrics says. While different kids of the same age may require different amounts, there are science-based guidelines of suggested sleep amounts for each age, the academy says. Here are the guidelines: Infants: (4 to 12 months): 12 to 16 hours…  read on >

Doing CPR on someone in cardiac arrest can double the chances of survival, the American Heart Association says. The AARP recommends these steps for administering CPR: Do not wait. A person’s chances for survival fall up to 10 percent for every minute of delay. Send someone to look for an Automated External Defibrillator. Push up…  read on >

Boosting athletes’ neck strength in the off season might reduce their concussion risk in sports such as football and soccer, researchers say. This is among several recommendations from researchers at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, N.J., who are looking to prevent these serious head injuries in athletes. “Our ability to detect sports-related concussions has greatly…  read on >

If you’ve vowed to be more active this year, be sure you have proper athletic shoes, a doctor suggests. “The right shoe is important for a runner as much as a good tennis racket is important for a tennis player,” said Dr. Ronald Lepow. He is an assistant professor in the department of orthopedic surgery…  read on >

Most cancer specialists are comfortable treating LGBTQ patients, but many aren’t confident in their knowledge about these patients’ specific health needs, a new survey finds. “Cancer care within the LGBTQ community is a largely ignored public health issue,” said Gwendolyn Quinn, a professor in the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Population Health at NYU…  read on >

Poor blood sugar control puts people with type 1 diabetes at increased risk for fragility fractures, a new study shows. A fragility fracture is a broken bone caused by a fall from standing height or less. For the study, researchers analyzed data on more than 3,300 people with type 1 diabetes and more than 44,000…  read on >