TUESDAY, Feb. 23, 2021 (American Heart Association News) — It can begin with the occasional missed bill payment. An inability to remember names. Telling the same story repeatedly. There may be personality changes or mood swings. Confusion. Over time, it’s as if the person who once was slowly disappears. Dementia. As the population ages, a… read on > read on >
All Health and Wellness:
AHA News: Identical in Nearly Every Way, These Twins Even Had the Same Kind of Heart Attack
TUESDAY, Feb. 23, 2021 (American Heart Association News) — As identical twins who look alike, sound alike and even have the same mannerisms, Patricia Wood and Pamela Smith are used to people mistaking them for one another. Even before birth, their heartbeats were so perfectly synchronized that doctors didn’t realize there were two until the… read on > read on >
‘What’s Wrong With Me?’ Young COVID Survivors Battle Long-Haul Symptoms
It’s been nearly a year since David Speal, 38, first fell ill with COVID-19, but a racing heartbeat remains a regular reminder of his brush with the new coronavirus. Even the littlest thing — not eating at the right time, not drinking enough water, too much exercise, a stressful encounter — can send Speal’s heartbeat… read on > read on >
COVID-Linked Loss of Smell, Taste Can Linger for Many Months
By now, most folks know that a loss of smell and taste are a hallmark of COVID-19 infection, but new research shows it can continue up to five months after the virus first strikes. “It was apparent from the beginning of the pandemic that a significant percentage of people lost their capacity to smell,” said… read on > read on >
Got a Vaccine-Skeptical Relative? Here’s How to Talk to Them
While more than 57 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been given in the United States and many Americans eagerly await their turn to get a shot, not everyone wants one. Vaccine skepticism isn’t new, but you may be able to persuade skeptical loved ones to change their minds. “Some people are probably thinking… read on > read on >
Even for Preschoolers, Healthier Hearts May Mean Healthier Brains
The link between heart-lung fitness and brain health may begin at an early age, new research shows. The study revealed that 4- to 6-year-olds who could walk farther during a timed test also scored higher on tests of thinking abilities and other measures of brain function. Most studies of the link between brain health and… read on > read on >
Many Older Adults Confused About Proper Use of Antibiotics: Poll
Many older Americans lack knowledge about antibiotics, with some admitting to using leftover medication, a new survey reveals. More than 2,200 adults, aged 50 to 80, were questioned. Nine out of 10 said they’re cautious about using antibiotics, and nearly that number knew that overuse of the drugs can lead to them becoming ineffective, according… read on > read on >
From Sourdough to Sacrifice, How COVID Is Changing Americans’ Values
As the COVID-19 pandemic transformed everyday lives in 2020, Americans began dwelling on a few key topics, sourdough bread among them. But we were also tweeting about and researching sacrifice, survival and death, according to new research on online trends. Researchers analyzed how Google searches and the phrasing of a half-billion words and phrases on… read on > read on >
Grumpy? Depressed? Try a More Regular Sleep Schedule
A steady sleep routine may do more than keep you well-rested: New research suggests that the more swings in your slumber schedule, the worse your mood and depression symptoms are likely to be. Researchers from Michigan Medicine followed the sleep patterns of interns in their first year of residency after medical school. That irregular sleep… read on > read on >
You’ve Got Tens of Thousands of Virus Species Living in Your Gut
Researchers have identified more than 140,000 viruses that live in the human gut, including half that were previously unknown. The number and variety of viruses found in more than 28,000 gut microbiome samples gathered from different parts of the world are surprisingly high, according to the study authors. The researchers added that their findings will… read on > read on >