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After having COVID-19, most people’s bodies develop antibodies to help fight it off. These are special molecules made by the body’s disease defense system, the immune system. A study found that people with these antibodies were less likely to get COVID-19 again. Researchers looked at more than 3 million people who had an antibody test for SARS-CoV-2. SARS-CoV-2 is the virus that causes COVID-19.…

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that can lead to vision loss and blindness. It’s usually caused by abnormally high pressure inside the eye. This can damage a nerve in the back of your eye called the optic nerve. Glaucoma may not cause any early symptoms. Many people don’t know they have it. That’s why it’s important to have regular eye exams. There, your eye doctor will check for signs of…

Your blood is an amazing, multi-purpose substance. It flows continuously through the body, carrying oxygen and nutrients to your cells. But if you get a scrape or cut, some of this flowing liquid quickly turns to a protective clot. Clots are tangles of molecules and blood cells that clump together. They help prevent blood loss when the skin breaks open. They also help stop infections from getting…, Clogs in the System, Three main things can lead to dangerous blood clots, explains Dr. Mitchell Elkind, an expert on stroke at Columbia University. “One is an abnormality in the blood that makes it more likely to clot. For example, [qtip:genetic|Having to do with genes. Genes are stretches of DNA you inherit from your parents. They define features like your risk for certain diseases.] causes, cancer, or damage from…, Symptoms of a Clot, Blood clots can occur anywhere in the body. That makes it difficult to find them before they cause a problem, Elkind explains. The symptoms of a blood clot depend on where they are. A clot blocking blood flow to the brain can lead to a stroke. Strokes can cause sudden difficulty seeing, speaking, or walking. They can also make you feel weak, numb, dizzy, or confused. A clot that blocks blood flow…, Busting Blockages, Treatment depends on where a clot is and how long you’ve had symptoms. Certain drugs can break up and dissolve some types of clots. But they have to be given within a few hours of when symptoms start. A type of surgery called a thrombectomy can be used to remove clots in large blood vessels. It can be used even if people don’t get to the hospital in time to receive clot-busting drugs. “That’s…, Stopping a Clot, If you have a clot that’s forming, certain medications may help shrink it or stop it from growing. These drugs are called anticoagulants. They’re more commonly known as blood thinners. Sometimes, people with certain heart conditions are given blood thinners to prevent blood clots from forming. But blood thinners can have side effects, including an increased risk of bleeding. So doctors don’t give…

A study found that the drug teplizumab helped people at risk for type 1 diabetes. The drug delayed the average time to the start of the disease. Some who were treated in the trial have yet to develop symptoms. People with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin to control their blood sugar. Insulin is a hormone that helps blood sugar enter the body’s cells, where it’s used for energy. If not well…

COVID-19 vaccines are a key part of overcoming the pandemic. Fully vaccinated people can start doing some of the things they had to stop. This includes visiting friends and loved ones who are also fully vaccinated. You might still have questions about vaccines. How do they work? How do scientists know they’re safe? It’s important to know these answers and share them with others. Vaccines are the…

Paying attention to what’s going on right this second can be hard. We often spend more time thinking about what’s coming up in the future. Or dwelling on things in the past we can’t change. We can miss out on experiencing the present. It’s possible to train yourself to focus on the present moment. You become aware of what’s going on inside and around you—your thoughts, feelings, sensations, and…, Health Benefits of Mindfulness, Studies suggest that focusing on the present can have a positive impact on health and well-being. Mindfulness-based treatments have been shown to reduce anxiety and depression. There’s also evidence that mindfulness can lower blood pressure and improve sleep. It may even help people cope with pain. “For many chronic illnesses, mindfulness meditation seems to improve quality of life and reduce…, Developing Healthy Habits, Being mindful may also help you make healthier choices. Loucks’s team at Brown created an eight-week mindfulness program for people with high blood pressure. They studied whether the program increased participants’ awareness of their habits. This included how they ate. The study found that participants chose a healthier diet after taking the course. You can bring mindfulness to your eating habits…, Learning To Be Mindful, If you want to practice mindfulness, there are many online programs and apps. But they’re not all created equal. Experts suggest looking for resources from medical schools and universities. Check to see if they’re evidence-based. Dimidjian’s team developed an eight-week self-guided online mindfulness program. Her studies showed that the program helped reduce symptoms of depression more than a…

Not sleeping enough can harm your health. It raises your risk of many diseases and disorders. A new study found this may include dementia. The study looked at data from about 8,000 people in Britain starting at age 50 who were in a long-term health study. Participants were asked how many hours they slept per night. They reported on their sleep six times over a 30-year period. Some also wore a…

Scoliosis is a disease that causes the spine to curve. It can result in an abnormal s-shaped or c-shaped curve. Anyone can get scoliosis. But it’s most common in children age 11 and older. Many children and teens with mild scoliosis have no symptoms or pain. They may have changes in their posture. Their shoulders or hips may look uneven. Scientists don’t know what causes the disease, but think…

It’s easy to sit more than you should. Many people sit at desks during the day, where we’re inactive for long periods of time. Moving more and sitting less can have major health benefits. Getting regular physical activity is one of best things you can do for your health. Experts recommend adults get at least 150 minutes (two and a half hours) of moderate physical activity a week. That means doing…, Benefits for Everyone, Physical activity has powerful benefits for almost everyone. “If we could bottle up what physical activity does for us, we would probably have the most powerful pill ever developed,” says Dr. John Jakicic of the University of Pittsburgh. Jakicic is an expert on physical activity and weight control. Physical activity can help you feel and function better. It can improve your sleep, energy level,…, How to Move More, Physical activity doesn’t mean you have to go to the gym. Getting more active can include simple things like carrying your groceries or taking the stairs instead of the elevator. “People mistakenly think that you have to do it a certain way,” says Jakicic. “That you have to get your heart rate into a certain zone, you have to work really, really hard, and you have to go to a special facility and…, A Step in the Right Direction, Walking is an easy way to get moving. But some places make that easier than others. Studies have found that your neighborhood can affect how active you are. Scientists have asked what makes a neighborhood “walkable.” “We found that things like having destinations close by to where you live certainly encourages more walking,” says Dr. Brian Saelens of the University of Washington and Seattle…, Strategies to Get Moving, Knowing you should be more active and doing it are two different things. Studies have found that the approaches that work vary from person to person. “One solution that may work for one person may not work for others,” notes Chen. Some find that using wearable devices or phone apps to track progress can be motivating. Other people may benefit from joining a group that does physical activity…

Do you feel an overwhelming need to move your legs when sitting or lying down? Do these sensations make it hard to fall or stay asleep? These can be signs of restless legs syndrome, also known as RLS. RLS is caused by problems with the way the nerves in the brain and body communicate with each other. These problems result in a strong, sometimes overwhelming urge to move the legs. This urge often…