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It’s an uncomfortable topic, but it’s a health issue you should know about. Nationwide, about 1 out of 6 people between ages 14 and 49 is infected with the herpes simplex virus type 2—the main cause of genital herpes. Surprisingly, most people don’t know they’re infected. Even if you have no symptoms, or only mild ones, you can still transmit the virus to others. Herpes simplex virus (HSV) comes…

Menopause—it’s a transition that looms large in the minds of many women as they approach age 50. It’s sometimes called the “change of life.” Menopause marks the end of menstrual periods and fertility. It can be a challenging time, physically and mentally. Familiar concerns include hot flashes, trouble sleeping and mood changes, but symptoms can vary greatly for each woman. Many women don’t need…

Most men probably don’t like thinking about their prostates, but it’s worth doing once in a while. Problems with the small gland are common in men past the age of 50. The good news is that most prostate conditions can be successfully treated. The prostate is about the size of a walnut. It wraps around the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the bladder. During sexual climax, or…

Fiber—you know it's good for you. But if you're like many Americans, you don't get enough. In fact, most of us get less than half the recommended amount of fiber each day. Dietary fiber is found in the plants you eat, including fruits, vegetables and whole grains. It's sometimes called bulk or roughage. You've probably heard that it can help with digestion. So it may seem odd that fiber is a…

If you have it, you’re not alone. Many adults nationwide have some form of gum disease. It can simply cause swollen gums or give you bad breath. It can also ruin your smile or even make you lose your teeth. The good news is that gum disease can be prevented with daily dental care. The problem begins with bacteria. Our mouths are packed with these tiny microbes. They combine with mucus and other…

School’s out. Things are slow at work. And the warmer weather brings lots of new opportunities to improve your health: plenty of fresh, local produce and more choices for outside activities. Here’s how to make the most of the summer months. “When the weather is nice, there are more opportunities for getting outdoors and having fun with your family and incorporating exercise into day-to-day life…, Slip on protective clothing., Choose shirts with long sleeves and long pants to protect as much as your body from the sun as possible. Many modern fabrics are light and breathable yet protect your skin from the sun. “A good rule is if you can see through the clothing, UV can pass through it and it will not provide you optimum protection,” Perna says. Some clothes are now marked with an “Ultraviolet Protection Factor” or “UPF…, Slop on sunscreen., It may help prevent skin cancer, although sunscreen can’t replace avoiding the sun during peak hours, staying in the shade and wearing protective clothing. Look for sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. Those with an SPF of 30 or higher will provide the most protection. Right now, unfortunately, SPF only measures protection from UVB rays. “Since both UVA and UVB cause…, Slap on a hat., “All hats are not equally protective,” Hartman notes. “Choose hats that are broad brimmed all around to shade the ears and neck as well as the face.” And finally,, wrap on sunglasses., The label should say that the lenses block at least 99% of UVA and UVB radiation. Now that you’ve got yourself covered, you can get outside and get active. Don’t forget there are also healthy eating opportunities that come with warmer weather. “I think it’s easier to eat healthfully during the summer,” Yanovski says. “When you’re hot, a salad tastes really good. It’s easy to grill some chicken…

Salt is essential to our body’s fluids. That’s likely why we evolved to enjoy its taste. On the other hand, anyone who’s gotten a mouth full of seawater knows that too much salt tastes terrible. Maybe your body’s trying to tell you something. It turns out that too much salt can lead to a host of health problems. The chemical name for dietary salt, or table salt, is sodium chloride. Since 90% of…

Chances are you’ve walked into a room and forgotten why you went there. And misplaced your keys or eyeglasses at least a few times. Many people worry about these memory lapses. They fear they’re heading toward a serious condition like Alzheimer’s disease, an irreversible brain illness. Occasional forgetfulness is a normal part of life that becomes more common as we grow older. In most cases, it’s…

Our bodies were built to make good use of the sun. Sunlight helps keep our sleeping patterns on track so we can stay awake by day and sleep soundly at night. Getting too little sun, especially in winter months, can leave some people prone to a form of depression known as seasonal affective disorder. Sunlight also helps our skin make vitamin D, which is needed for normal bone function and health.…

Middle ear infections are common in kids. The illness is often caused by bacteria, and can be treated with antibiotics. But bacteria can become resistant to antibiotics. That’s why it’s important to take these medications as directed. Scientists have wondered if shorter treatments might reduce the risk of bacteria becoming resistant to antibiotics. Shorter treatments might also reduce other side…