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Wipe Out Whooping Cough
… phase may last weeks or more. And, the severe coughing spells can return if the person gets another respiratory disease, even months later. Infants under 2 months old are too young to be vaccinated against pertussis. But studies have shown that you can protect newborns by getting the vaccine during pregnancy. The vaccine boosts pertussis-fighting [qtip:antibodies|Germ-fighting molecules made by the body.]. These get transferred through the placenta to the baby. “The vaccine protects the mother against …
Boosting Stroke Recovery
… affected by the stroke and overcome losses in ability. Strokes happen when the brain doesn’t get enough blood flow. This can be caused by blood vessels getting blocked or rupturing. Not enough blood flow means the brain doesn’t get the oxygen it … six weeks,” Cramer explains. “This is massively more than what the typical American patient gets in usual care.” By ramping up intensity and access, Cramer’s team hopes to boost stroke …
Hydrating for Health
… what you lose. When you don’t drink enough water, you can become dehydrated. Signs that you’re getting dehydrated include feeling very thirsty and having headaches. Your mouth or skin may feel very dry. And your urine may get darker because your body is trying to conserve water. Drinking fluids should be enough to … to age faster and die younger. So, staying well hydrated might help you stay healthier as you get older. The best way to avoid dehydration is to make sure you drink enough fluids every day. …
Personalized Medicine
… for gene variants before prescribing certain drugs. For example, children with leukemia might get the … TPMT … gene test to help doctors choose the right dosage of medicine to prevent toxic … tests can help identify who can safely take the medicines. “By screening to know who shouldn’t get certain drugs, we can prevent life-threatening side effects,” Long says. Pharmacogenomics is … results made it onto a drug label and are beginning to be implemented into patient care.” Getting a genetic test usually isn’t difficult. Doctors generally take a sample of body fluid or …
Rough Up Your Diet
… 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 … that are really convenient—tend to be low in fiber," says Slavin. For people who have trouble getting in enough fiber from natural sources, store shelves are filled with packaged foods that …
Medical Scans Explained
… Have you ever had to get an X-ray, MRI, or other medical scan? Do you know what these tests involve? Or what they can … if you or a loved one needs one. It can also help you to know what to ask about before getting an imaging test. … X-Rays … The first revolution in seeing into the body came with … as the sky, rocks, and soil. “A chest X-ray gives you similar amounts of radiation as you’d get in a plane flight across the Atlantic Ocean,” Kandarpa explains. … CT Scans … CT scans also …
Chronic Disease in Uncertain Times
… in the best of situations. During the coronavirus pandemic, many of us are just trying to get by each day. For people with chronic (long-term) health conditions—like diabetes and chronic … Ideas include deep breathing, taking a walk, meditating, listening to music, or doing a hobby. Getting enough sleep (seven to eight hours each night) can have tremendous health benefits, …
Taking the Pedal Off the Metal
… have a lot of experience.” But some health conditions common with aging may make it riskier to get behind the wheel. Stiffer joints and weaker muscles can make it harder to steer or brake … Giving up the privilege of driving can feel like a real loss.” People often depend on cars to get them to and from the activities they enjoy. Or to see the people they care about. So stopping … to stop driving. “That makes such a decision more likely to stick,” Betz says. Options for getting things done without leaving the house have also boomed recently. Grocery delivery, …
The Benefits of Slumber
… we look at well-rested people, they’re operating at a different level than people trying to get by on 1 or 2 hours less nightly sleep,” says Mitler. “Loss of sleep impairs your higher … while teenagers need at least 9 hours. To attain the maximum restorative benefits of sleep, getting a full night of quality sleep is important, says Twery. Sleep can be disrupted by many … from TVs, cell phones, tablets and e-readers—can prevent you from falling asleep. As people get older, they may not get enough sleep because of illness, medications or sleep disorders. By …
Feeling Out of Joint
… Many people start to feel pain and stiffness in their joints as they get older, often when they’re 45 to 50. It’s called arthritis, and it’s one of the most common … can follow injury to a joint. For example, years after a soccer injury to a knee, you might get osteoarthritis in the knee. Once you’ve had a severe joint injury, it’s important to be … most part, researchers don’t know a lot about how and why osteoarthritis occurs. Women tend to get it more often than men. You tend to get it as you get older. “Many factors that affect …
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