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Beat the Heat
… After a long winter cooped up, the arrival of sunny days can make you eager to be outside. Getting outdoors can be good for you in many ways. It provides opportunities for exercise. It can … are the most heat sensitive. That’s because the body’s ability to cool itself changes as we get older. There are two main ways your body regulates its temperature, explains Dr. Craig … heat, rest in a cool place and drink plenty of fluids. If you think someone has heat stroke, get them to a cool place and call 911. “Shade is your friend,” Crandall says. “If you’re going …
Is It Flu, COVID-19, Allergies, or a Cold?
… other similar symptoms, there’s really only one way to be certain if you have COVID-19 or flu: Get tested. “You can go and get a COVID test at many pharmacies, and your doctor can administer … Try to avoid crowded indoor situations when possible, too. For more tips on guarding against getting sick this winter, see the Wise Choices box. … Comparing Cold, Flu, Allergies, and …
Sun and Skin
… 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 … and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Still, long-term damage to your skin can remain. As you get older, it becomes harder for skin to repair itself. Over time, UV damage can take a toll on … a lower risk for sun-related damage and disease, people of all races and skin color can still get skin cancer. “Certain genetic mutations contribute to melanoma onset in certain people. You …
Can You Lengthen Your Life?
… life is to follow the advice you likely heard from your parents: eat well, exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep, and stay away from bad habits. People born in the U.S. today can expect to … important to healthy aging.” NIH’s Go4Life website has tips to help older adults get and stay active. Another sure way to improve your chances for a longer, healthier life is to … in how old we live to be is due to our health behaviors,” Perls says. “Our genes could get most of us close to the remarkable age of 90 if we lead a healthy lifestyle.” The influence …
Do You Need Dietary Supplements?
… Haggans, a registered dietitian and consultant with NIH. But some may need more than they get from their meals. Your needs can vary depending on your age, health, and what you eat. Many … vitamin B12 is found only in animal products. “So if you follow a vegan diet, you may not get enough B12 from food,” Haggans says. Women who are pregnant, or may become pregnant, need a … and Medicine Record chart. “It’s also important to know the total amount of nutrients you’re getting from both food and different supplements,” Haggans says. “More is not necessarily better, …
Feeling Stressed?
… the signs that you’re stressed beyond a normal level. Trouble sleeping can be one. Some people get headaches or stomachaches. Stress can also cause changes in appetite that lead you to gain or … lose weight. Once you know you need to reduce stress, there are practical steps you can try. Getting regular exercise can be helpful. Doing an activity you enjoy can also help with stress. …
Cold, Flu, or Allergy?
… medicines. For more about when to see a doctor, go to CDC's Flu Page . To treat colds or flu, get plenty of rest and drink lots of fluids. If you have the flu, pain relievers such as aspirin, … drugs that contain acetaminophen—one for a stuffy nose and the other for headache—you may be getting too much acetaminophen. “Read medicine labels carefully—the warnings, side effects, …
Smoking and Your Heart
… dies from heart disease. Tobacco smoke contains many toxic chemicals. Once those chemicals get inside your body, they travel around in your blood. They can damage your heart and blood … That prevents blood from flowing through as easily. Not as much oxygen and nutrients can get to the heart. That’s how heart disease develops. Those narrow blood vessels also raise your …
How to Find a Cancer Doctor
… the right cancer doctor (called an oncologist) and treatment facility is an important step to getting the treatment and support you need. Doctors specialize in different types of cancer and … treatment. Your primary care doctor can suggest cancer specialists. Or, you may be able to get a recommendation from a friend or family member. Also, your local hospital should be able to …
Learn About Obesity and Cancer Risk
… Doctors can’t always explain why one person gets cancer and another doesn’t. But research has shown that certain risk factors may increase a person’s chance of getting cancer. One risk factor is obesity, or having too much body fat. Many studies have found …
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