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Cold Weather Makes These Conditions Worse
Brutal winter weather can do more than make you uncomfortable-it can also worsen several common health conditions, especially in people over age 50, according to AARP. Cold temperatures, dry air, and harsh winds place extra stress on the body and can trigger flare-ups of...
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Stroke Rehab Focused on 'Good' Arm More Effective
Stroke rehabilitation might be focusing on the wrong side of a survivor's body, a new study says. Traditional rehab focuses on restoring strength and movement to the side of the body impaired by a stroke, researchers said. But therapy targeted toward a stroke survivor's...
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Genetics Accounts for up to 55% of Life Expectancy
People are often told that eating well, exercising and avoiding bad habits are the fundamentals to a long life. But new research suggests something else may matter even more: genetics. A large study published Jan. 29 in the journal Science suggests genetics could account for...
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Unexpected Early Menopause Symptoms
The symptoms women experience on the verge of menopause could be vastly different from what they might expect, a new study says. Women in perimenopause - the time leading up to their final period, as well as the year after - expect to be plagued with hot flashes and night...
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CDC: US Life Expectancy Hit All-Time High in 2024
U.S. life expectancy rose to 79 years in 2024 - the highest mark in American history. It's the result of not only the dissipation of the COVID-19 pandemic, but also waning death rates from all the nation's top killers, including heart disease, cancer and drug...
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Night Owls Have Worse Heart Health, But Can Change
Being a night owl can be bad for your heart. That may sound surprising but a large study found people who are more active late at night - when most of the population is winding down or already asleep - have poorer overall heart health than the average person."It is not like,...
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Caring for Grandchildren May Slow Cognitive Decline
Grandkids are a blessing in more ways than one for seniors, a new study says. Grandparenting is good for the aging brain, potentially serving as a buffer against cognitive decline, according to findings published Jan. 26 in the journal Psychology and Aging.Seniors who...
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Women on HRT Lose More Weight With Zepbound
Good news for women taking hormone therapy for menopause: You might find that weight-loss drugs are more effective. Women on hormone therapy lost 35% more weight while taking Zepbound (tirzepatide), researchers recently reported in The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynecology & Women's...
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Dr. Crandall: Trump's Bruised Hand Explained
President Trump recently drew attention after explaining a bruise on his hand , and mentioning aspirin , during a public exchange with reporters. "I would say take aspirin if you like your heart, but don't take aspirin if you don't want to have a little bruising," he said.
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Medications That Weaken Your Bones
Osteoporosis affects millions of people in the United States and around the world. According to national health statistics, about one in two women and up to one in four men over age 50 will break a bone due to osteoporosis. Its prevalence increases with age, making it a...
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Study: Shingles Vaccine May Slow Aging in Seniors
The shingles vaccine can do more than simply protect folks from a maddening skin disease, new research shows. Incredibly, the shingles jab also appears to slow down the aging process, contributing to slower biological aging in seniors, researchers reported. People 70 and...
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Advance Treatment Can Delay Rheumatoid Arthritis
People can delay rheumatoid arthritis (RA) for several years by receiving treatment in advance using a long-standing biologic drug, a clinical trial found. People receiving a year of abatacept (Orencia) injections had onset of rheumatoid arthritis postponed by up to four...
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Air Pollution Increases Risk of ALS
Prolonged exposure to air pollution appears to increase a person's risk of ALS and other motor neuron diseases, a new study says. Further, air pollution also appears to speed up the disease in people diagnosed with ALS, researchers reported Jan. 20 in JAMA Neurology. "Our...
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Stanford: Cartilage Restored, Improving Joints
Stanford University researchers have uncovered a promising new approach that may help the body regrow cartilage in aging joints - and could even reduce the risk of osteoarthritis after certain knee injuries. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and affects an...
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Study: 'Super Agers' Have Brain Protective Genes
So-called "super agers" have a couple of genetic advantages that help them maintain their brain health into late old age, a new study says. These folks are less likely to harbor the gene variant most associated with late-onset Alzheimer's disease, the APOE-ε4 gene,...
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More Nursing Home Staff Means Better Resident Health
Boosting staffing levels at nursing homes could improve the health of residents, a new study says. Fewer residents wound up with injuries and illnesses after an Illinois program increased staff at nursing homes with Medicaid patients, researchers reported Jan. 16 in JAMA...
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AI Predicts Fall Risk as Early as Middle Age
AI can predict a person's risk of a fall injury in old age while they're still in their 40s and 50s, a new study says. The AI analyzes CT imaging scans of a person's abdomen, focusing on their core strength. People with the weakest core strength - as measured through muscle...
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The State of Health in the US
The 2025 annual report of America's Health Rankings, the longest-running state-by-state analysis of the nation's health, has just been released. It provides actionable, data-driven insights that help inform public policy, research, and news reporting. The report analyzes 99...
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Small Daily Habit Changes Add Years to Your Life
You don't need a new diet plan or a gym membership to improve your health in 2026. New research suggests that very small daily changes like sleeping a few extra minutes, moving a little more and eating slightly better may help people live longer and stay healthier as they...
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How Hearing Aids Help Seniors Avoid Dementia
Some seniors are loathe to don a hearing aid, worried that the devices will be a hassle or make them look old. But that hearing aid might help them avoid dementia, a new study says. People prescribed a hearing aid had a 33% lower risk of dementia, researchers reported Jan. 14...
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More People Living Longer With Cancer
More Americans are surviving cancer longer than ever before, according to a new annual report from the American Cancer Society. For the first time in history, seven in 10 people - about 70 percent - now live at least five years after being diagnosed with cancer. "Seven in 10...
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Seniors With Dementia Being Prescribed Risky Drugs
Many seniors with dementia are being put at risk by brain-altering medications linked to falls, confusion and hospitalization, a new study says. In all, 1 in 4 Medicare-covered seniors with dementia have been prescribed drugs like antipsychotics, barbiturates and...
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Why Strength Training is Crucial After Menopause
When Sarah Baldassaro turned 50, she took stock of her health and began working with a fitness coach on strength training, a type of exercise that's crucial for women in midlife."Now I would say I'm stronger overall than I ever have been at any age," said Baldassaro, 52, of...
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Eating Tomatoes May Protect Against Gum Disease
Worried about your oral health Eat more tomatoes, a new study suggests. Insufficient intake of lycopene - a nutrient found in tomatoes and other red fruits - is associated with a significantly higher risk of gum disease in older adults. Seniors who get enough lycopene are 67%...
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Mobility Exercises Key to Healthy Aging
As they age, it's not uncommon for many people to let out a muted groan when getting out of bed in the morning. But if you "oof" every time you get in a car or "aargh" while bending over to pick up something, it may be time to prioritize exercises that target your...