Alzheimer's Disease Archive

Climate change is causing longer, more intense allergy seasons, with increased amounts of pollen. This might make it harder for people to predict when their allergies might crank up, when to begin preparing for them, and how to discern the difference between allergy symptoms and upper respiratory illness. Strategies to cope include noting daily pollen counts, staying indoors when counts are high, checking with a doctor about new or worsening symptoms, and wearing a mask when outside for more than a few minutes.

Use of a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) system to treat sleep apnea must be monitored regularly by a doctor. This might require numerous doctor visits initially, and then annual visits afterward to make sure the therapy is still working effectively. The clinician needs to review data collected by the machine, gather information from the patient, and determine if new health conditions, including weight gain or other sleep issues, require adjustments to the CPAP machine settings.

A large 2024 study of more than 112,000 people found that those who ate at least five ounces of dark chocolate each week had a 21% lower risk of developing diabetes within 30 years, compared with those who rarely or never ate chocolate.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affects two to three times as many women as men. Scientists are uncovering RA's potential genetic and hormonal underpinnings, which point to potential reasons why women are more vulnerable. The newest treatments, called Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors, resulted from research that has teased out delicate differences in immune system pathways. They block numerous proteins that ramp up inflammation fundamental to RA. The wide array of drug options now available for RA help doctors personalize therapies to each patient.

A 2024 study suggested that older adults who undergo cataract surgery to improve vision may have a lower risk of developing dementia.

According to a 2024 study, people with high amounts of visceral fat-the deep hidden fat surrounding abdominal organs-also have higher levels of abnormal proteins in the brain that are hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease.

Just as it's wise for people to take a sick day when they have a cough, fever, or nausea, certain signs indicate people need a mental health day. These include feeling burned out at work, overwhelmed by personal issues, unmotivated, exhausted by work or life demands, more anxious or depressed than usual, unable to sleep consistently, or drawn to substance use. While some spend a mental health day on indulgent activities, others run errands or tick items off their to-do list. Not taking a mental health day when needed can trigger flare-ups of depression or anxiety.

People may choke on their own saliva when talking quickly, laughing, or turning their head. Other causes include postnasal drip or dry mouth, which medications may trigger. Certain health conditions can also affect swallowing.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by increased pressure within the carpal tunnel, a narrow passage in the wrist containing the median nerve and tendons that run into the hand. The condition can lead to persistent tingling and numbness in the hands.

Having an extremely low LDL level from aggressive cholesterol-lowering therapy was not associated with cognitive impairment, according to a 2024 study.