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Gift giving for family or friends in assisted living

If you have a family member or other loved one in an assisted living facility, it might seem difficult to choose a useful and meaningful gift for that person. But thinking about the person's particular circumstances, needs, and interests will help you select a gift that will be appreciated and enjoyed.

Heart-safer NSAID alternatives

Common pain relievers known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) carry an added risk of heart problems. Use only what you need and for only as long as you need it. Men with heart problems should be extra cautious.

Naps: Make the most of them and know when to stop them

As babies become toddlers, when they need to nap and for how long evolves, so parents and caregivers need to know how to handle the changes, as well as how to know when naps are no longer needed.

A single-session class offers chronic low back pain relief

A single two-hour pain management class may offer months-long relief from chronic low back pain compared with other approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy and back health education.

How can I tell if my statin is working?

Statin therapy can help lower the risk of developing new plaques in the arteries and having a heart attack, although the effect may not show up on coronary artery calcium scans that measure the amount of calcium in the walls of the heart's arteries.

How much sleep keeps cognitive decline at bay?

Sleeping six hours or less is associated with impaired cognition, mostly in memory, as well as an increase in the protein that can form brain plaque. Sleeping nine hours or more is also linked to cognitive problems, especially in decision making.

Exposure to traffic noise linked to higher dementia risk

A decade or more of high exposure to traffic noise may increase dementia risk.

Creating a family medical history

Collecting a medical history from relatives can help people understand what diseases they may be more susceptible to in the future. These might include certain cancers or chronic conditions. Gathering a history can be challenging. When doing so, it’s important to respect people’s privacy and to approach the subject with sensitivity. Holiday gatherings can present an opportunity to get started. Using an online tool can help the process.

You don't say? Why does your nose run in cold weather?

A runny nose in cold weather is not automatically a sign of sickness, but rather a sign that the nose is doing its job to heat up and moisturize air before it enters the lungs. Your nose runs for an entirely different reason when you catch a cold. Mucus produced during a cold is designed to help flush out cold-causing germs.

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