Stroke Archive

A 2023 study suggests that eating more magnesium-rich foods contribute to better brain health—especially in women—as people get older. This may lower the risk of dementia.

A 2023 study suggests regular physical activity, including walking, climbing stairs, gardening, and cleaning, may help prevent or delay the onset of Parkinson's disease in women.

Misophonia is a sensory processing disorder characterized by extreme aversion to sounds people make, such as chewing, sniffling, throat-clearing, and heavy breathing. A 2023 study suggests one in five adults deals with misophonia, which can hamper family and social life. Treatment options typically blend behavior-based therapies with medication. Cognitive behavioral therapy is emerging as an evidence-based treatment. People with misophonia can also ease sound aversions by wearing earplugs or headphones and using white noise machines.

Fatigue affects up to three-quarters of older adults with chronic conditions. Some causes are obvious, while others are less well recognized. They include sleep disorders, anemia, poor diet, thyroid problems, mood disorders, and medication use. People with prolonged, unexplained fatigue should see a doctor, who will perform a physical exam, ask about medical history, and in some cases perform blood or other tests. People can boost energy levels by exercising more, optimizing diet, using caffeine strategically, and limiting alcohol consumption.

Increasing evidence suggests that people who take a daily multivitamin pill have a lower risk of cognitive decline compared with people who don't take multivitamins. In particular, two randomized controlled trials published in the spring of 2023 found that people older than age 60 who take a multivitamin are less likely to experience a slight age-related cognitive decline, at least over the next three years, compared to those taking a placebo. The benefit appeared to be particularly true for people who had cardiovascular disease.

News coverage of a case of leprosy in central Florida may have made it seem like there is an increased threat the disease would spread. Misconceptions about this disease have persisted for a long time, but the facts are reassuring.

Men prone to kidney stones should drink plenty of water, get adequate calcium, reduce sodium, limit animal protein, and avoid foods that could make kidney stones more likely to form. Dietary restrictions depend on the stones the person tends to form.

While the cause of fainting often is something minor, fainting also can be a sign of a serious underlying medical problem.

Ignoring the warning signs of a ministroke can lead to a major stroke at a later time. People should be evaluated right away for symptoms such as speech and vision problems or weakness in an arm or leg.