Dementia is the loss of cognitive functioning, like thinking, remembering, and reasoning, at levels that interfere with a person’s daily life and activities. Dementia affects the health and well-being of millions of older adults; with baby boomers reaching their senior years, that number is expected to grow substantially. [Read more…]
You Can Help Delay Dementia With Your Diet
December 20, 2024 By
Use The Holidays To Promote Social Connection
November 26, 2024 By
Millions of people will gather with family and friends this week to celebrate what may be one of the most quintessential American holidays, Thanksgiving. For most people, the holiday revolves around turkey, football, and the start of the holiday shopping season. More Americans are also focusing on gratitude – the “thanks” part of Thanksgiving – which is demonstrated to promote physical, mental, and social well-being.
But there’s another aspect of Thanksgiving that is worth focusing on: gathering. [Read more…]
The Best Way to Stall Dementia: Quit Smoking
November 23, 2024 By
While the number of smokers is at a historical low, data demonstrates that smoking still affects public health. Smoking increases the risk of heart and lung disease, affects bone health, and increases the risk of birth defects. A growing body of research demonstrates that smoking also affects neurological health, specifically cognitive decline. [Read more…]
Does Drinking Alcohol Increase Your Cancer Risk?
November 21, 2024 By
A sweeping new report by the American Association for Cancer Research highlights a steady decline in deaths due to cancer and improvements in the quality of life after a cancer diagnosis over the past three decades. The report found the overall cancer death rate in the United States has fallen by 33% between 1991 and 2021. [Read more…]
Air Pollution Leads to Brain Changes in Kids
October 14, 2024 By
More than 131 million people live in places with unhealthy air quality, according to the American Lung Association’s 2024 State of Air report. This is an increase of 11.7 million people from the previous year. The report also finds that the number of days with “very unhealthy” or “hazardous” air quality in the United States was the highest in 25 years. [Read more…]
The Benefits of Deep Breathing and Why It Works
October 9, 2024 By
Feeling anxious? Angry? Frustrated? Disappointed?
The evidence clearly shows there is something you can do—no matter where you are or what the circumstances are. Take a few slow, deep breaths.
In most stressful situations, human nature actually drives us to take deep breaths. If you’re getting ready to give a speech to a large crowd or standing at the starting line for a community running race, you may find yourself taking a deep breath without even thinking about it. [Read more…]
For Better Sex, Get Your Sleep
October 7, 2024 By
About one in three Americans do not get enough sleep every day, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That’s a problem because a large body of research demonstrates that sleep is foundational to our health. [Read more…]
Pickleball Could Extend Your Life
September 8, 2024 By
If you haven’t played it yet, you certainly know someone who has! Pickleball, the paddle sport that combines elements of ping pong, badminton, and tennis, has taken the U.S. by storm. [Read more…]
Why Laughter Is Such Good Medicine
September 6, 2024 By
You know the feeling (hopefully!): Something silly sets you off – a movie, a joke, or maybe someone near you slips and falls – and you burst into laughter.
It feels good to laugh. And since the 1970s, medical experts have learned that laughter can boost pain tolerance and improve overall well-being. [Read more…]
What We Know About Coffee and Parkinson’s Disease
August 19, 2024 By
Across the globe, more than 10 million people suffer from Parkinson’s disease, a neurological disorder that leads to unintended and uncontrollable movements such as shaking, stiffness, and difficulty with balance and coordination.
Scientists are working to better understand the mechanisms involved in Parkinson’s disease. At a basic level, they know that the disease occurs when nerve cells in the basal ganglia, an area of the brain that controls movement, become impaired or die. Most researchers believe a mix of genetic and environmental factors trigger the disease. [Read more…]
The Psychological Impacts of Donor Conception
August 4, 2024 By
Researchers estimate that there are upwards of 1 million Americans who were conceived using donor egg or sperm. Anonymous donation, in which the donor’s identity is not available to the donor-conceived person, is common in the U.S. and Canada, while many European countries require the donor’s identity be disclosed when the donor-conceived person turns 18.
How Heat Waves Affect Your Brain
August 3, 2024 By
As heat waves roll across the U.S. in the summer, heat-related illnesses are a serious threat to Americans. Although we often hear about the dangers of overheating and dehydration, heat waves lead to even broader consequences for the people coping with them. A “heat dome” covered the East Coast and southern U.S. last month, and has now shifted to California. [Read more…]
