How to live with high-functioning anxiety
Dear Mayo Clinic: I’ve always been a high achiever, both personally and professionally. But I struggle with a whirlwind of worries and thoughts, constantly second-guessing myself and pushing for perfection. I’ve heard the term “high-functioning anxiety,” and I feel like it is what I’m experiencing. How can I navigate and cope with this? A: It’s normal to feel anxious... READ MORE
Meditation changes brain, calms fears
For neuroscientist Sara Lazar, a form of meditation called open awareness is as fundamental to her day as breathing. “I just become aware that I am aware, with no particular thing that I focus on,” explained Lazar, an associate researcher in the psychiatry department at Massachusetts General Hospital and assistant professor of psychology at Harvard Medical School. “This sort of... READ MORE
Supplements that may lower blood sugar
If you have prediabetes or have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, you’ll want to do everything possible to bring blood sugar levels down. Elevated levels can damage your eyes, kidneys, nerves, your dental health, and increase your risk of cardiovascular disease. A diet high in fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, beans and plant proteins, along with regular physical... READ MORE
Medicare coverage of vision care, exams
Dear Savvy Senior, What does Medicare cover when it comes to vision care? I currently have good vision insurance through my employer but will lose it when I retire. —Almost 65 Dear Almost, Many soon-to-be retirees are a bit blurry about what Medicare does and doesn’t cover when it comes to vision care. The good news is that Medicare covers most medical issues — like... READ MORE
Device turns stroke survivor’s thoughts into fluent speech
Scientists have developed a device that can translate thoughts about speech into spoken words in real time. Although it’s still experimental, they hope the brain-computer interface could someday help give voice to those unable to speak. A new study described testing the device on a 47-year-old woman with quadriplegia who couldn’t speak for 18 years after a stroke. Doctors... READ MORE
Any alcohol can adversely affect health
Moderate drinking was once thought to have benefits for the heart, but better research methods have thrown cold water on that. “Drinking less is a great way to be healthier,” said Dr. Timothy Naimi, who directs the Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research at the University of Victoria in British Columbia. In January, before the Trump administration took office, U.S. Surgeon... READ MORE
Ways to increase lifespan and healthspan
For centuries, the world’s most powerful figures have tried to cheat death. The Epic of Gilgamesh tells of a king’s desperate attempt to outwit mortality. China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, obsessed with living forever, financed expeditions for a mythical “Elixir of Life,” only to die at 49 from mercury poisoning. Fast-forward a few thousand years, and the hunt for... READ MORE
Health Shorts May 2025
AI uses speech to predict Alzheimer’s An artificial intelligence (AI) model analyzing transcripts of speech from cognitive tests predicted the progression of cognitive impairment to Alzheimer’s disease within six years with more than 78% accuracy. The results of the study, funded by the National Institute on Aging, were published in Alzheimer’s and Dementia in January. Scientists... READ MORE
Is it dementia, or wasn’t I like this at 40?
A few weeks ago, my 13-year-old grandson left his phone in the refrigerator. He had gone looking for snack, put his phone down on a shelf, and left the phone behind when he closed the refrigerator door. He thought this was hilarious. If it happened to me, I would think it was anything but. At 82, I am constantly on the alert for signs of the onset of dementia. I am not alone. In 2024, ... READ MORE
What foods to avoid when you’re anxious
Between regular workloads, busy holiday seasons and financial stress, it’s easy to feel stressed out. While there are several things you can do to try to manage stress, you might not realize the foods you eat — or don’t eat enough of — can play a large role in the state of your mental health. For a better sense of what not to eat (at least, not in excess) when trying to feel... READ MORE
Health 2025
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