Lonely? Cognitive behavioral therapy can help
After Jeff, 82, lost his wife, his days grew quiet. He stopped meeting friends at a local diner because sitting there without her felt like a public announcement of his loss. At home, the silence felt heavy. His loneliness deepened, and his interpretation of social events shifted. A missed callback from a friend, for instance, became proof that he no longer mattered. Loneliness among... READ MORE
It’s okay to exercise during cancer care
Dear Mayo Clinic: I’ve always been active, but after being diagnosed with breast cancer and starting my treatment, I’m a little worried about getting back into my routine. Is it OK to exercise during cancer treatment? A: It’s well known that exercise decreases the risk of developing cancer. Studies have shown there is a 30% to 35% reduction in the risk of breast cancer among the... READ MORE
UMD seeks healthy volunteers over 45
If you know someone who had a stroke, you know how difficult it can be to re-learn how to walk, talk and write. Now’s your chance to help future generations recover from brain injury more quickly. The University of Maryland needs healthy volunteers over 45 who have never had a stroke to participate in a new study. With a single visit to its College Park campus and two virtual sessions,... READ MORE
Always vet health advice from social media
Health and wellness advice is available in abundance on social media — from trendy to informative to straight-up disinformation — and you’re far from alone in seeing it. A new survey by the Pew Research Center finds that about 4 in 10 U.S. adults — and around half of those under 50 — get health information from social media or podcasts. Researchers also looked at the social... READ MORE
Psychedelic retreats have few safety guardrails
Surging interest in the purported benefits of psychedelic drugs has given rise to books, documentaries and conferences dedicated to the mind-altering substances. Now add one more business to the list: psychedelic retreats. Hundreds of outfits across the world are offering multiday trips where attendees pay for drug-assisted experiences claiming to promote psychological healing, personal... READ MORE
Hearing aids can improve mental health
Ballerina Sara Mearns was missing her cues. She couldn’t hear what her dance partner was saying from across the studio. A New York City Ballet principal dancer, Mearns was late for her entrances because the music sounded too soft. Without telling anyone, she finally made an appointment to get her hearing checked. Mearns learned that she had hearing loss. After years of isolation, she... READ MORE
Sneak green vegetables into rice dish
This is a standby recipe in my culinary rotation. Celery leaves, spinach, parsley and mild green chiles lend a fresh and slightly spicy touch to white rice. Long-grain rice stays fluffy after it is cooked and doesn’t clump together. You can use this as a template and add cilantro and a touch of tomatillo sauce for additional punch to this recipe. Or increase the spiciness of this... READ MORE
Yes, men also can develop osteoporosis
Dear Savvy Senior, Can men get osteoporosis or is it mostly a problem for women? When I fell and broke my wrist last winter, the ER doctor told me I might have osteoporosis, but I never followed up. What can you tell me? —Almost 70 Dear Almost, A lot of people think osteoporosis is only a women’s issue, but men can get it too — especially as they get older. And like... READ MORE
Why water workouts work wonders
Dear Mayo Clinic: We have a new fitness facility nearby. The pool schedule shows a number of water fitness classes. I’d like to try one to add variety to my regular fitness routine, but can I really get a good workout in water? A: Regular exercise provides a wide range of benefits, including weight management, improved cardiovascular health and sleep quality. But for many people,... READ MORE
Low levels of B12 can mimic dementia
Have you ever been told your blood work is “normal,” yet you still feel exhausted, foggy or just not like yourself? I see this all the time. As a pharmacist, one of the most overlooked nutrient issues I encounter is vitamin B12 deficiency, especially in people whose lab results technically fall within the “normal” range. The problem is that laboratory reference ranges are... READ MORE
