How much sleep do you actually need?
On average, how many hours do you sleep each night? For most healthy adults, guidelines suggest at least seven hours of slumber. But these are general recommendations and not strict rules. “Some people need less than seven hours, while others might need more,” said Eric Zhou of the Division of Sleep Medicine at Harvard Medical School. We get it: You know people who swear they only ... READ MORE
Enjoy your naps, but keep them short
Q: I have read both positive and negative opinions about naps. I never used to nap, but recently started napping after lunch for about 30 to 40 minutes. What’s your opinion? A: The first thing to consider is the possibility that you nap because you have developed daytime sleepiness. If so, you should consider why that is happening now. For example: Do you take any medicine that... READ MORE
What’s in it for health study volunteers?
Clinical research is medical research that involves people like you. When you volunteer to take part in clinical research, you help doctors and researchers learn more about disease and improve healthcare for people in the future. Types of clinical research include: Epidemiology, which improves the understanding of a disease by studying patterns, causes and effects of health and... READ MORE
Roasted chickpeas add crunch to salad
Our hearty, chickpea-centric chopped salad began with zapping the chickpeas in the microwave to dry out their plump interiors and rupture their exteriors. Then, pan-frying the slightly dehydrated legumes caused their papery skins to blister and crackle while their dense insides puffed and crisped. We tossed the crunchy chickpeas with a zippy spice mix and set them aside to cool before... READ MORE
Study questions plastic’s effect on heart
We breathe, eat and drink tiny particles of plastic. But are these minuscule specks in the body harmless, dangerous or somewhere in between? A small study published Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine raises more questions than it answers about how these bits — microplastics and the smaller nanoplastics — might affect the heart. The Italian study has weaknesses, but... READ MORE
Make time for the best kind of tea: ‘true tea’
Tea has been enjoyed for more than 5,000 years. Its consumption is supported by modern research for related health benefits and disease risk reduction. Tea contains polyphenols, antioxidant plant compounds associated with health benefits. The four types of tea known as “true” teas — white, green, Oolong and black — are all made from the leaves of the evergreen shrub, Camellia... READ MORE
Silent brain changes precede Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer’s disease quietly ravages the brain long before symptoms appear. Now scientists have new clues about the dominolike sequence of those changes — a potential window to one day intervene. A large study in China tracked middle-aged and older adults for 20 years, using regular brain scans, spinal taps and other tests. Compared to those who remained cognitively healthy, people ... READ MORE
Should you drink water with meals?
There has been some confusion about the importance of drinking water with meals and snacks. In fact, there have even been some concerns regarding water intake and potentially negative impacts on digestion. However, Michael F. Picco, a physician from the Mayo Clinic, notes, “There’s no concern that water will dilute digestive juices or interfere with digestion. In fact, drinking water ... READ MORE
Study aims to improve older adults’ sleep
If you have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, you know how difficult it can be to feel alert the following day. How well we sleep at night affects how we think, feel and act during the day. Now researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine have launched a new study for older adults with sleep problems such as insomnia — and no in-person visits are... READ MORE
Breaking down acute and chronic pancreatitis
Dear Mayo Clinic: I’m in my late 50s and was recently diagnosed with pancreatitis. My symptoms came on suddenly. My wife is concerned my symptoms may develop again, and she wants me to have testing to determine the cause. What are the testing and treatment options available for pancreatitis? A: Simply put, pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas. Located behind the stomach in... READ MORE
