Category: health-letter

Plant-based diets are associated with lower body mass index, a reduced risk of developing cancer, and a lower risk of death from all causes.

To ward off dehydration, healthy people should get 30-to-50 ounces of water per day (about 1-to-1.5 liters), but not all at once. The kidneys lose some ability to eliminate water with age.

Why is my doctor checking me for tuberculosis? I thought that was eradicated long ago.

People who have trouble getting to their target blood pressure may benefit from switching to or adding another drug, called a diuretic, to their medication regimen. Diuretics reduce sodium and water levels in the body.

People who provide in-home, long-term care for older adult family members are often overwhelmed by the job.

It appears that people who are regularly physically active are more likely to retain the ability to walk, even if they show signs of long-term blood vessel disease in the brain.

Walkers help give people their independence back. They improve daily function, and they reduce the risk of falling. For most people, it takes a few physical therapy sessions to learn to use a walker correctly.

Periods of high heat may send older adults to the hospital for heatstroke, fluid and electrolyte disorders, kidney failure, urinary tract infections, and sepsis (a dangerous blood infection).

It’s debated whether sunlight directly causes common eye conditions. But there’s good evidence that sun exposure can cause an eye condition called exfoliation syndrome, which often leads to other problems.

Nutrients are most potent when they come from food. Supplements may be helpful for people who are unable to get enough nutrients from the diet or who have a genuine deficiency in a particular nutrient, such as vitamin D.