A 2025 study suggests that smokers who quit in middle age may, within a decade, reduce their risk of developing dementia to that of people who never smoked.
Obesity is thought to increase the risk of complications for people undergoing certain joint replacement surgeries. A 2025 study found that compared with people of a healthy weight, people with severe obesity (BMI of at least 40) were at no greater risk for serious complications following shoulder replacement surgery.
Chronic low back pain affects as many as one-third of adults ages 65 and older and can be difficult to treat. A 2025 study found that adding 12 weeks of acupuncture to usual care resulted in greater pain relief and better function that lasted as long as a year after the treatments.
Strength training isn’t just for building muscle. It’s one of the best ways to protect your bones. Using weights, resistance bands, or machines can help prevent bone loss, boost lean muscle, and improve your body composition. Make strength training a key part of your exercise routine.
You don’t need to sit in silence to practice mindfulness. With the open awareness approach, you can stay present anywhere—while eating, walking, or even playing with a child. Focus on your breath, your senses, and the task at hand, letting thoughts come and go without judgment.
New research shows that women who follow a strict vegetarian diet may face a higher risk of hip fractures compared with those who eat meat, even occasionally. Fish eaters and occasional meat eaters did not show this increased risk.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) uses magnetic pulses to repeatedly activate areas of the brain involved in mood regulation. Updated protocols hold the promise of rapid relief from major depression.
Physical activity improves physical and mental health, and walking is the simplest way to stay active. Walking for more than 10 minutes at a time may offer extra benefits, but all movement counts. For people over 60, 6,000 to 8,000 steps a day are optimal, regardless of walking speed.
Many common medications can affect oral health, causing issues like dry mouth, taste changes, gum swelling, mouth sores, or thrush. Patients should check side effects on medication labels, report persistent symptoms, review medications annually, and keep up with regular dental visits.