Category: harvardhealth_news_UNDEFINED

Melanoma kills about 8,000 Americans each year. Most people are at low risk of melanoma and don’t need annual skin cancer screenings. People should be screened each year if they have risk factors such as dozens of atypical moles, a family history of melanoma or atypical moles, an earlier skin cancer, certain genetic mutations or predisposition, immune-suppressing therapy after organ transplantation or for inflammatory bowel disease, a history of blistering sunburns, or substantial tanning bed use.

Research supports the health benefits of taking afternoon naps, but they should last less than 30 minutes, according to a 2023 study.

For people with depression, successful treatment with talk therapy may lower the risk for heart disease, perhaps by helping them adopt healthier habits, according to a 2023 study.

According to the FDA, many sexual enhancement products sold online and over the counter may cause potentially serious side effects and interact with other medications or dietary supplements.

Most older adults experience occasional “senior moments” when they forget names, misplace objects, or have difficulty following conversations. While these types of memory issues may come and go, it’s when they become more frequent or severe or if new problems emerge that signals a potential issue. A doctor can help determine if underlying issues may be causing memory problems and whether further neuropsychological evaluation is needed.

Eating a plant-based diet like the Mediterranean, MIND, or DASH diet has been shown to help people lose weight and lower their risk for heart disease and diabetes. But such a diet may also help men lower their risk for prostate cancer or help slow the spread of existing prostate cancer. The connection may be due to high consumption of inflammation-fighting fruits, vegetables, and fatty fish, and the fact that people who follow a plant-based diet eat less red meat and processed foods, high intakes of which are associated with cancer risk.

Kettlebell swings are a simple exercise that helps improve posture and strengthens muscle groups that often do not get enough attention, such as those in the back of the thighs, the buttocks, the hips, and the lower back.

A 2023 study suggests that sleep problems such as snoring, snorting, or getting too much or little sleep can significantly raise the odds of having a stroke.

A 2023 study suggests that women and older adults are more likely to sustain serious injuries, such as fractures and head trauma, than others while walking a leashed dog.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force released updated draft guidelines in May 2023 proposing that women at average risk of breast cancer be screened every other year starting at age 40.