Category: harvardhealth_news_UNDEFINED

Short-term (acute) and chronic back pain can be managed through a variety of strategies. For short-term pain, over-the-counter pain relievers, heat, and moving as much as possible can help. Chronic back pain may require assistance from a doctor, which could include medication, physical therapy, and rarely surgery. People considering surgery for back pain should consider getting a second opinion. Surgery sometimes is not successful at relieving pain.

A runny nose in cold weather is not automatically a sign of sickness, but rather a sign that the nose is doing its job to heat up and moisturize air before it enters the lungs. Your nose runs for an entirely different reason when you catch a cold. Mucus produced during a cold is designed to help flush out cold-causing germs.

Men on active surveillance for prostate cancer who did high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts three days a week for 12 weeks were able to lower their PSA levels and slow prostate cancer cell growth compared with similar men who did their usual non-HIIT exercise.

The CDC recommends people ages 50 and older get the Shingrix vaccine to protect against shingles. But those who haven’t been vaccinated and get shingles for the first time should still receive the shot to reduce their risk of future attacks.

A single two-hour pain management class may offer months-long relief from chronic low back pain compared with other approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy and back health education.

Nutrition does not have to be expensive. Some of the healthiest foods at grocery stores also are some of the least costly. By following some basic shopping strategies and knowing how to properly prepare and store produce, people can keep their refrigerator and pantry stocked with nutritious and inexpensive foods that support their health and their budget.

Two classes of diabetes drugs—GLP-1 receptor agonists and SGLT-2 inhibitors—have received much attention lately. They not only lower blood sugar, they also help with weight reduction and may lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, and chronic kidney disease. The drugs can be taken as daily oral tablets or in some cases weekly injections, both of which are preferable over daily insulin shots.

Most breathing follows a smooth, steady rhythm, but sometimes normal breathing turns erratic. For example, when people are stressed or panicked, breathing gets shallow, making it feel as if it is hard to take in air. When the fight-or-flight response kicks in to confront perceived danger (real or imagined), breathing pace quickens to prepare the heart and muscles for a quick getaway. One way to manage these types of stressful breathing when they occur is to practice breathing exercises designed to help bring in more oxygen and slow the breathing rhythm.

Losing the ability to properly swallow should not be attributed to older age. If older adults have persistent trouble swallowing, like the sensation something is stuck in their throat, or if it’s painful to swallow, it could be a sign of an underlying problem and should be checked out. Treatment depends on the source of the swallowing problem, but might include medication, lifestyle changes, and in some cases, surgery.

Cardio exercise has been convincingly linked to less cognitive decline and may even improve cognitive functioning. Research suggests it can strengthen the heart, promote arterial health, improve blood flow to the brain, fight inflammation, and increase key chemicals that promote new brain cell growth. The type of exercise does not matter, but cardio that is both physically challenging and offers mental stimulation is ideal.