Category: harvardhealth_news_UNDEFINED

The eyes may provide clues to the presence of cardiovascular disease. Ocular (eye) strokes can foreshadow a more serious stroke, and early damage to tiny eye blood vessels can be a harbinger of heart problems. Diabetes and high blood pressure (both common risk factors for heart disease) can damage vessels that supply the retina. Some middle-aged and older adults develop soft, yellowish, cholesterol-filled bumps on or around their eyelids. Called xanthelasmas, they can be a sign of high levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, or other fats in the blood, which also raises heart disease risk.

Even small amounts of alcohol—a single drink per day—has been linked to a higher risk of developing atrial fibrillation.

Research published online March 1, 2021, by the journal Circulation suggests that eating five servings of fruits and vegetables per day is associated with lower risks of many health conditions and even premature death, compared with eating two servings of fruits and vegetables per day. Researchers believe this could be because fruits and vegetables are major sources of nutrients linked to good health, including potassium, magnesium, fiber, and polyphenols. The most effective combination of fruits and vegetables appears to be two servings of fruits plus three servings of vegetables per day.

Taking short breaks between practice sessions may help someone master a new skill, according to a study published June 8, 2021, in Cell Reports.

Most mobile health apps aren’t doing enough to protect people’s private information, according to a study published online June 16, 2021, by The BMJ.

A study published online June 2, 2021, by the journal Brain found that a blood test may help to predict an increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease.

Scientists are testing potential vaccines that aim to prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs). Until then, strategies that may help ward off UTIs include drinking lots of water each day, emptying the bladder after sexual intercourse, using vaginal estrogen creams (for women), wiping front to back after gong to the bathroom (for women), taking a daily long-term, low-dose antibiotic, taking a single dose of an antibiotic after sex (if recurrent UTIs often follow sexual intercourse), or taking cranberry supplements.

Many gadgets claim to promote better sleep. For example, white noise machines or noise-canceling earbuds may help someone fall asleep by masking unwanted sounds in the sleep environment. As another example, a sunrise alarm, which simulates the sun’s morning light, can be helpful for people with disorders of the sleep-wake cycle. Proven methods to improve sleep include cognitive behavioral therapy and good sleep hygiene, such as keeping the room dark and cool and avoiding electronic screens within two hours of bedtime.

Many activities can help improve eye-hand coordination. Examples include racquet sports, swimming, tai chi, noncontact boxing, playing catch or cornhole, bouncing a ball against a wall, juggling, throwing darts, sewing or knitting, painting or drawing, or playing a video game. If an activity is too challenging, one can modify it to make it easier. For example: if a ball is too small for catch, one can hit a balloon back and forth; if it’s too hard to play table tennis with a Ping-Pong ball, one can use a larger ball such as a pickleball.

People who’ve skipped medical check-ups for a while should visit their primary care doctor, dental hygienist, and eye doctor. A primary care doctor will consider a person’s blood pressure, medications, weight, alcohol intake, gait, balance, memory, hearing, mood, and levels of physical activity and socialization. To prepare for the visit, one should write down questions for the doctor and bring a list of all medications. At the appointment, one should take notes and ask any questions needed to understand the doctor’s instructions.