Category: harvardhealth_news_UNDEFINED

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.

Evidence suggests that people who recover from COVID-19 have an increased risk for developing new health problems, including heart attacks, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, muscle inflammation, blood clots that travel to the lungs, strokes from clots or hemorrhages, or psychosis. This is in addition to permanent damage that can result from having COVID, including damage to the lungs, heart, kidneys, brain, or other organs; and debilitating fatigue, difficulty thinking, and other symptoms that make it hard to function normally at work or at home.

Manufacturers tout collagen supplements as a way to improve signs of skin aging and skin quality. There is some research that shows they may bring skin benefits, reducing wrinkles, speeding wound healing, and improving skin hydration and elasticity. But because supplements aren’t regulated, quality may be highly variable. While collagen supplements are believed to be safe, there aren’t any long-term safety studies to date.

Performing exercises such as side planks, bridges, and squats can improve muscle strength. Ideally, people should do weight-bearing exercises at least twice a week. Having stronger muscles improves balance, protects bone health, and can help keep people independent as they age. It can also reduce pain from conditions such as osteoarthritis.

The CDC’s Still Going Strong initiative aims to raise awareness about accidents that lead to injury in adults over age 65 and strategies to prevent them.

Drinking two or more sugary drinks a day appeared to more than double the risk of colorectal cancer in women.

Women with migraine headaches may be more likely to develop high blood pressure after menopause.

Making healthy lifestyle changes can prevent an estimated 40% of cancers. These include eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, getting adequate sleep, and maintaining a healthy body weight. People can also help prevent cancers by seeking recommended cancer screenings. Some screenings merely identify cancers early, but others, such as colonoscopies and Pap tests, can find precancerous conditions and are actually able to prevent cancer.

Vegetarians can ensure they are getting enough iron in their diets by eating iron-rich foods such as beans, tofu, and dark leafy greens.