Category: harvardhealth_news_UNDEFINED

Family history of breast cancer may up the risk of benign breast conditions.

Collecting a medical history from relatives can help people understand what diseases they may be more susceptible to in the future. These might include certain cancers or chronic conditions. Gathering a history can be challenging. When doing so, it’s important to respect people’s privacy and to approach the subject with sensitivity. Holiday gatherings can present an opportunity to get started. Using an online tool can help the process.

Rapid COVID tests aren’t foolproof, but can provide an added layer of assurance if people take them before a planned gathering, in addition to following other preventive strategies.

Perimenopause often brings menstrual changes, including longer cycles and episodes of heavier bleeding. These are most often due to hormone fluctuations that occur during this time. But there are changes that are not typical, such as very heavy bleeding that lasts for seven days or more, and breakthrough bleeding or spotting midcycle. If these occur, a woman should let her doctor know. They may be caused by treatable problems, such as fibroids (a type of uterine growth) or uterine polyps.

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.