Category: harvardhealth_news_UNDEFINED

As people age, flexibility enables them to active, perform everyday movements, and avoid injuries. Still, most would admit they lack flexibility and that they don’t give it the necessary attention. Flexibility is something that most older people can improve with some effort and commitment. A simple set of three stretches, done regularly, can improve flexibility in the common problem areas of the backs of the thighs, the hips, and the chest.

Transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), also known as mini-strokes, share many of the typical stroke signs and symptoms, and are a warning sign of a high stroke risk. Yet, they often are mild and brief, which is why they get routinely missed or ignored. People need to be mindful about common TIA symptoms and seek immediate medical care when they occur.

Probiotics are good bacteria that keep the gut healthy and help fight infections and inflammation. Some research suggests that certain probiotics help relieve symptoms of gut-related conditions like inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome. Fermented foods are the best sources of probiotics, such as yogurt, pickles, sauerkraut, and sourdough bread.

Wearing face masks when exercising outside or inside gyms doesn’t interfere with breathing or increase fatigue.

High-inflammatory foods may raise a person’s risk of heart disease and stroke, while low-inflammatory foods may lower the risk. Small amounts of daily sugary or artificially sweetened drinks also may increase heart disease risk.

People who avoid statins because of previous side effects may have experienced what’s called a “nocebo” effect, where they develop an unpleasant response because they expect something negative to happen, not due to the drug itself. Many such people can safely resume statin medications.

Couples often share health habits, whether good or bad, according to a recent study. When one partner doesn’t exercise regularly or eat a healthy diet, the other most often doesn’t either. Researchers found that in nearly 80% of cases, couples shared a high risk of developing heart-related problems because of shared risk factors. But the good news was that couples also seemed to influence each other in a positive direction. When one partner had good health habits, the other often did as well.

Some types of cheese, including Swiss and Gouda, are a good source of probiotics, but eat cheese in moderation.

People with an egg allergy are no longer advised to skip the flu shot to avoid an allergic reaction, because these reactions are so rare.

The right diet may help reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. Eating foods included in the DASH and Mediterranean diets helps maintain brain health by keeping blood flowing efficiently and reducing the damaging effects of inflammation. Some good foods to add to your diet are fatty fish, berries, plant oils, nuts, and coffee.