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A herniated disc is a common problem that can lead to nerve-related pain. Most often the problem will resolve on its own within six months, with rest and use of over-the-counter pain relievers.
Taking a hot bath may have cardiovascular benefits, according to a March 24, 2020, study in the journal Heart. People who bathed daily in warm or hot water had a lower risk of stroke and other cardiovascular problems than less frequent bathers.
To stay healthy this winter, people should stick to tried-and-true infection-control strategies, such as handwashing, following a healthy lifestyle, having regular medical check-ups, and getting a flu shot and other recommended vaccines. This year, wearing a mask and avoiding large gatherings is also important. New products marketed to kill germs may be ineffective; the best cleaning strategy is to wipe surfaces clean, and then use a simple disinfectant.
A mammogram may show calcifications (small calcium deposits) in the arteries of the breast. These may signal that a woman has a higher risk for cardiovascular disease. Arterial breast calcifications become more common with age. Some research has found that if a woman has calcifications in her breast arteries, she has a 70% chance of having calcifications in the coronary arteries as well.
If someone is unable to tolerate medications for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or anxiety, supplements may be an option. Evidence shows that certain supplements may be effective for these conditions, if taken properly under the supervision of your doctor. But to ensure you are buying products that are both safe and effective, look for a quality seal on the label.
A study found that Lactobacillus crispatus (Lactin-V), a type of probiotic that is inserted into the vagina using an applicator, showed some success in reducing recurrence of bacterial vaginosis infections.
A coalition of women’s groups called the Women’s Preventive Services Initiative recommends that health care providers screen girls over age 13 and all adult women for anxiety.
The American Cancer Society says Americans should get more exercise than the previously recommended 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week and skip alcohol entirely to reduce their risk of cancer.
The skin is one of the body’s important defense systems. It keeps moisture in the body and protects the body from toxins in the water or air, ultraviolet rays, and bacteria. In older age, the skin becomes thinner and drier, and it is more prone to tearing and splitting, increasing the risk that germs can get inside the body. Petroleum jelly, creams, oils, and humectants can all help maintain a healthy skin barrier. They are most effective if applied right after hand washing or bathing.
There are many different ways to produce a vaccine. All are being tried simultaneously in the effort to fight COVID-19. Vaccines typically include a killed or weakened virus, or a protein from the virus. When the vaccine enters the body, the immune system “sees” and remembers it. Then, if the real virus enters the body later in life, the primed immune system attacks and eradicates it. Growing the large amounts of virus needed for a vaccine, or making the virus’s proteins in a laboratory, takes a lot of time and money. So, faster and cheaper approaches have been developed.