Category: harvardhealth_news_UNDEFINED

Serious heart complications, including heart failure and acute coronary syndrome, are common in people hospitalized with influenza.

While there is no cure for the common cold, there are plenty of remedies, such as zinc lozenges, vitamin C, and even old-fashioned chicken soup. Taking them at the first onset of symptoms like a scratchy throat, stuffy nose, and achiness may reduce the severity and duration of cold symptoms. While the science is somewhat mixed on their effectiveness, experts suggest there is often little harm in trying them.

People who suffer from dizziness and weakness caused by low pressure should check their medication, especially for high blood pressure or heart disease. They should also monitor their water intake, as dehydration also can cause these problems.

A sudden swollen tongue can result from a side effect of medication like ACE inhibitors, an infection, vitamin B₁₂ deficiency, and, in rare cases, an underactive thyroid gland. People should see a doctor if the condition doesn’t improve.

Skin goes through many changes after a certain age. It becomes thinner, loses fat, and takes longer to heal. Depending on past sun exposure, skin also can get more wrinkles and dark spots than usual. Adopting a daily skin care routine that includes washing properly, applying moisturizer, and using adequate sunscreen, can help protect aging skin and keep it healthy.

It’s common for longtime partners to fall into a romantic rut when intimacy and sex gets routine and less exciting. Couples can try many strategies help get back into sexual sync, such as scheduling sex, adopting new hobbies as a couple, and exploring and sharing personal desires.

The American College of Rheumatology recently released updated guidelines on how to best treat gout and prevent future flare-ups. They included first-line treatments like anti-inflammatory medications and ice therapy. A combination of diet and lifestyle changes and medications (including urate lowering therapy, or ULT) —is typically recommended if attacks recur or become chronic.

Colon cancer is the second most common cause of cancer deaths, but the death rate has steadily dropped over the past several decades among older adults. Experts point to more colon cancer screening as the main reason. A colonoscopy continues to be the gold standard for effective screening, but there are other options for people who are not ready for a full colonoscopy, or who can’t have one because of certain health conditions.

Drinking no more than four or five 8-ounce cups of coffee per day—equal to about 400 milligrams of caffeine—helps people get the drink’s health benefits with a lower risk of caffeine side effects like anxiety and nervousness.

Switching from animal protein to plant protein in your diet may help you live longer, suggests a study of 400,000 people ages 50 and older.