Category: harvardhealth_news_UNDEFINED

Experts recommend an average of seven to nine hours of total sleep per night, but you also want your brain to reach a stage called deep sleep. During this stage, the brain creates and stores new memories, makes a hormone that helps tissues grow and regenerate, and “flushes out” toxins and waste products that have accumulated during the day. One can take several steps to improve sleep quality, including going to bed and waking up at the same time each day; avoiding mobile phone use, exercise, or caffeine intake too close to bedtime; and using a noise machine to increase deep sleep.

The pandemic makes coping with holiday pressures a little tricky. If one is concerned about COVID-19 exposure at a holiday event, it may help to chat with loved ones to get support for a decision about whether to attend. If one must celebrate the holidays alone, it may help to grieve what is lost, savor past holiday gatherings, watch online religious services, and continue to practice special traditions—such as making holiday foods or putting up holiday decorations.

The pandemic is leading some people to put off visits to their eye doctors. Delayed care could allow eye problems——such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, or an eye stroke——to go undetected or unchecked, especially since these conditions may not have symptoms in the early stages. But allowing eye problems to progress can result in eye damage and vision loss. It’s best to keep scheduled eye appointments, especially eye care for existing conditions.

A number of home remedies and over-the-counter medications can soothe sore gums. Examples include using over-the-counter painkillers, topical gels, better flossing tools, hot or warm compresses, and warm saltwater rinses, and avoiding foods with rough textures. When using these methods, gum pain often goes away after a few weeks. For conditions such as ulcers, trauma, burns, inflammation, or herpes simplex, the body may heal on its own after 14 days. However, if gum pain persists, one should go to a dentist.

Eating an unhealthy meal every now and then may not cause problems for generally healthy people. This may mean eating a healthy diet 90% of the time and splurging 10% of the time. It’s called the 90-10 rule. But the rule shouldn’t be abused. Cheating regularly on a healthy diet can lead to weight gain and other consequences of poor eating habits. Instead, one should follow a healthy diet on most days, and indulge only occasionally.

High levels of bisphenol A (BPA) exposure are linked to an increased risk for premature death from any cause, according to a study published online Aug. 17, 2020, by JAMA Network Open.

A study published online Aug. 31, 2020, by Hypertension suggests that telemonitoring for blood pressure control is associated with a long-term reduction in heart attacks, strokes, and medical costs.

A study published online Sept. 21, 2020, by Emotion found that looking for things that spark a sense of wonder during a 15-minute walk led to increased feelings of awe, joy, compassion, and gratitude.

Telemedicine—interaction between patients and doctors by video or phone—has surged during the COVID-19 pandemic. It increases doctor-patient communication and is ideal for follow-ups, routine check-ins for specific conditions, and consultation for minor issues, like sore throats, aches, pains, or skin spots. Older adults may have to improve their technology and online skill or have help in order to take full advantage of telemedicine.

Leg swelling, also called edema, is caused by fluid buildup in the soft tissues beneath the skin. Modifying certain medications, keeping feet elevated when sitting, and wearing compression stockings can all help manage the condition.