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A randomized controlled trial published in 2025 found that people who followed a 4:3 intermittent fasting plan for one year, eating only 20% of their usual calories on three fasting days per week, lost more weight than people who were on a calorie-restricted diet.
To reduce the pain of aching hip or buttocks muscles, one might consider stretching them. The activity makes muscles healthier and more flexible, which might keep them from pressing against nerves or bursae that can become inflamed and tender. It’s best to stretch regularly with static stretches of the muscles at least three to five times per week, after a brief warm-up or a regular exercise routine. If hip or buttock pain flares, doing gentle stretches might ease discomfort in the moment.
In the summertime, one of the chief contributors to symptom flares of lung problems is hot air, especially if it’s also humid, stagnant, or very dry. Such weather might narrow the airways, making it much harder to breathe normally. This might occur because hot air irritates the nerves, widens blood vessels near the lungs, or causes people to breathe faster. To avoid breathing difficulty, doctors advise people with lung disease to follow strategies such as keeping their inhalers handy and staying in air-conditioned spaces.
People with very high calcium scores (over 1,000) have a risk of heart attack or stroke similar to those who have already had a heart attack. They should take cholesterol-lowering drugs to bring down LDL levels and possibly undergo additional testing.
Topical painkillers might be safer than pills to relieve discomfort from muscle strains (like a pulled hamstring) or ligament sprains (like a sprained ankle). This is because topicals target the area of pain. As a result, other parts of the body are exposed to lower levels of medicine. That’s important, since some painkillers, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), can pose severe risks—such as heart attack and stroke.
Wooziness is often just a passing episode of lightheadedness. But it might signal something very serious, such as a stroke or heart attack. When wooziness occurs, one should sit or lie down for a few minutes, rest, and have a drink of water or juice. If wooziness eases, it’s best to report the episode to your doctor. If lightheadedness hasn’t improved or if it’s accompanied by other symptoms, such as chest pain, trouble speaking, or weakness or numbness on one side of the body, call 911 immediately.
Cannabis use is rising among older adults, who mostly use cannabis edibles such as gummies for relaxation and sleep. While smoking cannabis may raise heart attack risk, the cardiac effects of consuming cannabis in food or drinks are less well understood. Taking too much cannabis can lead to a panic attack, which can cause a pounding heart or palpitations. People who use cannabis should take it only as needed to relieve symptoms, using the lowest possible dose.
Typical insect bites produce redness, itching, swelling, and pain. Signs of a more severe bug bite include hives, nausea, vomiting, fever, chills, drainage, rashes, blisters, numbness, or skin discoloration. People with any of these bug bite symptoms should see a doctor.
People who consume plant-based oil instead of butter may have a lower risk of death from cancer and cardiovascular disease, according to a 2025 study. These oils have more heart-healthy unsaturated fats, which help lower cholesterol levels and chronic inflammation.
Certain medications can leave people more vulnerable to heat-related effects or the sun’s rays. The medications can raise the risk of dehydration, make people sweat too much or too little, impair the body’s ability to regulate temperature, or raise the risk of getting a bad sunburn. In addition, higher temperatures may damage some medicines, including diuretics, blood pressure drugs, some antidepressants, thyroid replacement hormones, and some over-the-counter antihistamines.