Category: harvardhealth_news_UNDEFINED

Online hearing tests help detect if someone has hearing loss. The tests involve answering questions or listening to a series of tones or spoken words. The tests are not as comprehensive as tests conducted by an audiologist, but they are convenient and might help identify mild, moderate, or severe hearing loss; problems hearing particular pitch ranges; or differences in hearing ability in one ear compared to the other (asymmetry). A test might need to be followed up with a visit to an audiologist.

In 2024, RSV vaccinations are recommended for infants and young children; everyone ages 75 and older, regardless of health; and people ages 60 to 74 at increased risk for severe RSV, such as people with lung or heart disease or those who live in nursing homes.

A 2024 analysis found that many people without heart problems are taking daily low-dose aspirin therapy, even though it might have more health risks than benefits. Some of them have not consulted with a doctor about whether daily aspirin is safe for them.

Many people who develop rheumatoid arthritis later in life don’t receive optimal medications to treat it, called disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Reasons for this include the high costs of DMARDs, concerns about drug side effects, coexisting conditions that complicate treatment, inaccessibility to health care, or perceived frailty that makes doctors nervous about prescribing DMARDs. People who feel they should be getting DMARDs (but aren’t) should ask about ways to make such treatment feasible.

A 2024 study of more than 215,000 people (ages 37 to 73) found a link between consuming a sodium-rich diet and increased risks of having eczema, an eczema flare-up, or severe eczema.

Older adults who received interpersonal exercise coaching (which included connecting with peers to learn and share information) improved their step counts and activity levels more than seniors who received intrapersonal coaching that was mostly self-focused, a 2024 study found. Finding an exercise partner (a spouse, friend, or neighbor) may help inspire people to exercise more. A group exercise class may provide the same benefit, in addition to providing structure, a trained instructor, and camaraderie.

People with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are especially vulnerable to cardiovascular problems, including a 40% increased risk of heart attack. The amygdala, a brain structure involved in processing anxiety, fear, and stress, is overactive in people with PTSD. But these people also have decreased activity in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for regulating emotions and dampening the fear response. This brain activity imbalance triggers chronic activation of the body’s “fight-or-flight” response. The resulting physiological changes appear to underlie the development of atherosclerosis.

People with hypertension who monitor their blood pressure at home may be able to successfully self-titrate their blood pressure medications, a 2024 study suggests. First, they need to know their target blood pressure. Readings that remain above goal requires consultation with their doctor to create a plan for better BP control, such as specific steps for medication self-titration.

Contrary to previous recommendations, people who think they are having a heart attack or stroke should not take an aspirin on their own. Their symptoms might be caused by a different problem that might be made worse by taking aspirin.

Compared with people who eat out frequently, people who eat meals made at home tend to weigh less, have healthier cholesterol and blood sugar values, and are less likely to develop diabetes. Lack of time, not lack of skills, may be the biggest barrier. Tips for creating healthy, home-cooked meals include smart ways to stock a pantry, fridge, and freezer with legumes and whole grains. For example, people can use an electric pressure cooker to make a dozen or more half-cup servings of brown rice that can then be stored in the freezer. This technique, called batch cooking, can be used with dried beans as well as with flavor enhancers such as minced garlic and ginger.