Blood pressure tends to increase with age as arteries stiffen. From midlife onward, the focus should be on the systolic number, which tends to rise more sharply in women after menopause than in men of similar age.
Researchers found that women who did not express their feelings during marital arguments were at higher risk of dying prematurely.
An analysis of studies found that regular consumption of cranberry juice (or other cranberry products) helped reduce the likelihood of urinary tract infections in women who had a history of recurrent UTIs.
Pelvic organ prolapse is more common in women who have given birth vaginally, but a study of Swedish women who had prolapse identified several other potential causes related to lifestyle and other health conditions.
A number of studies support the advice that women ages 55 to 79 should take a low-dose aspirin daily to reduce their risk of stroke. Aspirin does increase the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, so this should be factored into the decision.
A British study found that people with chronic back pain who had regular sessions of a rehabilitative movement discipline known as the Alexander technique felt better and had fewer days with pain.
Besides the effets of fatigue and irritability, a sustained sleep defecit can lead to a greater risk of other health problems such as obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and stroke.
How often should a healthy 55-year-old woman have a colonoscopy? Do the benefits outweigh the risk of complications, such as bowel perforation?
The American Heart Association examined a number of studies involving omega-6 fatty acids and concluded that earlier concerns about their role in inflammation were unwarranted, and that omega-6s are beneficial in reducing the risk of heart disease.
Preparation for a colonoscopy involves taking a substance the day before the procedure that induces bowel-clearing diarrhea. It’s unpleasant and takes several hours, but adequate preparation can make the process somewhat easier to endure.