Cucumber juice applied to the skin can cool and sooth dry or irritated skin. There is insufficient evidence to support any long term skin benefits from apply cucumber juice to the face.
The decision to eat before working out is a personal one. If your choice is to have something to eat, then try to finish consuming the food at least one hour prior to exerting yourself. Many people prefer something light, such as a banana or energy bar. Be sure you are well hydrated before beginning your exercise.
The duration of piriformis syndrome is highly variable. For some, it lasts only a few days while for others it can last months. The reason for this variability is not always clear but may depend on the cause (especially overuse), treatment, activity level, and the general health of the affected person. Rest is an essential part of treatment; resuming the activity that triggered piriformis syndrome too soon tends to cause it to last longer.
Emotional dysregulation is a hallmark of many mental health conditions. A treatment known as dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) focuses on teaching people to manage intense emotions, cope with challenging situations, and improve their relationships.
Metabolic syndrome is a constellation of interrelated health conditions that significantly increases the risk for heart attacks, strokes, diabetes, and more. A diagnosis requires at least three of the following risk factors: obesity, high blood sugar, high triglycerides, low HDL (good) cholesterol, or high blood pressure. Metabolic syndrome can be reversed if it’s recognized. Losing weight is central to reducing many of its features. Lowering elevated blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels also plays a major role in reducing the risk for heart disease and stroke.
Vision loss has many risk factors. Some risk factors are well known, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and older age. Other risk factors for vision loss are not as well known, such as inactivity, psoriasis, shingles, and smoking. People who have these risk factors might need eye exams more often than the standard recommendations for healthy adults (a comprehensive eye exam every two years from ages 40 to 65, and every year or two after age 65).
Several types of “electroceutical” therapies use tiny zaps of electricity to help ease chronic pain. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) therapy and electroacupuncture are designed to work by interrupting pain signals being sent to the brain. Scrambler therapy is thought to work by changing pain information sent to the brain. Good candidates for such therapies are people with arthritis, neuropathy, neck or back pain, or pain from cancer treatment. Some people should stay away from electroceuticals, including those with any kind of implanted stimulation device, such as a pacemaker or bladder stimulator.
For people older than 75 who have heart disease already, or who are at increased risk of developing heart disease, there now is solid evidence that statins remain effective at lowering cholesterol and, more important, in reducing the risk of new or recurrent heart disease. For people older than 75 who have not been diagnosed with heart disease and are not at increased risk for developing it, the value of statins still is uncertain.
Pharmacies across the United States are struggling with budget cuts and staffing shortages. As a result, customers are sometimes experiencing delays in getting their prescriptions filled. Until pharmacies resolve their challenges, customers might need to work a little harder to get their medications promptly. One strategy that can help is ordering prescription refills early. If customers continue to have frequent delays at their pharmacies, they might consider switching their prescriptions to another store.
Older couples face many challenges as they age that can affect intimacy, including health issues, physical changes, and fluctuations in desire. These can lead to common problems like being stuck in a sexual rut, feeling out of sync, and dealing with low energy. But with communication, planning, and creativity, partners can continue to enjoy a satisfying sexual relationship.