Researchers have found that high blood pressure, diabetes, and smoking had the greatest association with the likelihood of a dementia diagnosis as people age. Managing these issues could offer protection.
A 2025 study of 250 people found that the brain can tell the immune system to prepare for impending infection even before a microbe enters the body. Scientists asked volunteers to don virtual reality headsets that showed various virtual people approaching them. Some of those approaching appeared to be healthy and others appeared to be sick. Brain scans and blood tests showed that participants’ brains activated their immune systems when a virtual sick person simply came near them.
Over-the-counter cold remedies can be helpful, but they must be carefully considered before use. They contain drugs that can cause serious side effects, interact with other medications, and worsen certain health conditions. For example, decongestants can help ease a stuffy nose but also can increase blood pressure and heart rate. And cough suppressants can help someone stop coughing, but taking too much can cause dizziness, confusion, or even changes in mood or thinking.
A 2025 study that included 97,000 people found that those who ate the most cruciferous vegetables—between 20 and 40 grams per day—had a 17% lower risk of developing colon cancer, compared with people who ate the least.
A 2025 study suggests that respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can lead to heart-related complications, such as a heart attack, chronic heart failure, or an irregular heartbeat—even in people without a previous heart condition.
A 2025 study suggests that urgent care clinics frequently prescribe prescription medications inappropriately for conditions such as ear infections, bronchitis, sprains or strains, or digestive discomfort.
While a healthy eating plan is crucial for health, bending the rules on occasion probably won’t hurt most people. One strategy to try is the 90-10 rule—eating healthy foods 90% of the time and splurging on unhealthy foods 10% of the time. For example, if someone eats three meals a day for a week, for a total of 21 meals, the person would be able to splurge on 10% (about two) of the meals. Dietitians warn that applying the 90-10 rule to every meal can lead to trouble, such as weight gain.
Tai chi uses a series of gentle, flowing motions and slow, deep breathing to exercise the body and calm the mind. It’s good for health in many ways, especially for balance, which improves as the body becomes more attuned to changes in movement. Tai chi can be practiced outdoors as well as indoors, which is helpful during winter months. To get started in a tai chi practice, it helps to take a class with an instructor who supervises practitioners’ progress. Classes can be found at wellness centers and health clubs.
Insufficient sleep triggers a long list of physiological and hormonal changes that contribute to heart disease. For example, a lack of sleep can cause increases in blood pressure, blood sugar, inflammation, and weight. Doctors recommend getting at least seven hours of uninterrupted sleep per night. Strategies that promote better sleep include going to bed and waking up at the same time every day, creating a healthy sleep environment, and turning off electronics an hour before bedtime.
Hyperacusis describes sensitivity to some or all sounds, no matter the volume. Depending on the person, sounds might be uncomfortably loud; cause pain in the ear, head, or another part of the body; trigger negative emotional responses; or make someone dizzy. These reactions might be due to irritated or overactive nerve fibers or muscles in the ear. While doctors have few treatments for hyperacusis, certain strategies help, such as avoiding sound triggers, wearing hearing protection, and engaging in sound therapy.