Harvard Health Content API

A persistent cough that lasts longer than a few weeks can be worrisome, but for nonsmokers, the most common causes include asthma, bronchitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and medication for high blood pressure.

A 2022 study found that survivors of severe COVID-19 infections can develop cognitive problems, such as brain fog or trouble finding words, equivalent to the loss of 10 IQ points or 20 years of aging.

A 2022 study found that drinking coffee daily was linked to a significantly lower risk of dying within the seven-year study period. The benefit tapered off for people drinking more than 4.5 cups daily. Caffeine content didn’t appear to affect results.

A 2022 study found that women who begin colorectal cancer screening at age 45 with colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy are far less likely to develop the disease than women who don’t undergo any screening or who start screening at age 50.

Geriatricians offer health guidance and treatment to adults 65 and older. The specialty centers on health concerns increasingly common with age, including falls, hearing loss, incontinence, memory problems, and the need to juggle multiple conditions and medications. Among other goals, geriatricians aim to optimize drug dosages and prevent medication overlap or dangerous side effects. They also coordinate each patient’s care with other specialists who help manage chronic conditions. Geriatrician visits are typically longer than those with general practitioners.

Around menopause, a decline in estrogen can trigger low-grade inflammation that leads to unexpected symptoms from head to toe. Symptoms can affect the digestive tract, skin, joints, eyes, ears, and heart, among other areas. A 2022 study found that estrogen loss can even fuel the jaw pain known as temporomandibular disorder. A year or longer can pass before many women connect symptoms with menopause. Women can take lifestyle measures to lower inflammation, such as eating more fruits and vegetables, avoiding processed foods, and exercising.

People who want to lower their sodium intake to reduce their cardiovascular risks can try substituting spices for salt in food. A 2022 study found that older adults were less likely to notice differences in salt content of a white sauce if it contained a spicy chipotle seasoning blend. This suggests that some spices can distract older adults from low salt content in foods. The FDA is also targeting salt use, issuing new guidelines in 2022 to lower the average American’s daily salt intake drastically over the next decade and potentially save a half-million lives over that time.