Around age 40, most people lose some height, and the decline accelerates with age. This “shrinkage” can be slowed by preventing osteoporosis and improving posture. Getting enough calcium and vitamin D can help increase bone density, and exercises for the back and abdominal muscles can help with posture.
A troubling aspect of COVID infection is long COVID, also known as post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection, or PASC. PASC is marked by persistent symptoms 30 days or more after a person tests positive for COVID. Also, symptoms suggestive of PASC may emerge many weeks after recovery from the initial infection. Scientists are still learning about PASC, but they have discovered much so far, such as who may be at higher risk, what symptoms are common, how long it may last, and what people can do to protect themselves.
A review of studies published online April 13, 2022, by JAMA Psychiatry found that people who did 75 minutes per week of moderate-intensity exercise, such as brisk walking, had an 18% lower risk for depression, compared with people who didn’t exercise.
In 2022, Pfizer voluntarily recalled some blood pressure medications, including Accuretic (quinapril hydrochloride plus hydrochlorothiazide), Accupril (quinapril hydrochloride), and two related generic formulations.
Limiting meals to a certain window of time each day, an approach called time-restricted eating, didn’t appear to help people lose any more weight compared with ordinary calorie restriction in a small randomized trial published in 2022.
Strength training triggers many body reactions that protect people against chronic disease. For example, strengthening muscles helps reduce blood sugar, lower blood pressure, burn calories, and discourage chronic inflammation. Evidence suggests that getting 30 to 60 minutes of weekly strength training leads to the highest amount of health benefits. That’s in line with the recommendation from the 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. But doctors say any amount of strength training can help health.
Many people get braces later in life. This helps ward off problems caused by crooked teeth or a misaligned bite, such as malnutrition, increased risks for cavities and gum disease, and some chronic illnesses. Getting braces can also create space for implants to replace missing teeth. There are two main types of braces. One consists of a row of tiny brackets glued onto the teeth, and a wire that runs through the brackets. The other type of braces consists of a series of aligners—thin, clear plastic molds that are worn on top of the teeth 22 hours per day.
A virtual village is a group of older adults who live in their own homes, near each other, and agree to help each other. They form a self-governing nonprofit organization and volunteer to provide village services such as transportation, friendly visits, errands, exercise and social events, a dedicated hotline, and referrals to vetted services and suppliers. The village won’t replace an assisted living facility or nursing home, but it may help delay the transition.
In the spring of 2021, the 21st Century Cures Act began requiring health care providers to make almost all patient information available in electronic medical records, without charge or delay. This information includes all notes health care providers jot down about patient visits, medical tests, procedures, and hospitalizations. Reading these notes may make some patients feel anxious, or even offended if a doctor uses language that comes across as judgmental. But studies suggest that note reading helps many people manage their health and catch mistakes in their medical records.
Some studies have found that drinking any amount of alcohol is unhealthy. But more than 100 large studies have found that people who have one drink per day have lower risks of cardiovascular disease. How can both be true? It depends on a person’s current state of health, lifestyle habits (such as diet, exercise, and smoking), family history of disease, and the quantity of alcohol consumed. People who don’t usually drink have no need to start: there are better ways to achieve a healthy heart.