CATEGORIES

WHY AM I SICK...AGAIN?

It's puzzling: It seems as if everyone's UNDER THE WEATHER MORE FREQUENTLY these days than before the pandemic. But that perception may be A COVID MIND TRICK. Here, top doctors help us piece together the truth.

Walk Away Pain - One of the best things you can do to ease joint and back pain and ward off future ouches is so very simple: just take it step by step.

Prevention's loyal readers are walking superfans, so we know you're aware of the boundless benefits of walking a regular routine keeps you fit and helps you maintain muscle strength (crucial during later-life years), and walking is fantastic for flexibility and balance. Yet here's one win from walking that you might not know as much about: It's a proven pain reducer.

A Solo Trip at 55 Boosted My Confidence - When I retired, a big, beautiful world opened up to me.

I had never taken a solo vacation before, and when I arrived in St. Maarten two years ago, the fact that I was traveling alone really hit me. I was 55 and divorced, and very apprehensive and self-conscious: With whom would I have dinner? With whom would I sit at the bar? But I put on my big-girl pants the first night and told myself I would grab a bite to eat and then head back to my room and read a book.It didn't turn out that way. I met a fabulous group of other retired women and men, and we talked and danced and drank and laughed all night. We hung out periodically throughout the week, whether at the pool or joining one another for dinner or drinks.

Hormones, ADHD, and the Midlife Balancing Act - Being in perimenopause is all kinds of challenging. Now more women are discovering that their brain fog, lack of impulse control, and constant feeling of distraction may be a clue to something else entirely.

Being in perimenopause is all kinds of challenging. Now more women are discovering that their brain fog, lack of impulse control, and constant feeling of distraction may be a clue to something else entirely. Melanie Hutchinson had always been messy, but in 2020, as she entered her 50s, her home became overrun with clutter. A mountain of laundry overtook her bedroom and piles of paper and junk accumulated everywhere. Before Zoom meetings, she'd hurriedly throw things into laundry baskets and stash them in the basement to avoid an embarrassing background.

Ease Your Allergies - These holistic remedies may provide relief from seasonal symptoms.

For people with seasonal allergies, sniffling and sneezing are just the tip of the drippy, itchy iceberg. And symptoms can range from mildly annoying to truly debilitating.Seasonal allergies, also known as hay fever, are allergic reactions to airborne allergens like pollen and mold spores, says Katie Marks-Cogan, M.D., an allergist at Clear Allergy in Culver City, CA. Normally harmless, certain allergens can prompt an immune response in some people, leading to itchy, watery eyes; sneezing; runny nose; congestion; coughing; and shortness of breath.

Mammogram Confusion, Solved! - It's the rare woman who doesn't vividly remember certain firsts

It's her first period, first bra, first use of a tampon, first kiss, and, yes, first mammogram. But for most women, the age at which they should get that first screening test has changed. Earlier this year, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) issued new breast cancer screening guidelines suggesting that women get a mammogram every two years starting at age 40.

5 Myths About Arthritis- Creaky joints are a pain, but some facts” about them are pretty twisted.

Arthritis isn't the only culprit when it comes to achy joints. Infection, injury, bursitis (swelling of the fluid-filled pads that cushion the joints), and tendinitis (inflammation of the tendons that attach muscle to bone) are all reasons they might hurt, says Kirsten Ambrose, M.S., associate director of the Osteoarthritis Action Alliance at the University of North Carolina Thurston Arthritis Research Center. Joint pain is also a symptom of autoimmune diseases like lupus and Hashimoto's disease. So how can you tell if it's osteoarthritis? Get it checked. To diagnose arthritis, doctors typically rely on a patient's history (family background, injuries, and symptoms); a physical exam (looking for bony enlargements or swelling); or imaging like an X-ray or an MRI, Ambrose says. Blood test can show markers of inflammatory arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis and gout. If it is osteoarthritis, over-the-counter pain medication, physical therapy, and general movement can ease symptoms.

What's Up With...Smelly Gas - You can blame it on the dog, but it happens to everyone.

The average person toots around 14 times a day-it's how your body releases the extra gas that accumulates when you swallow air and digest food, says Shilpa Ravella, M.D., author of A Silent Fire: The Story of Inflammation, Diet, and Disease. If you chew gum or smoke, you'll have even more gas buildup, she adds.

WHAT'S UP WITH ...EARWORMS

When a song gets stuck in your head, here's how to shake it off.

NUTRITION for Healthy Breasts

YOU KNOW THAT EATING MORE CALORIES THAN YOU BURN can cause your body to accumulate fat.

Make Your BREAST GUESS

No.two breasts not even your own!) are identical in shape, size, or feel. But it’s important to pay attention to what makes each one of yours unique so you can spot peculiarities early and start conversations with your health care providers if need be. Consider this your friendly guide to what changes to expect through the years and. what to do if something feels or looks unusual so you can take steps toward better breast health.

come as you are

We all deserve quality health care, but people in bigger bodies are often shut out. That's why some providers have worked out a new approach that aims to treat the person actually sitting in their exam room rather than the one they would be if only they lost weight.

Bobbi's Brush Basics

A makeup pro's tips for choosing and using the best tools

MY DIAGNOSIS - Why Did I Always Have Such Heavy, Painful Periods?

She was told it was just \"part of being a woman\" until she finally learned the truth.

5 MYTHS ABOUT HOME REMEDIES

There's nothing wrong with DIY health care chez you, but maybe a little science could come for a visit? Here, a few folk cures that haven't cured many folks.

to your health?

Some of today's eating trends only seem like something to raise a glass to. Here, our experts sort through the hype and steer you to foods that are truly nutritious.

SNACKS FOR THE WIN

These noshes are built to fuel you all day long.

THE INVINCIBILITY FALLACY

Some WELLNESS-ORIENTED PEOPLE lull themselves into A FALSE SENSE OF CONTROL, which can have TRAGIC OUTCOMES. Here's why \"DOING EVERYTHING RIGHT\" isn't quite enough.

THE FUSS ABOUT FLUORIDE

Toothpaste's star ingredient has recently come under fire. Here's what you need to know.

MEET THE EXPERTS - The Skin Specialist

Here's what a dermatologist wants you to know about cancer screenings, TikTok trends, and more.

STRESS AND ANXIETY

We're all frazzled or worried at times. That's perfectly normal, as daily life can be chaotic and out of our control. But the real problems arise when being stressed or anxious becomes the norm-we can't always see what it's doing to our physical and mental health, and getting a handle on it can be hard. Here's a look at how stress and anxiety affect the body-plus, expert-backed tricks to counter them so you can enjoy better health and more peace.

5 Myths About Pet Health

Many of us fret more about our furry family members' well-being than about our own. That's all the more reason to clear up fuzzy thinking.

THIS IS YOUR BRAIN ON CLIMATE CHANGE

Living on our HEATING PLANET doesn't just affect our lungs, hearts, and immune systems but also can HARM OUR BRAINS' HEALTH, affecting our moods and behavior. Read on to know WHAT TO LOOK FOR AND HOW TO COPE.

SOLUTIONS Soothe a Sunburn

Expert-backed ways to ease the ouch and prevent burns in the first place.

HOW TO BUY IT Cooling Towels

These high-tech must-haves can help you beat the heat.

The Silver Palette

Complement gray hair with these tips from a makeup pro.

5 MYTHS ABOUT HANGOVERS

If last night's ale is still ailing you, you'll do anything to quench the throb. Here's the truth about the morning after, so you can recover fast.

The gut health CHEAT SHEET

Cut down on fried foods, ultra-processed foods, red and processed meats, alcohol, and sugary drinks, which can negatively impact gut health

7 WAYS to TAKE CARE of Your Gut

Research shows that people who get more sleep or have a high sleep efficiency (meaning they fall asleep quickly and stay asleep) have a more diverse mix of bacteria in their guts than people who sleep less or have more frequently interrupted sleep.

The ABC'S of IBS

THE GUT IS A COMPLICATED THE THINGS TPL PLACE, AND SOMETIMES THINGS CAN GET OUT OF SYNC THERE, leading to belly pain, mad dashes to the bathroom, and other symptoms.