Autumn’s arrival heralds cool temperatures, warm sweaters, and anticipation of the upcoming holiday season. But it’s also when infectious respiratory viruses start to spread more readily. That’s why October is the ideal time to shore up your immunity against two common, potentially life-threatening viruses: influenza (flu) and SARS CoV2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Winter […]
Fertility and diet: Is there a connection?
Here are some headlines on fertility and diet that caught our attention: The ultimate fertility diet: We reveal what to eat and what to avoid Here’s what to eat if you’re trying to get pregnant Trying to get pregnant? Foods to eat and avoid to boost fertility Wow! Who knew that your choices at tonight’s […]
Should I get a calcium score?
Q. I’m wondering if I should get a test to check my calcium score. I’m 52 and in good health. My LDL cholesterol level is normal (97 mg/dL), but my father had a heart attack in his late 40s. A. The artery-clogging plaque that builds up inside the heart’s arteries contains cholesterol, inflammatory cells, scar […]
How positive psychology can help you cultivate better heart health
Conversations about heart disease and mental health often dwell on the overlap between cardiovascular problems and negative emotions. It makes sense: People with depression face a heightened risk of heart problems. Also, it’s common — and understandable — to feel moody, distressed, or irritable after a heart attack. Increasingly, however, mental health experts are focusing […]
Erectile dysfunction drugs linked to lower risk of heart problems
Otherwise healthy men treated with prescription drugs for erectile dysfunction had fewer heart-related problems than men who didn’t take the medications, a new study finds. Known as PDE-5 inhibitors, the drugs include sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), and vardenafil (Levitra, Staxyn). They work by relaxing artery walls and improving blood flow. Earlier research suggested these drugs […]
Understanding statin intensity
Q. I’m 71 and have taken 20 milligrams (mg) of atorvastatin (Lipitor) since 2010, after an angiogram showed a 90% blockage of a small coronary artery. But I’ve never had angina or a heart attack. My LDL is 70 mg/dL. Should I switch to 20 mg of rosuvastatin (Crestor), which I understand is a higher-intensity […]
Lessons learned from COVID
More than three years after COVID emerged, people are anxious to resume their pre-pandemic lifestyle. But don’t be too quick to return to old habits. “Even though COVID brought stress and anxiety, it also changed how we live and approach our health, and in many ways, for the better,” says Dr. Edward Phillips, founder and […]
The best sun-protective clothing
Summer officially starts this month, and in addition to using a strong sunscreen when you go outside, it’s a good idea to wear sun-protective clothing. That’s not just any hat or long-sleeved shirt in your closet; sun-protective clothes are made of materials that effectively shield your skin from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. Protective fabrics Loosely […]
Sexual feelings
Feelings of sexual desire change for both men and women as they age. Sometimes the desire is more robust for only one partner, or the desire fluctuates so much for both partners that they are rarely in sync. Over time, both men and women go through physical changes that affect sexual desire. Men may notice […]
10 Questions to ask when choosing a therapist
Having good rapport with a therapist is the most important factor in determining the outcome of therapy. The therapist should have formal training and certification and be licensed in your state. In general, the therapist should be able to describe the merits and drawbacks of different types of treatment, including ones he or she doesn’t […]