For years, experts have recommended taking a daily low dose aspirin to reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke. However, based on findings from three large-scale studies that weighed the benefits and risks of this practice, the United States Preventative Services Task Force is now reversing this recommendation for adults under the age of…

The Food and Drug Administration offers these guidelines for proper use of a Neti pot to address clogged sinuses and nasal congestion: wash and dry your hands before each use, thoroughly clean the Neti pot and dry before each use, use clean water (distilled, filtered, or boiled) to create a saline rinsesolution, and always follow…

An analysis of data on motor vehicle crashes among 130,000 drivers under the age of 24 found that those who are required to take driver’s education classes before obtaining a driver’s license are 27% less likely to be involved in a collision in their first two months on the road. Additionally, the researchers report that…

To improve sleep, the National Sleep Foundation recommends the following: go to bed at the same time every night and wake at the same time every morning; exercise regularly; practice relaxation techniques such as meditation or deep breathing; avoid alcohol and caffeine before bedtime; don’t watch TV or use other screens in the bedroom; and…

Stress fractures are small breaks in bones that typically result from overuse from repetitive activities, such as running. To reduce your risk for a stress fracture, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons recommends the following: increase the intensity and duration of workouts slowly, diversify your workout by engaging in cross-training, consume a nutritious diet rich…

To keep kids safe once they graduate to wearing a seatbelt restraint in the car, SafeKids recommends the following: establish a rule that your child always wears a seat belt during every car ride, have children ride only in the backseat until the age of 13, be a role model by always wearing your seat…

The American Podiatric Medical Association lists the following signs and symptoms associated with toenail fungus: darker white or more yellow toenails than usual, a strong odor, accumulation of debris below the toenail, thick and difficult to cut toenails, and painful toenails. American Podiatric Medical Association, March 2022

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends seeing an eye doctor promptly if you are suffering from the following: difficulty seeing properly, redness of your eye(s), draining or eye pain, double vision, small specks that seem to “float” in front of your eyes, halos that appear to surround lights, and visions that appear to…

Past studies have linked oral and cardiovascular health. A new study that looked at saliva samples from 1,200 women identified 15 types of mouth bacteria that were linked to either an elevated or reduced risk for hypertension. Senior author Dr. Michael LaMonte adds, “This is an interesting finding… and it tells us there may be…

Colorectal cancer is the third-leading cause of cancer in the United States, but steps can be taken to reduce one’s risk for this deadly condition, such as: attend screenings starting at age 45 or sooner if you have a family history; eat a healthy diet full of fruit, vegetables, and whole grains, while limiting beef,…