Staying Healthy Archive

Cold weather can not only lead to dry skin, but also cause or worsen other skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, and seborrheic dermatitis. Frosty temperatures and dry air can break down the skin barrier, which contains substances that help seal in moisture. People can ward off or ease winter skin problems by applying creams and ointments, coating cracked skin areas with petroleum jelly, using a humidifier, taking lukewarm showers no more than once a day, and using moisturizing soaps and liquid body cleansers.

A sleep study is performed to detect sleep apnea or other sleep disorders. It often takes place in a special lab. The person is hooked up to equipment that records the brain's activity and monitors snoring, blood oxygen levels, and other variables.

Ice baths typically happen in water that's between 50° and 60° F. Studies about their health benefits are inconclusive, but ice baths can be risky. People should never take an ice bath without someone nearby, and stay in for a maximum of 15 minutes.

Setting health goals can help people in their 50s avoid developing a chronic condition that can hamper healthy aging. Goals can include improving balance through various exercises; learning a new skill to improve brain sharpness; seeking age-appropriate cancer screenings, such as for colorectal, cervical, and breast cancers; prioritizing bone health by boosting calcium and vitamin D intake and weight-bearing exercise; maintaining muscle strength through strength and resistance training; and paying closer attention to diet.

Inflammation is the body's response to an injury, allergy, or infection, a reaction that attempts to restore the health of the affected area. But that's only part of the story, because there are two types of inflammation, and it's important to know the difference—and what is and isn't true about all types.