Staying Healthy Archive

Your blood pressure is one of the best ways to measure overall health and possible risk factors. Do you know your numbers?

There are many important health markers: cholesterol levels, blood sugar levels, weight — to name but a few. But men often fail to use one of the most important: blood pressure.

"Your blood pressure is one of the easiest and simplest measurements and can tell you so much about your current and possible future health," says Dr. Randall Zusman, director of the division of hypertension for Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital's Corrigan Minehan Heart Center. "Yet most people don't know their number or check it on a regular basis, so they may not be doing everything they need to lower their risk of a heart attack or stroke."

In the journals

Even if obesity runs in your family, certain activities may help you lose the weight and keep it off, according to a study published online Aug. 1, 2019, by PLOS Genetics.

Researchers recruited more than 18,000 adults ages 30 to 70 and examined their individual genes and exercise routines. Genetic profiles were created from blood samples that looked for certain gene variants related to obesity. Exercise was defined as at least 30 minutes of activity performed three times a week.

A new study says you might not have to walk far to see benefits.

If you've invested in a fitness tracker, chances are you've heard that you should take 10,000 steps a day for better health. If that sounds daunting, there's good news: a study published online May 29 by JAMA Internal Medicine found that you may able to reap health benefits by taking half that number of steps each day.

Researchers found that in older women, taking as few as 4,400 steps per day was associated with a 41% lower risk of dying during the study period when compared with women who walked 2,500 steps a day or fewer. In addition, it didn't seem to matter if the women took those steps power walking or just moving around the house.

Ask the doctors

Q. I have terrible dandruff that just doesn't seem to ever clear up. What can I do to treat it?

A. For most people, using a dandruff shampoo once or twice a week can control this annoying condition, in which the skin on the scalp becomes dry and flakes off. But in some cases, the condition doesn't clear up and actually requires medical attention.

Put the focus on friends, family, and fun, instead of food.

It's November, time for Thanksgiving and the start of the holiday season, which is also known as the time of year when healthy habits slide off track and waistbands get tighter.

"The truth is, people do tend to abandon healthy habits during the winter," says Dr. Beth Frates, clinical assistant professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at Harvard Medical School. Blame the cold weather that keeps you inside and makes you feel sluggish, or the parade of holiday parties. Who wants to stick to a diet or trudge to the gym?

Simple organization and communication strategies can help you manage your medications and reduce health risks.

If your pillbox is overflowing, you're not alone. Some 60% of Americans have at least one chronic condition, and 40% have two or more, according to the CDC. Doctors often prescribe multiple drugs to manage them.

"Some studies have found that a large number of people are taking as many as 12 to 15 drugs at a time," says Dr. David Bates, a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School.

Antidepressants and opioids are common offenders.

It's frustrating when you feel the urge to move your bowels but can't seem to go. Before blaming your diet, consider whether medication side effects are causing your constipation.

Possible suspects

Many medications can contribute to constipation, including the following:

Eczema is an itchy rash that's often hard to get rid of. Most people can't help scratching it, which further irritates the skin. Eczema is often, but not always, related to allergies. A common cause is your skin overreacting to everyday irritants, such as dust, soaps and detergents, or even dry, cold air, which triggers an intensely itchy allergic reaction.

Skin affected by eczema becomes dehydrated and dry easily, so treatment involves rehydrating the skin. Baths and showers must be short and not too hot. Afterwards, gently pat your skin dry and promptly apply moisturizers while your skin is still moist. Thick creams that lock in the moisture help the most. Be sure to choose creams or lotions without fragrances or preservatives. Limit the use of soaps and shampoos, too. These products remove the skin's natural oils and worsen dryness. And over-the-counter oral antihistamines can help with the ferocious itch.

A widely-advertised facial moisturizer claims to be the best on the market — and sells for $225 per bottle. Should you buy it? Another brand offers a complete skin care regimen — but it comes in 10 different bottles of lotions and potions that all need to be applied daily. Is it worth your time?

Despite manufacturers' claims, many cosmetic products will remove more cash from your wallet than dirt and oils from your skin. You don't need an expensive or lengthy skin care routine — and the good news is, the most effective and reliable regimen is also quick and inexpensive.