Staying Healthy Archive

By now, you've probably run into a product containing cannabidiol, also known as CBD. It is in everything from drinks and pet products to lotions and chewable gummies. But many people still don't really know what CBD is, what it does and doesn't do, and how it works. Below, we sort through the confusion by answering some of the most common questions about CBD.

Just because you can get a particular test or treatment or take a supplement doesn't mean you should. One study suggests as much as 20% of all health care in the US is unneeded. Skipping unnecessary care might actually improve your health, while saving time and money.

A 2024 Harvard study of more than 14,000 women found that counting steps was just as effective as counting exercise minutes as a means of tracking whether a person is getting enough activity to reduce disease risk and boost longevity.

Age-related changes to the vocal cords can make the voice sound thin, reedy, raspy, breathy, lower, or higher. Certain strategies can help protect the voice. Examples include avoiding overuse, such as trying to speak over loud noise all day; staying hydrated, which keeps the vocal cords working well; avoiding spicy foods and irritants in the air such as smoke, which can inflame the vocal cords; and avoiding frequent throat clearing.

Caring for a person with dementia is physically, emotionally, logistically, and financially demanding. Caregivers can benefit from numerous services, such as caregiver support groups; respite care; and dementia care navigators, such as the local Area Agency on Aging (which can provide a long list of resources) or a local hospital dementia care program. It can also help to speak to doctors about consolidating appointments for the person with dementia and to reach out to family and friends to ask for assistance.

Some people with diabetes use a device that continuously monitors the level of blood sugar. The monitor sends the information wirelessly to another device, such as a smartphone, so the person can easily see the blood sugar level. As of 2024, there is no solid evidence that these monitors can help people who do not have diabetes. However, the monitors may one day prove to be useful in people with diabetes risk factors, such as obesity, prediabetes, or a family history of diabetes.

Being a night owl might increase the risk of developing many health problems, so it might be worth it for night owls to go to sleep a little earlier. The sleep schedule must be shifted slowly to make a lasting change. Tips to do that include setting a bedtime goal between 11 p.m. and 1 a.m.; going to sleep 20 minutes earlier every five days, until the bedtime goal is reached; possibly using certain sleep aids until the bedtime goal is reached; and setting a consistent wake time no later than 9 a.m.

A 2024 report from the CDC found that stroke rates are rising in middle-aged and even young adults. Scientists say the increase might be due to rising rates of obesity, high blood pressure, and opioid use. Stroke rates in people 65 or older have remained the same.