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Harness the Health Benefits of Awe
Awe is critical to our well-being - just like joy, contentment, and love. One definition of awe is the feeling we get in the presence of something vast that challenges our understanding of the world, like looking up at millions of stars in the night sky or marveling at the...
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Early Heart Disease Linked to Memory Issues by Middle Age
People who suffer a heart attack or stroke in middle age may develop memory and thinking problems earlier in life, too, a new study finds. The study, published online Jan. 25 in the journal Neurology, focused on people who had developed premature cardiovascular disease. That...
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The Healing Power of Scents
An emerging trend in virtual reality (VR) - incorporating smells - could be an exciting and effective option for health care. Already many hospitals across the country are using VR to help patients manage pain, overcome phobias and calm anxiety. And VR therapies may become...
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In 30-Year Study, Head Injury Doubles Risk of Dying Early
Head injuries have already been linked with many chronic health issues, but a new study that spanned three decades now shows it may double, or even triple, the risk of dying early."This is particularly the case for individuals with multiple or severe head injuries,"...
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Acting Out Dreams During Sleep May Signal Parkinson's Disease
We've all had the experience of acting out our dreams, but this may be a harbinger of dreaded neurological diseases. Actor Alan Alda, best known for his role on the comedy-drama television series M*A*S*H* thought he was being threatened as he slept and threw a bag of...
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This Two-Minute Morning Activity Will Boost Your Energy and Focus All Day
While a cup of coffee can start your morning with a bang, there's an easy, two-minute activity that will jumpstart your metabolism and give you more energy throughout the day. Uber investor Sahil Bloom developed the 5-5-5-30 morning exercise routine that takes only two...
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Initial Alzheimer's Symptoms Predict Rate of Progression
Memory loss is the most common symptom associated with Alzheimer's disease - the terrifying prospect of slowly forgetting yourself and everything around you. But people who exhibit memory loss early on in their dementia actually have a slower rate of decline than those who...
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Study: Getting Back to School Quickly Best After Concussion
When kids suffer a concussion, an extended period of rest at home is always the best course, right? Perhaps not. In fact, a new study suggests that - despite what many people may presume - getting kids back to school quickly is the best way to boost their chance for a rapid...
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FDA Rejects Accelerated Approval for Eli Lilly's Alzheimer's Drug
Eli Lilly and Co on Thursday said the U.S. Food and Drug Administration had rejected accelerated approval of its experimental Alzheimer's drug because it had not submitted enough trial data from patients who were treated for at least a year. Lilly said the FDA had sent it a...
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Up to Half of Adults With ADHD Have Anxiety, Depression
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may be an even bigger predictor of depression and anxiety in adulthood than autism is, a new study finds - highlighting the mental health side of the disorder. It's known that kids and adults with ADHD often have co-existing...
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Gut Bacteria Linked to Parkinson's Disease Development
A recent study suggests that Parkinson's disease, in which parts of the brain are progressively damaged over many years, may actually start in the gut. Nearly 30% of the gut bacteria in patients with Parkinson's disease differed from those without the disease, according to...
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Bad Moods Make Us More Detail-Oriented
It's good to be grumpy, especially if you need to proofread or perform another detail-oriented task. At least that is the finding of a new study on mood and how the brain processes language. New findings from the University of Arizona found that when we're in a bad mood, we...
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Hearing Aids Mitigate Dementia Risk From Hearing Loss
Could losing your hearing as you age be a harbinger of dementia? Maybe, suggests new research that found that older people who had trouble hearing were more likely to develop dementia down the road. But there's good news with the bad: Hearing aids - which are now available...
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Nursing Homes Under Investigation for Abuse of Antipsychotics
The federal government says it will begin a targeted crackdown on nursing homes' abuse of antipsychotic drugs and misdiagnoses of schizophrenia in patients. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is launching investigations this month into select nursing homes, aimed...
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How Best to Cope With the Stress of Political News
In today's highly polarized political environment, is it possible to stay up-to-date with the news of the day without getting totally stressed out? If not, is there a way to limit the emotional and physical fallout? Or is all that individual stress in service of a greater...
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Tibetan Monk Study: Years of Meditation Alters Gut Microbes, Lowers Cholesterol
Meditation might help a person's gut health - but it takes a lot of meditation over a long time. Tibetan Buddhist monks appear to have gut microbes that differ substantially from others living near them, a new study reports. Those differences have previously been linked to a...
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Veterans Now Eligible for Free Suicide Crisis Care
While U.S. veterans are already eligible for emergency suicidal crisis care, starting Tuesday they can get it for free. Care available at any VA facility or any private facility will include up to 30 days of inpatient or crisis residential care, the Department of Veteran's...
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Performing Acts of Kindness Improves Anxiety, Depression Symptoms
People suffering from depression or anxiety may be able to help themselves by helping others - even in small ways, researchers report. In a recent study of 122 people with depression or anxiety symptoms, those who started fitting small acts of kindness into their day showed...
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Study: Frequent Visits to Green Spaces Linked to Lower Prescription Medication Use
New research from Finland shows that regularly visiting green spaces in cities, such as parks and community centers, is associated with reduced use of certain prescription medications. The association also included frequent visitation of blue spaces, such as lakes, said the...
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The Truth Behind 6 Popular Health Claims
The conflicting headlines about all things dietary and health-based can make your head spin. One day, experts tout the advantages of drinking wine or eating breakfast and the next we see just the opposite could be true. Still, as more studies emerge, we're getting close to...
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Social Isolation Increases Risk for Dementia
Social isolation is a substantial risk factor for dementia in older adults, according to a pair of studies that add evidence to past research on this threat. But these new studies offer a potential solution: using technology to encourage older adults to text and email to...
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Just 6 Minutes of High-Intensity Exercise Could Delay Alzheimer's
Six minutes of high-intensity exercise might prolong the lifespan of a healthy brain, perhaps delaying the start of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, a new, small study suggests. Researchers found that short but intense cycling increased the production of a protein...
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New Research Finds Gardening Boosts Fiber Intake, Exercise and Decreases Anxiety
Anyone who has ever gardened knows what a labor of love it can be as you dig deep in the dirt to plant seeds and then take pride in your first crop, but new research shows it also translates into better health. It turns out that community gardens in urban areas can have...
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Schedule Your Annual Free Memory Screening Appointment Now
Many conditions cause memory issues, and early detection is essential for effective treatment, according to a national Alzheimer's disease organization. The Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA) encourages people to get a memory screening in the new year.The foundation...
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Prince Harry Reveals He Has Agoraphobia: Understanding This Disorder
It's hard to believe that Prince Harry, such a public figure, struggles with agoraphobia. However, he admits in his new memoir, Spare, that he suffered with the anxiety disorder that may result in people being afraid of leaving their homes. The 38-year-old recalls "one...