Kidneys, eyes, ears, and more: Why do we have a spare?
One of the many underappreciated things about the human body is that it has a lot of excess capacity. That is, our organs have more reserve than most of us
Category: Health
How much sleep do you actually need?
On average, how many hours do you sleep each night? For most healthy adults, guidelines suggest at least seven hours of slumber. But these are general recommendations and not strict rules. “Some
Cellulitis: How long does it take to heal on legs?
Cellulitis is an infection of the deep layers of the skin. It develops when bacteria enter through a cut, bite, or wound — including tiny breaks in cracked, dry skin. Common
What does a birth doula do?
Childbirth — painful, messy, unpredictable — has been part of humankind for time immemorial. And in the US, which has surprisingly high rates of avoidable complications and maternal deaths, more people
Veins are a key player in the body: Here’s why
Blood circulation is vital to our health. Our arteries deliver oxygen, energy-rich nutrients, hormones, immune cells, and other essentials throughout the body. When deliveries are cut off, organs and tissue
When should you hire in-home help or health aides?
Most people want to age in place and live at home for as long as possible: according to an AARP survey, three-quarters of people 50 and older are hoping to do so.
What to do if you think your child has the flu
Once influenza season is underway, it’s natural that if you hear your child start coughing, you wonder: could this be the flu or another virus? And if you think it
How healthy is sugar alcohol?
If you are trying to cut back on added sugar — and you should, because excess sugar increases risks for obesity, diabetes, and heart disease — you might be tempted by products
Could men with advanced prostate cancer avoid chemotherapy?
When we think about radiation therapy, we typically picture treatments directed at tumors by a machine located outside the body. Now imagine a different scenario — one in which radioactive
New guidelines aim to screen millions more for lung cancer
Lung cancer kills more Americans than any other malignancy. The latest American Cancer Society (ACS) updated guidelines aim to reduce deaths by considerably expanding the pool of people who seek