Is testosterone replacement therapy a health risk or benefit?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently warned that testosterone replacement therapy may increase your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. However, this recommendation was based on outcomes from short-term testosterone treatment. So, a recent study published in The Lancet journal posed the question: What would happen if someone underwent testosterone therapy for a longer period of time?

Why the crazy cat lady isn’t so crazy: 40% lower risk for stroke than her peers

The doctor is in, and he’s furry, four-legged and eager to please. Yes, we’re talking about pets! A recent study suggests having a pet in the family may be good for your health. Researchers looked at data for adults 50 and over, who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in 1988 to 1994, and who reported having a pet.

Be proactive with screenings for colorectal cancer

If you are middle aged, there’s a good chance your doctor has mentioned the C word to you -- colonoscopy. Why? Because of that other C word -- cancer. Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States, according to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). In 2016, an estimated 134,000 people will be diagnosed with the disease, and about 49,000 will die from it.

Exam gloves can put you at risk for hospital-acquired infections

Getting an infection during your hospital stay is the last thing you want to deal with after combating an illness or undergoing a medical procedure. But unfortunately, it is something you need to be aware of.

Best foods for depression?

Depression is more than simply “feeling down.” It prevents people from enjoying activities they once enjoyed, robs them of motivation and energy, isolates them from family and friends, and interferes with their overall health and happiness.

Hooked on hookah? Side effects of hookah not as safe as you think

As more people quit smoking cigarettes, other forms of smoking – like hookah – are gaining popularity. Hookah pipes allow users to draw tobacco smoke through water, so some people may think it’s a “healthier” alternative to cigarettes.

Blood pressure drugs linked to increased falling in patients

If you have high blood pressure, your doctor may have given you a prescription for a blood pressure-lowering medication, called an antihypertensive. Your doctor may have explained some of the side effects to watch for, like lethargy or swelling of the feet and legs, but there may be another side effect you should ask about – falling.

Why older patients need less bedrest and more mobility in the hospital

Bedrest is toxic to older adults. That’s the lesson of a new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine that calls out the immobility of older patients in hospitals, bringing attention to the damage it can do. Bedrest is associated with disability, ending up in a nursing home, and ultimately, death, the authors wrote. Half of permanent disability in older adults begins with hospitalization, they said, and 2/3 of them will either be placed in a nursing home or dead within a year of being sent home from the hospital.

How to lower blood sugar using just apple cider vinegar

Vinegar comes from the French word vin aigre meaning sour wine. It can be made from almost any fermented carbohydrate - wine, molasses, dates, pears, berries and apples have all been used to make vinegar, with apple cider vinegar being one of the most popular kinds. The benefits to apple cider vinegar are abundant.

Prediabetic? Try exercise to control your blood sugar levels

Staying fit into middle age may be one way to reduce your risk of prediabetes and diabetes, according to a new study published in Diabetologia online. Prediabetes simply means your blood sugar is higher than normal, but is not yet diabetes. It is estimated that half of all U.S. adults have either prediabetes or diabetes.

Exercise may help teens dealing with depression

The teenage years can be challenging enough, but even more so when depression is thrown into the mix. Depression is common, especially among teenagers. It’s been estimated that approximately 20 percent of teens experience depression before they reach adulthood. But there may be a natural solution to help teens who are dealing with depression.

The best mosquito repellents for avoiding the Zika virus

Protect your family from the Zika virus by choosing an effective mosquito repellent! Consumer Reports’ testing shows not all repellents are created equal, especially when it comes to protecting against Aedes mosquitoes – the kind that transmit the Zika virus. The top performers?