• Sexual violence can cast a long shadow on health

    Sexual violence can cast a long shadow on health

    Sexual violence occurs throughout the world. A simple definition is any sexual act for which consent is not obtained or freely given, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Rape, sexual coercion, and unwanted sexual contact are a few examples. While many people heal fully in time, traumatic events like these may… read more

  • Why all the buzz about inflammation — and just how bad is it?

    Why all the buzz about inflammation — and just how bad is it?

    Quick health quiz: how bad is inflammation for your body? You’re forgiven if you think inflammation is very bad. News sources everywhere will tell you it contributes to the top causes of death worldwide. Heart disease, stroke, dementia, and cancer all have been linked to chronic inflammation. And that’s just the short list. So, what… read more

  • Let’s not call it cancer

    Let’s not call it cancer

    Roughly one in six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point in their lives, but these cancers usually aren’t life-threatening. Most newly diagnosed men have Grade Group 1 (GG1) prostate cancer, which can linger for years without causing significant harms. Prostate cancer is categorized according to how far it has spread and… read more

  • Court ruling curbs unfounded claims for memory supplement

    Court ruling curbs unfounded claims for memory supplement

    I must have seen commercials for Prevagen 50 times: story after story from everyday people who describe improvement in memory once they began taking Prevagen. And perhaps you recall older commercials playing off the idea that many people take supplements that boast of gut, joint, and heart health claims. Those commercials memorably asked, “So why… read more

  • Could imaging scans replace biopsies during prostate cancer screening?

    Could imaging scans replace biopsies during prostate cancer screening?

    Abnormal results on a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening test for cancer are typically followed by a systematic biopsy. During that procedure, doctors use a long needle to extract roughly a dozen samples from the prostate while looking at the gland on an ultrasound machine. Those samples can then be checked for cancer under a microscope.… read more

  • An action plan to fight unhealthy inflammation

    An action plan to fight unhealthy inflammation

    Although inflammation serves a vital role in the body’s defense and repair systems, chronic inflammation can cause more harm than good. And that may make you wonder: what can I do about it? In fact, there’s a lot you can do. And you may already be doing it. That’s because some of the most important… read more

  • 21 spices for healthy holiday foods

    21 spices for healthy holiday foods

    The holiday season is one of the hardest times of the year to resist salty, fatty, sugary foods. Who doesn’t want to enjoy the special dishes and treats that evoke memories and meaning — especially during the pandemic? Physical distancing and canceled gatherings may make you feel that indulging is a way to pull some… read more

  • No-cost, low-cost, and bigger splurges for climate-conscious gifts

    No-cost, low-cost, and bigger splurges for climate-conscious gifts

    Looking for gifts to give or donate this year? Climate-conscious gifts come in many guises. They may directly support our environment, for example, or aim to reduce fossil fuel use and electronic, textile, and food waste. Or they might offer enjoyable, creative ways to connect, reuse, and recycle — and possibly even regift. “Our purchases… read more

  • Medication side effects: What are your options?

    Medication side effects: What are your options?

    Medications can provide a host of health benefits. They may prevent or eliminate a disease. They might improve your quality of life and even help you live longer. But the medicines we take also have potential side effects. While listed side effects don’t always occur, it’s always possible. And though that’s unfortunate, it also makes… read more

  • Feel like you should be drinking less? Start here

    Feel like you should be drinking less? Start here

    When experts talk about the dangers of excessive drinking, we often assume those warnings apply mostly to people with alcohol use disorder, a health issue sometimes referred to as alcoholism. But people who don’t meet formal criteria for this disorder can still experience toxic effects and suffer other serious harms from alcohol, says Dr. John… read more