What you may have missed in August

Here is the monthly recap of news from Harvard Health Publications.

August 31, 2015 What you might have missed in August Here is a recap of the August news from Harvard Health Publications. Featured Blog Posts Want to get enough vitamin D? Try supplements — or sunshine Standing up for better heart health Get your copy of Controlling Your Blood Pressure An alarming one in three American adults has high blood pressure. Known medically as hypertension, many people don't even know they have it, because high blood pressure has no symptoms or warning signs. But when elevated blood pressure is accompanied by abnormal cholesterol and blood sugar levels, the damage to your arteries, kidneys, and heart accelerates exponentially. Fortunately, high blood pressure is easy to detect and treat. Sometimes people can keep blood pressure in a healthy range simply by making lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, increasing activity, and eating more healthfully. HEALTHbeat Issues Are painkillers also killing your hearing? When you think of risk factors for hearing loss, over-the-counter pain relievers probably aren’t among them. But a Harvard study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology suggests that frequent use of ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) may be an important contributor. Read more » Depression and illness: Chicken or egg? When depression strikes, it's also important that doctors check what's going on in the mind as well as the body, since certain medical problems are linked to mood disturbances. Read more » Medications for depression: Which is best? Psychiatrists and other doctors who prescribe antidepressants choose a particular drug and dosage based on many factors, including the following. Read more » 3 posture tips to get the most out of a core workout Quick posture checks before and during a core exercise routine can help you avoid injury and squeeze the biggest benefit from your workout. Read more » Tips to get the most from your memory Most people get a little more forgetful with aging, but there are some simple things you can do to prevent memory slips and help your brain to learn and remember better. Read more » Use everyday habits to keep your memory in good shape A growing body of research indicates that regular exercise and a healthful diet can help protect your memory from aging-related decline. Read more » 4 ways to turn good posture into less back pain There’s a lot we can do to prevent back pain. General physical fitness and a healthy weight are important. But one surprisingly simple strategy can go a long way: Paying attention to your posture. Read more » Get your copy of The Sensitive Gut When your digestive system is running smoothly, you tend not to think about it. Once trouble begins, your gut — like a squeaky wheel — suddenly demands your attention. This Special Health Report covers the major sources of gastrointestinal distress: irritable bowel syndrome, gastric reflux, upset stomach, constipation, diarrhea, and excess gas. It also includes a special Bonus Section describing how emotional stress and anxiety can cause gastrointestinal distress. 5 ways to dodge incontinence Although it may not be possible to avoid incontinence, you can take steps to lower the chances that you will develop this distressing problem. Read more » The bladder workout: Tame incontinence without surgery Bladder training can go a long way toward helping with urinary incontinence. Bladder control training entails learning to urinate on a schedule (timed voiding) and doing pelvic muscle exercises. Read more » How should core work fit into your overall exercise plan? Fitting core work into a broader exercise plan will give you the biggest bang for your buck in terms of health benefits. Read more » Could a vitamin or mineral deficiency be behind your fatigue? Although there’s no evidence that taking extra vitamins and minerals will give you extra energy, being deficient in some of these substances can cause fatigue. Read more » News from Harvard Health Race, ethnicity affect heart disease risk People in certain minority groups in the United States face a higher risk of cardiovascular disease than others. Read more » Expert says guidelines recommend too much calcium 500 to 700 milligrams of calcium through diet and 800 to 1,000 IU of vitamin D as a supplement should be adequate to preserve bone density. Read more » Assessment can help older drivers keep driving safely Aging may affect vision, hearing, coordination, thinking, visuospatial skills, or reaction time, any of which can have a direct impact on driving. Driver assessment programs help people overcome weaknesses behind the wheel. Read more » Simple behavior changes can help turn down the volume on snoring Snoring is common. It is caused by extra tissue in the nose or throat that restricts breathing during sleep, or by nasal blockages or congestion. Read more » Featured in this issue Controlling Your Blood Pressure Featured content: • Blood pressure basics • Types of hypertension • Are you at risk for hypertension? • How hypertension damages your health • Diagnosing hypertension •  ... and more! Click here to read more » The Sensitive Gut Featured content: • Inside the gut • Special section: The Stress Connection • Gastroesophageal reflux disease • Antireflux drug therapy • Functional dyspepsia •  ... and more! Click here to read more » Harvard Medical School offers special reports on over 50 health topics. Visit our website at http://www.health.harvard.edu to find reports of interest to you and your family. PHONE ORDERS - please call our toll-free number: 1-877-649-9457. You are currently subscribed to HEALTHbeat as dr.samah.saied.ahmed@gmail.com. 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