Go with the flow! Harnessing the power of the spleen — a fist-sized organ near the stomach that stores and filters blood — has been shown to enhance athletic performance. When the spleen contracts, it releases stored red blood cells into the bloodstream, improving oxygen delivery to muscles. Researchers from Greece kept the spleen in … Read more
You can breathe easy with this pooping pointer. “If you’re struggling with constipation and straining, then this is one pooping hack that actually works,” Dr. Karan Rangarajan, also known as Dr. Karan Raj, recently said on TikTok. Rangarajan suggests three “gentler” forms of the Valsalva maneuver, a breathing exercise that involves forcefully exhaling while your mouth and … Read more
Could an ancient Indian breathing technique usher you through the gates of slumberland? Devotees of moon breathing say the practice is a drug-free way to reduce stress and drift off. And it seems we could use the support, as more than a third of adults fail to get the recommended seven to eight hours of … Read more
One bipartisan issue this Election Day? No one wants to puke. But with stress and anxiety over such a high-stakes race sending Americans running to the pharmacy’s stomach aisle, a psychologist says there are a few techniques that can calm your tummy as it flips, twists, and crawls up into your throat while you’re watching … Read more
If you have these three concerning symptoms, it’s time to get to the heart of the problem. Dr. Jeremy London, a heart surgeon based in Savannah, Georgia, warns that struggling to breathe while walking or laying down and/or experiencing leg swelling may mean you have a weak heart. “These should be red flags,” London said Tuesday … Read more
The “Golden Bachelorette” contestants are the type to stop and smell the roses — which couldn’t make Susan Noles and Kathy Swarts happier. The stars of “The Golden Bachelor” recently revealed how they feel about the men competing for Joan Vassos’s heart this season. “What I love about the men is that they opened up and … Read more
The nose knows, folks. While you can’t catch a cold from weather alone, temperature changes directly affect our susceptibility to sickness. Cold, dry air increases our likelihood of catching something nasty — and our nasal passages are our first line of defense. Temperature changes directly affect our susceptibility to sickness. cineberg – stock.adobe.com “The nasal … Read more
No need to rack your brain for a way to stop your racing thoughts. Dr. Daniel Amen, a double board-certified psychiatrist and brain-imaging researcher in California, suggests deep breathing to slow down fast, relentless thinking. “Four seconds in, hold it for a second and a half. Eight seconds out, hold it for a second and … Read more
For decades, the Heimlich maneuver has been lauded as the best course of action to save someone who is choking, but now experts say there is a better way. Since it was published in 1974, the Heimlich maneuver has been the de facto emergency strategy for choking. Typically, a first-aider would approach the choking person … Read more
US wastewater samples are showing an alarming increase in a respiratory virus that has been linked to polio-like symptoms. Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) can lead to acute flaccid myelitis (AFM), which can cause weakness or paralysis, typically in kids. “We are detecting EV-D68 nucleic acids in wastewater across the country now, and the levels are increasing,” … Read more
A perfect 10? British clinical psychologist Kirren Schnack is sharing 10 simple ways to quickly reduce tension and anxiety. Schnack wrote the book “Ten Times Calmer: Beat Anxiety and Change Your Life,” which came out in January. In a June TikTok, she recommended holding yourself tightly, singing, humming or chanting, counting backward from 100, massaging … Read more
Chair yoga has a geriatric reputation, but experts say these minimal movements can dramatically improve your overall health at any age. Tight muscles make daily life more difficult, and sedentary jobs exacerbate the challenges. While we inevitably lose flexibility as we age, we can take steps (or stretches, rather) to slow down the process. Chair yoga … Read more
Shirt’s got her tongue. World record holder Colleen Quigley, 31, took to Instagram on Tuesday to share the strangest part of her workout routine. The steeplechase specialist, who represented the US at the 2016 Rio Olympics, can be seen readying herself for racing with a little round of tongue-pulling, which she maintains helps release the … Read more
Don’t let hiccups sour your mood! Dr. Jeremy London, a heart surgeon based in Savannah, Georgia, is sharing a hack that he says will stop hiccups fast. “Drip lemon juice or lime juice into the back of the throat. It’ll stop them almost immediately,” London assured his 393,000 TikTok followers in a clip last month … Read more
Talk about lemon aid. Dr. Karan Rangarajan, also known as Dr. Karan Raj, is sharing why bringing a lemon on a road trip — and sniffing it — may help ease motion sickness. “The olfactory system [in the nose] picks up those citrusy aromas,” Rangarajan began a trending TikTok last week that has drawn 406,700 views. TikTok users have been … Read more
Never fear — a renowned psychiatrist is sharing his three-pronged method for breaking a panic attack. Panic attacks, which are sudden episodes of intense anxiety that cause physical symptoms, are very common. Experts say one in 10 Americans will experience one this year. Dr. Daniel Amen, a double board-certified psychiatrist and brain-imaging researcher in California, advises not … Read more
Sistahhhs! Bette Midler urged Disney to complete the script for “Hocus Pocus 3” during a recent appearance on Busy Philipps’ “Busy This Week” talk show. “I haven’t seen the script, but I’ve heard rumblings,” Midler said. “But I haven’t seen anything.” Bette Midler teasing “Hocus Pocus 3.” QVC+ HSN+ The 78-year-old actress added: “I think … Read more
So you’ve downed a whole pack of tic tacs but still have bad breath? A few things could be to blame, according to experts. Halitosis, which is the medical term for bad breath, can have various causes, for instance, because you ate some pungent garlic bread. However, bad breath that doesn’t go away, called chronic … Read more
They want to clear the air. A law firm that specializes in industrial disease cases is revealing the 11 types of employees it claims are at higher risk for asthma due to frequent exposure to irritants — including hairdressers, animal handlers, metal workers, and carpet makers. Over 22 million American adults have asthma — about … Read more
These tricks work in a pinch. If you’ve ever sat at your desk and suddenly realized that your shoulders are hunched up by your ears — you’re not alone. Stress and tension can manifest in ways that are way more physical than you might think, NY-Presbyterian Health Matters reports. “Many people don’t realize how damaging … Read more