Today’s influx of online and TV commercials about “Low T” might convince you that American men are facing a widespread epidemic of low testosterone. But is it really that common? Medically known as male hypogonadism, this condition occurs when the testicles do not produce enough testosterone, an essential hormone driving a wide range of male bodily functions … Read more
For decades, pancreatic cancer has been one of the deadliest cancers to fight. Now, doctors have a powerful new weapon. The third-leading cause of cancer death in the US, pancreatic cancer has one of the lowest survival rates of any major cancer. The five-year relative survival rate is just 13% and death rates have remained … Read more
Hair loss is a common experience, affecting millions of people at some stage of life. By age 65, about 53% of men and 40% of women will experience hair loss — a very personal journey that can have real consequences for mental health and self-esteem. But hair today may not be gone tomorrow. Many forms … Read more
Osteoporosis is often dismissed as an inevitable part of aging. While bone mass naturally peaks in the late 20s and declines with age, the belief that this metabolic bone disease is guaranteed for everyone is a dangerous assumption — especially because osteoporosis can become deadly serious. That belief is also false: Osteoporosis is not inevitable, … Read more
The scale may go down, but it doesn’t always stay there. About 1 in 8 American adults now says they’ve used GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy to lose weight or manage a chronic condition. But many also stop using them — and often regain the weight. “It came back with taxes,” said Pamela … Read more
What’s in a name? When it comes to medical conditions, the right moniker can mean the difference between a delayed diagnosis and an accurate one. Take polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), for example. Formerly known as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the condition affects 1 in 8 women of reproductive age worldwide. Experts recently renamed the … Read more
Of more than 100 types of headaches, migraine is the most likely to send people to the doctor. Far more than just a bad headache, migraine is a complex neurologic disease that causes intense, throbbing pain along with severe nausea, vomiting and extreme sensitivity to light and sound. About 12% to 15% of Americans experience … Read more
Is it just a slammed bedroom door — or something more? Moodiness is often considered part of the teenage years, but for some adolescents, persistent irritability, withdrawal or changes in behavior may signal something deeper. Research shows that about 1 in 5 young Americans experiences clinical depression, yet the condition can be difficult for parents … Read more
When it comes to babies, what goes down … must sometimes come up. From spit-up to food refusal, about 50% of infants develop at least one functional gastrointestinal disorder, or FGID, between birth and six months. These common, typically benign gut issues are often linked to a newborn’s still-developing gut microbiome, nervous system and immune … Read more
Congrats, you just had a baby — now what? New moms know to expect sleep deprivation, a sudden shift in hormones and a challenging physical recovery in the initial weeks after delivery. The postpartum period can actually bring a wide range of temporary and long-lasting effects on the body — some are painful, others are … Read more
New baby, new emotions. Over 80% of new mothers experience the “baby blues” shortly after childbirth due to changing hormones, exhaustion and stress. The “baby blues” are characterized by rapid mood shifts — from joy to tears — but they usually resolve within two weeks and don’t impair daily function. Postpartum depression and anxiety are … Read more
Red, white and due? Summer is the most popular time to give birth in the US, with July and August consistently ranking as the busiest delivery months. The summer surge is fueled by higher conception rates in the cooler fall and winter months. No matter when you become pregnant, preparing for a baby is a … Read more
Having children can feel like a massive gamble — there’s no guaranteed path to success. Much of conception is out of our control, and in many ways, it comes down to the numbers. The more high-quality eggs a woman produces, the better her chances of achieving a healthy pregnancy. Age is the most significant factor … Read more
You’ve probably heard the phrase, “Exercise is the best medicine” — and for good reason. Regular movement improves sleep, boosts energy and supports mood while also strengthening the heart and lowering stress. It’s one of the most powerful tools for preventing, and even detecting, cardiovascular disease early, as symptoms such as shortness of breath often … Read more
Boy, is it tough to get men to go to the doctor. Research shows that most men would rather do just about anything else. This is a major problem because everyone needs regular check-ups and preventive screenings to address silent conditions and improve long-term health outcomes. Let’s keep it simple — here are the two … Read more
Taking care of your health never gets old. As we age, it’s important to maintain healthy habits — including proper nutrition, regular exercise and quality sleep — and to follow recommended preventive care, such as cancer screenings and vaccines. Keeping it simple, here are the two key things women should do each decade to stay … Read more
Most people know what a heart attack is — someone in the US has one about every 40 seconds. But there’s a lesser-known condition that can look nearly identical and sounds like it belongs in a romantic drama: broken heart syndrome, also known as takotsubo cardiomyopathy. It’s a temporary condition most often triggered by intense … Read more
It’s a growing problem in relationships. About 1 in 10 couples struggles to get pregnant within a year, which is the clinical definition of infertility. The issue is becoming more common due to delayed parenthood, increased obesity, environmental toxin exposure and underlying health conditions like endometriosis and sexually transmitted infections. Infertility is divided roughly into … Read more
You’ve likely heard of diabetes, a chronic condition that affects how the body regulates blood sugar. But are you familiar with prediabetes? Prediabetes is a state of elevated blood sugar that falls below the threshold of Type 2 diabetes. It’s becoming increasingly common: More than 1 in 3 US adults has prediabetes, and most aren’t … Read more
It’s the age-old question: How do you live to 100 years old? An estimated 101,000 Americans are centenarians, representing just 0.03% of the US population. There’s much we can learn from the triple-digit crew, since lifestyle choices are the primary drivers of longevity. Studies suggest that genetic factors account for 30% to 40% of the … Read more