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Falling down might sound like a minor mishap, but for older adults (age 65 and up), it can be serious—or even fatal. It’s also common: More than 1 in 4 older adults report falling each year—and more than half of these falls occur at home. In fact, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention […]

Hand calluses hurt? If you lift weights, play guitar, or work with your hands (doing things like gardening, farming, or construction), you may have calluses. It’s your skin’s way of toughening up to withstand the kind of work you put your hands through every day. And if you’ve ever said “my hand calluses hurt,” you’re […]

Staying active can be difficult if you experience limited mobility. In this article, we’ll talk about the importance of regular exercise and show you 7 exercises you can do if you’re older, have limited mobility, or both. Exercise helps prevent health problems like: Type 2 diabetes Heart disease Certain types of cancer Depression Anxiety Dementia […]

Warm-summer days, lots of sun, and outdoor activities can be fun. But when the temperature rises, so do cases of heat stroke and heat exhaustion. A day at the beach, working outside, or confined indoors without a fan or air conditioning on a hot day could be dangerous. An estimated 28,000 people a year are […]

Ready to get in shape, but you’re short on time? Chances are pretty good you’re busy. Spending hours in the gym probably isn’t realistic. Right? The truth: only 23% of adults exercise at least 20–30 minutes a day.1 If you want to get in shape, lose weight, get stronger, and improve your health, exercise will […]

Let’s say you’re at one of your dearest friend’s retirement parties, and your mutual friend gives a speech. Everyone ends up in tears … except you. Because you couldn’t hear what the speaker was saying. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), 1 in 8 Americans—or 30 million people—ages 12 […]

When it comes to a nutritious diet, it can seem like there’s a lot to keep track of. You’re probably already paying attention to what and how much you eat. But considering when you eat certain foods in relation to your workout—before, during, and after—can make a big difference, too. With a few simple guidelines, it’s easy […]

For many people, focusing on and filtering information can be a challenge. Gutenberg opened the information floodgates first with the invention of the printing press.1 Similarly, all the devices and channels now used to access that information, with social media playing a starring role, made information more available—and removed social restrictions on who publishes new […]

One key component of a health maintenance organization (HMO) health insurance plan is the primary care physician (PCP).¹ This is the person who will coordinate all of your medical care. You will likely be required to choose a primary care physician when you sign up for your insurance. This is an important decision, so carefully […]

Telemedicine, also known as telehealth, gives patients the ability to meet with healthcare providers remotely using telecommunications technology. As telemedicine grows, you may have questions about this healthcare service. HealthMarkets answers some of telemedicine’s most frequently asked questions. What Is Telemedicine? Telemedicine is what allows patients to receive non-emergency medical advice or a diagnosis of […]

People often talk about caffeine as a potential risk factor for premature atrial and ventricular contractions (PACs and PVCs), types of heart arrhythmia that can cause palpitations or extra heartbeats. In common conversation, someone who just had a PAC or PVC may say they’ve felt their heart skip a beat. This isn’t quite the case—an […]

You’ve probably heard it since you were a child: “Make sure to get your beauty rest.” But the team at HealthMarkets wondered just how much of the hype is legitimate. Can sleep really make you more attractive? Let’s examine the evidence. In short, the answer is a resounding yes. Getting plenty of rest will help […]