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Articles by Sharon Basaraba
Sharon Basaraba
Award-winning documentary reporter, producer, and TV anchor Longevity columnist for CBC Radio Former Scientific Communications Advisor for Alberta, Canada’s Tomorrow Project As a medical journalist, I have always felt like a translator, deciphering complex scientific material to help people take better care of themselves and their families.
An Overview of Metabolic Dysfunction-associated Steatotic Liver Disease
Maintain a healthy weight, avoid alcohol, and keep your blood sugar controlled to manage MASLD. Symptoms of MASLD include fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain, and jaundice. Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD, formerly known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease or NAFLD), is a type of liver disease that is not caused by alcohol.
10 Unhealthy Habits to Stop Doing If You Want to Live to 100
Eating mainly processed foods can lead to serious health issues. Quitting smoking can improve health and reduce cancer risk. Socializing can boost longevity by reducing stress and strengthening the immune system. Certain lifestyle habits can negatively affect your physical and mental health, shortening your potential lifespan. One of the most significant dietary changes in many countries over the last 30 years has been a shift toward consuming more processed foods.
How Much Dark Chocolate Should You Eat to Live Longer?
If you love dark chocolate, you’re probably well aware of research that suggests it has important health benefits, mostly through improving heart health. Learn what the experts say and what daily dose of chocolate is the most healthy. Chunks of dark chocolate. )Andrew Hounslea / Getty Images The greatest benefit from chocolate comes with the highest concentration of cocoa, which contains flavanols, a form of flavonoid.
When Doctors Recommend Vaginal Weight Lifting
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Herbison GP, Dean N. Weighted vaginal cones for urinary incontinence. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2013, Issue 7. Art. No.: CD002114.
What Aging Does to Your Nails and How to Care for Them
Over time, nails may turn yellow or become discolored, turning slightly gray, generally pale, or opaque. Fungal infections can also cause discoloration. One type of color change involves dark stripes or ridges along the length of the nail. The medical term for this is "longitudinal melanonychia." Darker-skinned people, such as Hispanics and African Americans, often develop longitudinal melanonychia as they age.
Hip Fracture Dangers and Mortality Rates
70% of people with an unrepaired hip fracture will die within a year. After a hip fracture, most deaths happen within the first 3 months. The risk of falling is higher if you're older, but staying healthy can help. A hip fracture, more common in older people, can reduce a person’s ability to live independently and possibly shorten their life as well.
How to Cope With Painful, Dry, and Cracked Hands
As you age, you may notice that your hands become drier and crack more easily. They may also become red and peel. These are all signs of dry skin. Cracks in your fingers can make even the simplest tasks, such as typing, turning a page, or buttoning your shirt, very painful. In the medical field, dry skin is known as xerosis. It is often a natural part of aging, though it can also be an early sign of dermatitis.
10 Unhealthy Habits to Stop Doing If You Want to Live to 100
Certain lifestyle habits can negatively affect your physical and mental health, shortening your potential lifespan. Jump to Key Takeaways. One of the most significant dietary changes that has taken place in many countries over the last 30 years has been a shift to consuming more processed foods. Along with processing comes increased sodium, more saturated fat, more sugar, and less fiber. The result? More cardiovascular disease, hypertension, cancer, and diabetes.
What's the Difference Between Chronological vs. Biological Age?
A person's chronological and biological ages may differ. Chronological age is the number of years a person has been alive, while biological age refers to how old their cells and tissues are based on evidence in their DNA. Biological age is affected by many factors, including diet and exercise. If someone is especially healthy and fit, they may be biologically younger than their chronological age.
Causes of Adult Acne in Older Women
Hormonal changes like menopause and stress can cause acne in older women. Acne breakouts are more common in smokers than nonsmokers. Using non-comedogenic and oil-free products can help prevent acne. Adult acne can affect females later in life. Hormonal changes, stress, and cosmetic use are just a few of the possible causes of acne that can occur in females in their 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s. Other causes of adult acne can include genetics, smoking history, sleep disorders, and more.
Morbidity vs. Mortality: What's the Difference?
Morbidity and mortality are similar terms that mean different things. Morbidity refers to an illness or disease. Mortality refers to death. Both are used by scientists to determine health statistics like disease incidence and all-cause mortality rates. Morbidity and mortality are closely linked. Certain changes can influence the course of a disease and, in turn, the risk the illness can lead or contribute to death. This article explains the difference between morbidity and mortality.
What Is the Average Life Expectancy of U.S. Males?
From 2020 to 2021, the average life expectancy for males in the United States fell from 74 to 73 years—the lowest it has been since 1996. Between 2019 and 2021, the average life expectancy for U.S. males declined by three years overall. Experts largely attribute the decline to the COVID pandemic; the virus has since become the fourth leading cause of death in U.S. males.
Hereditary vs. Genetic: Differences and Examples
The terms "hereditary" and "genetic" are related but have distinct meanings. Heredity refers to traits or characteristics that are passed down from parents to their children. Genetics more broadly refers to gene variations that may be inherited at conception or acquired later often due to environmental or lifestyle factors. All hereditary traits are genetic, but not all genetic traits are hereditary. To understand this better, it helps to learn about hereditary vs. genetic diseases.
Researcher combines MR, Linac to improve cancer care
Clinical Solutions By Sharon Basaraba January 11, 2023 EDMONTON – X-rays reveal dense matter in the body, such as broken bones and solid tumours. But X-rays of tumours in soft tissue, such as those in the lung, breast, or prostate, are often ill-defined and hazy. Magnetic resonance imaging (MR) improves the ability to see cancer tumours clearly.
Life Span and Life Expectancy From Prehistory to Today
How long did humans live in the past? You often hear statistics about the average life span of people who lived hundreds, even thousands, of years ago. Were our ancestors really dying at the age of 30 or 40 back then? Here’s a little primer on longevity throughout history to help you understand how life expectancy and life spans have changed over time. Jose Luis Palaez Inc / Getty Images Life Span vs.
High Intensity Interval Training and Heart Health
The number one reason people say they can't stick with an exercise regimen is that they're just too busy. Enter high-intensity interval training, or HIIT for short. Research shows that bursts of high-intensity activity can get your heart and lungs just as fit in less time, compared with the traditional prescription of 30 minutes a day of moderate-intensity exercise five days a week. That sounds great for younger athletes.
Dublin & Galway Friendliest Cities, 8 Smoothies
The T-Boy Society of Film and Music Selects Top Horror Films The Horror Film’s roots lie in German Expressionism. When it moved to Hollywood, along with many of its directors, it was smart, scary and clever, but eventually evolved into camp, then cheap thrills trash. John Carpenter dominated the horror film for years, yet like most genres it has exploded with sub-genres of films that can still interrupt a good sleep.
Top Horror Films
Films for Halloween The Horror Film Franchise started out scary and clever but devolved into cheap thrills trash. John Carpenter dominated the horror film for years, yet like most genres it has exploded with sub-genres of films that can still interrupt a good sleep. Holly Dracula , there are too many good ones out there! Our members’ lists offer a rare look at what is their darkest dreams.
Mindfulness Meditation Might Prevent You From Gaining Weight
Mindfulness and meditation are known to improve psychological health, but how can being present actually change your body fat and help you lose weight? Past animal studies have found a link between stress eating and where fat is deposited. Food preferences (even in rats) shift under stress to consuming more fat and sugar, with energy stored as fat moving to the body’s midsection. In humans, the answer may be found in the psychological aspects of weight gain and eating habits.
You Might Be An American Traveling Abroad If…
You Might be an American Traveling Abroad if… Inspired by Jeff Foxworthy with assistance from the Alot Travel Team If you wear a Baseball Cap while traveling abroad you might be an American tourist. Baseball is the American pastime, right? At least, it was at one point, and it’s still thought of that way, even though we watch more pro football than baseball at this point.
Fall Foliage, Science’s 5 Steps to Happiness
Fall Foliage Trip Planning Written by Kim Knox Beckius Hogback Mountain, Vermont. PHOTO COURTESY CHENSIYUAN via WIKIMEDIA COMMONS. The annual display of colorful fall foliage clogs scenic byways this time of year as onlookers travel for “leaf peeping” getaways. As the trees put on a memorable show for us, behind the scenes, it’s due to the slowing of chlorophyll production.
Major Causes of Excess Mortality in the United States
Excess mortality is the number of deaths, or mortality, caused by a specific disease, condition, or exposure to harmful circumstances such as radiation, environmental chemicals, or natural disaster. It's a measure of the deaths which occurred over and above the regular death rate that would be predicted (in the absence of that negative defined circumstance) for a given population.
What Is All-Cause Mortality?
All-cause mortality risk refers to the risk of death as a result of any disease, complication, accident, or exposure. Many conditions related to mortality can be avoided or delayed with timely screenings and preventive care. Some risks can be reduced through healthy lifestyle choices. Avoid smoking, stay active, maintain a healthy weight and diet, and see your healthcare provider to lower health risks. All-cause mortality means death due to any cause.
Is Cuisinart Electronic Yogurt Maker a Gamechanger?
It seems that yogurt is experiencing a bit of a renaissance, and small wonder: plain yogurt is a good source of protein (required in greater amounts as you age), probiotics which promote gastrointestinal health, it contains bone-healthy calcium, and is relatively low in calories. Cuisinart's electronic yogurt device (model CYM-100C)—released in 2014—promises to make home batches of plain yogurt easier to create in your own kitchen. Does it deliver? The answer is a resounding yes.
Protein Requirements for People Over 70
People of all ages need adequate protein to build and repair muscles and bones, for energy, and to make hormones and enzymes. But just how much protein does a 70-year-old woman need daily? If you're over 70 and typically have just toast and jam for breakfast, you should consider adding protein to your meal.
Does Your Nose Ever Stop Growing?
Your nose stops growing when you're in your teens, but changes in bones, skin, and cartilage continue to affect its appearance. See a rhinoplasty specialist for surgery to correct changes to the nose that affect appearance, breathing, or sense of smell. Grafting cartilage or using non-surgical fillers can help fix problems with the tip of the nose. Your nose does grow with age, but it usually stops growing during the teen years.
Intermittent Fasting: Pros, Cons, and What You Can Eat
Verywell / Debbie Burkhoff At Verywell, we believe there is no one-size-fits-all approach to a healthy lifestyle. Successful eating plans need to be individualized and take the whole person into consideration. Prior to starting a new diet plan, consult with your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian, especially if you have an underlying health condition. What Is Intermittent Fasting?
Will Running When You're Older Injure Your Joints?
Exercise through running may help you live longer and avoid disability in general as you age, but will the sport do your knees and hips harm? One of the most common worries among would-be runners and long-time runners alike is that they will injure their knees by hitting the track, treadmill or trail. If you run for your health and lifespan, will your aging joints enjoy the same longevity?
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): Overview and More
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot that partially or completely blocks a large vein (usually in the lower leg or thigh, like the popliteal vein) though it can occur in other parts of the body.1 DVT prevents deoxygenated blood from returning to the heart. As a result, circulation is blocked in the leg, which leads to pain and swelling. If that blood clot breaks off, it becomes an embolus and can travel through the heart and lungs, blocking passage for blood flow there.
How Water Can Help Boost Weight Loss as You Age
Verywell / Alexandra Shytsman Losing pounds and maintaining a healthy weight can be tough as you get older. Small increases in calorie intake, combined with less physical activity and hormonal shifts, can add up to weight gain over time, leaving us vulnerable to age-related conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and fatty liver disease.
How Do Your Nutritional Needs Change Over Time?
As people age, daily nutritional requirements for everything from calories to vitamins and minerals change. People often need fewer calories as they get older. There are several factors that influence nutritional needs, including metabolic changes, changes in appetite, and overall body composition. Most people begin to lose muscle mass as early as age 30. Those who have more muscle will burn more calories (even at rest) than someone who’s less muscular.
Can Taking Vitamins and Minerals Increase Your Longevity?
The idea that you can take something to extend your life is seductive, especially given the vast array of vitamins and mineral supplements on the market. Seems simple: more nutrients = more years. At a time when we’re all being told we should eat more fruits and vegetables, are supplements a hedge against a diet that’s lacking?
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