(BPT) - As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends people 65 years and older get their flu shot this year, in addition to their currently recommended COVID-19 vaccines. Health experts across the country urge everyone 6 months and older…

(BPT) - There are 43.5 million moms in the U.S., many of whom are more focused than ever on doing good for their families as conscious consumerism continues to grow. In fact, 80% of moms think that by making small changes in their purchasing habits, they can have a positive impact on their c…

(BPT) - During the initial shock of a cancer diagnosis, patients are quickly overwhelmed by all the decisions that need to be made. Staying alive and getting the cancer out are top of mind with little time to think about life after cancer. But what happens after the treatments, after mastect…

(BPT) - The phrase “two for one” suggests a great deal: getting twice the benefit. That’s precisely what a flu shot can do for someone who is pregnant. One shot protects you from flu during and after your pregnancy; it also protects your baby during the first few months of their life, when t…

(BPT) - An estimated 4.5 million people in the U.S. have chronic liver disease (CLD). More people aged 25-54 die from this disease and cirrhosis of the liver than from diabetes or stroke. And unfortunately, liver disease is on the rise. Mortality from chronic liver disease associated with no…

(StatePoint) Make the season of spooks a little less scary for the older people in your life by brushing up on ways to stay safe and secure off and online.

(BPT) - At age 62, Sandy Weber became unemployed when her customer service job was eliminated during the COVID pandemic. A friend encouraged her to give substitute teaching a try. "I didn’t realize I could work in a classroom without a teaching background,” Weber said. “It was the best decis…

(BPT) - Need a new snack? Hungry families are turning to a trendy and tasty new choice — the homegrown hazelnut. Perhaps parents outside the Pacific Northwest might not recognize the state nut of Oregon, but rest assured, there’s more to crack here than mere coffee flavoring.

(BPT) - Nov. 7 is approaching, and with it the end of daylight saving time, when those in most of the U.S. will “fall back” to standard time by setting clocks back one hour. If the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) had its way, this would be the last time change in the U.S., and the …

(BPT) - If you’re one of the many homeowners renovating your house this year, you’re likely looking at a wealth of new products and features that could add beauty and/or functionality to your lifestyle.

(BPT) - In the early days of COVID-19 when recommendations to remain at home were rampant, routine health screenings were relegated to the long list of "non-essential" activities. In retrospect, delaying screenings may have been counter-productive. As of March 2021, the diagnosis rate for br…

(BPT) - When you think of healthy bones, calcium likely comes to mind. However, without another powerhouse nutrient, your body can't absorb calcium. You need adequate amounts of vitamin D to keep your bones strong, which many people get from sunlight. The problem is, when shorter days arrive…

(BPT) - When discussing health and wellness, the thyroid gland isn't likely a hot topic between friends and family. This tiny gland is frequently overlooked, yet deserves attention because it plays such a large role in the health of the body, impacting how you look and feel every day.

(BPT) - Twenty years after 9/11, some World Trade Center first responders still struggle with long-term health complications brought on by the catastrophic event. For Tom Frey, a former New York City detective, the consequences started with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma — a blood cancer that can be lin…

(BPT) - The pain was so bad, James Smith couldn’t sleep. With what felt like a thousand bees stinging his legs, he spent hours at the computer searching for: “Treatment options for painful diabetic neuropathy (PDN).”

(BPT) - As work and school routines begin to shift again, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. After a long time avoiding social activity, everyone’s lives are being upended once more. Without knowing what the “new normal” really means, it’s harder than ever to keep your family’s wellness on the f…

(BPT) - People who qualify for Medicare often juggle a lot. From navigating retirement or complex health conditions to managing expenses, the last thing they need is additional stress, especially when it comes to picking a Medicare plan.

(BPT) - As consumer preferences in the United States begin to change, funeral professionals are seeing an increase in families considering cremation for their loved ones' final disposition as well as people choosing to prearrange their own final dispositions. While many consider cremation a …

(BPT) - Our health needs can change each year, and so can health plan coverage choices. So it’s important to understand your health care options to find coverage that fits your needs and budget.

(BPT) - COVID-19 is associated with many complications, but one that many people are not as aware of are blood clots. According to a recent study, between 25% to 49% of patients with severe COVID-19 also experience blood clots with blood clots in the lungs being the most common condition. Th…

(StatePoint) Whether retirement is in on the horizon for you or you are simply planning to move to your dream retirement area earlier than planned thanks to telework, there is a lot to consider when relocating.

(BPT) - The practice of aging wine in barrels dates back thousands of years. Romans borrowed the practice from the Gauls, who used barrels to transport beer. Winemakers soon discovered barrel aging improved the quality of wine, creating a smoother, softer taste and adding flavor.

(BPT) - Drug overdoses have claimed nearly 900,000 lives over the past 20 years in the United States. Recent studies show that drug overdose deaths accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic, outpacing overdose death rates from any previous year. Illegal drugs are more potent than ever before …

(BPT) - Pets nationwide are considered beloved members of the family. Pet ownership throughout the U.S. has skyrocketed, with approximately 12.6 million Americans opening their home to a new pet since March 2020, according to a study by the American Pet Products Association.

(BPT) - From exercise and travel to self-care and beyond, there are many activities that will help better your health and wellness physically and mentally. However, sometimes the most well-meaning activities can have unintentional effects on your body, including causing pain, discomfort and …

(BPT) - Washing your hands. Covering your cough and sneeze. Staying home when sick. These actions help limit the spread of common respiratory illness like colds, influenza, and coronavirus. To help keep yourself and your communities well, there is another potentially life-threatening virus t…

(BPT) - Did you know if you or a loved one are living with certain chronic health conditions like heart disease, asthma, diabetes or kidney disease, you are at higher risk of developing serious complications from flu, which can lead to hospitalization or even death? Many people are unaware t…

(BPT) - Many Americans may be rededicating themselves to getting outside and focusing on their fitness. This may be especially important after so much time spent inside due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which contributed to unwanted weight gain for 61% of Americans.

(BPT) - It may come as very little surprise, but the COVID-19 pandemic has spurred a dramatic increase in demand for substance abuse and mental health care. The pandemic has generated a significant impact to the collective mental health of the U.S.:

(BPT) - The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) guarantees loans made by qualified lenders for the benefit of servicemembers, veterans and their families. Fortunately, these once-limited home loans have become increasingly easy to find and remain one of the most cost-effective products …

(BPT) - Daily life takes a toll on your skin. Ordinary stressors, toxins and pollutants — plus sunlight and light emitting from devices you use — these things can all show on your face in the form of fine lines and wrinkles. But what can you do about it? Dermatologists today agree on one sol…

(StatePoint) When it comes to healthy, active aging, it’s all about making simple adaptations. This is especially true of outdoor chores, which can put a strain on wrists and hands.

(BPT) - Digestive diseases affect between 60 and 70 million Americans each year. Good nutrition becomes critical for people living with gastrointestinal (GI) conditions, like exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI). EPI is a condition in which your body doesn’t provide enough pancreatic enzy…

(BPT) - Throughout the past year, you may have heard about plasma in terms of its potential use in treating COVID-19. However, for more than 80 years, plasma has been a lifeline for thousands of people who live with rare and chronic complex conditions. Plasma donations are critical in helpin…

(BPT) - With so many people working from home or attending school virtually this past year, many of us have been spending a lot more time looking at screens. Although Zoom meetings and streaming our favorite shows may continue to be the daily norm, all this time on digital devices may be str…

(BPT) - Americans might not agree on whether hot coffee or iced coffee is better (although a new study1 suggests that hot coffee remains superior), but they can agree on what makes them happy. Happiness can often be found in the small, simple moments that fill our everyday lives. Moments lik…

(BPT) - The sun rises, you flutter your eyes open and take a deep breath. It's time to start the day, but before you even get out of bed, you know it's going to be a tough one. For the more than 30 million Americans with osteoarthritis, waking up with soreness or stiffness in the joints can …

(BPT) - When it comes to the changing seasons and onset of fall, we often think of breaking out our boots and sweaters rather than changing up our lotions and potions and prioritizing our overall wellness. There are facets of our overall well-being that can be quick to take care of and, with…

(BPT) - Kidney failure, also known as end stage kidney disease (ESKD), affects approximately 750,000 Americans each year. Kidneys are vital organs that contribute to the body’s overall well-being, helping to remove waste and excess fluid from the bloodstream. When kidneys function at or belo…

(BPT) - When life has you constantly on the run or buried under your to-do list, it's easy to overlook self-care. Body care can be even more challenging when the seasons transition. A rushed shower or morning routine, coupled with colder temperatures and dry indoor heating, can leave your sk…

(BPT) - You have probably seen a variety of certifications on food products when shopping at the grocery store, like the Fairtrade Mark, or the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) blue fish and/or the Non-GMO Project label. While these certifications are showing up more and more, there’s still …

(BPT) - Research indicates that nearly 38% of US adults aged 20 years or older have high cholesterol, which puts them at a higher risk for heart attack and stroke. But high cholesterol can be “silent.” “If you have high cholesterol, you’d never know it, because it causes no symptoms,” Janet …