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Joined March 2009
Love dark chocolate? It may offer more than just a delicious treat! Rich in antioxidants, dark chocolate may help support heart health and healthy blood pressure. Choose varieties with 70% or more cocoa, and enjoy them in moderation. wb.md/47xgoQU
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Low Vitamin D can affect your energy, mood, and overall health. From weaker bones to constant fatigue, your body may be signaling that it needs more sunshine and vitamin D-rich foods like fish, eggs, and fortified dairy. wb.md/4ix23tN
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A peanut allergy triggers an immune response that can cause symptoms like hives, swelling, difficulty breathing, or anaphylaxis, requiring avoidance of peanuts and prompt treatment. A peanut isn’t actually a nut. It’s a legume and belongs to the same family as peas and lentils. A peanut allergy is different than a tree nut allergy. Still, up to 40% of people who are allergic to peanuts are also allergic to tree nuts such as almonds, cashews, and walnuts. Are you allergic to peanuts ? wb.md/4B9tHof
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Did you know ? The outdoors helps set your sleep cycle. Cells in your eyes need enough light to get your body’s internal clock working right. Early morning sunlight in particular seems to help people get to sleep at night. This may be more important as you age. When you're older, your eyes are less able to absorb light, and you’re more likely to have problems with sleep. wb.md/4eu9LCy
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Poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac grow in wooded or marshy areas throughout North America. The plants aren’t really poisonous. They have a sticky, long-lasting oil called urushiol that causes an itchy, blistering rash after it touches your skin. Other plants to watch out for: wb.md/4zqFhtf
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Women don't always get the same classic heart attack symptoms as men, many experience vague or even “silent” symptoms that they may miss. These six heart attack symptoms are common in women: wb.md/3UmXR6H
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Your gallbladder releases bile each time you eat. When you skip meals, those bile juices build up. This raises the cholesterol levels in your gallbladder. Over time, the waxy fats can harden into gallstones. Some bile acids also may make you more likely to get gallbladder cancer. So carve out time for regular meals. wb.md/4e8G1Ln
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"I’d been putting off scheduling my first colonoscopy. But when a family member’s screening revealed several large polyps -- clumps of cells that could turn into colon cancer over time -- I set my fears aside." says our blogger, Sally Kuzemchak . 5 things to know before your colonoscopy: wb.md/4jco8yJ
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Alzheimer’s agitation is very challenging, but there are more ways than ever to help. As a neurologist and memory disorders specialist, Dr. Zaldy Tan studies Alzheimer's and agitation and works with patients and families like yours every day. Join us on October 29th on the r/Alzheimers subreddit to ask him anything about managing Alzheimer’s agitation.
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When tiny blood vessels near the surface of your skin break, you get a bruise. As you get older, your skin gets thinner and loses fat, which can make you bruise more easily. It’s usually nothing to worry about, but it could be a sign of something more serious. Some blood-thinning meds can also cause more or bigger bruises, so tell your doctor about any drugs you take. wb.md/4yFETqN
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What does it mean when your ears look a little different or hurt, ring, or itch? It could be a sign of something you might not think of when you think of your ears. wb.md/4yLyJp6
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If you've experienced vertigo, you know that the dizziness can limit your activities and make you feel sick. Here are some simple maneuvers you can do at home that might bring relief: wb.md/3VJfj5N
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Fall can bring more than cooler weather and colorful leaves! Ragweed pollen is a major fall allergy trigger, while mold spores from damp leaves and dust mites stirred into the air when you turn on your heat can also cause symptoms like sneezing, wheezing, and a runny nose. wb.md/4eqxIdW
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Healthy eating is important for everyone, but certain foods are especially good for issues that affect women -- like brittle bones, pregnancy, and breast cancer, to name a few. These "super foods" are rich with nutrients (often more than one!) that will help to protect your body and keep it working well, even as you age. wb.md/4zmzIMq
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Tea is more than just a comforting drink! It’s calorie-free when enjoyed without added sugar or milk, and it generally contains less caffeine than coffee. Research has also linked tea drinking with potential health benefits, including a lower risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. wb.md/4s04CYx
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Breast cancer is cancer that is found in the tissue of the breast. It can affect both sexes but is much more common in women than men. Learn more about the symptoms of breast cancer, who is at risk, and how doctors treat it. wb.md/4zl8fea
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Cold water doesn’t narrow your blood vessels or make food harder to digest. It’s an easy way to cool down and hydrate when you’re hot. More on water: wb.md/4hVusrY
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You don’t need costly creams to keep your nails in good shape. Petroleum jelly can hydrate all parts of your hands. If your nails are brittle, it can help fill in and smooth out some of the ridges and rough spots. If you get manicures a lot, you may want to dab some on after your next session. But make sure your nails are still a little damp first to seal in the water. wb.md/4yAHcuJ
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Sex after 60? That’s a big yes. Many mature couples have better love lives than they did in their more youthful days. There are lots of reasons for this. Learn more: wb.md/3TR19Pw
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Certain genetic conditions can run in families that can increase the risk of developing polyps and colon cancer. So if you have a parent, brother, sister, or child who has had colorectal cancer, you’re more likely to get it. Your risk is higher if the relative was diagnosed before age 45 or if you have lots of family members with colorectal polyps or cancer. If conditions such as familial adenomatous polyposis, MYH-associated polyposis, or hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer run in your family, that raises the risk for colon cancer (and other cancers). wb.md/3TCWUad
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