Spring is just around the corner, which means you should already be taking your usual seasonal allergy medicines, experts say. If you feel like your seasonal allergy symptoms are getting worse every year, you're not imaging it. Compared to 1970, pollen season starts 20 days earlier, concentration is 21% higher, and the pollen that's out there is even more potent, NBC News medical contributor Dr. Natalie Azar explained on a March 11, 2026, segment on TODAY. Those changes are

If you're looking for a quick, protein-filled snack, meat sticks may seem like a no-brainer. They're no longer just a gas station staple. In recent years, they’ve become a trendy high-protein, low-carb snack often with better-for-you branding, registered dietitian Samantha Cassetty tells TODAY.com. You can find sticks made from a variety of meats in fancy flavors. Meat sticks are the fastest-growing snack category in the United States, garnering $5.5 billion in sales last yea

That bold cup of morning coffee we can't live without or the mug of hot tea we rely on to aid an afternoon slump may provide us with a quick mood-boost, but exclusively relying on caffeinated beverages is not the solution for garnering sustained energy throughout the day. Drinking caffeine as a means of gaining energy is not only unrealistic, but it's also a lifestyle habit that can potentially have long- and short-term negative effects, both physically and mentally. Read on

I’ve spent my life bored by fiber, thinking it was only good for bowel regularity, or, at best, a grandparent conversation-starter. But when I scroll through recipes on social media these days, the videos showing up on my feed are a different and, dare I say, exciting side of this essential nutrient. One creator smashes magenta raspberries into a jammy layer for chia pudding. Another tosses sun-soaked orange sweet potatoes and vibrant green kale into a polychromatic salad. F

While long-term smoking is one of the biggest risk factors for COPD, your environment also plays a massive role. If you have COPD, living somewhere with low pollution levels can help you manage your symptoms. For people living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) , everyday life can be difficult. COPD is a group of progressive lung diseases, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis . About 30 million Americans have COPD, and more than half are unaware of it.

Getting a good night’s sleep is incredibly important for your health. In fact, it’s just as important as eating a balanced, nutritious diet and exercising. Most people need 7 to 9 hours. Here are five reasons why getting more sleep can help support your body and mind. 1. May help you maintain or lose weight The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) currently recommends that adults get 7 or more hours of sleep per night. A 2020 analysis found that adults who slept

Inflammation is part of the body’s natural healing response, but when it becomes chronic, it can raise the risk of several long-term health conditions. 1. Water Drinking more water throughout the day is an effective way to stay hydrated and flush toxins from your system. Dehydration can increase systemic inflammation and lead to several health problems. Aim to drink at least 8 glasses of water each day. If you’re bored with plain water, consider adding sliced fruit, such as

Many people turn to over-the-counter (OTC) aspirin for occasional relief from mild to moderate pain, including headaches, toothaches, and menstrual cramps. However, some people take aspirin more often than others—and not only may they not need to, but doing so may do more harm than good. According to a University of Michigan poll on healthy aging, many older adults between the ages of 50 and 80 years take aspirin more than three times per week. While some adults might be tol

What Is Mental Exhaustion? It’s kind of like physical tiredness, except it’s your mind instead of your muscles. It tends to show up when you focus on a mentally tough task for a while. You might also feel this kind of brain drain if you’re always on alert or stressed out. Your job, caring for children or aging parents, and other things can lead to mental exhaustion. You’re Angry or Impatient Mental fatigue can put you in a bad mood. You may be short-tempered or irritated, sna

Probiotics Probiotics are live microorganisms found in fermented foods and supplements. Probiotics may help with various digestive issues, including diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). They work by balancing gut bacteria, enhancing the immune system, and improving digestion. Common probiotic strains include lactobacillus and bifidobacterium. Probiotic-Rich Food Incorporating probiotic-rich foods into your diet is a natural way to su

When people think about building strength, they likely picture lifting weights or taking a high-intensity exercise class. Walking is often dismissed as “just cardio” or something you do to reach your step count or get some fresh air. But walking acts as far more than a calorie-burning activity. It’s one of your body’s most fundamental movement patterns. How you walk affects pelvic alignment, core stability, hip mobility, balance, breathing and even how your nervous system reg

One of the most bothersome things about being sick or having seasonal allergies is that it makes your nose stuffy and blocked. This makes breathing in through your nostrils frustrating – if not altogether impossible. But even when you aren’t sick, perhaps you’ve noticed that when you take a deep breath, only one of your nostrils seems to be allowing the air in. Before you panic and wonder if you’re coming down with something, what you’re experiencing is actually a normal bodi

The evidence is irrefutable — a pile of drool atop a drenched spot on your pillow. As you awake with a start, you might even wipe that bit of spittle still dangling from your mouth. Drooling can be embarrassing, especially if you’re waking up to a newly minted lover beside you. But if you’re sleeping alone or next to a seasoned partner who isn’t disturbed by bodily functions, experts say it’s not a big deal — unless it’s a frequent occurrence. “Everyone drools at one time or

A medical watchdog is calling on the Food and Drug Administration to investigate companies that allow Americans to purchase sex-rejecting drugs without a prescription, in pursuit of transgender identity. Do No Harm released a report titled “The Lack of Barriers to Minors Ordering Cross-Sex Hormones Online” Tuesday. It highlights certain websites that may enable minors to obtain estrogen and testosterone from online pharmacies and other sources that do not appear to require pr

The MAHA PAC is launching a $100 million fundraising campaign to bolster “Make America Healthy Again” candidates endorsed by President Donald Trump in the 2026 midterms. The MAHA PAC, a Robert F. Kennedy-aligned super PAC dedicated to “Making America Healthy Again,” hopes to “counter the influence of Big Pharma, Big Food, and Big Ag, which are funneling massive resources to Democratic opponents in a desperate bid to derail the transformative health reforms spearheaded by [Hea