What if one of the simplest ways to make a painful experience a little easier was already sitting in your music collection? A surprising new study suggests that listening to music you love may help reduce pain, especially during minor medical procedures. And here's the interesting part: It doesn't have to be classical music or relaxing spa music. It could be your favorite rock song, country classic, Motown hit, or even a song you danced to 40 years ago! What Did Researchers D

Walking is one of the best ways to stay active after 50. It can help you maintain your stamina, keep your legs moving, and enjoy more independence as you age. But what if your daily walk is leaving your knees sore, stiff, or uncomfortable? The problem may not be walking itself. Sometimes, small changes in how far you walk, how you take each step, or what shoes you wear can make a difference. Physical therapists point to five common walking habits that may contribute to knee d

Want to keep your natural teeth healthy for years to come? These everyday habits may be putting your smile at risk—and a few simple changes can help protect it. You brush your teeth every morning and night. You visit the dentist when needed. So you might think your teeth are getting all the care they need. But even people with good dental routines can have habits that slowly wear down their teeth or harm their gums. After 50, paying attention to your oral health becomes espec

Brushing your teeth is essential, but too much pressure can harm your gums and wear down your teeth. Here's how to protect your smile as you age. You've probably been brushing your teeth the same way for decades. But here's something worth knowing: brushing harder or more often doesn't necessarily mean a healthier smile. In fact, dentists warn that brushing too aggressively can damage your teeth and gums over time. And as we get older, protecting the teeth we have becomes esp

As we age, waking up with stiff hands, aching knees, or sore hips can easily start to feel like an unwelcome part of the daily routine. Arthritis—whether it is the cartilage-wearing-down friction of osteoarthritis or the immune-driven inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis—affects millions of older adults. It can turn simple routines, like buttoning a winter coat, opening a jar of jam, or walking down to get the mail, into painful obstacles. While working closely with your doct

You may brush your teeth every morning and night, visit your dentist regularly, and still be doing things every day that slowly damage your teeth. The good news? Many of these habits are easy to change. As we get older, taking care of our teeth becomes especially important. Tooth enamel—the hard outer covering of your teeth—does not grow back once it is worn away. That means protecting the enamel you have is much easier than trying to repair damage later. Here are seven commo

If rheumatoid arthritis makes your joints feel stiff, sore, or difficult to move, you may be tempted to stay in your favorite chair and rest. But too much inactivity can make stiffness and weakness worse. The good news is that you don't need to run, lift heavy weights, or spend hours at the gym to help your body stay flexible. Gentle range-of-motion exercises can help keep your joints moving and make everyday activities easier. Before starting a new exercise routine, talk wit

As we get older, most of us think about keeping our muscles strong, our bones healthy and our balance steady. But there’s another ability that deserves attention: how quickly you react when something unexpected happens. Imagine catching yourself when you trip on a sidewalk, reaching for a railing when you lose your balance or quickly moving your foot when you step somewhere unstable. Those reactions happen in a split second—and that split second can matter. Reaction time chan

If a sip of ice water makes you wince—or a spoonful of hot soup sends a sharp jolt through your teeth—you may be dealing with tooth sensitivity. For many people over 50, it’s tempting to chalk this up to getting older. But sensitive teeth can have several causes, and some are worth discussing with your dentist. The good news: Tooth sensitivity is often treatable once the underlying cause is identified. What Causes Sensitive Teeth? Your teeth are protected by a hard outer laye

An occasional itch is nothing unusual. But if you’re over 50, you may notice that dry, itchy skin becomes more common—and sometimes much harder to ignore. Age-related changes in the skin can leave it drier and more easily irritated. Add cold weather, hot showers, medications, allergies, insect bites, eczema or other skin conditions, and that occasional itch can become a daily nuisance. The good news? There are several simple ways to calm irritated skin at home. But there’s an

Going to the bathroom is something we all do, but it isn't something we often talk about. Yet your bowel habits can provide useful clues about your digestive health—especially as you get older. One simple question is: How long should you actually spend on the toilet? Doctors who specialize in digestive health generally say that a bowel movement should take only a few minutes for most people. About one to five minutes is a reasonable rule of thumb. But the clock isn't the most

As we grow older, managing stress, anxiety, and physical discomfort often becomes a larger part of daily life. While medications and medical treatments remain important, researchers are continuing to explore simple, low-cost ways to support overall well-being. A recent study suggests that just five minutes of prayer may offer meaningful benefits for some adults struggling with pain and anxiety. Researchers followed 180 adults who reported moderate to severe pain, anxiety, or

You might want to drop the bacon, because it could be the reason behind your bad knees, recent research suggests. Ultraprocessed foods have been studied extensively for their negative health effects, and now a new study has linked them to an increased risk of arthritis in the knees. Foods in this category are designed for longer shelf life, strong flavor appeal and convenience. Common examples include breakfast cereals, bacon, hot dogs, pre-packaged snacks and sweets. "Over t

An eighth grader was left with a tough diagnosis after a football accident. While Jack Alston was practicing in August 2024, he was hit and encountered a mild headache, but showed no other symptoms. However, the headache "didn't really go away," "We just assumed he was OK. We didn't follow up," Jack's mother, Caroline Alston, told CBS News. "I think that's where we made a mistake." Just two weeks after Jack's first accident, he was hit again during football. He had no standa

There are numerous reasons you might feel pain in your foot. Injury, poor alignment of the foot bones, or deterioration of the protective cushioning around the bones are a few of the issues that can contribute to foot pain when you walk. Sometimes, the pain worsens with each step. Depending on the cause, rest, specific foot exercises, or at-home remedies, such as ice or over-the-counter pain relievers, can help manage the pain. 1. Overuse Overuse injuries develop from repetit

Lower back pain affects millions of people each year, but some treatment options, like working with personal trainers or using specialized equipment for exercise, are not always accessible or affordable. A recent study in Australia found that walking, a free and accessible exercise, can help reduce lower back pain recurrence. “The nice thing about walking is that everybody knows how to do it. People can do it in any location or any place. It’s not difficult to teach anybody

Eye puffiness, medically termed periorbital edema, may result from harmless factors like sleep deprivation or too much sodium intake, but can also indicate health issues such as diabetes or thyroid problems. Don't ignore it if it persists—consult a specialist to ensure your vision and health aren’t at risk. Symptoms of Swollen Eyes Periorbital edema refers to the temporary swelling of tissues around the eyes ("peri" meaning around and " orbital" referring to the eyeball) due

Heart Attack Arm or shoulder pain can be a sign, especially if you also have pain or pressure in the center of your chest and shortness of breath. A heart attack can be sudden, but sometimes it’s gradual. The feeling might last a few minutes, or stop and return. Your stomach, jaw, back, or neck also might hurt. You could also get sick to your stomach, lightheaded, and clammy with sweat. Call 911 if you notice these symptoms. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Nine tendons and a nerve (ca

Nearly everyone has had sore eyes at some point. Sometimes they get better on their own, but they can also be a sign of something more serious. Your eye doctor can figure out what's going on and find the right treatment for you. Where Does It Hurt? Sometimes discomfort or pain results from a problem in your eye or the parts around it, such as: Cornea: The clear window in the front of your eye that focuses light Sclera: The whites of your eyes Conjunctiva: The ultra-thin cover

Don’t Wait: Lose Weight For every 10 pounds of extra body weight you carry, there’s an added 50 pounds of pressure on your hips and knees. If your joints are feeling the strain, find a weight that works best for you and talk to your doctor about the best ways to slim down. Depending on what's causing your hip pain, losing extra pounds may help and make it easier to move around. Take a Load Off Your weight isn’t only about body fat: Your hips also absorb the weight of everythi