Author: healthtost

TikTok videos promoting rule-breaking, humor and shared vaping experiences attract millions of likes, while credible health resources often fail to capture the attention of young people, revealing a growing challenge for public health communication. Study: #NoIDVape: A content analysis of illegal vape messages in youth information sources. Image credit: Sophon Nawit/Shutterstock.com Vaping is a fast-growing trend among young people in the UK, but little is known about illicit vaping: the use of unregulated vapers or electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes). A recent study published in the journal Addiction was examined how illegal vaping is portrayed in TikTok videos and educational resources that…

Do hemorrhoids cause a tight anus? Hemorrhoids cause that tight feeling around the anus. But it’s not like they actually make the opening smaller or anything. What happens is they trigger this reflex in the body. The muscles there tighten to try to protect against pain. This tightening just makes everything worse over time. Pain causes the muscles to tighten more. Then the blood flow decreases a little. Which leads to even more discomfort. And the cycle continues with the muscles tightening. Looks like things are stuck or not working right down there. I think most of the time this…

Thank you notes are one of those tasks that sound simple, but somehow end up on your to-do list for three weeks while the deck of cards sits on your counter judging you.You’re exhausted, probably huge, and need to find something heartfelt to say about the sixth set of burp cloths you received. I understand that.Fortunately, you don’t have to be a poet. You just have to be genuine and I’ll make it as painless as possible with real, usable wording that you can modify and send.Do you also need cards? I have some of my favorites linked here.The basic…

How did the meat industry, the government and anti-cancer organizations respond to the confirmation that processed meat, such as bacon, ham, hot dogs and luncheon meat, causes cancer? “It is rare, in the history of nations, that finds good reasons to pay tribute to the generosity and altruism of governments and those in power: the birth of the International Agency for Research on Cancer [IARC] presents one of those rare cases.” It all started with a single letter from a grieving husband recounting his wife’s suffering after a cancer diagnosis, which turned into an open letter call for governments to…

Aging is inevitable. Feeling weak, fragile and limited doesn’t have to be. One of the most powerful ways to slow the aging process after 50 is strength training. And I’m not talking about becoming a bodybuilder or spending hours in the gym. I’m talking about building the kind of strength that helps you stay energetic, mobile, confident and independent for decades to come. I’ve been strength training since I was in my 30s and now in my 60s, I can honestly say it’s one of the best health investments I’ve ever made. It has helped me maintain my muscles, protect…

Women with abnormal mammograms often have to wait weeks to find out if they have breast cancer. Now, researchers at UC San Francisco and UC Berkeley have found a way to help reduce the wait and worry by using artificial intelligence to quickly identify those most likely to have the disease. By triaging these patients, AI-driven workflow moves women with abnormal scans through the diagnostic process—from imaging to evaluation and sometimes even biopsy—in one day. “This is a really exciting time,” said Maggie Chung, MD, first author of the study, which was published May 19 in Nature Digital Medicine. “This…

A new review shows that fish can help bridge nutrition and sustainability goals, but only when consumers choose lower-impact species and use seafood to replace more environmentally intensive meats. Review: Environmental burden of fish in healthy and sustainable diets. Image source: Sergey Zaykov / Shutterstock In a recent narrative review published in International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutritiona team of authors examined how fish contribute to healthy, environmentally sustainable diets and assessed their environmental footprint relative to other animal-based foods. Background Did you know that food systems are responsible for nearly a third of global greenhouse gas emissions while…

When summer arrives, most of us know how important it is to find sunscreen before going outside. But while sunscreen is essential, it’s only part of the equation when it comes to supporting healthy skin during the warmer months. One ingredient that deserves a little more attention is Vitamin C. Often marketed as a brightening ingredient, vitamin C does much more than help skin look radiant. In fact, vitamin C plays important roles both inside the body and directly on the skin’s surface, making it one of the most well-studied nutrients for skin care and human health. Let’s take a…

Pregnancy advice often comes wrapped in pressure: eat this, avoid that, exercise more, rest when you can. But a new JAMA study offers a surprisingly practical message for parents-to-be who may not have the time, energy or ability to fit in structured workouts: sitting a little less and moving around a bit during the day can make all the difference. The study, published online May 27, 2026, followed 470 pregnant participants from the first trimester until delivery as part of the Pregnancy 24/7 cohort. Instead of relying on people remembering how much they moved, the researchers used thigh-worn activity trackers…

Support your metabolism, mood and energy with smarter hydrationAuthor: Roxane ShymkiwWhen I bring up hydration in conversation, most people are quick to tell me that they drink too much water or that they don’t drink enough, but hydration is more than just water. Many people don’t realize that headaches, fatigue, brain fog, sugar cravings, and low energy, especially during the summer, can sometimes be signs of dehydration rather than just being “busy” or “tired.” Water plays a role in almost all body functions, from energy production and digestion to brain function and mood. As temperatures rise, it’s easier to get…