• Cardiovascular

    Monday’s Housecall

young woman stretching before exercising
THIS WEEK'S TOP STORIES

Stretching: Focus on flexibility
Stretching can help you be more flexible and have more movement in your joints. Try these techniques to avoid getting hurt.

Shingles
Being older than age 50 makes you more likely to develop shingles. This viral infection causes a painful rash, but a vaccine helps lower your risk.

EXPERT ANSWERS
Bitter orange weight-loss supplements: Do they work?
Bitter orange is a common ingredient in weight-loss supplements but poses risks because of its stimulant-like effects.

Alzheimer's prevention: Does it exist?
Staying physically and mentally fit may be most effective in helping ward off Alzheimer's disease.

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PLUS ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS ...
Chronic kidney disease
Domestic violence against women: Recognize patterns, seek help
Heartburn
Slide show: Which CPAP masks are best for you?

HEALTHY RECIPES
Southwestern chicken and pasta
Pasta salad with mixed vegetables
Tuna salad sandwiches
Buffalo chicken salad wrap

HEALTH TIP OF THE WEEK
Take headache relief into your own hands
Nearly everyone experiences occasional tension headaches. But frequent tension headaches can interfere with your daily life. Aside from medication, do you wonder what you can do to stop the pain? The answer may be as simple as taking good care of yourself: 1. Eat healthy foods. 2. Exercise regularly. 3. Get enough sleep. 4. Cut back on caffeine. 5. Reduce stress. 6. Massage tense muscles. 7. Take a break when you feel overwhelmed.

Need practical advice on diet and exercise? Want creative solutions for stress and other lifestyle issues? Discover even more healthy lifestyle topics at MayoClinic.org.

NOW BLOGGING
Nutrition-wise: Fish and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
PCBs are chemicals that can pollute lakes, streams, rivers and oceans — and end up in the fish caught there. Are there risks for you and your family?