Prevention November 2022

IT ALL STARTED with a Prevention editor with a swollen neck—who ended up discovering she had a jaw joint disorder. Then we learned about a woman who couldn’t sleep (turned out to be a thyroid disease). Then another, whose brain fog was so bad she slurred her words. She eventually discovered a heart condition. These people all had long journeys in the health care system, and we wrote about each of them, as well as others with similar stories, in our My Diagnosis column (if you missed them in print, they’re at prevention.com/misdiagnosis). I’ve always hoped that these tales of strange symptoms and myriad doctor visits will help our readers, that maybe you’ll recognize your own issues and finally get answers—or maybe you’ll simply be inspired to persevere. And you have!…

Thanksgiving’s official mascot isn’t totally to blame for your holiday food coma. Turkey does contain tryptophan, an essential amino acid needed to make serotonin, a precursor to sleep-regulating melatonin, says Raj Dasgupta, M.D., a pulmonary and sleep specialist at the University of Southern California. But that’s not the only reason you feel sleepy—all those yummy dishes and desserts you enjoy alongside turkey tend to be high in carbs, which contribute to post-meal sleepiness, as does overeating in general, he adds. An evening espresso to wake yourself up sounds like a good idea, but it can backfire by keeping you up later that night when it’s really time for bed. And while a nap might be tempting, it can similarly mess with your nighttime sleep. Instead, try Dr. Dasgupta’s tips for…

A great song can make you feel good—but can it ease your aches? There’s research that says yes, and one finding shows that it might be less about the exact tune than about you: How much control you have over song choice and how often you listen to music may play a bigger role in pain reduction than the tempo or the type of music, according to a new study in PLOS One. Participants experiencing acute pain listened to one of two versions of a song composed for this study; those in one group were asked to choose the version they wanted to hear, while participants in another group were played the song without being asked about their preferences. Those given a choice reported pain that was less intense. Also…

Tinned fish is an easy way to get protein and essential vitamins and minerals with minimal effort, and there’s so much more than tuna to explore. Scout is a chef-founded company that prides itself on flavor, quality, and its commitment to source seafood sustainably from North American waters. Go basic with wild albacore tuna in extra virgin olive oil or try something new like smoked wild-caught salmon, organic PEI mussels, or Ontario trout. Find them at retailers nationwide, Thrive Market, or enjoyscout.com.…

Keeping your cat’s or dog’s teeth clean is important: Diseased gums contain bacteria that can affect heart and kidney health via the bloodstream, says American Kennel Club chief veterinary officer Jerry Klein, D.V.M. He recommends brushing your pet’s teeth a couple of times a week to delay or prevent the need for an expensive professional cleaning, which requires anesthesia. Start getting them used to having your fingers in their mouth when they’re young by rubbing along their teeth and gums. When they can tolerate that, introduce a soft human or pet toothbrush. Always use pet-specific toothpaste—the human kind may contain xylitol, which is toxic to animals. If your pet’s gums are inflamed or bleeding, take them to the vet for a professional cleaning.…

Your furry friend can get diabetes just as people can—about one in 200 cats and one in 300 dogs lives with the disease. But if it’s caught early and managed correctly with insulin and blood glucose monitoring at home, those pets can live long and healthy lives. Warning signs include drinking and urinating more than usual, weight loss, and increased hunger, says BluePearl Pet Hospital small animal specialist Sara L. Ford, D.V.M. Keep your pet at a healthy weight, especially as they age—in cats, obesity is one of the main risk factors for developing the disease.…