Living Well Blog

Call it what you want—soda, tonic, soft drinks, pop or Coke—it’s one of the most popular beverages in the United States. Consumers drink 40 million gallons of soda in the U.S. Even though consumption is falling in the U.S., 50 percent of Americans drink soda every day, according to Gallup.Soda has… See more

Eating the right foods for your heart is especially important if you have atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ACSVD), which occurs when plaque builds up in your arteries. A heart-healthy diet can also help prevent ACSVD. But if you’re confused about what to put in your grocery cart, you’re not… See more

At age 61, Oscar Mestas didn’t have any obvious symptoms of cardiovascular disease. His cholesterol and blood pressure were normal. And he was physically active—he spent his career as an urban forester for the Texas Forest Service. Hiking and backpacking were part of his job. In his spare time, he… See more

Have you ever had a prescription claim denied by Medicare? It can be stressful and scary. You need your medicine – but it’s too expensive to pay for all of it out-of-pocket — which is why you have coverage to begin with. It can be frustrating too because the denial… See more

Experts are predicting a longer, more severe tick season this summer, which may trigger an outbreak of tick-borne illnesses. In particular, researchers are worried about an uptick in Lyme disease and Powassan virus, a rare condition that  can cause brain inflammation. 

While Lyme… See more

Until a few years ago, millennials were the driving force behind sales of Red Bull, Monster, Rockstar and other so-called energy drinks. But that trend has been changing. In fact, Gen-Xers and Baby Boomers are now significant consumers of the highly caffeinated beverages.

While energy drinks… See more

Zika may be public enemy number one when it comes to mosquito-borne viruses, but it’s not the only threat these insects pose. Other mosquito-borne viruses such as West Nile virus, dengue fever, malaria and Chikungunya also worry public health officials.Why are mosquitoes suddenly such a public… See more

You're probably aware of the dangers associated with smoking and second-hand smoke. But so-called third-hand smoke, the chemical residue left behind on surfaces and clothing after smoking tobacco products, may also be a health risk--particularly to children--according to a study published in … See more

Hepatitis C is a global epidemic. And baby boomers are especially likely to have the disease, according to the University of Michigan Health System. They are five times more likely to have been exposed to the infection than other age groups. In fact, baby boomers comprise 75 percent of adults with… See more

It’s probably no surprise that older Americans between the ages of 65 and 79 are prescribed more medications than young adults. But did you know the average senior gets… See more