Medications and hearing health

Common medications that can affect your hearing

A medication may help manage pain, fight an infection, or treat a chronic condition, but some medications that can affect your hearing may also cause unexpected ear symptoms. These are sometimes called ototoxic medications, and their effects may first appear as subtle hearing changes. Knowing which drugs carry a risk can help you recognize warning …

Woman discussing diabetes screening with a doctor

Diabetes risk in women: when to pay closer attention

Diabetes risk in women can change across different stages of life. A past pregnancy complicated by gestational diabetes, a diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), or a family history of diabetes may be more meaningful than a woman realizes, especially when blood sugar problems develop without obvious symptoms. Knowing which factors deserve attention can help …

Person sitting up in bed after waking

Waking up gasping for air: What it can mean?

Waking up gasping for air or waking up choking can be frightening, especially when it happens without warning. One possible cause is sleep apnea, a condition that repeatedly interrupts breathing during sleep. Acid reflux and other health conditions can also cause nighttime coughing, choking, or breathlessness. An occasional episode does not automatically mean you have …

Eating lunch too quickly

How to relieve gas and heartburn after eating too much fast food

Gas and heartburn after a fast-food meal can leave you uncomfortable long after you finish eating. Heartburn after fast food and bloating after eating may be more likely when you eat a large, high-fat meal quickly or drink carbonated beverages. The good news is that a few practical changes may help ease symptoms without requiring …

Adult sitting quietly beside a window

Best ways to calm an overwhelmed mind

Feeling overwhelmed can make ordinary tasks feel surprisingly difficult. Your thoughts may race, small decisions may seem exhausting, and even knowing where to begin can feel like another demand. Learning how to calm an overwhelmed mind starts with reducing immediate pressure, not solving everything at once. A few practical stress relief techniques can help you …

Person drinking water after waking

Waking up with a dry mouth: What it may mean?

Dry mouth after waking can leave your tongue feeling sticky, your throat uncomfortable, and your first sip of water especially welcome. Mouth breathing and nasal congestion are common reasons your mouth may feel dry in the morning, but medications, dehydration, and some health conditions can also contribute. An occasional dry mouth is not necessarily a …

Hearing protection for concerts

Best hearing protection for concerts and loud events

Concerts are meant to be loud, but ringing ears or muffled hearing afterward can be a sign that the sound was too intense. The best hearing protection helps reduce noise exposure without taking away the enjoyment of live music. Choosing comfortable concert earplugs and using them consistently can help protect your hearing while you enjoy …

waking-up-at-3-am-men

Waking up at 3 a.m.? What men should know

Nighttime waking can be frustrating, especially when you open your eyes at 3 a.m. and realize you are wide awake again. This interrupted sleep can leave you feeling drained the next morning, even after spending enough hours in bed. Waking at the same time each night does not automatically mean your hormones are out of …

Man measuring his waist after 40

Belly fat and type 2 diabetes risk in middle-aged men

A growing waistline can be easy to dismiss as a normal part of getting older. But belly fat and type 2 diabetes risk are connected in ways that go beyond appearance. The amount of visceral fat stored deep inside the abdomen and the development of insulin resistance may matter more for metabolic health than the …

Wavy vision

Why straight lines look wavy and what wavy vision may mean?

Wavy vision can make a doorframe look bent or words on a page seem uneven. This type of distorted vision can sometimes signal macular disease, especially when straight lines suddenly appear curved in one eye. The pattern alone cannot identify the cause, but a new change deserves attention. What causes straight lines to look wavy? …