Wellness Readers Digest | Health & Wellness Tips for Everyday Living

Most teens and adults should eat less than 2,300 milligrams (mg) of sodium per day, which is about one teaspoon of table salt. The World Health Organization sets a lower target of under 2,000 mg, and people with high blood pressure are often advised to aim for 1,500 mg. Most of the sodium you eat does not come from the salt shaker, so the biggest wins usually come from changing what you buy and order. This article is for general information and is not medical advice. Key takeaways The U.S. limit for teens and adults is less than 2,300 mg of sodium a day ; children have lower limits that depend on age. Americans average roughly 3,300 to 3,400 mg a day, about 1,000 mg over the limit. More than 70% of sodium comes from packaged and prepared foods, not from salt you add at home. On a Nutrition Facts label, 5% Daily Value or less per serving is low in sodium and 20% or more is high. Cooking from basic ingredients, rinsing canned foods and using herbs, citrus and spices can lower ...

A panic attack is a sudden wave of intense fear that comes with strong physical symptoms, such as a pounding heart, shaking, chest pain and trouble breathing. Most attacks peak within minutes and pass on their own, and they are not dangerous, even though they can feel like a heart attack. If attacks keep coming back and you live in fear of the next one, you may have panic disorder, which responds well to therapy and medicine. This article is for general information and is not medical advice. Key takeaways A panic attack is an episode of intense fear with physical symptoms. Most last 5 to 20 minutes, and they are not life-threatening. One panic attack is not a mental disorder. Panic disorder means repeated, unexpected attacks plus at least a month of worry about more. Slow breathing, staying put and reminding yourself the attack will pass can help you ride one out. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the first-line talking therapy, and SSRIs or SNRIs are the usual first-choice...

Fall prevention for older adults works best when you combine three things: regular strength and balance exercise, a review of medicines that can make you dizzy, and a safer home. Falls are common after 65, but they are not a normal or unavoidable part of aging. Exercise alone lowers the rate of falls by about a quarter in clinical trials, and the other steps add to that. This article is for general information and is not medical advice. Key takeaways More than one in four people aged 65 and older falls each year, and one fall roughly doubles the chance of another. The biggest risk factors you can change are weak legs, poor balance, certain medicines, vision problems and home hazards. Exercise programs that train balance, gait and strength, done 2 to 3 times a week for months, are the best proven way to prevent falls. Tai chi counts. Simple home fixes (grab bars, better lighting, no loose rugs) matter most for people who are already at higher risk. Tell your doctor about every ...

The best acne treatment depends on what kind of acne you have and how severe it is. Mild blackheads, whiteheads and a few pimples usually respond to over-the-counter benzoyl peroxide, adapalene or salicylic acid, while moderate or severe acne often needs prescription creams, tablets or both. Whatever you use, expect to wait at least 4 to 6 weeks for the first signs of improvement and two to three months for clearer skin. This article is for general information and is not medical advice. Key takeaways Acne ranges from clogged pores (comedones) to red, pus-filled pimples to deep, painful nodules and cysts, and each type calls for a different level of treatment. Benzoyl peroxide, adapalene and salicylic acid are the main over-the-counter options, and they work best for mild acne. Prescription options include topical retinoids, topical and oral antibiotics, hormonal treatments and isotretinoin for severe acne. Most treatments need 4 to 8 weeks before you see a change, so switching ...

To read a nutrition facts label, start with the serving size, check how many servings you will actually eat, then use the percent Daily Value: 5% or less of a nutrient per serving is low and 20% or more is high. Aim low on saturated fat, sodium and added sugars, and high on fiber, vitamin D, calcium, iron and potassium. This guide is for anyone who stands in a grocery aisle comparing two boxes and wants a fast, reliable way to pick the better one without memorizing nutrition science. Key takeaways Every number on a nutrition facts label refers to one serving, and the serving size is a standardized amount, not a recommendation of how much to eat. The percent Daily Value (%DV) is based on a 2,000 calorie day; 5% DV or less per serving counts as low and 20% DV or more counts as high. The Daily Value for added sugars is 50 grams, for sodium 2,300 milligrams, for saturated fat 20 grams and for dietary fiber 28 grams. Ingredients are listed in descending order of weight, so the firs...