Pumping Irony

Recent research offers hope that a visit to a dermatologist for skin cancer treatment may someday be less invasive than current procedures. That day can’t arrive too soon.

Mounting evidence suggests that an unbalanced mix of microbes in our guts can damage our physical and mental health. New research argues that it can also affect how we age.

Recent research expands the once-novel theory of positive psychology by showing how positive emotions can support the health of this understudied cohort.

Fitness experts often stress the need to reach 10,000 steps a day for optimal health, but a new study suggests a more moderate goal may yield surprising cognitive benefits for seniors.

Mounting evidence suggests that osteoporosis is more common — and more serious — in older men than previously thought. But a lack of consensus among public health experts has hampered access to necessary screenings.

I’m beginning to understand why seniors tend to take so many medications and why all those drugs can create unforeseeable consequences.

Hospice facilities can offer a peaceful and caring experience for many people who are facing death, but a new study suggests dementia patients may find them less hospitable than advertised.

While mounting evidence suggests that regular cannabis use may pose some health risks for seniors, the booming industry seems poised to tamp down concerns.

Why does the body age so gradually in some people and fall apart too soon in others? Researchers studying the world’s oldest person offer some clues — and raise more questions.

Sleeplessness can be especially damaging to older adults, and recent research suggests it could even cause cognitive dysfunction. Such studies are almost enough to spoil a good night’s sleep.

I figured a medication-induced microbial mix-up in my gut was causing a puzzling neuropathic condition. My suspicions proved to be correct — sort of.

Seniors tend to gradually eat their meals later in the day as they grow older, according to a new study that links those changes to a variety of chronic diseases. But is it the diseases that spark the mealtime changes or the mealtime changes that trigger the diseases?

Rigid standards designed to improve the quality of patient care often produce the opposite effect on vulnerable seniors — dangerous overtreatment.

When seniors volunteer their help, whether for a formal organization or a friend in need, they may be reaping some surprising health benefits — as long as they moderate their commitment.

As we grow older, the urge to engage in “lifelong learning” becomes more challenging. But recent research suggests that the effort, despite the discomfort it may produce, could yield real benefits — both cognitive and emotional.

While public health organizations have mounted a vigorous campaign to reduce suicides among U.S. teens, a much higher-risk population waits in vain for needed help.

Recent research suggests that older adults who are musically inclined may be insulated from cognitive decline. Where does that leave the rest of us?

Big Tech is betting that AI-generated companions can cure the “loneliness epidemic” afflicting American seniors. It could make us even lonelier.

It’s not uncommon for people to feel stressed when the workweek resumes, but a new study suggests that even retirees often experience the same “Monday blues” as workers — and face the same health consequences.

A recent batch of studies on exercise and brain health yields more confusion than clarity.

Nurse practitioners specializing in geriatric care have stepped up in recent years to offset the steep decline in geriatricians. The American Medical Association has fought them every step of the way.