Is It Safe to Have a Baby Over 35?

Pregnancy can be an exciting but challenging time in a person’s life. Natalie McComas / Getty Images What Is a Geriatric Pregnancy? “Geriatric pregnancy” is a term once used to describe a pregnancy for a person over 35. Natalie McComas / Getty Images However, a more appropriate term is “pregnancy of advanced maternal age.” In recent decades, there has been a rise in births to those of advanced maternal age....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 334 words · Joel Fowler

Is It Safe to Mix Chemo and Alcohol?

There are health concerns about mixing chemo and alcohol. Chemotherapy medications can interact with alcohol, worsening some of the side effects of drinking. Some of these interactions are minor, while others may be severe. Myeong Jun Baeg / EyeEm / Getty Images Interactions With Chemo Drugs Drugs used to treat cancer are processed by the liver. These include: How Much Alcohol Can You Drink on Chemo? The safest answer is “none....

April 18, 2025 · 1 min · 181 words · Paul Gibson

Is It Safe to Take Fosamax to Treat Osteoporosis?

What Is Fosamax? Fosamax is also indicated for the treatment ofPaget’s disease of bone. Bisphosphonates work by preventing the breakdown of bones and increasing bone density. wetcake / Getty Images They also decrease the risk of spine and hip fractures. The most common side effects involve the digestive tract, with symptoms ranging from mild to severe. If these side effects don’t go away or get worse, be sure to let your doctor know....

April 18, 2025 · 1 min · 170 words · Danielle Howard

Is It Safe to Take Lorazepam Every Day?

Is It Safe to Take Lorazepam Regularly? It should be prescribed for short-term use, ideally less than a month. Some people can also develop benzodiazepine-induced neurological dysfunction, a condition where withdrawal symptoms persist for months or years. Tetra Images / Getty Images How Does Lorazepam Work? Sold under the brand name Ativan, lorazepam belongs to a class of anti-anxiety medication calledbenzodiazepine. Benzodiazepines work by enhancing the effects ofgamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter that slows brain activity....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 218 words · Christopher Jones

Is It time to Add Cancer-Specific Warning Labels to Alcohol?

However, awareness remains low. Should Alcohol Have Stronger Health Warning Labels? Recommendation updates are expected this December. Photo Illustration by Joules Garcia for Verywell Health; Getty Images Why Is It Hard to Add Cancer-Specific Warnings to Alcohol? While abstaining from alcohol is the safest option, the risk varies by individual. In contrast, tobaccos direct link to lung cancer made warning labels on cigarettes highly effective, Rebbeck explained. A complicating factor, Rebbekh added, is that we used to believe that drinking alcohol in moderation....

April 18, 2025 · 1 min · 107 words · Thomas Gill

Is It Time to Rethink Fluoride in Drinking Water?

Importantly, the report doesnt evaluate the effect of fluoride in drinking water alone. Less than 1% of people drink water with levels of fluoride that high. The report has stirred controversy. Photo Illustration by Joules Garcia for Verywell Health; Getty Images Dental health organizations question the reports methods and say the findingscould be misinterpretedto stoke fears about fluoride exposure. Its so important to get this right. Its not to protect our reputation....

April 18, 2025 · 3 min · 585 words · Katrina Hart

Is It Too Late to Get a Flu Shot?

When Is It Too Late? This means you could still get a flu shot in January, February, or even in the spring. Can You Get Vaccinated After Exposure to the Flu? Steve Jacobs / Getty Images Can you get a flu shot if you have a cold? If you have amild cold, it should be okay to get a flu shot. However, check in with a healthcare provider first, just to be safe....

April 18, 2025 · 1 min · 205 words · David Walter

Is Jock Itch Contagious?

Verywell / Sydney Saporito What Is Jock Itch? Those experiencing jock itch may also haveathletes foot, another infection resulting from the ringworm fungus. Can Females Get Jock Itch? Verywell / Sydney Saporito Jock itch occurs mostly in males, but females can still develop jock itch. For example, a male can pass the infection to a female through intercourse. Females can also develop jock itch if they come into contact with contaminated clothing....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 237 words · Duane Marshall

Is Kale Good for You?

Kale is a hearty leafy green, cruciferous vegetable. Kale is packed with vitamins, minerals, and plant-based compounds. Due to its impressive nutrition profile, it is often referred toas a superfood. Rawpixel / Getty Images Heart Disease Consuming kale can support heart health because of the nutrients it contains. Kale contains, glucosinolates, a class of plant-based compounds that has anti-inflammatory properties. Glucosinolates are broken down into isothiocyanates (such as sulforaphane) and indoles....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 333 words · Kathy Reynolds

Is Ketosis Dangerous? A Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Explains 8 Risks

In recent years, ketosis has been popularized by the ketogenic (keto) diet. The Dangers of Ketosis Ketosisis a normal metabolic process but can be dangerous under certain conditions. Your body then starts using ketone bodies made from stored fat. Guido Mieth / Getty Images It May Cause Dehydration Dehydration is a common early side effect of ketosis. Fortunately, it’s usually short-lived and treatable. You may experience dehydration early on while in ketosis because of changes inelectrolytesthat influence hydration....

April 18, 2025 · 4 min · 703 words · Nicholas Lowe

Is Kidney Cancer Curable? Understanding the Odds

There are severaltypes of kidney (renal) cancer. Kidney cancer is categorized instages from 1 through 4. The lower the stage, the more likely the cancer is to be successfully treated and cured. Photo composite by Lecia Landis for Verywell Health; Getty Images This article will discuss the curability of kidney cancer by stage. Once kidney cancer has reached stage 3, local spread has occurred to the regional lymph nodes. Kidney cancer that is cured can return years later....

April 18, 2025 · 3 min · 499 words · Brian Murphy

Is Laryngitis Contagious?

There are infectious and noninfectious causes, both of which can cause you tolose your voice. Sore throat, fever, hoarseness, trouble swallowing, and a persistentdry coughare also common. Some infectious causes of laryngitis are contagious. Illustration by Mira Norian for Verywell Health Most involve a virus, includingupper respiratory tract infections (URTIs)like colds, flu, and COVID-19. There are also bacterial and fungal causes that are spread and treated differently. This article explains what laryngitis is and why it occurs....

April 18, 2025 · 3 min · 448 words · Kathleen Rogers

Is Lemon Good For Diabetes?

This doesn’t mean that lemons aren’t healthy options for people with diabetes. It also looks at the general health benefits of lemons as part of adiabetes diet. On paper, the facts look good. Dean Mitchell / Getty Images Lemon juice also delayed spikes in blood sugar by 35 minutes. With respect to insulin resistance, some people believe thatpolyphenolsin lemons can increase insulin sensitivity. These include glucose-producing cells in the liver that respond to insulin....

April 18, 2025 · 1 min · 81 words · Alicia Smith