Sharecare | 06/14/2013 at 9:00 AM

Sharecare Top 5: Men’s Health

Do you put off check-ups and doctor’s visits even when you know you need them? Some men view taking care of themselves as a sign of weakness – but actively patrolling your health could add 7 years to your life. If you need a little more convincing, here are five ways to feel your best.

Pump Some Iron for Younger Muscles. Who knew the Fountain of Youth could be found in a weight room? It turns out that strength training changes your muscle tissue on a cellular level, giving it the profile of younger muscles. You’ll stay stronger, healthier – and your shirt will probably fit a lot better! Discover more ways to slow the aging process from Sharecare’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Keith Roach.

Sharecare | 06/07/2013 at 9:00 AM

Sharecare Top 5: Prevent Skin Cancer

by Sharecare Editors

Summer is less than a month away—which means more time for the beach, lounging by the pool and simply enjoying the outdoors. But while basking in the sun feels great, it can do some serious harm to your skin. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer among Americans, and while sun exposure is the primary culprit, it isn’t the only cause. You may think you know the drill, but here are five simple tips that can help keep your skin safe and cancer-free.

Slather up before you buckle up: Most skin cancers occur on the left side of the face—the driver’s side—so be sure to apply sunscreen before you hop in the car. In this video, dermatologist Ellen Marmur, MD, shares some other surprising risk factors for skin cancer.

Sharecare | 05/31/2013 at 9:00 AM

Sharecare Top 5: Countdown to Summer Fun

by Sharecare Editors

With summer rapidly approaching, it’s time to swap winter coats for tank tops, boots for sandals, indoor gyms for the great outdoors – and, hopefully, those padded winter bodies for svelte, summer physiques. To make the most out of summer, explore new ways to be active and get fit, while sidestepping injury and sun damage. Here are five ways to have fun in the sun.

1. Pour, Then Slather: Consider this a two-for-one deal: While staying hydrated protects you from the inside (and offers surprising health benefits), the right sunscreen keeps you safe on the outside – cutting your risk of skin cancer, of course, and also preventing premature aging.

Sharecare | 05/24/2013 at 9:00 AM

Sharecare Top 5: Battle Against Breast Cancer

by Sharecare Editors

Angelina Jolie’s recent decision to have a preventive double mastectomy is a powerful reminder of the toll breast cancer can take – and a reminder, also, that there are moves women can make to reduce their risk. Thankfully, most preventive steps are much less drastic than Jolie’s (and, also thankfully, such surgery is not a necessary or reasonable option for the vast majority of women). Still, 1 out of every 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in her lifetime. Here are five tools that will empower you against the disease.

1. Be Informed: When it comes to breast cancer, ignorance isn’t bliss – smart choices about screening, let alone treatment, require educating yourself. Visit the Sharecare Breast Cancer Center for information about breast cancer including videos, expert Q&A, blogs, action plans and more. Then take the Breast Cancer Basics quiz to test your knowledge and learn more.

Sharecare | 05/17/2013 at 11:30 AM

Sharecare Top 5: Fighting Depression, Finding Happiness

by Sharecare Editors

The term “depression” can take on many meanings. Have a bad day at work or shrink a favorite shirt in the wash, and you’ll probably say you’re depressed. But depression is also a major illness that can leave sufferers devoid of any sense of happiness or hope, unable to perform basic tasks, even at risk for suicide. Fortunately, you can nurture your emotional and psychological health. And knowing when the blues might be morphing into the “black dog” of depression can empower you to get the help you need. Here are five tips to help you understand, ward off or treat depression.

1. Knowing is Half the Battle: There is a difference between sadness and depression, and understanding the distinction can help you respond appropriately. Psychologist Ramani Durvasula gives a helpful overview of the continuum from down-in-the-dumps to life-threatening depression. The RealAge Depression Assessment offers more help with evaluating your symptoms and gives pointers about next steps. Or take the Depression Quiz and learn more about this illness and its symptoms.

Sharecare | 05/10/2013 at 2:38 PM

Sharecare Top 5: Fighting a Silent Killer

by Sharecare Editors

What if there was a 1 in 3 chance that a killer was stalking you? And what if the criminal was so quiet, it never even crossed your mind that you were in danger? High blood pressure, or hypertension, is known as a “silent killer” because it rarely causes symptoms but, if untreated, can be deadly. One out of three Americans has high blood pressure, and more than half of them don’t know it. But you can keep yourself safe. Here are five ways to make sure the killer doesn’t strike.

1 . Get Checked: Since high blood pressure often has no symptoms, it’s critical to get your blood pressure checked regularly. Learn your risk by taking the RealAge Blood Pressure and Heart Health assessment. Then watch Merle Myerson, MD, explain why tracking your blood pressure – and treating it if necessary – protects your heart, brain and organs throughout your body.

Sharecare | 05/03/2013 at 12:30 PM

Sharecare Top 5: Tools for Healthy Women

by Sharecare Editors

Here’s a question for today’s woman: Do you say “lean in” or “leave me alone”? Whether you’re a CEO, caregiver or college student, chances are you’re juggling more these days than ever before. And it’s likely that a jammed schedule and heavy obligations mean that your own needs often fall to the bottom of the to-do list. Here’s a handy mantra: You can’t take care of your loved ones if you don’t take care of yourself. Or try this one: If mama isn’t happy, no one’s happy. Fortunately, it’s not hard to do the right thing. No matter how packed your life, these five tips will help you fit health in.

1. Manage Your Stress: Yes, this may sometimes seem like an impossible task – but there are easy, effective ways to whittle away at your worries (and those damaging physiological reactions to them). This 12-Step Stress Management Plan shows you how. Need some motivation to get started? Internal medicine specialist Keri Peterson, MD, paints a vivid picture of the problems chronic stress can buy you.

Sharecare | 04/29/2013 at 3:48 PM

What Everyone Should Know About Infertility

by Sharecare Editors

Fertility problems are shockingly common: For every seven couples trying to have a baby, one couple will not have conceived after a year. It’s a heart-wrenching issue, and there are still many things experts don’t know – for instance, when a woman is infertile, 30% of the time doctors can’t figure out why. Still, information is a couple’s best tool, followed closely by support. So, as National Infertility Awareness Month draws to a close, here are five steps that offer a little of both.

1. Learn What Can Cause Infertility: There’s a lot that has to happen for sperm and egg to meet and merge. Unfortunately, that means there are plenty of opportunities for things to go wrong. A woman’s fertility is particularly affected by the passage of time, says Evelyn Minaya, MD, because her eggs have existed – and have been aging – ever since her own birth. Men don’t have that issue, since they’re constantly creating new sperm, but there is a slew of potential obstacles that can get in the way of success for those swimmers. As a result, up to 30% of fertility problems originate with the couple’s male partner; read what our experts have to say about infertility in men here. To find out about seemingly harmless habits that can reduce fertility in men, women or both, and other pregnancy-friendly facts, take our fertility quiz.

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Sharecare | 04/26/2013 at 9:00 AM

Sharecare Top 5: Small Health Mistakes That Add Up

by Sharecare Editors

When it comes to staying healthy, you know the basics: Eat right, exercise, don’t smoke (well, duh) and see your doctor every now and then. But sometimes it’s the small stuff that can cause the biggest problems. Here are some of the most common health mistakes people make, and how you can keep them from derailing your progress toward a fitter, happier life.

1. Living in High Heels: Ladies, here’s unwelcome news: You may love your heels, but chances are your feet (and the rest of your body) hate you for wearing them. And as Hillary Brenner, MD, explains, discomfort may be the least of your worries. Her advice will help you enjoy your platforms, pumps and stilettos without paying too steep a price.

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Sharecare | 04/19/2013 at 11:42 AM

Sharecare Top 5: Anti-aging Strategies That Work!

by Sharecare Editors

Everyone wants to live forever, but no one wants to get old. That’s why store shelves are filled with anti-aging moisturizers, serums and creams, and why people have nipped, tucked and whittled their faces and bodies into younger versions of themselves. But all the surgery and cold cream in the world mean nothing if you don’t take care of yourself. Try these easy, scalpel-free moves to look younger – and feel that way, too.

1. Take the RealAge Test: Never mind what your birth certificate says – this test, taken by millions of people over the past decade or so, assesses your health habits (good, bad and ugly) and comes up with the age your body thinks you are. (If you’re 24 going on 40, you might want to see a doctor.) According to Sharecare expert Michael Roizen, MD, Chief Wellness Officer for Cleveland Clinic (and one of the test’s creators), your health is largely determined by how well you take care of yourself, so you can slow your aging process by keeping track of your RealAge. In this video, Dr. Roizen takes us backstage at The Dr. Oz Show to explain some of the key lifestyle changes that will lower your RealAge.