Communicating Clearly While Wearing a Face Covering

Millions of people in the U.S have hearing loss, including half of those older than 75. Wearing a face covering can make communicating a challenge because it can muffle sound and hide facial clues about your message and emotions. Speak more clearly and louder than you normally would, without shouting. Be aware that physical distance can also make hearing more difficult. Read more tips for improving communication while wearing a face covering.

Some Medications and Driving Don't Mix

If you’re taking a medication, is it safe to drive? Most likely, yes. But some prescription and nonprescription medicines can have side effects and cause reactions that could affect your ability to drive including:

pain medication
sleeping pills
some anti-depressants
some cold and allergy medications
muscle relaxants
cannabidiol (CBD) products

Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you about known side effects of medications, including those that interfere with driving. You can also request printed information about the side effects of any new medicine. Find out more.

Bursitis

Bursitis is a painful swelling of the fluid-filled sac that acts as a cushion between a bone and other moving parts, such as muscles, tendons, or skin. When you see “itis” at the end of a medical word, it means inflammation. It's usually caused by overusing a joint or an injury. Symptoms include pain and swelling and treatment usually includes rest, pain medicines, or ice.

Exercise and Your Cholesterol

Staying active may help keep your "bad" cholesterol levels down and raise your "good" cholesterol levels. Cholesterol is a fat-like substance in your blood that helps keep your organs and cells healthy. Learn more about the two types of cholesterol and how they affect your health.

Controlling High Blood Pressure

You are more likely to have high blood pressure as you get older because your blood vessels become stiffer as you age. When that happens, your blood pressure goes up. Your blood pressure reading has two numbers. One or both of these numbers can be too high.

The top number is called the systolic blood pressure. For most people, this reading is too high if it is 140 or higher.
The bottom number is called the diastolic blood pressure. For most people, this reading is too high if it is 90 or higher.

Talk with your doctor about a goal for your blood pressure and learn about things you can do to help control your blood pressure.