ERIKA SCHWARTZ, M.D.
YOUR MEDICAL QUESTIONS ANSWERED Pros and Cons of Taking a Nap
Can a nap make up for a bad night’s sleep?
— H. Devon, Birmingham, Ala.
When you’re young, you can catch up on sleep. As you get older, that is no longer the case. Some people find naps restorative while others get knocked out by them. Napping for more than 30 minutes is usually more disruptive than simply resting. But do whatever works best to keep you free of brain fog. Another little pearl: Using an alarm every morning is disruptive to your quality of sleep, so you are better off training yourself to wake up naturally every day at the same time. You’ll soon feel better for it.
As I have gotten older, it is much harder for me to sleep and feel rested. What can I do?
— G. Ritter, Spokane, Wash.
Make sure your sleep hygiene is impeccable. Do not drink alcohol or caffeine at night. Also, do not eat large meals at night — or four to five hours before going to sleep. Less food in your stomach makes less work for your gut and more time to rest and renew your brain cells. Make sure you go to sleep at the same time every night; get up at the same time as well. Exercise every day — walk, move around, and don’t spend too much time in front of a screen without taking a break. Meditate and breathe before bedtime. There are plenty of
Why do I wake up feeling congested all the time even though I’m not sick? — S. Smith, Lexington, Ky.
It depends on whether there are materials you may be allergic to in your sheets, pillows, and blankets; the temperature of your bedroom; and the presence of any allergens like mold. If the congestion only happens on certain days, pay attention to what you ate the night before — some foods may cause allergies presenting as congestion. Also, make sure you
ERIKA SCHWARTZ, M.D., is the leading national expert in wellness, disease prevention, and bioidentical hormone therapies. Dr. Schwartz (
drerika@eshealth.com) has written four bestselling books, testified before Congress, hosted her own PBS special on bioidentical hormones and is the author of the bestseller, Don’t Let Your Doctor Kill You.
I’m moving to Southern California next month and I love spending time outdoors. How can I keep my skin looking youthful when I’ll be in the sun? — Cynthia J., Eugene, Ore.
The most common cause of aging of the skin is damage from the sun, so you can start by wearing a 25-30 SPF sunscreen daily. You can also keep your skin glowing by keeping it moisturized, drinking eight glasses of water a day, exercising regularly, and eating a healthy, balanced diet of lean proteins, fruits, and dark leafy greens. Additionally, you may consider using a retinoid product on your face, as this will help to fade brown spots and smooth wrinkles.
Is it healthy to wash your hair every day?
— P. Lowery, Canton, Ohio
Everyone is different. Some people may have a drier scalp than others, but a good rule of thumb is not to wait for your hair to be greasy or smelly; rather, wash it every two to three days. Waiting longer will take you in the wrong direction, and washing more frequently may dry and flake your scalp.
Every time I take a trip, I get constipated. What can I do to prevent this from happening? — V. Connor, Philadelphia, Pa.
It’s totally normal to develop slower intestinal transit time when traveling, leading to temporary constipation. Magnesium citrate/ glycinate/malate are good remedies. Also, make sure you drink half your body weight in still water every day. Massaging your belly clockwise in the morning helps, as well as doing stretching exercises that get your circulation and your system moving. All improve intestinal transit. Eating vegetables and fruit, and then protein and nonanimal fat, is important. Avoid protein bars or any other packaged and processed foods.
Note: All information presented in “Medical Help” is for informational purposes only. It is not specific medical advice for any individual. You should take no action solely on the basis of this publication’s contents. Readers are advised to consult a health professional about any issue regarding their health and well-being.
Questions for Dr. Schwartz? Email
askschwartz@newsmax.com and write “Ask Dr. Schwartz” in the subject line.
great apps that will guide you to sleep gently, without drugs.
are properly hydrated and take vitamin C.
96 NEWSMAX MAXLIFE | MARCH 2024
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100
