ThirdAge Health Headliners of the Week

As we do every week, we've culled the most important articles we brought you based on breaking stories from around the world that can help you and your family stay well. Whether you missed these items the first time they appeared or you caught them and could use a refresher, our goal is to help you stay up-to-date on medical research that can impact your life.

We hope you'll like what you find and come back every Friday for a new installment!

Celebrities' Health Crises No one, not even Hollywood A-listers, is immune to health crises. These stars have had health issues ranging from the mild to potentially fatal. But in the midst of some very frightening illnesses, many of these celebs have responded with extraordinary courage. Take a look:

To see the slideshow, click here.

How to Have Healthy Summer Skin

By Lois Joy Johnson

The sun is a frenemy, not your friend. Yes, it's sneaking in a little vitamin D for your bones and a hint of "color," but those UVA/ UVB rays are really out to sabotage you. The combo of age plus years of sun exposure have already weakened the underlying collagen and elastin support system of your skin. Thanks to decades of summer sun your face and body probably have sag, dryness, brown spots and wrinkles to show for it. Maybe-like me-you've even had a few close calls with skin cancer. This is the season to take charge, protect your skin head to toe and get serious about managing your complexion issues. If you spend more time outdoors--walking, gardening, driving a convertible and playing golf or tennis--you're an A-list target for extra sun damage. See your dermatologist ASAP about suspicious spots or lesions, and meanwhile, select products with proven ingredients that make a difference and follow these five new rules.

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What the Health-Care Ruling Could Mean for You Our ThirdAge health-care expert, Barbara Bronson Gray, talks about howThursday’s landmark ruling on health care could affect you personally:

If you’re like most people, the news commentary on the implications of the Supreme Court ruling on the future of the Affordable Care Act has left you in the dust. What are the most important things you should know? In brief, there are short-term and long-term implications.

To read the rest of the article, click here.

Is Your Grieving Making You Sick?

By Audrey Pellicano

Chronic stress is the response to emotional pressure suffered for a prolonged period over which an individual perceives he or she has no control. Keyword here, perceive. You may not have had any control over the death of your spouse but you can regain control of your own health. And you must! You may or may not have children that depend on you but you do have a life beyond the grief. Chronic psychological stress is associated with a greater risk of depression, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, autoimmune diseases, and upper respiratory infections. It is the chronic state of stress we are in, a constant state, which is known as “fight or flight”. Our body’s natural defense is inflammation, which, with chronic stress, is prolonged and thus heightens the risk for disease.

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Five Proven Ways to Relieve Back Pain

By Robin Westen

Got a bad back? Well, you’re not alone. According to the National Institutes of Health, back pain is the second most common neurological disorder in the United States. (Headaches come first.) The good news? There are effective ways you can ease your back pain without taking drugs. But here’s a caveat: first check with your doctor. You want to be sure the pain is caused by muscle strain, rather than a more serious disorder. Once you’ve cleared the way, you can try these natural treatments:

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3 Ways to Make Your Town Dementia-Friendly

By Sally Abrahms

I always knew I lived in a cool, progressive place, but Brookline, Mass, the closest town to Boston, just went up another notch for me. It not only attracts an international community (world-class hospitals and brainy universities everywhere), but now has the distinction of being the first dementia-friendly community in the country. The initiative “It Takes A Village” finds ways for those with dementia and their caregivers to enjoy cultural offerings around town, include other residents who want to attend, change people’s attitudes toward Alzheimer’s, and trigger memories of long ago.

To read the rest of the article, click here.

Are You Making Your Grandchildren Fat?

By Andrea Atkins

This post was written in connection with www.Grandparents.com, where it originally appeared.

First the facts: Children born after the year 2000 may be the first generation to fail to outlive their parents. Eating junk and sitting around are habits that have helped contribute to an obesity epidemic. After smoking, the leading cause of preventable death in the United States is an unbalanced diet and lack of exercise, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). As a grandparent, could you do anything to change the course of your grandchild’s health? Yes. It just might take changing the way you do some things around the house.

To read the rest of the article, click here.

Why Kissing Is Good for Your Health

By Eve Marx

Kissing, that intimate act of two people pressing their lips and mouths together, with or without tongue, is the most gentle and yet most revealing sexual act. How a person kisses and how they respond to being kissed says volumes about a person: how sexually skillful they are; comfortable with their sexuality; and how much of themselves they want to give.

In addition to being the gateway to other sexual acts, kissing, it turns out is very good for your overall physical and mental health. Here are some little-known reasons why you should kiss often, and extract the most benefits out of every kiss.

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Beat Your Facial Fuzz

By Lois Joy Johnson

If your age-related "ick -list" includes wrinkles, jaw-line sag and brown spots, you might as well include chin and mustache hairs. Their timing is purely sadistic- just as the hair on our scalp goes skimpy and thin, our faces start to sprout. The culprit: the ups and downs of hormone levels before, during and after menopause. But exactly how much excess facial hair you have depends on individual chemistry, genes and other possible health factors or problems. See your doctor if the amount suddenly escalates or appears excessive. Some women are plagued by only a few coarse hairs or fine pale downy fuzz that interferes with makeup application. Others find a slightly shaggy lip line with a mustache-like shadow that dooms the most fabulous lipstick or freshly whitened teeth. You have two choices: DIY or go to a pro. Here are your best options:

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Hospital Survival Guide ThirdAge interviewed Maryanne McGuckin, Dr. ScEd, author of "The Patient Survival Guide: 8 Simple Solutions to Prevent Hospital and Healthcare Associated Infections," to learn tips that can ensure a safe hospital stay for you and your loved ones. Dr. McGuckin is the founder and President of McGuckin Methods International, which she established in 1984 with the goal of increasing hand hygiene compliance as well as other strategies for preventing hospital acquired infections and for avoiding mishaps.

To see the slideshow, click here.