Yes, you can kill succulents. Here's how to avoid that sad fate.
While it's true that they aren't demanding plants, succulents, which include cacti, do have very specific needs in terms of soil, water and light. And when those needs aren't met, the plant suffers. Then, in an effort to correct the problems, owners often just end up making things worse, or even killing the plant.
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Yahoo
15 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Trump's anti-DEI order sparks new federal funding guidance in Washington County
PORTLAND, Ore. () — Washington County has approved guidelines aimed at helping officials maintain critical funding amid President Donald Trump's anti-diversity, equity and inclusion policies. One of several established that entities with DEI practices would no longer be eligible for funding from the U.S. government. After several months of talks centered on how to preserve federal grants and other financial support, the Washington County Board of Commissioners voted to approve guiding principles during a meeting on Tuesday. CDC delves into bubonic plague case detected in Oregon in early 2024 The new guidance states that leaders will continue to operate 'in a transparent and open manner' while complying with federal, state and local regulations, among . Earlier in June, the its February 2020 commitment to DEI practices in response to the executive order. following pushback from several residents who argued leaders of the diverse county shouldn't adhere to the Trump administration's demands. However, County Administrator Tanya Ange noted that officials rely on $135 million in federal funding annually — and July through August is typically the period in which grants and contracts are renewed. Senior Medicare services administered through the Oregon Department of Human Services and overdose prevention programs managed by the Oregon Health Authority are among the resources that are currently 'at risk' as local officials wait to learn whether funding has been secured, according to Ange's . Despite uncertainty surrounding which resources will remain accessible in the county, some community members are arguing the new guidelines are too vague to ensure the protection of all residents. 'Simply changing the wording may not be enough to get the federal funds that we need, or maybe the wording is enough, but the resolution you pass is ambiguous enough to open the door for these funds to be made available for purposes they were not intended for — for not serving the under-resourced members of our community,' one testifier said. Ritz-Carlton in Portland sold back to lender to 'strengthen' struggling property District 1 Commissioner Nafisa Fai proposed an amendment that would have changed the guidelines to include language about Oregon's sanctuary state status, and to affirm that all Washington County residents would still have the right to access resources despite discrimination. When no other leaders voted to second the proposal, a decision that was met with 'boos' from attendees of the public hearing, District 4 Commissioner Jason Willey said legal counsel had already advised the county against changing the resolution. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
Medscape
33 minutes ago
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PCPs Guide to Prescribing Blood Thinners for AF
As a primary care physician (PCP), you're often the first healthcare professional that will identify cardiac issues, including atrial fibrillation (AF). Individuals with AF face a fivefold risk for stroke. Therefore, these patients are often prescribed blood-thinning medications (anticoagulants) to slow blood clotting, according to the American Society of Hematology (ASH). Up to six million Americans have AF, the risk for which increases with age. The ASH says there are 450,000 hospitalizations each year because of AF. It's very important to check on your patient's response within the first few months of taking blood thinners. In fact, patients with AF who took low doses of oral anticoagulants experienced a higher incidence of bleeding episodes during the first 3 months of treatment, according to a study published in Blood Advances . When Should PCPs Prescribe Anticoagulants? PCPs should consider prescribing oral anticoagulants when they are the principal caregivers for patients with AF, acute deep venous thrombosis, or acute pulmonary embolism, according to R. Michael Benitez, MD, a cardiologist at the University of Maryland Medical Center and a professor of medicine in the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore. The decision to prescribe an oral anticoagulant must be based upon the patient's risk without anticoagulation weighed in context with the patient's risk for significant bleeding, he said. How Can Physicians Best Communicate the Rationale for Anticoagulant Therapy? When describing AF, PCPs can explain to patients that the upper chamber of heart is 'wiggling' and not effectively contracting and when blood is not being effectively moved forward, it tends to clot, said Benitez. Physicians can also share that a clot as small as 2 mm is large enough to cause a major stroke if it were to break loose from the inside of the top chamber and be pumped with the blood to the brain, suggested the cardiologist. 'The oral anticoagulant greatly reduces the risk of the formation of these blood clots and subsequent stroke,' Benitez said. 'Stroke is a terrible event that, if survived, often changes a patient's life permanently and significantly. In the setting of atrial fibrillation, anticoagulation greatly reduces the patient's risk of stroke.' Regarding deep venous thrombosis, physicians can explain that a blood clot in the leg veins could break loose and be pumped through the right side of the heart to the lungs. 'This event, pulmonary embolism, can cause critical illness or even death; the risk can be greatly reduced through the use of oral anticoagulants,' said Benitez. What Are Important Directives Regarding Usage? PCPs should stress that daily use is critical to the success of the drug in preventing stroke. 'In the case of the new direct oral anticoagulants, such as apixaban or rivaroxaban, the drugs both work very quickly but also wear off very quickly,' said Benitez. 'This means that even missing just 2-3 days is enough for the blood to again clot normally. It is essential that the drugs be taken daily to prevent stroke.' In the case of warfarin, the effect of the drug is more prolonged. While missing a single dose is unlikely to markedly change the degree of anticoagulation, it's still best to remind patients not to miss doses and take this daily as prescribed, according to Benitez. What Side Effects Should Be Discussed? It is extremely important with warfarin — and to a lesser degree with direct oral anticoagulants — to always make certain that there is no drug-drug interaction that might affect the degree of anticoagulation when new medications are introduced, such as antibiotics, said Benitez. Other side effects to bring to a patients' attention are minor bleeding (such as gum bleeding with dental flossing) or nose bleeds that stop easily, which don't require immediate medical attention. However, your patients should self-monitor bleeding episodes and know a course of action if injured. 'If bleeding will not readily stop then medical attention is needed, and patients who incur major injury or trauma are likely to be taken to an emergency facility where it is important for the staff caring for them to know what anticoagulant they are taking, the dose, and when they last took it,' Benitez said. 'Reversal agents are now available to normalize blood clotting.' Your patients may be concerned with food that could interact with these medications. Benitez said there are no significant food interactions or dietary restrictions. But when prescribing warfarin, some nutritional guidance is warranted. 'With warfarin, which is a vitamin K antagonist, it is essential that the patient limit their intake of food containing vitamin K, as it is essentially an antidote or reversal agent for the anticoagulant,' he said. Some sources of vitamin K are well-known, such as leafy vegetables like spinach, kale, and other greens. However, there are many other dietary sources rich in vitamin K that may not be as obvious, such as cauliflower and soy products, Benitez said. 'It is important for the patient to familiarize themselves with vitamin K-containing foods and to keep the intake of them low and steady from day to day if they are taking warfarin,' he said.
Yahoo
34 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Over 60? Forget walking — unlock healthy aging with these 5 simple daily exercises
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Mobility might not get the same attention as cardio or strength training, but if you're over 60, it's one of the most important things you can do for your body. Good mobility helps you move with ease — whether that means staying comfortable on daily walks, reaching overhead without strain, or keeping up with your favorite activities as you age. It's also said to increase longevity, with research indicating that even simple mobility measures — like how fast someone walks (gait speed) or moves through everyday motions — are strong predictors of lifespan, independence, and quality of life. The good news? You don't need intense workouts or complicated routines to scale your mobility. A few minutes of low-impact, intentional movement each day can help maintain — and improve — your range of motion in key areas like the hips, shoulders, and spine. In this guide, we've rounded up five simple daily mobility exercises that are especially beneficial for older adults. They're gentle, effective, and easy to incorporate into your day — no gym required. Why does mobility matter more over 60? As we get older, our joints naturally lose some of their flexibility, and muscles can become tighter and less responsive. Reduced mobility can make everyday movements harder and increase the risk of falls or injury, even for people who stay relatively active. Targeted mobility exercises can be really helpful, especially when performed consistently. The five exercises below are low-impact and easy to follow, and they focus on key areas, including the hips, shoulders, spine, knees, and ankles. Done daily, they can improve movement quality, reduce stiffness, and help you keep doing the activities you enjoy for longer. 1. Cat-cow stretch The cat-cow stretch is a classic yoga move, but it's widely recommended by physiotherapists and trainers for improving spinal flexibility. It gently moves the spine through flexion and extension — helping to release tension in the back, neck, and shoulders while activating your core muscles. Start on all fours with your hands under your shoulders and knees under your hips. Gently arch your back, lift your head and tailbone, and let your belly drop — this is 'cow.' Then, round your spine upward, tuck your chin, and draw your belly in — this is 'cat.' Engaging your breath by inhaling as you arch and exhaling as you round can help you move more fluidly between positions and improve your control through the full range of motion. Aim for as many reps as feels comfortable. 2. 90/90 hip switch The 90/90 hip switch is one of the best mobility drills for happy hips. It's similar to the 90/90 hip stretch — a static version often used to release tight glutes — but this variation adds gentle movement to improve hip mobility. By rotating between sides, you target internal and external hip rotation — essential for walking, squatting, and getting up from the floor. It's low-impact, joint-friendly, and great for maintaining hip function as you age. Start seated on the floor with one leg bent at 90 degrees in front of you and the other at 90 degrees behind, so your knees point in opposite directions. Your front thigh should align with your torso, and your back thigh should extend out to the side. Keep your chest upright and hold your arms out in front of you. Slowly rotate your hips to switch sides, keeping both knees bent — aim for control, not speed. Do 6–8 reps (3–4 each side), focusing on smooth, steady transitions. 3. Standing wall angels Wall angels are a simple but effective move that work on shoulder mobility, posture, and upper back activation — all areas that tend to get tighter with age. They help open up the chest, improve posture, and retrain your body to move with better alignment. Just as you would with wall squats, start by standing with your back against the wall, feet about six inches away from the base. Flatten your lower back gently toward the wall, then raise your arms so your elbows and the backs of your hands are in contact with the wall, forming a goalpost or 'W' shape. Slowly slide your arms upward toward a 'Y' shape, then back down — keeping them as close to the wall as possible. Start with 6–8 slow reps, and don't worry if your hands or arms lift slightly off the wall — we're aiming for controlled movement through your available range, not perfection. Over time, wall angels can help reduce stiffness and support healthy, pain-free shoulder movement. They're a great one to add to your daily movement routine. 4. Ankle circles Ankle mobility often gets overlooked, but it's essential for balance, stability, and smoother walking as we age. Ankle circles are a simple, effective way to increase range of motion and reduce stiffness — they're perfect if your ankles feel tight after sitting or when walking on uneven ground. You can do this standing (using a wall or chair for support) or seated. Shift your weight onto one foot and lift the other foot up, with your knee bent at 90 degrees. Begin drawing slow, controlled circles with your foot — 5–10 in one direction, then reverse. Focus on moving from the ankle joint, not the leg, and keep the motion as smooth and steady as possible. Repeat on the other side. Want to add more of a challenge? After your circles, try gently tapping your toes forward and back, or side to side. This mimics the kind of movement your ankles use during real-world activities like walking, stepping, or changing direction. 5. Standing knee raises and extensions Keeping your knees strong is essential for walking, climbing stairs, and getting up from chairs with ease — but stiffness or discomfort in the knees is a common reality for people over 60. This gentle mobility move works the knees through a full range of motion without loading the joint, making it ideal for daily practice. Stand tall next to a wall or chair for support. Shift your weight to one leg, and slowly lift the opposite knee to hip height (or as high as feels comfortable). You can either lower the leg and repeat, or you can extend your lower leg out in front of you, hold for a second, then bend the knee again and lower your foot to the floor. Adding the leg extension helps strengthen the quads and improves control through the full range of motion in the knee joint. Aim for 6–8 reps per leg, focusing on control, not height. This not only supports healthy knee function, but also engages the muscles around the joint — like the quads, hamstrings, and hip flexors — to help with strength and stability. You don't need intense workouts to stay mobile and strong — just a few minutes of focused movement each day can make a big difference. These simple exercises are a great place to start if you want to move better, feel better, and stay active as you age. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button. More from Tom's Guide Forget push-ups — according to a scientist, these are the only two upper-body exercises you'll ever need Forget pull-ups — you only need 5 moves and a pair of dumbbells to build upper body strength and improve your posture Ditch the gym! This 5-move strength workout sculpts upper body muscle with just a pair of dumbbells
