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This old standby may not be your first choice for pain relief, but it still has an important role in disease prevention and first aid.

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We have a lot to thank aspirin for. It's cheap and plentiful. It does a good job of relieving pain and bringing down fevers. It has also been shown to reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and colon cancer. It can even stop heart attacks and strokes in their tracks. In fact, if you're in your 50s or 60s, you may want to think about taking a low-dose aspirin every day.

After evaluating the results of scores of studies, in April 2016 the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommended that women and men ages 50 through 69 who have a 10% risk of a heart attack or stroke in the next 10 years take 81 milligrams (mg) of aspirin daily. Under the previous recommendations鈥攚hich, were different for men and women鈥攄aily low-dose aspirin was advised for women ages 60 through 79 who were at increased risk for cardiovascular events. The recommendation was revised to reflect a new method of calculating the risk of heart attack and stroke and of increased risk of bleeding in older people.

They affect more women, but men still are at risk.

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Most people never think about gallstones鈥攖hat is until they experience the severe, gut-piercing pain of a gallstone attack. "These often strike after eating, especially a high-fat or high-cholesterol meal, and can last about 30 minutes to two or more hours," says Dr. William Brugge, past director of gastrointestinal endoscopy at Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital.

The attacks often begin in the upper-right side of the abdomen and may spread to the back, between the shoulder blades, and under the right shoulder. Nausea or vomiting may also occur.

Are these advances in dental health right for you?

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Tooth decay, gum disease, and injury to the mouth can all lead to the loss of one or more teeth. The standard solution usually involves removable dentures or a fixed bridge. A newer option, dental implants, is also gaining popularity. "Implants can significantly improve your quality of life," says Dr. German Gallucci, department chair of restorative dentistry at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine.

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This summer, it's especially important to take precautions against mosquitoes and ticks.

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You're no doubt aware that a mosquito bite can transmit the Zika virus and that pregnant women infected with the virus may have babies with microcephaly鈥攊ncomplete brain development. Although Zika is getting the most attention this summer, mosquitoes and ticks carrying the pathogens responsible for other conditions, including West Nile fever, Lyme disease, encephalitis, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, are still at large in areas of the United States.

While scientists work to develop vaccines against these illnesses, the best protection is still prevention. "One thing everyone can do is to reduce their risk of exposure," says Dr. Mary E. Wilson, adjunct associate professor of global health and population at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Getting the best protection depends on the type of bug you're protecting yourself against.

Women who have a history of endometriosis—a risk factor for cardiovascular disease—should take measures to reduce their other cardiovascular risk factors.

Stem cell research has led to techniques to restore vision in animals and to grow new, healthy lenses in human babies born with cataracts.

The American College of Physicians recommends cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) as a first line of defense for chronic insomnia, instead of sleep medications.

Living with a chronic condition or as a survivor of cancer or a heart attack needn't take a toll on intimate relationships.

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Strategically timing when you take pain medication can make sex more comfortable.

Sexual satisfaction is an important part of well-being, yet women who have been successfully treated for cancer or are living with chronic conditions often accept a diminished sex life as a trade-off for being alive. "Women with cancer go through surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation in order to be alive, but once they're through treatment they may not feel as though they are really living to the fullest," says Dr. Sharon Bober, a psychologist at Harvard-affiliated Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Women with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and arthritis may also feel that their health issues have eroded their intimate relationships.

A high blood pressure diagnosis can come as a shock due to a lack of symptoms, but the condition is manageable. Dr. Naomi Fisher explains what to do after you are diagnosed.

Hiccups are often caused by many everyday situations, including distention of the stomach (which can be the result of overeating), swallowing air, or drinking carbonated beverages. They usually go away on their own, but episodes that last longer than 48 hours could be a sign of certain medical problems.