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Barbra Williams Cosentino

barbra consentino, writer

Barbra Williams Cosentino RN, LCSW, is a psychotherapist in Queens, N.Y., and a freelance writer whose essays and articles on health, parenting and mental health have appeared in the New York Times, Medscape, BabyCenter and many other national and online publications.

An older adult getting a dental exam. Next Avenue, oral health, diabetes

How To Promote Oral Health For People With Diabetes

Caring for your teeth, gums, and mouth is a vital part of your health toolbox if you have diabetes
January 10, 2023
An illustration of a cross section of a human brain. Next Avenue, difference between pain and suffering

Must Pain Always Lead to Suffering?

Pain and infirmity are inherent in life; here are some strategies for coping
November 17, 2022
A 60s-style lounge with all red upholstery and carpeting. Next Avenue, JFK Airport, TWA Hotel

The TWA Hotel: A Trip Back in Time

This quirky hotel at New York's JFK International Airport transports guests back to the heyday of air travel
September 2, 2022
A woman experiencing pain from long COVID looking out the window. Next Avenue, Long COVID and chronic pain

The Problem of Long COVID Pain

Pain is the number one symptom in people with long COVID
August 29, 2022
A close-up of an older man's closed eyes. Next Avenue, hypnotherapy benefits

Hypnotherapy for Health and Happiness

Hypnotherapy is an evidence-based mind-body approach to overall health
August 25, 2022
A close-up photo of a model of a human heart. Next Avenue, long COVID heart issues

Long COVID, Your Heart and Cardiovascular Complications

Long COVID sequelae can have abiding effects on your heart
August 18, 2022
A woman looking over her prescription medications with her doctor. Next Avenue, how to be a good patient

How and Why to Be a Good Patient

It's not a popularity contest. Being a good patient can help your doctor help YOU
July 27, 2022
A person during a wide awake hand surgery appointment. Next Avenue, wide-awake hand surgery

Is Wide-Awake Hand Surgery Right for You?

Surgery on hands, wrists and more, done without anesthesia, is growing in popularity with doctors and patients alike
July 13, 2022
An older adult holding prescription medication bottles. Next Avenue, online pharmacy

Online Pharmacies: The Good, The Bad and The Very Bad

Online pharmacies can save you time and money, even if you have insurance drug coverage, but there are pitfalls to watch for
June 20, 2022
A pharmacist talking with a patient. Next Avenue, pharmacist, pharmacy

Get to Know Your Local Pharmacist

Pharmacists provide valuable information and should be considered important members of your health care team
June 2, 2022
A woman holding a framed photo and grieving. Next Avenue, Prolonged grief/complicated grief disorder

When Grief Doesn't Go Away

Known as prolonged grief disorder, a new diagnosis recognizes that long-lasting grief can lead to depression, but treatment is available
May 23, 2022
A diabetes patient checking their insulin levels. Next Avenue, American Diabetes Association guidelines

A New Emphasis on Individualized Treatment for Diabetes

The American Diabetes Association 2022 Standards of Care include new screening protocols, individualized care and the increasing use of technologies
April 13, 2022
A person holding up a mug of coffee as the sun rises in the background. Next Avenue, coffee good for you, health

Pour a Cup of Coffee and Drink to Your Health

Coffee's benefits are abundant — including lowered risk of cardiovascular diseases — but there are some negative effects
March 29, 2022
A woman sitting down googling symptoms on her phone. Next Avenue, google, diagnosis

Paging Dr. Google: Should I Use the Internet to Diagnose Myself?

Lots of people rely on Google to look up symptoms. But can it cause more harm than good?
March 4, 2022
Fresh heart healthy vegetables at a farmer's market stand. Next Avenue, Cardiovascular Health

New Dietary Guidance to Improve Cardiovascular Health

The American Heart Association has issued guidelines to help Americans stay heart healthy
December 15, 2021
A 3D rendering of a human liver with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease or NAFLD, now known as Metabolic Associated Fatty Liver Disease MAFLD. Next Avenue

The Most Common Liver Disease You've Never Heard of

Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, the most prevalent liver disease in the world, affects almost two billion people
November 5, 2021
Several small white Bayer baby aspirin pills. Next Avenue, heart attack, stroke, prevention, taking aspirin safe

Is Taking Baby Aspirin Still Safe?

New draft recommendations offer guidance on who should (and shouldn't) be taking a low-dose aspirin to prevent a heart attack
October 26, 2021
A person in a hyperbaric chamber. Next Avenue, wound won't heal, chronic wound

When Wounds Won't Heal

What works for wounds that haven't closed within 30 days
October 6, 2021
A close up of a hanging pendant lamp. Next Avenue, home lighting, vision, lighting for older people

Illuminating the Subject of Better Home Lighting

Good lighting can make all the difference for your eyes when it comes to comfort, performance and safety
September 21, 2021
A vintage illustration of a toilet. Next Avenue, constipation, fiber, diet

Conquering Constipation When It's Go Time

Who gets constipation, how to treat it and the role the pandemic has played
August 4, 2021
Close up of scrabble letters on top of a scrabble board, Next Avenue

Scrabble is a 14-Point Word for Love

Fond memories of a family's devotion to the popular board game
April 7, 2021
Older man in bed with hand on his stomach, Next Avenue

The Brain in Your Belly

Is “pandemic" gut pain making you miserable? How to get your digestive distress under control.
March 25, 2021
An older man napping in a chaise lounge outside, naps, sleep science, Next Avenue

How Naps Can Keep You Happy and Healthy

Strategic naps can restore and refresh us, lower our stress and even spark creativity
February 25, 2021
COVID-19 survivors, Next Avenue, Woman sitting at table looking tired and sick

For Many COVID-19 Survivors, Another Devastating Syndrome May Follow

Myalgic encephalomyelitis, or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, is on the rise
January 8, 2021
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