For doctors, how old is too old?

(Neil Webb/For The Post)

Many doctors practice into their 70s and beyond. Hospitals are starting to require aging physicians to demonstrate that they’re still fit.

Doctors say being frail can be avoided and even reversed among the elderly

Doctors say being frail can be avoided and even reversed among the elderly

Resistance training can slow the natural loss of muscle mass.

An insurer’s overpayment becomes an unwitting patient’s responsibility

An insurer’s overpayment becomes an unwitting patient’s responsibility

Three years after a surgery whose costs she thought were fully settled, a woman receives a bill for $9,000.

Study identifies possible new risks from popular sedatives

Study identifies possible new risks from popular sedatives

Prescription drugs such as Valium and Xanax may raise chances of pneumonia, a new study says.

Fluid retention is often just annoying

Fluid retention is often just annoying

However, edema can also be a sign of serious illness. See a doctor if the condition persists.

Earthquake risk prompts man to stock food, train daughter in self-defense

Earthquake risk prompts man to stock food, train daughter in self-defense

Also: From Delaware’s horseshoe crab to New Zealand’s velvet worm, the creatures that time left behind.

A Nobel Prize winner discusses the potential impact of her discovery

A Nobel Prize winner discusses the potential impact of her discovery

Understanding telomeres might aid fight against cancer and age-related diseases, biologist says.

Where did that transplant patient’s face come from?

Where did that transplant patient’s face come from?

An anonymous donor supplied the tongue, teeth and jaws for a man disfigured in a gun accident.

Healthiest U.S. cities for women include Bethesda and Washington

Healthiest U.S. cities for women include Bethesda and Washington

Also: A circuit workout based on the year’s top workout DVDs.

How green is a Christmas tree? As you trim, consider the carbon footprint.

How green is a Christmas tree?  As you trim, consider the carbon footprint.

Artificial types may not be better, since they’re tied to more greenhouse gas emissions.

Positive attitude may make it harder for people to spot scams as they age

Positive attitude may make it harder for people to spot scams as they age

Judging a face to be untrustworthy may depend on a portion of the brain that is less active in older people.

The Checkup

Jennifer LaRue Huget

Physical activity may add years to your life

New research finds physical activity may add years to your life expectancy.

The Checkup

Jennifer LaRue Huget

Should ‘morning-after’ pill be prescription-free for all ages?

Should emergency contraception be available without a prescription to women of all ages?

The Checkup

Jennifer LaRue Huget

In ‘Sexy Baby’ film, a look at navigating porn- and social-media-filled world

New film documents three females' efforts to navigate a world in which pornography, pop culture and social media exert enormous influence.

Health, Science & Environment Videos

Watch the 2012 solar eclipse, viewed from Australia

Watch the 2012 solar eclipse, viewed from Australia

Watch the solar eclipse that occured 3:30pm EST, which was only viewable from Northern Australia and the Pacific Islands.
Watch the 2012 solar eclipse, viewed from Australia

Watch the 2012 solar eclipse, viewed from Australia

Watch the solar eclipse that occured 3:30pm EST, which was only viewable from Northern Australia and the Pacific Islands.
Nor’easter evening forecast from the Capital Weather Gang

Nor’easter evening forecast from the Capital Weather Gang

The Washington Post’s Jason Samenow explains what Nor’easter’s heavy wet snow and 40mph winds will mean for residents in the D.C. metropolitan area.
Capital Weather Gang previews winter outlook for D.C. Council

Capital Weather Gang previews winter outlook for D.C. Council

Capital Weather Gang previews winter outlook for D.C. Council
Contributors to Alaska’s Kachemak Bay’s pH levels

Contributors to Alaska’s Kachemak Bay’s pH levels

Contributors to Alaska’s Kachemak Bay’s pH levels
Mei Xiang vocalizes distress

Mei Xiang vocalizes distress

The National Zoo’s giant panda, Mei Xiang, vocalized distress on Sunday morning. Her six-day-old panda cub died on Sunday.
Quick glimpse of National Zoo’s baby panda

Quick glimpse of National Zoo’s baby panda

The National Zoo’s panda cam caught a shot of mother panda Mei Xiang picking up her cub on Monday evening.
Visitors flock to National Zoo to see baby panda

Visitors flock to National Zoo to see baby panda

The National Zoo’s giant female panda Mei Xiang gave birth Sunday night. Visitors joined the new mother at the zoo Monday to celebrate the new baby.
Baby panda squeaks

Baby panda squeaks

The National Zoo says their giant female panda Mei Xiang gave birth late Sunday night. The cub is the first baby panda to be born at the zoo since 2005.
Lightning seen from D.C.-bound airplane

Lightning seen from D.C.-bound airplane

Lightning seen from D.C.-bound airplane
Flooding in Slidell after Hurricane Isaac

Flooding in Slidell after Hurricane Isaac

Parts of Slidell, a suburb of New Orleans, are flooded Thursday in the aftermath of Hurricane Isaac. U.S. Army National Guard members and residents with boats evacuated people stuck in flooded areas of the town.
Isaac bears down on New Orleans

Isaac bears down on New Orleans

Tropical Storm Isaac, which was downgraded from a hurricane, continues to slowly ravage the New Orleans area. Lake Pontchartrain crashes onto Interstate 10 North outside the city to flood the area, and people asses damage around the city.
Hurricane Isaac provides major surf at Louisiana lake

Hurricane Isaac provides major surf at Louisiana lake

New Orleans residents take advantage of big waves and high winds before Hurricane Isaac makes landfall at Lake Pontchartrain.

Urban Jungle

The gray squirrel drey

The gray squirrel drey

A look inside that nest of leaves.

Medical Mysteries

Why was teenager gasping for air?

Medical Mystery

Coughing spells confounded multiple specialists, but not an astute physician assistant.

Read more Medical Mysteries

How & Why

NASA to Mars rover: Are you there?

Activity lead Bobak Ferdowsi, who cuts his hair differently for each mission, works inside the Spaceflight Operations Facility for NASA's Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover at Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, Calif. on Sunday, Aug. 5, 2012. The Curiosity robot is equipped with a nuclear-powered lab capable of vaporizing rocks and ingesting soil, measuring habitability, and potentially paving the way for human exploration. (AP Photo/Los Angeles Times, Brian van der Brug, Pool)

How the space agency can communicate in a matter of minutes with the Mars rover Curiosity.

Special Reports

Obesity in America 2010

One-third of U.S. children are overweight, leaving the health and productivity of an entire generation at risk.

AIDS/HIV

Virus that causes AIDS passes between U.S. and Mexico.

Inside Your Body

Find graphics, galleries and more that explain what’s happening in your body.