In this issue: Calorie burn and weight loss, shaving and hair thickness, appetizer recipes and more

HOUSECALL Mayo Clinic is ranked #1 in the nation. Vol. 18, Issue 102 | December 21, 2017   THIS WEEK'S TOP STORIES     Aging parents: 8 warning signs of health problems Whether you live close to your parents or far away, you want to be sure they're taking care of themselves. Here are some signs that they may need help.     Exercise for weight loss: Calories burned in 1 hour   Running, swimming or bicycling — which burns the most calories in 1 hour? Check our chart to see how your favorite fitness activity rates.           EXPERT ANSWERS   Caffeine and menopause symptoms: Is there a link? Find out if drinking your morning coffee or afternoon soda could be linked to hot flashes. Shaving hair: Does shaved hair grow back thicker? Contrary to popular belief, shaving unwanted hair doesn't change its thickness, color or rate of growth.   PLUS ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS ... Asthma: Limit asthma attacks caused by colds or flu Foot drop Chest pain Laser resurfacing Appetizer recipes     TRUSTED HEALTH TOOLS   Use our Symptom Checker to explore possible causes of your symptoms based upon Mayo Clinic's patient care experience.   Use these simple calculators and self-assessments for personalized health tips.   Mayo Clinic healthy weight pyramid BMI calculator     MAYO CLINIC PRODUCTS & SERVICES   50 favorite recipes for fun and healthy eating! Help kids discover the joy of cooking and the importance of eating right with 50 fun, kid-friendly recipes adapted from the Fix-It and Enjoy-It Healthy Cookbook. The Mayo Clinic Kids' Cookbook is a great gift idea for holidays, kids' birthdays or school vacations. Order today!     SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT   You're not alone You have questions about your health. Meet women talking about fertility, early menopause and other women's health issues that matter to you. Discover your online support network today at Connect.MayoClinic.org.     HEALTHY RECIPES   Holiday green bean casserole Decadent chocolate cake Stuffing with cranberries   HEALTH TIP   Calorie count: Check your coffee cup Coffee choices are nearly limitless. You can choose from plain, flavored, whipped, topped, iced and even frozen versions. Of course, how you choose to dress up your coffee makes all the difference in calories, fat and sugar. If you're watching your weight, consider sticking to basic black. A plain cup of brewed coffee contains zero fat and only a couple of calories.   Need practical advice on diet and exercise? Want creative solutions for stress and other lifestyle issues? Discover even more healthy lifestyle topics at MayoClinic.org.   Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Advertising & Sponsorship Policy    |    Opportunities     Did you know? Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit medical institution dedicated to patient care, education and medical research. Proceeds from advertising and the sale of Mayo Clinic books and newsletters support Mayo Clinic's mission. Share our passion for science and health. Please consider a gift to Mayo Clinic. Click here to donate.     Connect with Mayo Clinic For more of our reliable health information and tools, visit us at MayoClinic.org. Or add us to your social network!   Like us on Facebook Follow on Twitter Discover your Network   Watch on YouTube Patient Stories View More Newsletters     © 2017 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905. All rights reserved.