Editor’s note: Welcome to our ThirdAge feature that gives you a chance to play medical sleuth as we share the details of what happened when a patient presented with a problem that stumped the physician at first. Last week, the patient reported her symptoms. The doctor proceeded with the examination using the components of the… Continue reading Solve the Medical Riddle: Her Broken Bone Isn’t Healing, Second Week
Author: thirdAGE
Is Your Hearing Loss a Symptom of Diabetes?
We face so many concerns as we age, especially when it comes to our health. It seems like the media reminds us every day to worry about what we eat, how often we exercise, and what symptoms should send us running to our doctor’s office. It’s not surprising so many of us neglect our hearing… Continue reading Is Your Hearing Loss a Symptom of Diabetes?
Statins May Negatively Affect Vaccination
New research indicates that cholesterol-reducing drugs could have a detrimental effect on a person’s response to a flu vaccine, and may even affect the vaccine’s effectiveness. A new pair of studies, published in The Journal of Infectious Diseases, may have implications for flu vaccine recommendations, guidelines for statin use around the time of vaccination, and… Continue reading Statins May Negatively Affect Vaccination
Don’t Fall Victim to Identity Theft
Someone in the United States just became the victim of identity theft, according to a recent report, which determined that 12.7 million consumers experienced identity fraud in 2014. With technology becoming increasing advanced, hackers are becoming increasingly devious, which means it’s more common than ever before to learn that your identity was stolen. “Having your… Continue reading Don’t Fall Victim to Identity Theft
Being Married Linked to Better Outcomes Following Surgery
Among more than 1,500 adults who underwent cardiac surgery, those who were divorced, separated, or widowed were more likely to have died or develop a new functional disability after the surgery compared with the married participants, according to a study published online in October 2015 by JAMA Surgery. A release from the publisher notes that… Continue reading Being Married Linked to Better Outcomes Following Surgery
“Virtual Week” Brain Game Helps Older Adults Remain Independent Longer
An international team of scientists has demonstrated that just one month of training on a “Virtual Week” computer brain game helps older adults significantly strengthen prospective memory – a type of memory that is crucial for planning, everyday functioning and independent living. Seniors who played the cognitive-training game “more than doubled” the number of prospective… Continue reading “Virtual Week” Brain Game Helps Older Adults Remain Independent Longer
Breaking News: Lower Blood Pressure Target Recommended
A study presented at the American Heart Association meeting and published online in the New England Journal of Medicine on November 9th 2015 found that at least 16.8 million Americans could potentially benefit from lowering their systolic blood pressure (SBP) to 120 mmHg, much lower than current guidelines of 140 or 150 mmHg. The collaborative… Continue reading Breaking News: Lower Blood Pressure Target Recommended
Eating in Moderation May Not Always Be Good for You
The classic advice to eat everything in moderation may not be as beneficial as once thought, new research shows. Diet diversity, as defined by less similarity among the foods people eat, may be linked to lower diet quality and worse metabolic health, according to a study from at The University of Texas Health Science Center… Continue reading Eating in Moderation May Not Always Be Good for You
Is Genetic Testing for You?
Editor’s note: Genetic testing can be a frightening, expensive prospect – and it can also help you. How should you decide? Here, experts from the SeniorHealth division of the National Institutes of Health tell you what you need to know about this crucial choice. In a genetic test, a small sample of blood, saliva, or… Continue reading Is Genetic Testing for You?
Seniors and First Date Sex
The most sexually bereft men on the planet might just be recently divorced senior guys, because most haven’t been sexual for a long while in failed marriages. Some newbies date hoping to relieve their pent-up sexual needs, but their single-minded focus renders them first date disasters. Senior women know their dating responsibilities don’t include being… Continue reading Seniors and First Date Sex
New Guidelines to Enhance Accuracy of Medical Tests
In an effort to improve the reliability of medical testing, an international team of top experts is releasing new guidelines for doctors and scientists on how to best report their assessments of new and existing diagnostic tests. A release from the University of Virginia Health System quotes David E. Bruns, MD, of the University of… Continue reading New Guidelines to Enhance Accuracy of Medical Tests
A Frightening Epidemic among Middle-Class Americans
There’s a new epidemic among white, middle-aged Americans, according to a recent study from Princeton University. The number of deaths from drugs and alcohol; suicide; chronic liver disease; and cirrhosis have increased to the point where the number of deaths are comparable to the number of Americans who have died of AIDS, according to the… Continue reading A Frightening Epidemic among Middle-Class Americans
Holiday Shopping: Spend Less, Enjoy Life More
Two months before Christmas, the National Retail Federation predicts 3.7% uptick in holiday spending. But at the same time consumers report a big decline in financial security in part because many people are struggling with too much debt. With consumer debt topping a record $3.47 trillion, we can all use practical advice for reining in… Continue reading Holiday Shopping: Spend Less, Enjoy Life More
Keeping Feet Healthy, Fit and Flexible
After walking around all day in {most likely} unsupportive shoes, or barefoot around the house, or performing high impact exercises on unforgiving terrain, our feet have had it. Here, Brian Hoke, a sports physical therapy specialist, shares some smart movies on how to help alleviate and prevent foot pain and and keep your soles healthy… Continue reading Keeping Feet Healthy, Fit and Flexible
Partnership for Food Safety Education launches GO 40 °F or BELOW Campaign
The nonprofit Partnership for Food Safety Education is introducing a new campaign, GO 40 °F OR BELOW, to call attention to the importance of the home refrigerator in reducing the risk of foodborne illness. Harmful bacteria that cause food poisoning thrive and grow at warmer temperatures. When food is left out too long at room… Continue reading Partnership for Food Safety Education launches GO 40 °F or BELOW Campaign
A Facelift Won’t Necessarily Boost Your Self-Esteem
If you’re considering having a little something done, the good news is that you’ll probably end up looking almost a decade younger. However, the not-so-good news is that you won’t necessarily end up feeling any better about yourself. Self-esteem appears to be unconnected to a positive outcome after facelift surgery, according to a study done… Continue reading A Facelift Won’t Necessarily Boost Your Self-Esteem
Male/Female Brain Differences? Big Data Says Not So Much
Research done at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science in North Chicago, Illinois has debunked the widely-held belief that the hippocampus, a crucial part of the brain that consolidates new memories and helps connect emotions to the senses, is larger in females than in males. The study was published in October 2015 in the… Continue reading Male/Female Brain Differences? Big Data Says Not So Much
Detection of Early-Stage Breast Cancer Increases With Age
The mammography detection rate of an early-stage but potentially invasive type of breast cancer rises with age, according to a large new study from Germany published online in October 2015 the journal Radiology. A release from the Radiological Society of North America explains that ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), a type of breast cancer confined… Continue reading Detection of Early-Stage Breast Cancer Increases With Age