A newer type of artificial hip could be a good option for patients who need their original replacement taken out, according to a new study. Although hip replacement surgery is great at relieving pain and restoring mobility, dislocation is a common complication of the procedure. The risk of this is highest in patients who have… Continue reading A New Path for Patients Needing A Second Hip Replacement
Author: Jane Farrell
Asthma: Triggers and Treatments
The bad news about asthma is that there’s no cure for it, and in most cases we don’t even know what causes it. The good news: There are ways you can reduce the number and severity of your attacks. You have to tailor your anti-asthma action plan to your own case, though, because not everyone… Continue reading Asthma: Triggers and Treatments
A New Kind of Daily Bike Ride
Are you ready to work and bike at the same time? Researchers have discovered that employees who pedaled at their desk while working improved insulin responses to a test meal. And (in case you were wondering) the participants’ work skills didn’t decrease because they were pedaling. The discovery, by kinesiologists at the University of Massachusetts… Continue reading A New Kind of Daily Bike Ride
The Truth About Genetic Testing and Medications
Wouldn’t it be great if you could find a link between your genetic makeup and which medicine is good for you? In some cases, you can; in other cases, it’s best not to take a test at all if the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hasn’t looked at it. There’s no doubt that genetic… Continue reading The Truth About Genetic Testing and Medications
An Eye Test for Alzheimer’s
Until now, it has been difficult to diagnose Alzheimer’s. But researchers have come up with an imaging device that can see signs of the illness within seconds. The non-invasive device reveals that small blood vessels in the back of the eye are altered in patients with Alzheimer’s. The same is true for patients who have… Continue reading An Eye Test for Alzheimer’s
The Risky Business of Medical Procedures
How cautious are you in deciding on a medical treatment? In exploring that question, a team of European researchers found that people underestimate the risks of treatments ranging from minor drugs to major and overestimate the benefits. Published in the journal Risk Analysis, the study of 376 adults was led by Professor Yaniv Hanoch from… Continue reading The Risky Business of Medical Procedures
Gestational Diabetes Can Mean An Ongoing Health Risk
If you’ve had gestational diabetes, which occurs only during pregnancy and usually ends after the baby is born, you still need to monitor your condition. Gestational diabetes affects up to 10 percent of pregnancies, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). The agency, part of the National Institutes of Health… Continue reading Gestational Diabetes Can Mean An Ongoing Health Risk
Getting A Grip on Avoiding Disability
Older adults with good grip strength – the ability to grasp and hold on to or pull an object – are less likely to become disabled, researchers say. The information came from an analysis conducted by Chinese investigators of a study called SHARE. In that study, 30,434 people, age 50 or older, were surveyed every… Continue reading Getting A Grip on Avoiding Disability
The Powerhouse Snack
The healthiest night-time snack just may be cottage cheese. It positively affects your muscle quality, metabolism and overall health. And there’s another bonus: You won’t gain any body fat from this protein-filled food. Those conclusions, by researchers from Florida State University, were published in the British Journal of Nutrition. Associate Professor of Nutrition, Food and… Continue reading The Powerhouse Snack
A Post-Hospital Risk for Stroke Patients
Patients who suffer an ischemic stroke, the most common kind, face an additional risk after being released from the hospital. If they have an infection, they are likelier to be readmitted to the hospital within 30 days no matter how severe or mild their stroke was, according to new research. The study was published in… Continue reading A Post-Hospital Risk for Stroke Patients
A Tale of Two Vaccines
The new shingles vaccine is much better than the old one – but it’s more painful as well. Canadian researchers analyzed 27 clinical studies involving two million patients age 50 or older and found that the new vaccine, Shingrix, was 85 percent more effective in reducing cases of shingles. The research was published by The… Continue reading A Tale of Two Vaccines
Eliminating A Deadly lngredient in Hair Dyes
Ever worried about toxic ingredients in your hair dye? Well, this should give you some peace of mind: a federal agency has ordered lead acetate to be removed from those products. The ruling by the federal Food and Drug Administration takes away the last authorization for the use of lead as an ingredient in beauty… Continue reading Eliminating A Deadly lngredient in Hair Dyes
Measuring Memory
Researchers have come up with a simple test that can yield profound results. The word-recall quiz accurately predicted whether people had elevated brain levels of beta-amyloid, a protein that has been linked with the increased risk of mild cognitive impairment and the development of Alzheimer’s. The investigators say they hope the procedure, which puts pressure… Continue reading Measuring Memory
Stop Being A Superwoman!
Are you one of them? You know – the ones who have 100 things to do and get them all done. We work hard and are totally dedicated to fulfilling our marriage, parenting, career and friendship goals. We’re superwomen. But there’s a problem. On the upside it feels amazing to be successful and needed on… Continue reading Stop Being A Superwoman!
E-Cigarettes and Skin Wounds
Here’s another reason to avoid vaping: It delays the healing of skin wounds. The study is just the latest in bad news about e-cigarettes. Investigators recently cited the addictive properties of e-cigs, especially one particular brand (See “The Most Addictive Brand of E-Cigs?”) In the newest study, conducted on animal subjects, experts led by a… Continue reading E-Cigarettes and Skin Wounds
Hypertension and Kidney Disease
Can blood pressure treatment be harmful? Reducing blood pressure is usually a good thing, but doctors have been concerned about intensive blood pressure lowering during hypertension therapy and the accompanying elevations of the molecule creatinine. Until the most recent research they worried that the creatinine elevations might be an indicator of kidney disease. Signs of… Continue reading Hypertension and Kidney Disease
The Simple Words that Can Save Suicidal People
Most of us are likely to know or love somebody who has been affected by suicide. Statistics from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show how common this disturbing phenomenon is. Nearly 45,000 lives were lost to suicide in 2016. Suicide rates have gone up more than 30 percent in half of the… Continue reading The Simple Words that Can Save Suicidal People
A Short Way to Prolong Life
It’s not a marathon runner’s workout time, but doctors are advising heart patients to move around every twenty minutes in an effort to prolong life. Previous research has shown that being sedentary for long periods may shorten life, and that heart patients spend most of their time sitting, lying down or watching TV. But, that… Continue reading A Short Way to Prolong Life