New insights about brain from epilepsy
Although Genette Hofmann is still using her brain, last month she donated a bit of it to science. Hofmann needed the surgery — her Seattle surgeon was looking deep into her brain, where he found the trigger for the epileptic seizures that had disrupted her life for 30 years. But to get there, he teased out a bit of healthy tissue the size of a lima bean and, with her blessing,... READ MORE
Studying mushrooms to fight depression
It’s normal to feel sad after receiving a diagnosis of early Alzheimer’s disease or mild cognitive impairment (MCI). But that doesn’t mean there’s no hope for the sadness to lift. A Johns Hopkins University study is testing a potential treatment for these feelings: psilocybin, a psychoactive substance found in mushrooms. “For many people who get a diagnosis of early stage... READ MORE
Should early dementia patients drive?
Dear Savvy Senior, Is there a good rule of thumb regarding when dementia patients should stop driving? My 82-year-old mom has early stage Alzheimer’s disease but still drives herself around town just fine. —Inquiring Daughter Dear Inquiring, Most doctors agree that people with moderate to severe dementia should never get behind the wheel. But in the early stages of... READ MORE
Dermal fillers can reduce signs of aging
The four major structural components of our face are skin, fat, muscle and bone. As we age, volume loss in these areas contributes to the visible signs of aging. Dermal fillers may help. Over time, age-related bone loss in the face can lead to retraction of the jaw line, descent of the nose and loss of high cheekbones. The facial muscles also decrease in volume and elasticity, and... READ MORE
Bicycling for the health of it
Columbia resident David Zinner will be wearing his knee-length, red-white-and-blue socks on April 21 as he and a group of fellow bikers from Cycle2Health (C2H) pedal to several presidential primary voting sites. “We hope to look a little outrageous so that people will be reminded to get out and vote,” said Zinner, 69, a ride leader for C2H. While the official Howard County primary ... READ MORE
Is recurring stomach pain from an ulcer?
Dear Mayo Clinic: I thought I had an ulcer, but my doctor ruled that out and wants to run tests. He said it could be functional dyspepsia. What causes this, and is it treatable? A: Functional dyspepsia (also called nonulcer dyspepsia) and peptic ulcers can feel much the same. But unlike a peptic ulcer, which involves open sores in the digestive tract, functional dyspepsia involves... READ MORE
Eat a rainbow of foods to stay healthy
Healthy eating advocates will say good nutrition is not a black-and-white issue. On the contrary, it’s in our best interest to fill our grocery carts with an assortment of colorful vegetables and fruits! Many of the pigments that give the dynamic shades to the stars of the produce aisle are considered powerful antioxidants, which offer health benefits to our bodies. What do... READ MORE
Coronavirus: What you need to know now
The situation around the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is changing rapidly, and the National Council on the Aging (NCOA) is taking proactive steps to share the best information we have to protect the public’s health, especially among older adults. Now is the time to stay informed and follow basic tips to protect yourself and those around you. Older adults at higher risk The CDC has... READ MORE
Superfoods that can help fight off colds
They say you are what you eat. So, it makes sense that eating nutritious foods can help you maintain a healthy immune system. “Vitamins, minerals, antioxidants — these are what keep your body strong, and without them you’re not giving your body the edge it needs to ward off infection,” said registered dietitian Karen Ansel, a former spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and ... READ MORE
When/how to use opioids for acute pain
Two recent articles have again highlighted how often opioid pain relievers — medications like oxycodone and hydrocodone — are excessively prescribed in the U.S. for acute pain, sometimes for vulnerable populations, and sometimes for conditions for which they are probably not even indicated. The first paper, by authors at Boston Children’s Hospital, evaluated visits to the... READ MORE
