Can a chiropractor treat low back pain?
If you’ve ever seen a doctor for back pain, you’re not alone. An estimated 85% of people experience back pain severe enough to see a doctor at some point in their life. Yet despite how common it is, the precise cause of pain is often unclear. And a single, best treatment for most low back pain is unknown. “Standard care” includes a balance of rest, stretching and exercise,... READ MORE
Wash hands to keep yourself, others well
The single most important thing you can do to keep from getting sick and to stop the spread of disease-causing germs is to wash your hands — often. All it takes is soap and water, 20 seconds of scrubbing hands and wrists and then a good rinse. Viruses that cause colds and the flu are most often transmitted by hands. People commonly catch colds when they rub their nose or their eyes... READ MORE
Knee pain? Options to try before surgery
When cartilage inside the knee joint starts to break down, a person may begin to experience pain. “If you were to look inside a healthy knee joint, you’d see a thick cushioning of cartilage that covers and protects the ends of your bones, as well as another type of cartilage, called the meniscus, that acts like a shock absorber between the bones,” said Andrew Urquhart, M.D., a... READ MORE
Four ways to improve your cholesterol
Every cell in your body contains cholesterol — it’s an important building block for tissues that make up your organs — but if your levels are out of whack, it can spell all kinds of health trouble. Too much LDL cholesterol gloms up the walls of your blood vessels and can lead to heart disease. HDL, on the other hand, is considered the “good” cholesterol because it transports... READ MORE
What causes bad breath and what helps?
Almost everyone experiences bad breath once in a while. But for some people, bad breath is a daily problem, and they struggle to find a solution. Approximately 30% of the population complains of some sort of bad breath. Halitosis (Latin for “bad breath”) often occurs after a garlicky meal or in the morning after waking. Other causes of temporary halitosis include some beverages... READ MORE
Happy retirees share socializing secrets
When I asked readers to share their experiences with being single in retirement, you didn’t let me down. Not only did you offer useful advice, but you also came up with out-of-the-box ideas. And all of your stories are just as valuable for retirees who have a spouse or partner. Not surprisingly, a number of you recommended volunteering as a way to socialize. For example, Ed... READ MORE
Five things to do before cancer treatment
If you just found out you need cancer treatment, there are ways to prepare yourself. Being ready will help you overcome the uncertainty and anxiety that so often goes along with starting treatment. No matter what, remember who’s in charge: you! Too many people don’t realize that they — not their doctors — are in charge of their own health. Here are five things you should do to ... READ MORE
Q&A: Tai chi benefits; statin side-effects
Q: I have pain in both knees due to osteoarthritis. It’s not too bad, but I want to avoid surgery in the future. What are your thoughts about tai chi? A: Osteoarthritis develops when cartilage — the tissue that covers bones and acts as a cushion — deteriorates over time, eventually leading to joint damage. For the early stages of this condition, tai chi may very well decrease... READ MORE
Friends closer than sisters — and not
Dear Solutions: My sister’s friend died recently. My sister, who considered this person her best friend, can’t seem to get over it. She says she has no one to really talk to anymore. I thought we were always close, and I feel a little insulted. I told her she still has me to talk to, and she just said it’s not the same. I thought a sister is closer than a friend. I would like to... READ MORE
Love means saying you’re sorry (often)
Dear Solutions: My 8-year-old grandson is living with us for a while. I think I overreacted to something he did, and I punished him in a way that I now think was unfair. My wife is angry at me, and says I should apologize to him because he thinks I don’t love him. I think if I apologize, it will undermine my authority. And besides, he knows I love him, so I don’t have to say it. — ... READ MORE
