Featured Story
Back pain? Acupuncture study may help
If you wake up every day with an achy back, you’re not alone. About a third of people over 65 have chronic lower back pain. To manage the pain, some people get cortisone injections, which wear off in several months, or go on opioid medication, which can be dangerously addictive. Now, the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing is studying the effects of acupressure — a... READ MORE
A daily aspirin isn’t right for everyone
Q: Should I be taking a low-dose aspirin to prevent heart attacks and strokes? A: Maybe not. Recent research has shown that low-dose aspirin may not be necessary and may even introduce additional unnecessary risks in certain people. Strokes and heart attacks, also called myocardial infarctions, can occur due to buildup of plaque in the arterial walls causing narrowing of the blood... READ MORE
He brings orchids back from the brink
If your orchid looks sickly and droopy, swallow your pride. Extinguish your guilt. Don’t give up. There’s hope — and it’s found through Art Chadwick Jr., of Richmond’s Chadwick & Son Orchids. Orchids have a reputation for being finicky plants, even for experienced gardeners, but Chadwick believes otherwise. People just need to understand these beautiful plants and when they ... READ MORE
Take time to find the right antidepressant
First, let me say I am not a fan of medicating normal, regular sadness that we encounter in our lives, such as the melancholy associated with losing a job, or when a friend leaves town, or for hormonal cycles. But there are people who are truly depressed and experiencing the urge to harm themselves. We need to be loving and gentle with them, and if they need medicine, so be it. So... 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
So many different benefits of gardening
Each autumn, the fruits of the harvest fill the shelves of local groceries and farmers markets, a colorful reminder of the many nutritional benefits of fresh produce. But growing your own produce offers equally sustaining, though perhaps less visible, benefits. Beyond reduced grocery expenses, gardening offers many positive effects financially. A garden may be a good way to improve... READ MORE
