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. online pharmacy order periactin without prescription with best prices today in the USA 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... READ MORE

Thoughtful gift ideas for comfort, healing

For those of us who still have our health and energy, it’s hard to imagine how others with a chronic illness may feel. If you know someone who is uncomfortable or struggling with pain or an unpleasant condition, keep in mind they might appreciate a thoughtful — and helpful — gift at any time of the year. In this column, I can help you figure out what they really want or need, or ... READ MORE

Help researchers understand Alzheimer’s

Over the last 15 years, researchers have made strides in better understanding the development and detection of Alzheimer’s disease — if not in treatments for the disease itself. Some of these discoveries — such as that brain changes take place years before there are outward signs of Alzheimer’s, and that many genes may play a role in who gets the disease — have come about... READ MORE

Fight a denied Medicare Advantage claim

If a Medicare Advantage plan denies you coverage for medically necessary care, don’t take it lying down. File an appeal, and your odds are good that the plan will overturn its decision. That’s the message for consumers in a recent government report examining service and payment denials in Medicare Advantage plans, which are offered by private insurers and often combine basic Medicare ... READ MORE

Use Indian flatbread for quick pizza crust

Use Indian flatbread for quick pizza crust Naan is an Indian flatbread with a chewy texture and a puffed, slightly charred crust. Brushing a baking sheet with olive oil and then baking the naan on the lowest rack in a 400 F oven gives it a crispy texture — just like pizza crust. This recipe can be doubled. Pizza in a flash Servings: 1-2 Start to finish: 40 minutes (Active... READ MORE

The pressures beauty standards impose

Many people are brainwashed into buying into our culture’s steady message about what is attractive. Teenagers like myself are certainly encouraged by society (and our peers) to look a certain way. Women, we’re basically told, should be equipped with shiny, long hair, dark eyelashes and a slim waist, while men should be tall, lean and muscular. These standards of “beauty” are... READ MORE

Should you be taking a fiber supplement?

Dear Mayo Clinic: I experience irregularity almost weekly, and eating bran flakes every day isn’t helping. Are fiber supplements safe to use regularly and long term? Is there anything else I can do? I’m a 53-year-old woman and otherwise in excellent health. Answer: When consumed at recommended levels, dietary fiber is widely recognized to have health benefits, including relief of... READ MORE

Concerns rise over medical device problems

As better tracking finally becomes available for medical devices, patients are experiencing a number of problems related to a range of devices. Spinal-cord stimulators For years, medical device companies and doctors have touted spinal-cord stimulators as a panacea for millions of patients suffering from a wide range of pain disorders, making them one of the fastest-growing products in the ... READ MORE

Slow progress tracking medical devices

Juicing, done right, can improve nutrition

Dear Mayo Clinic: Is juicing as healthy as some proclaim, or are some nutrients lost in the process? Answer: Juicing — extracting the juice from fresh fruits and vegetables — can be a good way to add nutrients to your diet. If you struggle to eat the recommended five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables each day, juicing can help you get there. The good news is that the... READ MORE