New treatments for leukemia are studied
Nearly 19,000 new cases of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) will be reported this year in the U.S., according to American Cancer Society statistics.CLL affects mainly older adults, and the average age at the time of diagnosis is 71. It is rarely seen in people under 40, and is extremely rare in children. Yet CLL accounts for one quarter of all diagnosed cases of leukemia.Chronic... READ MORE
You can fight back when drugs are denied
You make a routine trip to the pharmacy to fill a prescription. But the pharmacist tells you your Medicare drug plan won’t cover the drug. You walk away with no medication — and no clear explanation about why you were denied coverage.More and more seniors are finding themselves in this confusing and potentially dangerous situation, patient advocates say.Questions about... READ MORE
Drug distribution can block competition
The same strategy that Martin Shkreli used to get away with a 5,000-percent price increase on an old drug is used by many other drugmakers to maintain sky-high prices on billions of dollars’ worth of medications.Before the price hike that made him infamous, the former CEO of Turing Pharmaceuticals had to ensure that no competitor would be able to launch a cheaper version of Daraprim,... READ MORE
Surprising benefits of worrying (for some)
Everyone worries, but some people worry more than others. When worry is excessive, people may develop generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). In fact, close to a quarter of people who go to their primary care physicians with anxiety suffer from the condition.In general, stressful events in childhood and adulthood, having strained economic resources, being divorced, and being female all put you... READ MORE
Montgomery County honors advocates
Sarah Gotbaum, who has advocated for women’s issues for over 60 years, is one of two winners of the 2016 Path of Achievement Award.Photo courtesy of Sarah GotbaumSarah Gotbaum is the very definition of a firebrand. Now 91, the sociologist and social justice advocate has been a champion of women’s issues — from equal pay for working women to protecting the rights of retired ... READ MORE
New device reads for those who can’t
A recently released device can read aloud text on everything from restaurant menus to road signs — and even recognizes faces — to help those with visual impairments navigate everyday life. Users simply point to text, objects or faces, and the device tells them what it says or who it is.Called the OrCam, the device is a small, light and discreet smart camera that is mounted on... READ MORE
Surprise insurance fees after emergencies
As health insurance plans become increasingly complicated, more patients are facing unexpected fees when they step outside their plan’s coverage network. In many cases, patients don’t even realize they’ve received out-of-network care until they’re slapped with a bill for hundreds or thousands of dollars.Nearly a third of insured Americans who have financial problems... READ MORE
Ways to trick yourself into liking exercise
You know that exercise usually makes you feel better, but sometimes life, or excuses, can get in the way. You can spend 20 minutes debating about whether it might rain, or focusing on all of the reasons why right now is not a good time to walk — or you could just lace up your shoes and go.When it becomes easier to talk yourself out of exercise than it does to just get out there,... READ MORE
Five good reasons to love dark, leafy greens
Dark, leafy greens — like kale, spinach and collards — are packed with fiber and vitamins A, C and K. They are delicious raw, in a stir-fry, sautéed or added to dishes like casseroles, omelets or soups.You may already know that these greens are vitamin and nutrient powerhouses, but they also provide some other, surprising benefits. Here are five more reasons to help convince... READ MORE
Study looks for early signs of Alzheimer’s
“Where did I leave my keys?” It’s a question most of us have asked ourselves on more than one occasion, and the inquiry is more likely a symptom of our increasingly hectic lifestyles rather than a true failure of our memory.But when are these seemingly innocent episodes of forgetfulness really the first sign of something much more significant? What are the earliest signs... READ MORE
Health 2023
