Questions to ask about painful, stiff joints
Over the years, a lot of people have come to see me about an aching knee, back, shoulder or other joint.The first thing I do with every patient is try to determine whether their arthritis is degenerative (less serious) or inflammatory (more serious). I start by asking three questions.1. Does your pain get better or worse as the day goes on?If your pain gets worse throughout the day, that... READ MORE
Studying if supplements help heart health
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, accounting for about one-third of all deaths. Nearly 20 percent of men ages 60 to 79 have cardiovascular disease, while almost 10 percent of women do. Those numbers jump to 32 percent of men and nearly 19 percent of women at age 80 and older.Doctors think that natural compounds found in fruits and vegetables, called... READ MORE
How sex and gender affect your health
While men and women are similar in many ways, researchers have found that sex and social factors can make a difference when it comes to your risk for disease, how well you respond to medications, and how often you seek medical care. That’s why scientists are taking a closer look at the links between sex, gender and health. Many people use the words sex and gender interchangeably, but... READ MORE
Adjust your diet to nourish your bones
Unlike the static human skeletons that commonly hang in biology classrooms, your bones are continually being broken down and rebuilt. In fact, your entire skeleton is replaced about every 10 years.In addition to exercise, about 20 different nutrients help prevent the weakening of bones that leads to osteoporosis. We review nutrients you’re more than likely falling short on, and where... READ MORE
Try PT and injections to fight knee pain
Knee pain caused by worn cartilage due to arthritis or a torn meniscus can be so debilitating that you find yourself unable to exercise, go the grocery store, or even walk across a room. While surgery is often the fix, it’s not always necessary to relieve knee pain. “I see surgery as the last resort,” said Dr. John Melmed, who focuses much of his practice at the Silver Spring... READ MORE
You need some types of fat in your diet
Fat can be confusing. For a long time, fat — any fat — was the enemy; now, researchers say certain types of fat are a necessary part of a balanced diet.Here’s help decoding each type of fat: saturated, unsaturated and trans fat.Saturated fatSaturated fat is typically solid at room temperature.Health note: The old adage that eating too much saturated fat can raise your risk ... READ MORE
Eight ways to lower your blood pressure
When it comes to “natural” ways to improve blood pressure, sodium restriction snags the spotlight. Most experts agree that limiting sodium is a smart strategy for those looking to lower blood pressure.But why focus on what you can’t — or shouldn’t — have? Shift your emphasis to positive lifestyle changes you can make to improve blood pressure. Here are... READ MORE
Snacks can be fine, if you snack smarter
Eating a snack or two between meals can curb hunger so that you don’t inhale everything on the dining room table when you finally sit down to supper. Snacking can also help you get in all the nutrients you need.On the flip side, grazing all day — particularly on foods of little nutritional value — may result in eating too much and packing on extra pounds. The key is taking ... READ MORE
Medicare open enrollment thru Dec. 7
It’s time for your annual checkup — of your Medicare plan. Medicare’s annual open enrollment period started Oct. 15 and runs through Dec. 7. This is the time of year you can make changes to your plans.Review your current Medicare Part D Prescription Drug and, if you have it, your Medicare Part C Advantage Plan coverage to see if you can lower your costs or find a... READ MORE
Avoiding delirium during a hospital stay
My mother was lucid and alert when she was hospitalized for pneumonia. But by the middle of the first night, she was wondering how she had ended up at a “hotel” that allowed strangers to enter her room at all hours. The second night, she wandered into the corridor, slipped and fractured a hip. She didn’t leave the hospital alive.Her story, though extreme, is sadly typical. ... READ MORE
