Reaping benefits from simple meditation
Q: I have been hearing a lot more about mindfulness recently. Given my hectic life, it sounds like I might benefit. But I am not sure how to start. Any suggestions?A: Mindfulness is the practice of purposely focusing your attention on the present moment — and accepting it without judgment.Mindfulness meditation is an excellent way to get started. In mindfulness meditation, you learn... READ MORE
The truth about tequila and bone health
“Tequila could reverse osteoporosis!” “Drinking tequila is good for your bones!” “Have a third margarita — because tequila’s great for your bones!”Talk about misleading headlines! These are prime examples.It’s true that a newly published study found that a substance in tequila — called agave tequilana, or tequila agave... READ MORE
New technique depicts brain synapses
The brain’s nerve cells communicate by firing messages to each other through junctions called synapses. Problems with those connections are linked to disorders like Alzheimer’s and epilepsy.Now Yale University researchers have developed a way to picture synapses in living brains. The technique, using PET scans, is highly experimental, but it raises the possibility of one day... READ MORE
FDA approves new stent that dissolves
A medical implant that slowly dissolves into the body could be the answer to long-standing safety concerns with devices used to treat clogged arteries.But not so fast, say experts.Abbott Laboratories’ newly-approved Absorb stent comes with one important caveat: it hasn’t yet been shown to be safer than older metal implants. The Food and Drug Administration approved the... READ MORE
How regular exercise may cut cancer risk
Q: It makes sense that regular exercise helps prevent heart disease. But I have also read that it might help prevent cancer. What’s the reason?A: Many studies show that people who are physically active are less likely to develop cancer. Such associations don’t prove that exercise prevents cancer. But there are also several potential biological explanations for a protective... READ MORE
Where to donate hearing aids, glasses, etc.
Dear Savvy Senior: Where are some good places to donate old hearing aids, eyeglasses and mobility equipment? My uncle passed away a few months ago and left behind a bunch of useful aids that could surely help someone else. Searching Nephew Dear Searching: Donating old, unused assistive living aids and/or medical equipment is a great way to... READ MORE
Behavior changes may precede dementia
Memory loss may not always be the first warning sign that dementia is brewing — changes in behavior or personality might be an early clue.Researchers recently outlined a syndrome called “mild behavioral impairment” that may be a harbinger of Alzheimer’s or other dementias, and proposed a checklist of symptoms to alert doctors and families.Losing interest in favorite... READ MORE
Help contribute to breast cancer research
Clinical trials are one of the major factors responsible for the gains made in breast cancer survival over the past 30 years.Thanks to such research studies, improvements have also been made in quality of life for people living with cancer, as researchers have been able to identify more targeted treatments that can help limit many cancer therapy side effects.The Sidney Kimmel... READ MORE
Added sugar isn’t so sweet for your heart
People who consume more added sugars have a higher risk of death from heart disease.Researchers used to think it was the calories in sugary foods that were the problem: sugar made us fat, and obesity raised our risk of heart disease.But a 2014 research review in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that people who consumed more added sugars had more risk factors for... READ MORE
Relieving and preventing a pain in the neck
Neck pain is a nagging ailment that affects nearly everyone at some time. In fact, approximately 80 percent of people experience neck pain during their lifetime, and 20 to 50 percent deal with it annually, according to Dr. Frank Pedlow, an orthopedic spine surgeon at Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital.Besides the obvious problem of physical discomfort, neck pain can trigger... READ MORE
