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
Multiple medications can multiply risks
Taking several types of medications can be challenging. But this is something you have to get right. If you don’t, you may have unwanted side effects, or you may not properly treat your chronic condition.“I see people who average 15 medications, and it’s very difficult for them to juggle that many pills,” said Joanne Doyle Petrongolo, a pharmacist at... READ MORE
When blood work is on the edge of normal
As a smart medical consumer, you know it’s important to look over the results of your routine blood work, even when the numbers are all within the normal range.But what if you notice that some results are at the high or low end of that range? Should you be concerned about this?“It’s tricky, because in some tests, a borderline result makes no difference. In others, it might ... READ MORE
Foods that protect your skin from the sun
By now, you probably already know that you should be protecting your skin with at least SPF 30 sunscreen to keep it healthy and younger looking.But here’s another tip: What you eat can also help protect your skin from the sun — and even help keep it looking smoother and more youthful. Here’s what to eat to help your skin glow.StrawberriesEating more vitamin C-rich foods... READ MORE
Do people burn more calories when cold?
Some studies show that when you are cold, you burn more calories to keep warm. A special kind of fat — called brown fat — may use more energy (and calories) to keep your body warm. For many years, scientists have known that small animals and infants have this kind of fat. Recently, research shows that adult humans may also have brown fat.If brown fat becomes active and burns... READ MORE
50+Expos return to Maryland, Virginia
Who will be the lucky winner of a 10-day vacation for two to China?One registrant at the 2016 Beacon 50+Expos, that’s who!For the 17th year in a row, the Beacon Newspapers expects to attract thousands of attendees to its 50+Expos — free annual events featuring expert speakers, health screenings, informative resources, technology education, and entertainment for older adults and... READ MORE
Studying fall prevention among veterans
Falls and their consequences are a serious medical concern for older adults. Complications following falls are the leading cause of deaths due to injury among them, and are the most common cause of nonfatal injuries and hospitalization for trauma.Even if an individual who falls does not sustain an injury, impaired balance among older adults often results in an overall lessening of physical... READ MORE
Ways to protect against mosquito bites
If you’re trying to avoid mosquito bites, there are four simple ways to do it: Cover up, use insect repellent, stay indoors, and eliminate places where the bug can breed.A mosquito’s first choice for biting is bare, unprotected skin. So be sure to wear a hat, a long-sleeved shirt and long pants when you go outside.You can go one step further and treat your clothing with... READ MORE
Scans find marker of Alzheimer’s decline
Scientists are peeking inside living brains to watch for the first time as a toxic duo of plaques and tangles interact to drive Alzheimer’s disease — and those tangles may predict early symptoms, a finding with implications for better treatments.It’s not clear exactly what causes Alzheimer’s. Its best-known hallmark is the sticky amyloid that ... READ MORE
Try behavior therapy for chronic insomnia
Tossing and turning night after night? Don’t automatically reach for the pill bottle. New guidelines say the first choice to treat chronic insomnia should be cognitive behavioral therapy — a way to condition your body to slumber again.It takes more time and effort than popping a pill, but the American College of Physicians says the method known as CBT can be effective and... READ MORE
