A tick bite can cause allergy to red meat
A bug can turn you into a vegetarian, or at least make you swear off red meat. Doctors across the U.S. are seeing a surge of sudden meat allergies in people bitten by a certain kind of tick. This bizarre problem was discovered only a few years ago, but is growing as the ticks spread from the Southwest and the East to more parts of the United States. In some cases, eating a burger or a... READ MORE
SilverSneakers takes sting out of exercise
“It gets me up and going in the morning, it’s like going to school,” says Bob Brelsford, who describes his age as somewhere on the upside of 65.The Palm Springs resident settles in an armless chair in the midst of a dozen more senior-age exercisers who carry on a stream of chatter as they choose gear for the hour — hand weights separated by color from a pile on the... READ MORE
We need to eat more protein as we age
Say the word “protein,” and it conjures up everything from Paleo and Atkins diets for weight loss, to soy protein for heart health, and whey protein for muscle building.At the other end of the protein spectrum are claims that too much can harm your kidneys, or that the key to good health is to avoid animal protein and focus on eating only plant protein.The science behind how... READ MORE
Study explores Parkinson’s genetic roots
One million people in the United States (five million worldwide) suffer from Parkinson’s disease (PD), a neurodegenerative disease second only to Alzheimer’s in numbers of people affected.Motor symptoms of PD include tremor, stiffness and/or slowing of movement, and walking problems. Parkinson’s can also affect neurological and mental health. While they vary from person to ... READ MORE
New daily tablets may replace allergy shots
For decades, seasonal allergy sufferers had two therapy options to ease the misery of hay fever. They could swallow pills or squirt nasal sprays every day for brief reprieves from the sneezing and itchy eyes. Or they could get allergy shots for years to gradually reduce their immune system’s over-reaction.Now, patients can try another type of therapy to train their immune system... READ MORE
Green burial, an alternate, natural way to go
It’s likely you’ve given some thought to what you would like to have happen to your body after you die. You may have decided a traditional burial that involves embalming, a steel casket and a concrete vault just isn’t for you.Yet the idea of cremation doesn’t sit quite right either. The relatively recent emergence of a practice known as a “green burial”... READ MORE
Before docs check your vitals, check theirs
Americans consider insurance and a good bedside manner in choosing a doctor, but will that doctor provide high-quality care? A new poll shows that people don’t know how to determine that. Being licensed and likable doesn’t necessarily mean a doctor is up to date on best practices. But consumers aren’t sure how to uncover much more. Just 22 percent of those questioned are confident... READ MORE
Lifestyle changes may slow aging of cells
A small pilot study shows for the first time that changes in diet, exercise, stress management and social support may result in longer telomeres — the parts of chromosomes that affect aging.It is the first controlled trial to show that any intervention might lengthen telomeres over time.The study, published online in The Lancet Oncology, was conducted by scientists at UC San Francisco ... READ MORE
Feds diverge on proper use of painkillers
How do you have a conversation about prescription drugs that provide critical pain relief to millions of Americans yet also cause more fatal overdoses than heroin and cocaine combined?The answer is: It depends.Different parts of the federal government describe the problem — and potential solutions — of abuse with Vicodin, OxyContin and other opioid drugs in different terms.The... READ MORE
Talk allays questions about sex after cancer
Here in the U.S., at least, we’ve come a long way from a time when cancer was barely talked about, even behind closed doors. Now all kinds of awareness campaigns, fundraising events and support groups have made it easier to address issues that you or a loved one might face.Amid all the openness, though, there remains a topic many are still reluctant to discuss. That topic, of course,... READ MORE
