Facing violence and guilt in relationships
Dear Solutions: I’m very concerned about my granddaughter, who is considering marrying her boyfriend. She is confiding in me and asked me, “Can someone love you and still hit you at the same time?” She says she knows her boyfriend loves her and wants to marry her, but when he gets very angry he lashes out at her physically. They’re making wedding plans, but she says that... READ MORE
Comforting lentil soup doesn’t need meat
Rich bean soups are classic winter comfort food. They are filling, healthy and inexpensive, making them a worthy addition to the menu rotation. The downside to dried bean cookery is the time it takes to soak and then cook beans. Canned beans are a reasonable substitute, although they cost more than three times the price of their dried, bagged counterparts. An easy, money-saving... READ MORE
K2 can prevent, and fight, prostate cancer
Couples have plans, but after the C word is dropped, those plans change to unite a couple in the medical process. After skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most widespread cancer among men, affecting one in seven every single year. Prostate cancer is also the third-leading cause of cancer death, after lung and colorectal cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. The good news... READ MORE
When carpal tunnel pain requires surgery
Dear Mayo Clinic: I have carpal tunnel syndrome that used to bother me only at night. Wearing a splint helped, but now my symptoms are noticeable throughout the day as well. Does this mean surgery is inevitable, or are there other things I can do to help lessen the tingling and numbness it’s causing? Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by pressure on the median nerve that’s in... READ MORE
A little alcohol OK with most antibiotics
Q: My doctor prescribed a 10-day course of antibiotics for a persistent sinus infection. I usually have wine with the dinner. Do I need to stop drinking? A: I’d heard the warning to avoid mixing alcohol and antibiotics from friends and family while growing up. But during medical school, I only heard it in reference to a specific antibiotic, metronidazole (Flagyl). People who take... READ MORE
Be a happy camper with your grandchild
If you attended a camp as a child or teenager, you might remember the meaningful experiences you enjoyed, or the long-lasting friendships you forged. You may also yearn to go back to those days of s’mores, sing-alongs and summer sun. The good news? Just because you are no longer a kid doesn’t mean you can’t go to camp. There has been a recent increase in the number of... READ MORE
FDA proposes crackdown on homeopathy
U.S. health officials plan to crack down on a growing number of unproven alternative remedies, focusing on products containing dangerous ingredients that have occasionally been linked to serious injury and death. The Food and Drug Administration recently issued a new proposal for regulating homeopathic medicines that have long been on the fringe of mainstream medicine. The agency... READ MORE
Ways to reduce fall risk and injuries
It can happen to anyone at any time. One minute you’re on your feet; the next you’re on the ground. Falls are the leading cause of all non-fatal injuries, and the most common reason for visits to the emergency room. One in five falls results in a significant injury, such as head trauma or broken wrists, hips, legs or ankles. Falls are also the second leading cause of injury-related... READ MORE
Getting stronger can help prevent falls
Dear Savvy Senior: I’ve fallen several times over the past year, and my doctor has recommended that I start a strength-training program to help prevent future falls. But at age 72, I’ve never lifted weights before and could use some help. What can you tell me? — Looking for Help Dear Looking: Weak leg muscles and poor balance are two of the biggest factors that cause older ... READ MORE
Scientists explore music’s healing power
Like a friendly Pied Piper, the violinist keeps up a toe-tapping beat as dancers weave through busy hospital hallways and into the chemotherapy unit, patients looking up in surprised delight. Upstairs, a cellist strums an Irish folk tune for a patient in intensive care. Music increasingly is becoming a part of patient care — although it’s still pretty unusual to see roving performers ... READ MORE
