FDA approves new stent that dissolves

By Matthew Perrone
Posted on September 28, 2016

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 device ... READ MORE

How regular exercise may cut cancer risk

By Dr. Howard LeWine
Posted on September 19, 2016

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.

By Jim Miller
Posted on September 14, 2016

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... READ MORE

Behavior changes may precede dementia

By Lauran Neergaard
Posted on September 07, 2016

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

By Beacon
Posted on September 01, 2016

Clinical trials are one of the major factors responsible for the gains made in breast cancer survival over the past 30 years.“While much can be learned from the anecdotal clinical experience of individual practitioners and from retrospective chart review, this informal system is not conducive to high-quality clinical studies that could help change clinical practice,” said Dr.... READ MORE

How are you feeling today?

By Suzy Cohen
Posted on August 29, 2016

It’s such a simple question and yet, I bet your own opinion of how you feel matters little to your doctors. It’s quite frequent that you’re told not to worry about your health if a lab test comes back as “normal.” The assumption is made that nothing’s wrong. New research from Rice University in Texas suggests that how you feel is a more reliable indicator of future illness... READ MORE

Added sugar isn’t so sweet for your heart

By Judy Thalheimer, R.D
Posted on August 26, 2016

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

By Harvard Men’s Health Watch
Posted on August 25, 2016

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... READ MORE

Foods that protect your skin from the sun

By Brierley Wright, R.D.
Posted on August 12, 2016

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. Strawberries Eating more vitamin C-rich foods... READ MORE

Do people burn more calories when cold?

By Barbara Ruben
Posted on August 11, 2016

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