Could you have small fiber neuropathy?

By Suzy Cohen
Posted on May 07, 2021

There is neuropathy, and then there is small fiber neuropathy. These conditions are different. I hope this column will help many people who are suffering and don’t know what they have. You might very well have small fiber neuropathy (SFN), and if you ignore it, in time it will lead to bigger problems all over your body. But if you get proper treatment and help, it is very treatable. I... READ MORE

Health Shorts

By The Associated Press
Posted on May 05, 2021

Tweaked COVID vaccines fend off variants Dozens of Americans are rolling up their sleeves for a third dose of COVID-19 vaccine — this time, shots tweaked to guard against a worrisome mutated version of the virus. Make no mistake: The vaccines currently being rolled out across the U.S. offer strong protection again COVID-19. But new studies of experimental updates to the Moderna and... READ MORE

Should you be screened for lung cancer?

By Jim Miller
Posted on May 03, 2021

Dear Savvy Senior, What can you tell me about lung cancer screenings? I was a big smoker but quit years ago, so I’m wondering if I should be checked out. —Former Smoker Dear Former Smoker, Lung cancer screening is used to detect the presence of lung cancer in otherwise healthy people with a high risk of lung cancer. Should you be screened? It depends on your age and your... READ MORE

Mayo Clinic Q&A: Lower back pain issues

By James Atchison, D.O.
Posted on April 30, 2021

Dear Mayo Clinic: I am 45 and relatively healthy. But about a year ago, I hurt my lower back while working in the yard. I felt a sharp pain and could barely walk. It took about a month to heal. online pharmacy buy avodart online with best prices today in the USA Then about a month ago, I hurt my back again — this time while lifting my young son. The pain does not seem to be getting... READ MORE

Smoking cannabis may be bad for heart

By Julie Corliss
Posted on April 28, 2021

Now that marijuana is legal for medical or recreational use in many states, growing numbers of Americans — including older people — are imbibing this popular drug. In fact, the percentage of people ages 65 and older who said they used some form of marijuana almost doubled between 2015 and 2018, a recent study reported. Compared with prescription drugs, the health consequences of... READ MORE

Dietary supplements: Useful or harmful?

By Rozalina McCoy, M.D.
Posted on April 26, 2021

Dear Mayo Clinic: Why does my doctor want to know what supplements I’m taking, even if I don’t have any health problems and don’t take more than the recommended amounts? A online pharmacy order lipitor online with best prices today in the USA : It’s important to tell your healthcare provider about any dietary supplements you take. Although you don’t need a prescription for most ... READ MORE

Volunteer for a home-based sleep study

By Margaret Foster
Posted on April 23, 2021

If you have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, you know how difficult it can be to feel alert the following day. How well we sleep at night affects how we think, feel and act during the day. Now researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine are launching a new study for older adults with or without sleep disorders — and no in-person visits are... READ MORE

The key to perfect pan-seared salmon

By America’s Test Kitchen
Posted on April 21, 2021

Pan-searing salmon sounds straightforward: Just add a little oil to a nonstick pan, get it good and hot, season a couple of fillets, and cook them until they’re cooked through and nicely browned on the exterior but still pink on the inside, right? There are two issues with this technique: The fish cooks unevenly, and the exteriors of the fillets end up more tough than crisp. We knew ... READ MORE

Have a penicillin allergy? Are you sure?

By Kimberly Blumenthal, M.D.
Posted on April 16, 2021

People with a penicillin allergy on their medical record are not given penicillins (or often their relatives, the cephalosporins) when they have infections. Instead, the antibiotics prescribed may be broader-spectrum, less effective, and/or more toxic. One recent national study from more than 100 U.S. hospitals with almost 11,000 patients demonstrated that if you have a reported... READ MORE

Medications too costly? These can help

By Ashley Brooks
Posted on April 14, 2021

Q: Is there anything I can do to help cut back on my prescription costs? I have private insurance, but the copays are still too high! A: Even after a medication has been billed to insurance plans, they may still be expensive. The high cost could be due to a number of things — including high deductibles, which require you to pay a certain amount for your medications before the insurance ... READ MORE