When/how to use opioids for acute pain
Two recent articles have again highlighted how often opioid pain relievers — medications like oxycodone and hydrocodone — are excessively prescribed in the U.S. for acute pain, sometimes for vulnerable populations, and sometimes for conditions for which they are probably not even indicated. The first paper, by authors at Boston Children’s Hospital, evaluated visits to the... READ MORE
Hospitals need blood donors of any age
Dear Mayo Clinic: I’ve never donated blood before because I’m nervous that I’ll faint when I see the needle or blood. Is there anything that I can do to prevent that from happening? A: It’s common to be nervous about donating blood if you’ve never done it before. But blood donation center staff members are skilled at making the experience as smooth as possible, and your... READ MORE
Efforts to bring CBD to senior housing
Virginia lawmakers continue to fine-tune legislation that aligns with the state’s growing medical cannabis program by advancing two Senate bills facilitating the work of caregivers and lab employees. The goal is to enable older adults who have been certified for medical cannabis to obtain and use the substances. Bill SB 185, sponsored by Sen. Siobhan Dunnavant, R-Henrico, would... READ MORE
New cookbook aims to bring out flavors
This month’s recipe comes from Deep Flavors, a new cookbook described as “a celebration of recipes for foodies in a kosher style.” The author is Ken Horwitz, an attorney and CPA from Dallas, Texas, with a passion for cooking. He tells stories before (and within) almost all his recipes, giving context and history, and he describes step-by-step instructions to maximize the flavor and ... READ MORE
Questions on dry skin, cholesterol drugs
Q: My skin has become very dry and itchy over the past year. Could it be some other skin problem, not just dry skin? A: Our skin’s top layer, or epidermis, is normally thick with naturally occurring fats and oils that act as a barrier to help retain moisture and prevent irritants from entering the skin. But as we age, the skin thins, and we lose some of those fats and oils. This... READ MORE
Can a chiropractor treat low back pain?
If you’ve ever seen a doctor for back pain, you’re not alone. An estimated 85% of people experience back pain severe enough to see a doctor at some point in their life. Yet despite how common it is, the precise cause of pain is often unclear. And a single, best treatment for most low back pain is unknown. “Standard care” includes a balance of rest, stretching and exercise,... READ MORE
U.S. life expectancy rises (for a change)
Life expectancy in the United States is up for the first time in four years. The increase is small — just a month — but marks at least a temporary halt to a downward trend. The rise is due to lower death rates from cancer and drug overdoses. “Let’s just hope it continues,” said Robert Anderson, who oversaw the report released in January by the Centers for Disease ... READ MORE
Wash hands to keep yourself, others well
The single most important thing you can do to keep from getting sick and to stop the spread of disease-causing germs is to wash your hands — often. All it takes is soap and water, 20 seconds of scrubbing hands and wrists and then a good rinse. Viruses that cause colds and the flu are most often transmitted by hands. People commonly catch colds when they rub their nose or their eyes... READ MORE
Knee pain? Options to try before surgery
When cartilage inside the knee joint starts to break down, a person may begin to experience pain. “If you were to look inside a healthy knee joint, you’d see a thick cushioning of cartilage that covers and protects the ends of your bones, as well as another type of cartilage, called the meniscus, that acts like a shock absorber between the bones,” said Andrew Urquhart, M.D., a... READ MORE
How to best prevent muscle loss with age
After age 30, adults lose as much as 5% of muscle mass every decade. That phenomenon is called sarcopenia, or aging-related loss of muscle. It’s a vicious circle: If you don’t exercise, you become weaker and even less able to exercise. “If you’re unable to be as active and do as much physical activity, then you’re setting yourself up for a worsening of the problem,” said... READ MORE
