Does Medicare cover second opinions?
Dear Savvy Senior, The doctor I currently see thinks I need a knee replacement, but I would like to get some other treatment options before I proceed. Does Medicare cover second medical opinions? —Limping Larry Dear Larry, Getting a second medical opinion from another doctor is a smart idea that may offer you a fresh perspective and additional options for treating your knee so you ... READ MORE
Questions re: probiotics, spinal stenosis
Q: Is there a recommended daily intake of probiotics? A: There are two ways to get more good bacteria into your gut: fermented foods and dietary supplements. Fermented foods are the most natural source. Probiotic supplements, which are typically sold over the counter, are reserved to treat specific ailments as suggested by your doctor and are not recommended for everyday use. Plus,... READ MORE
What is a liquid diet and is it healthy?
In America, there is no shortage of diets to cling to: Paleo, plant-based, keto, DASH — all with their merits and pitfalls. Another popular choice is the liquid diet, or the so-called “juice cleanse.” Whether you drink juices, blender shakes, tea, broths or soups, liquid diets are nutrition programs that direct you to get either some, most or all of your daily calories from liquids ... READ MORE
Is it normal memory loss or worrisome?
Dear Mayo Clinic: My mom is in her 80s, and I’ve noticed that her memory seems to be slipping. Sometimes she forgets a person’s name or can’t recall what she did the day before. Is it normal to have these types of lapses at her age, or should I be worried they are signs of something more serious? A: It is understandable that you are concerned about changes in your mother’s... READ MORE
Weight-loss drugs raise anesthesia risk
Patients who take blockbuster drugs like Wegovy or Ozempic for weight loss may face life-threatening complications if they need surgery or other procedures that require empty stomachs for anesthesia. [Ozempic is also used by some patients with Type 2 diabetes.] This summer`s guidance to halt the medication for up to a week may not go far enough, either. Some anesthesiologists in the... READ MORE
Healthy oils to choose at home and out
Some people may be cautious when it comes to using oils in cooking or with their food. Eating fat with meals conjures thoughts of high cholesterol and, well, getting fat. The fact that some fats are labeled as “bad” adds to the confusion and misconception that all fats are unhealthy. But that isn’t the case. “It’s important to consume oils,” said Shilpa Bhupathiraju,... READ MORE
Trade-offs with new Alzheimer’s drugs
Another experimental Alzheimer’s drug can modestly slow patients’ inevitable worsening — by about four to seven months, researchers reported last month. But there are safety risks, too. Eli Lilly and Co. is seeking Food and Drug Administration approval of the drug, called donanemab. If cleared, it would be only the second Alzheimer’s treatment convincingly shown to delay the... READ MORE
Ways to save money on healthier food
Contrary to what you may have heard, eating healthy doesn’t have to be really expensive. A meta-analysis of 27 existing studies by researchers at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that the healthiest diets only cost $1.50 more per day, on average, than the least healthy ones. Here are ways you can cut costs and eat healthy on a budget. Cook at... READ MORE
When is it safe to stop screening tests?
Screening tests, such as Pap smears or blood pressure checks, could save your life. They can detect a disease you have no reason to suspect is there. Early detection may allow treatment while a health condition is curable and before irreversible complications arise. Some screening tests help prevent the disease they are designed to detect. For example, colonoscopies and Pap smears (for... READ MORE
New studies target long Covid symptoms
The National Institutes of Health is beginning a handful of studies to test possible treatments for long Covid, an anxiously awaited step in U.S. efforts against the mysterious condition that afflicts millions. The July announcement from the NIH’s $1.15 billion RECOVER project came amid frustration from patients who’ve struggled for months or even years with sometimes-disabling... READ MORE
