Keep glaucoma from hurting your vision
Q: My friend recently was diagnosed with glaucoma. Is glaucoma treatable? Am I at risk for it? A: Glaucoma is a disease of the eye that causes damage to the optic nerve. The optic nerve connects the eye to the brain to help you see. Glaucoma usually occurs when there is extra fluid in your eye that causes pressure to increase, damaging the optic nerve and affecting vision permanently, ... READ MORE
Northam prioritizes childhood education
The beehive installed on Capitol Square in 2016 to support Virginia’s honeybee production is an apt metaphor for First Lady Pamela Northam’s office, especially between Thanksgiving and the new year when activities crank up a notch. Take the November day I interviewed her, when she joined her husband, Governor Ralph Northam, as Virginia Native Americans from the Mattaponi and Pamunkey ... READ MORE
Love means saying you’re sorry (often)
Dear Solutions: My 8-year-old grandson is living with us for a while. I think I overreacted to something he did, and I punished him in a way that I now think was unfair. My wife is angry at me, and says I should apologize to him because he thinks I don’t love him. I think if I apologize, it will undermine my authority. And besides, he knows I love him, so I don’t have to say it. — ... READ MORE
Didn’t get a flu shot yet? Join this study
Last winter, the flu killed 80,000 Americans, the highest death toll in more than 40 years. Many had not been vaccinated, and those that were, particularly older adults, may not have gained enough protection. Now, researches at six locations around the U.S., including Rockville, Md., are looking at a possible new way to boost the flu vaccine’s effectiveness by using stem cells. Stem ... READ MORE
Monkey bread is fun to make with kids
Monkey bread is a knotty-looking loaf of sweet bread made from balls of dough coated with cinnamon, sugar and melted butter. It’s traditionally served warm so that the sticky baked pieces can be pulled apart. The name “monkey’’ refers to how you eat this sweet treat — with your hands. Your grandchildren may also have as much fun making the bread as eating it. Monkey... READ MORE
Why you still need milk (or substitutes)
You probably grew up guzzling milk. It’s a solid source of protein, and it helps you build strong bones. Flash-forward a few decades, though, and it’s no longer front and center in your fridge — if it’s in there at all. More and more people are going vegan or paleo, and ditching dairy. Even if your diet doesn’t prohibit milk, concerns about its link to acne, allergies and... READ MORE
What’s the truth behind artificial flavors?
Six artificial flavors are being ordered out of the food supply in a dispute over their safety, but good luck to anyone who wants to know which cookies, candies or drinks they’re in. The dispute highlights the complex rules that govern what goes in our food, how much the public knows about it, and a mysterious class of ingredients that has evolved over decades largely outside of public ... READ MORE
Costly difference: Inpatient vs. observation
When person enters the hospital because of required medical treatment, she is generally not concerned about how she is classified as a patient. But what may seem like an arbitrary classification can be very costly for people with Medicare. Hospitals classify each patient’s status as either “inpatient” or “observation.” Inpatient status implies severe problems requiring highly... READ MORE
When considering hip or knee replacement
How long will a hip or knee replacement last? For people considering this type of surgery, it’s something they want — and need — to know. In the U.S. alone, surgeons perform more than 600,000 knee replacements and about 330,000 hip replacements each year. These operations can provide a major improvement in quality of life and function for those with severe arthritis. On the... READ MORE
Acupuncture can treat many conditions
Dear Mayo Clinic: I started chemotherapy last month, and my healthcare provider suggested I try acupuncture for nausea. How does acupuncture work? Is there any risk to trying it? Answer: Traditional Chinese medicine, including acupuncture, dates back more than 2,500 years. Acupuncture involves inserting thin, single-use, sterile needles through the skin to identify and correct... READ MORE
