Aging does not automatically mean relinquishing independence. Independent living can be sustained through attention to health issues like diet, exercise, control of blood pressure, vision, and maintaining a safe home environment to prevent falls.
Research has established that heart disease tends to run in families, so if a family member has a heart attack or stroke, it should serve as a motivator for other family members to see their doctors.
The shingles vaccine Zostavax has not turned out to be as popular as was expected, due in part to its high cost and questions about its effectiveness.
I have been taking Avodart for my BPH, along with Flomax, but finasteride may be less expensive. Should I switch?
Many people do not realize that smoking is as bad for cardiovascular health as it is for the lungs. Quitting has some almost-immediate benefits, and after 20 years quitters have the same risk of death as nonsmokers.
It is now understood that heart disease affects men and women differently, so doctors should consider these gender differences in diagnosis and treatment.
Digital mammography is poised to replace the standard version, but studies show them to be about equal in effectiveness at detecting cancers, depending on age and breast density. Ultrasound and MRI are also useful tools for detection in some women.
Brief reports on giving proper attention to high triglycerides, undermining cardiovascular drug therapy with unhealthy lifestyle choices, and an apparent bonus from taking a statin: reduced risk of blood clots.
Physical removal of age spots can be costly and painful. Topical treatments take time to work, but are generally safe, cost less than removal procedures, and are easier on the skin.
People who quit smoking can expect their risk of related illness to decrease to about the same level as that of people who have never smoked, although it can take several years for this to happen.