Morton’s neuroma is a thickening of nerve tissue between the bones at the base of the toes. It is more common in women than in men. Treatment usually starts with wearing shoes with wide toe boxes and low heels.
Aerobic exercise reduces fatigue in people being treated for or recovering from treatment for cancer. Consult with your doctor before starting a new exercise program.
Cataract surgery did not increase the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in a large group of patients at one Australian hospital. AMD is a major cause of vision loss in older adults.
Long-term use of a proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) drug for heartburn may increase the risk of infection or reduce absorption of some nutrients. Some people may be able to stop taking a PPI and switch to a different medication if there is a concern.
Annual check ups may not make you live longer, but they could help you enjoy better health throughout life and get better care if a health problem arises.
Total knee replacement requires a prolonged recovery. For most people, rehab starts at home. Starting a good exercise regimen with a physical therapist or trainer before surgery can speed recovery.
Taking fish oil before and after cardiac surgery does not help prevent the appearance of irregular heart rhythms that often follow surgery.
Many children with medical conditions are using alternative therapies, a study suggests. Researchers surveyed parents of children who got medical care at specialty clinics in Canada. All of the children had long-term conditions. They included epilepsy, asthma, heart problems and cancer. About 71% of children at a clinic in western Canada used some type of complementary or alternative medicine (CAM). About 42% of those at a central Canada clinic used CAM. The most common CAM products used were multivitamins and minerals (85%). About 16% used herbal products. Nearly 12% used homeopathic products. The CAM practice used most often was massage (39%). More than 20% used chiropractic. About 16% each used relaxation and aromatherapy. The journal Pediatrics published the study online. MedPage Today wrote about it January 14.
Hearing loss may increase the risk of problems with memory and thinking in older adults, a study suggests. The study included 1,984 people in their 70s and 80s. At the start of the study, tests showed they had normal brain function. But 1,162 of them had problems with hearing. Researchers kept track of everyone for about 6 years. They repeated the tests of hearing and brain function 3 times. More than 600 people developed memory or thinking problems. Researchers adjusted their numbers to account for other factors that can increase the risk of mental decline, such as high blood pressure or low education. People with hearing problems were still 24% more likely to develop thinking and memory problems than people with normal hearing. Researchers noted that people who don’t hear well may not talk to other people as much.