In the journals: No generation gap found in diabetes education
Group and individual diabetes education is equally effective for both middle-aged and older people.
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Month: March 2013
In the journals: Are your whole grains wholly healthy?
Some whole-grain food products are high in healthy fiber but may contain added sugars and salt, which lower the food’s nutritional quality. Look for foods with a ratio of total to fiber carbohydrates of at least 10 to one.
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Digoxin useful … with restrictions
Although digoxin is commonly used in atrial fibrillation, it can increase the risk of death and should be used only in very low doses and as a second rate-control drug when a safer drug is not adequate.
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High blood pressure a silent danger in postmenopausal women
Nearly a third of American adults have high blood pressure, and in about half this condition is poorly controlled. Controlling blood pressure can help avert cardiovascular disease.
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AMD: a preventable form of vision loss
Macular degeneration causes loss of central detailed vision. It is more common with aging. A healthy lifestyle may lower the risk. Early detection with regular dilated eye exams may be helpful in reducing vision loss.
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On call: CoQ10 for muscle aches
There is no solid evidence that taking coenzyme Q10 prevents muscle problems related to taking a cholesterol-lowering statin drug. The risk of side effects from the supplement is low, so it may be relatively safe to try it for a month or two.
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Ask the doctor: How can positional vertigo treatment affect tinnitus?
A physical maneuver called the Epley maneuver can help ease positional vertigo, but won’t do anything for tinnitus.
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Ask the doctors: Can a low magnesium level cause an arrhythmia?
Low magnesium levels can trigger the development of abnormal heart rhythms such as atrial fibrillation. Proper magnesium levels can be restored by taking magnesium supplements or eliminating a cause such as excessive alcohol use.
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In the journals: Other options better than vitamin D for knee arthritis
Vitamin D supplements do not appear to be effective for reducing pain and slowing the progression of knee osteoarthritis.
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Heart beat: It’s never too late to quit smoking
Smoking takes about 10 years off a lifespan. Quitting smoking at any age can replace some of those years.
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