PET scans peer into the heart of dementia
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Month: October 2013
Many Doctors Ignore PSA Screening Guidelines
Many doctors are ignoring guidelines to steer clear of PSA testing for older men, says a study. Researchers from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston reviewed Medicare records for more than 61,000 patients and more than 2,000 doctors. More than 40% of men ages 75 and older had prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood tests, which screen for prostate cancer. None of these men had a history of prostate cancer. The researchers found that certain doctors ordered the test more than 10 times as often as other doctors did. The PSA test is not recommended for men ages 75 and older, because most prostate cancers grow so slowly that men this age would die of another cause before the cancer became a threat. The researchers also note that diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer in elderly men can carry health risks.
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Cause of swollen, itchy, and red feet?
I went outside three times this summer with shoes and socks. The next day, my feet were swollen, itched unbearably, and were very red. It took almost a month (no treatment other than topical) for this condition to go away. What could it be?
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How long to wait for a burn to heal before exercising?
I burned the back of my wrist 9 days ago. The burn is about 1 by ? of an inch. It is mostly healed, but ? of it is still oozing. Can I run (sweat), or should I wait until it’s healed?
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Midurethral sling surgery for stress incontinence
Women who experience urinary stress incontinence may want to consider midurethral sling surgery, a minimally invasive procedure in which a mesh support is inserted to relieve pressure on the urethra.
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Light and social smoking carry cardiovascular risks
Almost 25% of smokers smoke only a few cigarettes per day, or smoke only once in a while, but they are still exposing themselves to the same health risks as heavier smokers.
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Ask the doctor: Smoking: cut back or cut it out?
It’s important to quit smoking. It’s not clear whether there’s a benefit to merely cutting back on the number of cigarettes smoked. Smoking-cessation methods are most effective in the context of a comprehensive cessation program.
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Kids and Flu Shots — What’s New
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Letters from an obese president tell a familiar story of struggling with weight
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Any evidence that Aluminum cookware isn’t safe?
Is there any credible evidence that aluminum cookware is not safe to use?
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