New treatments for incontinence
New options for treating incontinence in women include Botox injections, Myrbetriq, the Oxytrol patch, and mini-sling procedures.
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Month: February 2014
Ask the doctor: Can flaxseed and red yeast rice supplements lower cholesterol?
Flaxseed and red yeast rice may help lower cholesterol, but women should check with their doctor before taking them.
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Physical and mental fitness are essential for maintaining back health
Preventing occasional back pain from becoming a chronic problem requires both physical and mental fitness. It is important to stay physically active, strengthen the muscles supporting the back, and maintain flexibility.
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In the journals: High-dose vitamin E may slow Alzheimer’s decline
Adding vitamin E to standard Alzheimer’s drugs modestly slows the decline in daily functioning caused by dementia.
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Walk more to slash your stroke risk
Men who walk the most have the lowest risk of stroke. A study showed that total walking time, rather than walking pace, determines how much stroke risk is reduced. Walking 30 minutes a day is sufficient to reduce the risk of stroke.
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Research we’re watching: Taking steps to avoid heart disease
Walking an extra 2,000 steps a day may lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, or dying of heart disease in people at high risk of diabetes and who also have (or are prone to) heart disease.
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Why you need a bone density scan
To avoid a fracture, women over 65 and those at risk for osteoporosis should have a baseline bone density scan. How often they need additional scans depends on their fracture risks.
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New recommendations relax the trigger point for taking medication
New expert recommendations for treating high blood pressure relax the threshold at which men ages 60 and older should consider taking medication to lower their blood pressure.
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Research we’re watching: Lose a few pounds to help your heart
Losing 10% of their body weight can help overweight women improve heart risks such as unhealthy LDL cholesterol and C-reactive protein (a marker of inflammation). Even women who lose smaller amounts of weight can see improvements in heart risks.
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Ask the doctor: Blood pressure drugs and potassium
People who take a potassium-sparing diuretic such as spironolactone (Aldactone, generic), should not use salt substitutes that contain potassium, and limit their intake of potassium-rich foods such as bananas, orange juice, and potatoes.
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