The buildup of plaque deposits in the carotid arteries of the neck can block blood flow to the brain and cause a stroke. The arteries can be unclogged either with carotid endarterectomy surgery or placement of a stent.
People who have diabetes risk factors should get their blood sugar checked. If it’s normal, they should get it checked again in three years. If it’s not normal, they should get it checked yearly.
Even though some cold remedies are available over the counter, they are still medications that can interact with other drugs and interfere with existing health problems.
Eating more tree nuts may help people with type 2 diabetes lower their blood sugar.
With obesity at epidemic proportions, it is essential that we take a closer look at not just at what we eat, but how we eat.
Stress may affect women and men with heart disease in different ways, a new study suggests. The study included 254 men and 56 women. They were given 3 mentally stressful tasks. Men showed greater increases in blood pressure and heart rate than women did. But for women the stress had a greater impact on the heart. They were more likely than men to have decreased blood flow to the heart. They also had more clumping of blood cells, which could lead to clots. Differences were seen in emotional responses to stress as well. Women had a greater increase in negative emotions than men while doing the stressful tasks. They also had a larger decline in positive emotions. The Journal of the American College of Cardiology published the study online. HealthDay News wrote about it October 13.
I just had a bone density test that shows osteoporosis. How do you choose the right drug?
Amputation rates for Americans vary greatly depending on their race and where they live, a study shows. Blacks were 3 times as likely as non-blacks to have a leg amputated. The report is published on the website of the Dartmouth Atlas Project. It is based on Medicare claims. They covered the years 2007 through 2011. Researchers focused on Medicare patients who had diabetes and peripheral artery disease (PAD). PAD causes poor circulation in the legs. Both of these conditions increase the risk of amputations. Besides the racial differences, leg amputation rates were 5 times as high in some regions as in others. Overall, amputation rates were highest in the Southeast and in rural areas. Blacks were more likely than non-blacks to receive surgery to improve circulation. It can help prevent the need for amputations.