Ask the doctor: Safe driving and aging
When is it time to stop driving? My kids worry that my driving skills are slipping.
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Month: March 2015
“Advanced” cholesterol testing: Is it for you?
Advanced cholesterol testing, which includes measuring particle number and size, isn’t necessary for most people, but may help people with high heart risk.
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Review finds no sign of memory loss from statins
A study found no convincing scientific evidence that taking a statin can cause memory loss or other changes in mental functioning. The new research review covered randomized clinical trials that included nearly 47,000 people.
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A stable weight may reduce fracture risk
Contrary to conventional wisdom, postmenopausal weight gain, as well as weight loss, increases the risk of bone fractures.
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Opioid painkillers: Take the strong stuff only when you need it
Opioid painkillers like hydrocodone and oxycodone offer relief from pain, but the body gets used to them, requiring ever-higher doses.
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When are opioids safe to take?
Opioids can be safe for severe, acute pain following surgery or injury. They should be used carefully in the treatment of chronic pain.
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Ask the doctor: Which bone density test should I have?
My doctor has recommended a bone density screening, but the medical center with the full-body scanner is a 45-minute drive from my house. A health fair at a neighborhood church offers a bone density test using a foot scanner. Would that be as accurate?
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Heart attack risk rises after a bout of pneumonia
Older people hospitalized for pneumonia face four times their usual risk of a heart attack or stroke or dying of heart disease in the month following the illness. The elevated risk declines over time.
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One in 10 men may be taking aspirin unnecessarily
A study found that one in 10 people who take protective aspirin may not really qualify, because the risk of heart attacks and strokes wasn’t great enough to justify the risk of unwanted bleeding associated with aspirin.
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New concerns about anticholinergic medications
Anticholinergic use among older adults for three or more years is linked to an increased risk for developing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
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