Month: December 2015

Adding muscle relaxers or narcotic pain relievers to the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) naproxen (Aleve) did not improve pain or function for people who went to emergency rooms seeking help for severe low back pain.

A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease raises concerns for multiple people in a family. An individual with a close relative with Alzheimer’s is at slightly higher risk for the disease. Genetic testing for Alzheimer’s risk genes is not generally helpful.

Osteoarthritis is the most common cause of chronic knee pain, but there are other possibilities, such as overuse, injury, and non-arthritis conditions. The first person to talk to is your primary care doctor.

Colonoscopy or other screening exams can prevent colorectal cancer, although the number of lives this ultimately saves is less clear. Despite uncertainties, colorectal cancer screening is one of the most effective preventive health measures.

Dietary supplements promise to protect vision, but this only works for people who already have age-related macular degeneration. A heart-healthy diet may help support vision and definitely delivers general health benefits.