Deciding whether knee replacement surgery is necessary depends on the symptoms, the extent of joint damage, how much the joint problems limit daily activities and how well other treatments are working. Consulting with an orthopedic surgeon or a rheumatologist can help people make the best decision.
Lowering LDL cholesterol levels is an important way to reduce the risk of heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. But people also should monitor their triglycerides—the most common type of fat in the body. In some cases, medications help lower high levels, but lifestyle changes are the preferred method, such as eating healthier carbohydrates, curbing alcohol, losing weight, and increasing exercise.
Meditating for 20 minutes can help people recognize mental mistakes and, perhaps, avoid them in the future, according to a recent study.
About 75% of heart attack sufferers do not have dangerously high LDL (bad) cholesterol levels. A new study found that measuring a particular subclass of LDL may be a better predictor of heart disease risk.
People with a high risk of heart disease also may be at risk for cancer, as both conditions share many risk factors, such as poor nutrition, lack of exercise, and smoking.
A recent study concluded that the quality of existing evidence that red and processed meats are harmful is “low” and advised that people should not change their red meat habits for health reasons. Yet the science community has rebutted this, and international health organizations continue to suggest that lowering red meat consumption can reduce a person’s risk of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and premature death.
Everyone’s attention tends to wander with age. Certain lifestyle strategies, such as working in blocks of time and practicing stimulating activities, can help people sharpen their focus and improve the brain’s executive function skills, such as planning, making decisions, and paying attention.
Men newly diagnosed with prostate cancer have a choice of several different approaches to therapy. Surgery called a prostatectomy involves removing the entire prostate gland. While this is the most invasive approach for treating prostate cancer, it may be the best option for men with aggressive prostate cancer that has not spread outside the gland.
When stress becomes more frequent or lingers—what’s known as chronic stress—it can cause excessive strain throughout the body and lead to higher inflammation, higher blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, and sleep disturbances—all factors that contribute to a higher risk for heart disease, heart attacks, and strokes. By practicing certain behaviors, people can train their brain and body not to let chronic stress control them.
Researchers found that cataract surgery can help people become safer drivers by improving their responses to such situations as traffic congestion and pedestrian crossings, in turn reducing their risk of crashes.