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?
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.
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.
Anticholinergic use among older adults for three or more years is linked to an increased risk for developing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
There seems to be agreement that supplements are worthless in supporting good health. I?ve been taking a multivitamin for older women for many years. I also take a calcium supplement since I am lactose intolerant. Should I discontinue the multivitamin, the calcium, or both?
Smartphone applications (apps) that track and create charts of blood pressure readings over time may help people to better control their condition. But apps that use the phone itself as a blood pressure-measuring device may not be accurate.
It appears that people who regularly eat whole grains have a lower overall death rate and a lower death rate from heart disease than people who don’t eat whole grains regularly.
To find the best hospital, ask a doctor for a recommendation. Other ways to identify a quality hospital include checking national hospital rankings and browsing hospital websites.
A daily intake of 25 to 35 grams of fiber reduces the risk of major diseases. Ideas for incorporating it into diet are given.
Having a demanding job with little control may slightly increase the risk of a stroke. Job strain may activate factors that predispose a person to developing a blood clot, which can lead to a stroke.