Meningitis
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Hemorrhoids
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Report Questions Need for Flu-Fighting Drugs
A new report questions the practice of governments stockpiling drugs to prepare for wide-scale flu outbreaks. The nonprofit Cochrane Collaboration released the report. Cochrane assembled a group of flu experts. They reviewed nearly 50 studies of the antiviral drugs oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or zanamivir (Relenza). These included internal reports from drug companies and the European Medicines Agency. The review concluded that these drugs can shorten flu symptoms in adults by about half a day. But the evidence does not show that they can help stop flu from spreading, Cochrane said. And they also didn’t keep people from developing pneumonia or other serious illness from flu. Since the H1N1 “swine flu” pandemic of 2009, the United States has spent $1.3 billion on these medicines. Several other governments also have bought large supplies. An official of the U.S.
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Are you losing your sense of smell?
Smell loss that lasts longer than a few weeks should be evaluated by a doctor.
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5 steps to adapt your home as you age
Adapting a home to suit an older person’s needs can help him live there longer.
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Fast way to improve heart and muscle fitness
Stair climbing has many physiological benefits. It burns twice as many calories as walking, and it engages muscles in the legs, arms, buttocks, and shoulders.
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Ask the doctor: Why do we get shorter as we age?
As one ages, the bones in the spine tend to shrink. That may cause a person to lose height.
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Blood pressure drugs associated with fall risk
It appears that exposure to moderate or high doses of any medication to treat high blood pressure is associated with a 30% to 40% increased risk of falls with serious injury.
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Caffeine IQ: How much is too much?
A safe amount of caffeine intake each day is 200 to 300 milligrams (mg). More than 500-600 mg per day may increase the risk of negative side effects.
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Erectile dysfunction and the drugs to treat it
Erectile dysfunction is diagnosed when a man has difficulty attaining and sustaining an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse. Prescription medications are the first line of treatment.
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