In the journals: Positive outlook speeds recovery
People who have a positive attitude about the aging process have an easier time recovering from disability than those with a negative attitude.
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What you should know about: The latest blood thinners
New anticoagulants for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation-dabigatran (Pradaxa), apixaban (Eliquis), and rivaroxaban (Xarelto)-are at least as effective as warfarin in preventing stroke and have a reduced risk of bleeding into the brain.
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In the journals: Loneliness might signal mental decline ahead
Older adults who feel lonely face more than double the risk of developing dementia, according to a study of more than 2,000 people in Amsterdam.
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Brain plaque vs. Alzheimer’s gene
Two tests are available to determine if you are at increased risk for getting Alzheimer’s disease: a test for a gene known as APOE4 and a brain imaging test called a PET scan. Research shows that the brain scan is a better predictor.
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Ask the doctor: Prediabetes: signaling a need for lifestyle change
People with a fasting blood glucose level of 100 to 125 mg/dL have a condition called prediabetes. They are at risk for type 2 diabetes. The risk can be reduced with regular moderate exercise and maintaining a healthy weight.
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Heart Beat: Diet matters after a heart attack
Eating a heart-healthy diet after a heart attack or stroke can dramatically lower the risk of having a fatal or nonfatal second heart attack or stroke, or developing heart failure.
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In the journals: Exercising improves walking speed for people with Parkinson’s
Several kinds of strength and endurance exercise help people with Parkinson’s disease to function better, although the exercise does not slow down the disease itself.
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Smoking interferes with bypasses
Smoking adversely affects the quality of leg veins used to bypass blockages in the heart’s arteries, increasing the risk of graft failure.
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Active surveillance: An option for low-risk prostate cancer
After prostate cancer diagnosis, immediate treatment is not the only option. Some men with low-risk cancers can choose to monitor the cancer very closely and treat when the disease progresses. This allows a man to delay or avoid the risks of treatment.
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Lift weights for diabetes protection
For people who are unable to do aerobic activity, weight training is an effective way to reduce diabetes risk. That’s because muscles use glucose, and by creating more muscle that needs more glucose, weight training decreases blood glucose levels.
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