Two new studies suggest that about 1 patient out of 5 returns within 30 days after a hospital stay. One study examined 4 million hospital stays. About 18% of patients came back within a month after their hospital stay. About 40% of them went to the emergency room only. The others were admitted again. A second study looked at 3 million hospital stays by Medicare patients. Among those who were admitted for heart failure, nearly 25% were admitted again within 30 days. Almost 20% of those with heart attacks came back. So did 18% of those with pneumonia. Most people were admitted the second time for a different problem. The author of this second study said a long hospital stay can increase people’s risk of illness or injury soon afterward. Some reasons include poor sleep in the hospitals or weaker muscles from bed rest.
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If erectile dysfunction drugs in pill form don’t work, there are four major alternatives: penile injection, urethral medication pellets, vacuum constriction method, and penile implant. Each option has pluses and minuses, and will work for different men.
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Common causes of forgetfulness, especially in older adults, are stress, anxiety, depression, and not enough sleep. Drinking too much alcohol, medication side effects, and thyroid problems may also contribute, along with multitasking and fatigue.
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Injections of steroid medication offer minimal relief from the leg pain known as sciatica due to a bulging (herniated) spinal disk. Conservative remedies like the use of an anti-inflammatory drug and physical therapy are treatment options.
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Many people take a daily vitamin and mineral supplement expecting to feel better and prevent disease. The evidence for doing this is weak. A new trial suggests that taking a multivitamin slightly reduces cancer risk but does nothing for heart disease.
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Unless you have symptoms such as mini-strokes, ultrasound screening for carotid artery blockage is very unlikely to help and may cause more harm than good.
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Morton’s neuroma is a thickening of nerve tissue between the bones at the base of the toes. It is more common in women than in men. Treatment usually starts with wearing shoes with wide toe boxes and low heels.
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Aerobic exercise reduces fatigue in people being treated for or recovering from treatment for cancer. Consult with your doctor before starting a new exercise program.
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Cataract surgery did not increase the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in a large group of patients at one Australian hospital. AMD is a major cause of vision loss in older adults.
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Long-term use of a proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) drug for heartburn may increase the risk of infection or reduce absorption of some nutrients. Some people may be able to stop taking a PPI and switch to a different medication if there is a concern.
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