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Depression may be more common as people age, but new data suggest that the biggest threat to older adults’ mental health is their failure to recognize its symptoms and seriousness. Many chalk up depression as a normal part of aging, but addressing it as a real and treatable disease can help older adults seek the help they need and not needlessly suffer.
PSA tends to increase as men get older, but levels that get too high may suggest prostate cancer. Many doctors consider a total PSA level higher than 10 ng/mL (nanograms per milliliter) as the threshold for getting a biopsy to check for cancer. But men with levels between 4 ng/mL and 10 ng/mL have to decide with their doctors whether to go forward with a biopsy or monitor their condition. Nowadays, men with mild to moderately elevated PSA levels can get additional noninvasive tests that can help with the decision process.
So-called blood thinners actually don’t “thin” blood. They are anti-clotting drugs that protect high-risk people from developing potentially dangerous blood clots that can lead to a heart attack or stroke. People who may benefit from them include those who have atrial fibrillation or a stent in a blood vessel, or who are immobile after surgery.
In recent years, more states have legalized medical cannabis, and more people have turned to it for help, especially older adults. There are different ways to take it, from smoking to eating to applying oil or cream. While the science behind its effectiveness continues to grow, people should consult their doctor and familiarize themselves with their state’s law to determine if medical cannabis is something they should explore.
A 2020 study found that people’s awareness and control of their high blood pressure have both dropped in recent years, especially among older adults.
Eating foods rich in flavanols is associated with less cognitive decline as people age. New research suggests a possible reason: These nutrients appear to improve blood flow to the brain.
People who suffer from two common smell disorders—phantosmia, where they smell an odor that isn’t there, and parosmia, where they smell strange and often unpleasant odors—may benefit from smell training to treat damage caused by viral infections.
A study published by JAMA Network Open found that people taking vitamin D supplements were less likely to have a cancer that spread from the original tumor site to another part of their body or one that proved fatal. However, this risk reduction was only seen in people who were at a normal weight, not those who were overweight or obese. The study did not find that people who took vitamin D were less likely to develop cancer over all compared with those who did not.
Diet alone is unlikely to cause a type of painful arthritis known as gout, but can trigger an attack in someone who already has the condition.
Doctors often want to wait until a person is 60 or older to perform knee replacement surgery, because these artificial joints typically only last 15 to 20 years. But some people opt to have the procedure sooner if knee pain is causing significant disability.