Category: harvardhealth_news_UNDEFINED

I’m 79 and had chickenpox as a child. Should I get the shingles vaccine? What are the risks?

Diverticular disease develops due to a lack of dietary fiber, and is most common in the elderly, but many people never realize they have it because there are few symptoms.

A thoracic aortic aneurysm can be small and stable, or it can tear or rupture. People with certain genetic conditions, and those who have a relative who has had this condition, are at higher risk and should be tested.

Sleep-maintenance insomnia, the inability to remain asleep during the night, may be caused by health problems, depression, or stress. Maintaining good sleep habits and practicing relaxation techniques may lead to a better night’s sleep.

Postprandial hypotension, low blood pressure that occurs after eating, can cause dizziness, chest pain, nausea, or other issues, particularly in the elderly.

A blockage in one of the carotid arteries can be cleared either by endarterectomy or carotid angioplasty. The latter is less invasive, but some research is showing that this method may have a higher risk of complications.

Incidence of infection caused by the bacterium Clostridium difficile is rising, mainly in patients in hospitals and long-term care facilities who have received antibiotics.

Some men use growth hormone as an anti-aging treatment, even though it is illegal to market it for this purpose. Studies of test subjects who took growth hormone found a high incidence of side effects such as joint pain and carpal tunnel syndrome.

Thiazide diuretics are often recommended as the first medication to use to control blood pressure, but I've heard that a large study called ALLHAT found an association between thiazide diuretics and diabetes. Is this something to be concerned about?

Chest pain is an indicator of a possible heart attack, but it may also be a symptom of another condition or problem. The type and location of the pain can help doctors determine what is causing it.