health-letter
Digital mammography is poised to replace the standard version, but studies show them to be about equal in effectiveness at detecting cancers, depending on age and breast density. Ultrasound and MRI are also useful tools for detection in some women.
It is now understood that heart disease affects men and women differently, so doctors should consider these gender differences in diagnosis and treatment.
I have been taking Avodart for my BPH, along with Flomax, but finasteride may be less expensive. Should I switch?
The shingles vaccine Zostavax has not turned out to be as popular as was expected, due in part to its high cost and questions about its effectiveness.
Opioid drugs like morphine are the most effective pain relievers, but constipation is a typical side effect. it is therefore advisable to take a stool softener and a laxative when taking an opioid.
The prevalence of CT scanning has had a marked impact on medical diagnosis, but the radiation from a CT scan is much higher than from a traditional x-ray, and people who undergo repeated scans may be at increased risk for cancer.
I’ve taken Fosamax for 11 years. My bone density has improved. One doctor I consulted told me to continue taking it, but another said it would be dangerous to do so. What should I do?
Angina is pain that radiates from the chest, caused by blockage of a coronary artery. Stable angina is not immediately life-threatening and can be treated effectively with medication, but unstable angina is a medical emergency.
Swimming is an excellent form of exercise for almost anyone. It tones larger muscles, eases arthritis pain, and lowers blood pressure, while the cushion of the water greatly reduces the risk of injury.
Questions and answers about migraine headaches: what they are and are not, what causes them, prevention, and more.