health-letter
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.
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.
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.
Research shows that inflammation, marked by elevated blood levels of C-reactive protein, is linked to risk for depression. This raises the question of whether adding anti-inflammatory drugs to antidepressants will improve depression treatment.
People with the chronic irritated, flaky skin condition called psoriasis may also be at risk for type 2 diabetes. The same cells that trigger the inflammation of psoriasis are also associated with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.
Dermatologists now have official guidelines for Mohs surgery, a procedure that removes skin cancer while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. Smaller, more superficial skin growths may not be right for Mohs surgery.
Tomatoes may help lower your risk of ischemic stroke. Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant that may reduce inflammation and cholesterol, improve immune function, and prevent blood from clotting.
New guidelines make hormone therapy acceptable for short-term use in healthy women up to age 59 or within 10 years of menopause with marked menopausal symptoms. It’s not acceptable for long-term use.
Ophthalmologists can now perform cataract surgery using lasers instead of scalpels to make incisions. Three-dimensional imaging provides the precise measurements needed for laser use.
People who engage in leisure-time physical activity can extend their lives by as much as four years, compared with similar-weight people who do no such activity. Being active and also maintaining a healthy weight boosts longevity by more than seven years.