health-letter
When trying to avoid a knee replacement, treatments such as supplement therapy, acupuncture, and viscosupplementation can be effective. There is not enough evidence to show that platelet-rich plasma therapy (PRP) and prolotherapy are effective.
You can reduce chronic pain by fooling your brain. Distractions, including any activity in which you are focused or absorbed, may release natural painkillers that block incoming pain signals as they enter the spinal cord.
Extremely vigorous exercise may help reduce the risk of new cases of psoriasis. Doctors recommend at least 3-4 hours of vigorous exercise per week (such as tennis, swimming, or running), as long as your doctor says it’s okay.
A rating system called the glycemic index can help you choose healthy sources of carbohydrates. Focus on foods with a low glycemic index (55 or less), and try to limit those with a high glycemic index (70 or higher).
Caffeine may help us produce more tears, but doctors don’t recommend it as a treatment for dry eye syndrome. Instead, use artificial tears, topical anti-inflammatory treatments, and sometimes procedures to plug tear ducts.
“Good” bacteria found in food and dietary supplements may help ward off illness. Called probiotics, these bacteria been shown to secrete protective substances that turn on the immune system and prevent pathogens from taking hold.
Treating varicose veins used to mean a trip to the operating room and general anesthesia. Now it is usually an office procedure that involves using heat to make the vein collapse.
All baby boomers-everyone born between 1945 and 1965-should be tested for hepatitis C. That’s because an estimated 1.5 million of them have hepatitis C, which can cause liver failure or liver cancer, but don’t know it.
A procedure known as hip resurfacing is emerging as an alternative to hip replacement. But not everyone has the right anatomy for hip resurfacing, and because of its track record, total hip replacement is best for people over 65.
Researchers now have better evidence that deep brain stimulation improves the motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease for up to three years after implantation.