Higher altitude does strain the cardiovascular system, but if you prepare and don’t push yourself too hard, high-altitude travel can be safe for men with history of heart problems.
When a new depression medication medicine doesn’t lessen symptoms early in treatment, adding a form of psychological counseling called cognitive behavioral therapy can help.
With aging, many people wake during the night and have trouble falling asleep again. It’s important to adopt good sleep habits before considering sleeping pills for persistent insomnia. Counseling called cognitive behavioral therapy can also help.
It is healthy to eat fish regularly. Other kinds of seafood, such as lobster, shellfish and squid, may contain excessive amounts of sodium, cholesterol, and fat, depending on how they are prepared. Think of these as occasional luxury foods.
The rate of death from any cause is lower in people who undergo standard treatment for infection with the hepatitis C virus that successfully suppresses activity of the virus to undetectable level.
There is no solid evidence that taking coenzyme Q10 prevents muscle problems related to taking a cholesterol-lowering statin drug. The risk of side effects from the supplement is low, so it may be relatively safe to try it for a month or two.
Macular degeneration causes loss of central detailed vision. It is more common with aging. A healthy lifestyle may lower the risk. Early detection with regular dilated eye exams may be helpful in reducing vision loss.
Some whole-grain food products are high in healthy fiber but may contain added sugars and salt, which lower the food’s nutritional quality. Look for foods with a ratio of total to fiber carbohydrates of at least 10 to one.
Group and individual diabetes education is equally effective for both middle-aged and older people.
The latest research shows that acupuncture, a traditional Chinese healing practice, is worth a try for chronic pain. Acupuncture is safe and painless if performed by a trained practitioner, but insurance usually does not cover it.