Deciding whether knee replacement surgery is necessary depends on the symptoms, the extent of joint damage, how much the joint problems limit daily activities and how well other treatments are working. Consulting with an orthopedic surgeon or a rheumatologist can help people make the best decision.
American adults consume an average of 77 grams (almost 20 teaspoons) of sugar per day. A little extra sugar may seem harmless, but the amounts can add up and, over time, contribute to a variety of health issues, like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Avoiding high-sugar foods by reading labels and cutting out sugar-sweetened beverages are the best ways to lower intake of added sugar.
A large observational study published online Dec. 16, 2019, by JAMA Internal Medicine suggests that eating ultraprocessed food is linked to an increased risk for developing diabetes.
There are many physical changes that can affect driving skills. For example, arthritis pain may make it hard to grip a steering wheel, get in and out of a car, or push the pedals; hearing loss can make it harder to detect hazards, such as an ambulance approaching an intersection. Driving assessment programs can help people find out if their conditions are impairing their road skills. The goal of such programs is to keep people in the driver’s seat, so that they can stay safe, mobile, and independent for as long as possible.
There are several points to consider when getting used home medical equipment, such as whether an item has been sanitized, whether it’s adjustable, whether a seat cushion will provide the proper support, and whether any accompanying motors or batteries are working properly. It’s important to do a thorough assessment of the item or hire a technician who can do it. If equipment doesn’t seem to fit the user or if it has missing parts, one should keep looking for other options.
Healthy breads are made of whole grains and have a short ingredients list. To find a healthy bread in a grocery store, one should read the ingredients list to make sure whole grains are used, and read the Nutrition Facts label to make sure each slice (or 28-gram serving) contains no more than 80 calories, less than 100 milligrams of sodium, at least 3 grams of fiber, less than 3 grams of sugar (and zero added sugar), 15 grams of carbohydrates, and no saturated fat.
When an exercise regimen becomes tedious, there are several ways to make it more interesting. Examples include adding challenging moves, such as a lunge that ends with raising dumbbells overhead, and pairing exercise with other interesting activities, such as hiking and photography or walking while listening to music or a favorite podcast. If adjusting an exercise routine doesn’t increase interest, it may be time to try a brand-new exercise, such as ballroom dance, shadow boxing, step aerobics, or tai chi.
A large randomized study published online Oct. 22, 2019, by the European Heart Journal found that taking blood pressure medications at night rather than the morning appears to significantly lower blood pressure and lower the risk for heart attack, stroke, surgery or stents to open blocked arteries in the heart, and death from heart disease or stroke. The study also found that taking blood pressure medications at night instead of the morning seemed to have no adverse effects, such as a higher rate of getting dizzy and falling when getting up at night to go to the bathroom.
When it comes to the best time of day to take medication, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. It depends on the particular medication, a person’s health conditions, and other drugs being taken. For example, some pills are best taken in the morning, before breakfast, to promote better absorption. Others may need to be taken at bedtime because they may cause drowsiness. One should always ask about the best time of day to take a medication when it’s first prescribed.
Icosapent ethyl (Vascepa) is a drug made from a highly purified form of fat found in fish oil. In late 2019, it was FDA-approved for people with borderline high triglyceride levels at high risk of cardiovascular disease.