Articles

The medical community recommends specific vaccinations to reduce your risk of preventable diseases and severe illness. You may also need vaccinations required for employment, school and travel. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for approval before a vaccine is available for public distribution. The Centers for Disease Control and…

Under normal conditions, cells grow and divide while the body rids itself of abnormal cells. Cancer results from a disruption in the cell turnover process when new cells grow uncontrollably and abnormal cells do not go away. You may question the need for undergoing medical tests when you feel well, but some cancers are initially…

Taking your health seriously is something that people of all ages should do, but health and wellness tend to become a stronger focus with age. It’s no secret that health problems often become magnified in both intensity and frequency with age. The body also has a harder time coping with things like injuries as we…

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 2.5% of Americans have valvular heart disease. The condition is more prevalent in people born before 1943. Treatment varies with the level of severity. In some cases, your doctor may prescribe medication to manage the symptoms. In severe cases potentially leading to heart failure…

The balance between sleep and brain function can be delicate. While many people face occasional insomnia or mild sleep issues, some seniors experience chronic, moderate to severe issues that disrupt their daily life. Chronic disorders such as narcolepsy can be detrimental to physical, mental, emotional and social health on an ongoing basis. Narcolepsy can also…

Digestive concerns are common among seniors. Your diet, medications, and other medical conditions can affect the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Side effects of GI problems can range from mildly irritating to life-threatening. For most seniors, GI concerns require a visit with a family physician to be checked out. If your doctor is unable to easily diagnose…

The National Center for Biotechnology Information reports that cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the U.S. and one of the chief causes of death across the globe. Customized cardiac rehabilitation for patients with specific heart problems can improve cardiovascular function, reducing mortality risk and enhancing quality of life.  Medicare cardiac rehabilitation…

There were close to 66 million people enrolled in some form of Medicare insurance in the United States in 2023, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. In 2024, each one of these beneficiaries may be facing cost changes to Medicare Part B.   Most Medicare beneficiaries enroll in Part B when they’re first…

Today in the United States, breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer for women. In fact, it’s estimated that over 297,000 new cases will be diagnosed before the year ends.  The National Cancer Institute reports that women who are 70 years and older have a one in 24 chance of developing breast…

As people get older, urinary problems become more common, and they’re often due to changes in the kidneys and bladder. With age, kidney tissue and blood vessels harden and the kidneys filter blood more slowly. The bladder loses its elasticity, and the muscles weaken, making it more difficult to store urine.  Men older than 60…

Some allergic reactions can be life-threatening, but there are tools available to help you deal with an incident. AUVI-Q is a brand-name epinephrine injection that physicians can prescribe to treat sudden and severe allergic reactions including anaphylaxis.  AUVI-Q can be self-administered into your thigh (or you can have someone else administer it for you) by…

Most seniors in the United States have a family physician that they visit when feeling sick or when seeking treatment for an ongoing medical issue. Doctors in the U.S. are required to possess a medical license, have the proper training and hold accreditation from various state boards. Unfortunately, doctors these days are often busy, and…