Uncategorized

You might think that osteoporosis is a disease that only affects older women, but the truth is that men are affected by osteoporosis at almost the same rate as women. Some studies have demonstrated that about 30% of women are at risk of developing this condition at some point in their lives. Between 13% and…

When you enroll in Medicare you receive a printed card from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). This card contains your health care insurance information and is necessary to prove that you have Medicare coverage.  If you apply for Medicare yourself – either online, over the phone, or at a local CMS office…

According to the Mayo Clinic, three out of 10 Americans live with persistent pain resulting from injury or illness. Our complicated central nervous system enables pain to develop and spread, sometimes making it difficult to pinpoint the underlying cause. Pain can affect many aspects of your life, and can cause stress, depression, anxiety, lack of…

When you eat, food is digested with the help of secretions from gastric glands, enzymes, and microbes. For instance, enzymes lining the stomach, proton pumps, assist in acid production and serve an essential role in the digestive process. Hydrochloric acid destroys microbes in food and helps enzymes break down food. However, enzymes can lose effectiveness…

Reaching retirement age means starting a new chapter in your life, and for many seniors in the United States, it also means you can begin taking advantage of Medicare benefits. Started in 1965, Medicare is an insurance program provided to Americans age 65 and older as well as some people who have qualifying disabilities under…

Your skin is an organ within an overarching system that includes hair and nails, which protects your internal environment. By regulating body temperature and generating sensory information, such as pleasure and pain, skin helps you respond appropriately to your external environment, removing your hand from a hot surface, for example. Because your skin has massive…

When you turn 65, you are eligible for the Medicare program, a relief to retirees losing employer-sponsored health insurance plans. However, Medicare coverage comes with costs that may include premiums, coinsurance and copayments. Each part of Medicare has a cost-sharing component.  What does Part A (hospital insurance) cost? At age 65, if you or a…

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…