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Ovarian cancer can affect women of all ages, but you may be surprised to learn that ovarian cancer is most prevalent in older women. According to the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance, the median age for diagnosis of ovarian cancer is 63. Additionally, the American Cancer Society points out that ovarian cancer is most often found…

For many seniors, allergies are a mild annoyance that, at worst, require an over-the-counter (OTC) allergy medication to keep symptoms at bay. For others, however, allergies can lead to breathing difficulties and a worsening of asthma. Others cause severe skin reactions that cause hives. Seniors in the latter group are sometimes diagnosed with chronic spontaneous…

Original Medicare insurance is available to seniors in the United States age 65 and over as well as some disabled individuals under 65. When you become eligible for Medicare benefits, you select coverage options from among the different plans offered in your state. Although the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) ultimately governs the…

The nervous system is an incredible feat of engineering as the average human body contains around 37 miles of nerves. Virtually every part of your body is connected through your nervous system. All of the nerves in your body connect with your brain through your spinal cord, and it’s this pathway that controls everything from…

ALS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is a progressive and fatal disease that affects nerve cells of the brain and spinal cord, and it eventually leads to the loss of muscle control.  In the United States, there are about 20,000 people living with ALS, and 5000 new diagnoses every year. ALS typically occurs when a person is…

If you’re a senior with diabetes, you know how important it is to monitor your blood glucose levels throughout the day. Although continuous glucose monitoring devices may be convenient, they aren’t for everyone. Many seniors opt to use traditional test strips instead. Test strips are discreet and can be transported easily, and they are available…

The first successful kidney transplant was carried out in 1954, and since then, kidney transplants have become the most commonly performed transplant procedure in the United States. Although any type of transplant operation carries risks, modern medicine has nearly perfected the art of renal transplantation. Seniors who undergo kidney transplants have high five-year survival rates….

The initial 1965 Medicare program offered health insurance to older adults, primarily to protect retirees no longer eligible for employment-sponsored medical insurance plans. The focus at that time was the high cost of hospital inpatient care, giving rise to Medicare Part A (hospital insurance). The Medicare program automatically enrolled eligible beneficiaries in Part A, offering…

Original Medicare is made up of different parts that address coverage. Part A is hospital insurance, and Part B is medical insurance. In addition to inpatient hospital care, Part A helps defray your costs as an inpatient in a skilled nursing facility (SNF) for short-term stays. Part A benefits also include hospice care and some…

Kidney stones can be some of the most uncomfortable and downright painful medical problems you can encounter. In fact, some people have claimed that pain from kidney stones is worse than that of childbirth! Symptoms of kidney stones may include pain and pressure in the lower abdomen along with difficulty urinating or stopping and starting…

If your physician tells you that you have contracted onychomycosis or tinea unguium, you might panic. But those are just complicated names for a common condition – fungal nail infection. Some of the most common symptoms of this condition are:  Thick nails Brittle nails Nails with white or yellow streaks Flaking on the nail’s surface…

Although Original Medicare is a government-subsidized health insurance plan, it helps cover many expenses for those who are eligible. This doesn’t mean that it is entirely free, though. There are several costs associated with carrying Original Medicare coverage.  Medicare recipients have the option of enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan as an alternative to Original…